Articles Related to 'Homebuilding activity'

Finding your Dream Home

Finding your Dream Home

Now is the time to find Your Dream Home! As you know, fall is just around the corner. The days are now getting shorter, the weather is getting cooler, and leaves are starting to change colors. With all this change in the air, I have to ask -- can you think of a better time to start looking for your dream home? Now is the perfect time to start looking through house plans for at least two reasons. 1) The Market As most of you know, the housing market has been in a bit of a slump. In fact, according to some experts, we are experiencing the biggest U.S. Housing slump in 40 years! That information may sound quite dismal, but there are some benefits that many people fail to realize. For years, material suppliers have catered their business to production

Published On: 9/8/2008

Filled under: House Plans, Housing Market, Homebuilding Activity

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Now or never.

Sometimes, when you are building a home, there are certain decisions that just have to be made. Some of these decisions are fairly inexpensive when the home is under construction, but much more expensive to add once the home is done. For example, if you finish the basement of a home, you'll want to be sure you have gas lines, heat and electrical work run wherever you may need it in the upstairs because it is much harder to add those items after the basement is drywalled. I am regretting not adding another gas line to a location where I would like to eventually put a fireplace. Had I done it while my home was under construction it would have cost me around $100. Now if I go back and add the gas line I will pay 2-300 because the drywall is done and it is much harder for the gas company to

Published On: 5/17/2005

Filled under: Homebuilding Activity

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Here are 10 steps for hiring and working with a contractor

This is the year you're going all out. You're going to build a deck, add a porch, erect a gazebo or lay a patio. You've done the research. It's well within your capability and you're looking forward to the satisfaction of creating a structure of beauty. Or not. Yes -- you'd like to proceed with an outdoor structure, but for you, it isn't a do-it-yourself project. How can you find the right person to do it for you? Here are 10 tips for hiring and working with a contractor. 1. Plan your project carefully. Clip pictures, make sketches, write a description. This will help you accurately convey to the contractor what you want the finished product to be. 2. Make a list of contractors. Ask your neighbors or friends for the names of reputable tradesmen. Contact material suppliers --

Published On: 4/29/2005

Filled under: A Home Builders Opinion, Homebuilding Activity, Home Builders

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The House is Almost done.

Some of the most exciting part of building a new home is the last few weeks, but it can also be the most stressful if you're building your own home. A lot happens in the last few weeks as all of the finish materials are put in the home and the colors and textures start to take shape. It's fun for me as a home designer because I get to see my ideas that I had when creating the house plan start to come together. If you're building the home for yourself however, it can be stressful as you come closer and closer to the day you have to be out of your old home or apartment and the new home is still not yet complete. This week is the last week I have to finish my home before I have to be out of the last. As luck would have it, we've ended up with backordered materials, inclement weather (which

Published On: 3/21/2005

Filled under: Homebuilding Activity

1261 Views

So How Much Will This Home Plan Cost to Build?

Since so many variables make up the cost per square foot, such as lumber prices, location, amenities chosen, time of year, etc., there is no "standard" cost per square foot. You can get an idea by calling several contractors in your area. However, be aware that their bids probably don't include the cost for building permits, impact fees and construction loans. Be sure to ask them to give you estimates for these items too. When comparing bids, homeowners should be sure they are comparing "apples to apples." For example, prices will vary tremendously if one builder is quoting an estimate for a kitchen with hickory cabinets and ceramic tile and the other is quoting cherry cabinetry and oak flooring. Consumers should also be wary if the contractor is submitting an

Published On: 2/27/2005

Filled under: A Home Builders Opinion, Homebuilding Activity, Cost to Build

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Dealing with subcontractors

I know many of you who are looking at our house plans are probably wanting to general contract your own home. I have written several articles on why not to do that, but some of you will do it anyway. For those of you who like that kind of stress, let me give you a few hints when it comes to working with subcontractors. NEVER pay any sub-contractor up front money. When the job is finished, DO NOT just accept the sub-contractors word "I'm finished" INSPECT IT (twice) to make sure it is finished, and then pay them. VERY IMPORTANT: Require ALL Sub-contractors to sign a Mechanic Lien Release (or lien waiver) form, showing that you have paid them in full. Your local title company probably has a pre-written form.Find the right sub-contractor. How? -NEVER hire a relative, even

Published On: 2/26/2005

Filled under: Homebuilding Activity, A Home Builders Opinion, Home Builders

1131 Views

Hardwood flooring

Hardwood flooring

Here is a picture of some of the hardwood flooring that we are going to put in. It is a white oak. My wife doesn't love it but we got it for around $3 a square foot so we will live with it. If anyone is interested in getting some let me know and I will give you the contact information of the guy we bought it from. Here's the

Published On: 1/11/2005

Filled under: Homebuilding Activity,

3122 Views

The brick is on

The brick is on

We have recieved several feet of snow over the past few days. You can tell by the picture that it is winter in Cache Valley. They put the brick up this last friday. The house should be done in the next 5 weeks or so. Here's the

Published On: 1/10/2005

Filled under: Homebuilding Activity, Exterior Materials

2326 Views

The house is sheet rocked

The house is sheet rocked

Here are some more pictures. These are from a while ago but the show the general state of the house. Here's the outside: It's a mess but here's the family room: and here is a newer picture with things cleaned up a bit: Here's the arch over the stairway: This is the view from the living room looking down the hall: The tub in the master: The basement is a walkout: These pictures are a bit old. I took them over the holidays. The brick is up on the front now, and they will be putting in the flooring this next week. I'll post more pictures as soon as I can get over

Published On: 1/8/2005

Filled under: Homebuilding Activity

1827 Views

The Latest Home Design Project.

The Latest Home Design Project.

Well, Here is a picture of the latest project. The doors were hung this morning. We should be able to have an inspection tomorrow so that we can start drywalling and getting this closer to being done. The home plan turned out pretty good. Its always fun seeing things come together. Some things turned out better than I expected, and of course there are things that I wished were a little different. But thats the way it goes when you're building a home. Hopefully soon we'll get some masonry work done and get the outside

Published On: 1/4/2005

Filled under: Homebuilding Activity

1084 Views

Progress update

All the electrical and plumbing are now in. The bathtubs are over there, and they are supposed to put in the fireplace tomorrow. If everything passes inspection they will insulate on friday and sheetrock next week. I finally saw a spreadsheet of costs. There is a lot of stuff on there that I did not know you need to to to build a house. It takes a lot of effort and a lot of cooperation from various people and organizations to put up a home. I am amazed it happens at

Published On: 12/15/2004

Filled under: Homebuilding Activity

1644 Views

Be careful when deciding how much house you can afford

I just read a really great article that talks about the current state of mortgages in the United States. In my opinion it is always better to use prudence when deciding how much debt to take on. Here is a link: http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Banking/Homefinancing/P98896.asp If you want to know what the house price index is in your state check here: http://www.ofheo.gov/HPI.asp If you want to know what the house price index is check

Published On: 12/8/2004

Filled under: Homebuilding Activity, Mortages

1984 Views

Keep your foot in the door.

I have been working with our framing contractor this week trying to get things finished up at the house we are building. It's a fun process building a home and seeing everything come together, but I think its important to keep tabs on whats going on. Sometimes, someone elses interpretation of how things should be determines the outcome of a homeplan, rather than the intentions of the home owner or designer. Fortunately, we've been working with a pretty good framing contractor that is happy to build things as we want them, yet makes suggestions on things that will and won't work. Maybe one of these days I'll post a picture of the home. Its been a struggle getting the roof completed as the truss company built a girder truss incorrectly, so they had to come back out and replace it. Then

Published On: 12/8/2004

Filled under: Homebuilding Activity, A Home Builders Opinion

1007 Views

Progress

I took some more pictures of the house last saturday. The weather has been pretty cold and snowy so I am glad I did. Here's the outside: This will be the family room: You can see the arch in the living room starting to take shape: Here's an arch we did over the stairs: This will be a plant shelf in the entry way: Things are starting to take shape. We walked through the house tonight. The electrical and plumbing are in. Some of the electrical is wrong which sucks. I was supposed to walk through with the electrician but somehow that never got communicated. Now they have to come back and change a few things. Even more costs. My favorite. I guess there are a lot of things you don't plan on when building a house. This is my first time through

Published On: 12/8/2004

Filled under: Homebuilding activity

1580 Views

Our House is Done!

Our House is Done!

We just finished our home! Man, it is an exciting time, all the moving, the closing on the finances, and finally the unpacking. This is our first home, so we are really nervous, but most of all excited. We really love this floor plan designed by one of our Plan Collection designers, Jake England. The design has a great use of space and we have the unfinished basement for all the future growth. Let me tell you a bit about this floor plan. This is a great front to back multi level plan with great curb appeal. You'll love the tall vaulted ceilings in the formal living room that give the home an open feel. Also enjoy the coziness of the third bedroom above the garage built within the trusses. We actually decided not to do the third room above the garage. But it really offers some good extra

Published On: 11/24/2004

Filled under: Homebuilding Activity, Curb Appeal

1434 Views

The roof is on

I took this picture this morning. I talked to Jaren just a little while ago and the rest of the roof is on. Things move fast when they get

Published On: 11/23/2004

Filled under: Homebuilding Activity,

1570 Views

The new house is framed

The new house is framed

I have been slow about posting the status of the new house. They finally got it all framed. Here is a

Published On: 11/23/2004

Filled under: Homebuilding Activity,

1701 Views

I have a hole

I haven't posted for a while, but then not much has been done for a while. They dug the hole for the house about a week ago, poured the footings last night and put up the forms for the foundation walls today. Very

Published On: 9/22/2004

Filled under: Homebuilding activity,

1417 Views

Building yourself - Tip of the Day

Some of the work performed on your home during construction is not the most enjoyable work to do. And while it may seem like you're paying the foundation guy too much [for example] that guy earns his money. I just stopped by to talk with the guy that is forming up my foundation. He hasn't been there for a couple of days because while carrying a foundation form - which are very heavy- he tripped on a clump of dirt and the form landed on him breaking his collar bone. The foundation guys do this kind of work day in, and day out, which is why they are so fast getting in and out, but can you imagine doing that kind of labor every day? Carrying heavy concrete forms from the truck -often through mud and snow- down into a deep hole. And while they carry it into that hole they have to worry

Published On: 9/17/2004

Filled under: Homebuilding Activity

877 Views

Rain, Rain Go Away.

So, my home plans have been approved at the city and engineering is done so I am pretty much ready to start. But... Its been raining a lot the last week or so here and it makes it difficult to start any projects. I was about to start building, but its been so wet it isn't a good time to dig a hole, and even if I did, it would be such a muddy mess no one would want to come out and get started. I love the rain and we sure need it here in our dry climate, so I guess I can't complain. But, the weather sure does delay a construction

Published On: 9/3/2004

Filled under: Homebuilding Activity

755 Views