We get a lot of questions from homeowners about how to price their construction project. When it comes to custom home building, there is no “one size fits all,” cookie-cutter costing system. Every single project is unique and different – which means it involves its own design, its own construction practices, and thus its own unique price. But did you know that there are many different ways to get bids on your construction project? In this article, we will discuss two of the most popular kinds of construction contracts: lump-sum and cost-plus. It is important that you understand the difference, including the pros and cons of each, so that you can make the right decision when it comes to requesting financial information on your project.
Why Do Florida Homes Have Textured Walls, and How Do I Make My Walls Smooth?
Have you just moved to the Sunshine State from somewhere like California or New England? Then perhaps you are surprised by the number of homes that feature textured walls. Whether it’s the small, rough specks on a popcorn ceiling or orange-peel walls, or the more sweeping texture known as knock-down, texture can seem rough and strange when you’re used to smooth finish walls. So why do so many Florida homes have textured walls? And how do you make your walls smooth if you don’t like the texture? Read on to find out.
The New Shape of Home Design: 2021 Design Trends We LOVE
When it comes to home design, 2021 is the year for turning a new leaf. Favored design trends from the last decade are fading fast, being replaced by a bold sense of adventure in color, texture and style. Read on to find out what’s “in” and “out” in 2021:
How Design Trends Have Changed in 2020
A lot of things have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and construction and design are no exception. Here are three ways that design trends have changed in 2020.
Exposed Bulb Lighting – A Very Popular Lighting Choice
Exposed bulb lighting has become increasingly popular and looks like a trend that is here to stay. Rather than hiding the bulb behind an opaque shade, exposed light fixtures put the simple, sculptured form of the bulb on display, creating an outstanding point of interest.
For those captivated by the look, there are a remarkable variety of options. Pendant lights are one of the most popular and widely available forms. They are being chosen to replace chandeliers and track lighting and work wonderfully well over kitchen islands.
How Design-Build Helps You Save Money
Did you know Design-Build can actually save you money? You have probably heard that if you want to build a custom home, the first place to start is with an architect. Even Contractors will refer you to an architect if you don’t have blueprints done, because they need plans in order to give you a proper estimate. The trouble with this is that most architects are going to draw you whatever you want and will not give you much guidance on what things cost. So if you have a budget, you will likely experience sticker-shock when you bring your completed blueprints to your Contractor and find out it will cost you far more than you expected to build what you want.
At our company, we saw many tears and much frustration in our conference room when homeowners discovered that they could not afford to build what their architect had drawn them. Since our purpose is to make the building and renovating process less stressful and more enjoyable for homeowners, we decided there had to be a better way to help our clients create their dream homes within their budgets. Because, let’s face it, not everyone has the cash flow of Warren Buffett – and even Warren runs a tight budget. That is when we discovered Design-Build.
What is Design-Build?
Design-Build is a project delivery system in the construction industry in which one entity handles both the design and the build aspects of a construction project. This means that one company (in our case, the Contractor) runs the design and planning portion of the project in addition to the construction. Not only does this give both the Contractor and the homeowner more control, it saves the homeowner a ton of money.
The Wonders of Natural Stone Flooring
Finding the Right Stone Flooring
Natural Stone flooring is a wonderful choice for Florida homes. Not only is its cool temperature perfect for withstanding the heat and humidity, it also adds a feeling of luxury that’s hard to find in other materials. It is eco-friendly, as it is mined from the earth in various locations around the globe, and today’s selection offers fantastic variations in color and quality. But with so much variety, how do you choose? Where do you even start?
We thought we’d simplify it for you. Read on to learn more about stone flooring and which kind might be right for your home.
Choosing Custom Cabinets: Let’s Break It Down
We love cabinets. Aside from their practical use (they store things, organize our spaces, hide items that might otherwise be clutter), they can be the most beautiful part of a kitchen, bathroom or bedroom. But not all cabinets are created equal, and stock cabinets can sometimes have a negative effect on a room, making it look cheap and cluttered. That’s why we prefer semi-custom or custom cabinets. Not only can the layout be designed to best fit your life, you can choose every detail from the style to the finish.
But so many choices can make you dizzy trying to decide which ones are right for you. Where do you even start? Let’s break it down. Read on to learn the basic types of cabinets and how to choose the style that’s right for you.
Lighting Trends That Will Transform Your Home
Lighting can make or break your room’s atmosphere. Whether it is your living room, kitchen, bathroom or bedroom, the lighting is a very significant aspect of any room. Not only does the type of fixture and quality of the light count, there are other details to consider such as the direction or quality of the light. Here are a few things to think of when planning the lighting in your custom home:
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