Home Improvement Ideas

The other day I was reading an article from your Builder lamenting about his Homeowner who refused to try out from the rules which are stated within the Building Contract. It was obvious in the tone of the piece how the Homeowner was ‘one of these clients’ – we have all seen them before. But suppose we’re able to ensure that the Homeowner did play through the rules and turn into section of our system and a part of we as opposed to an adversary? Maybe the Homeowner wasn’t following the principles because we never clearly defined those rules.

Looking back on this problem client, what could we now have done better? As a professional Homebuilder we all know the required steps to successfully make a home, but why do we assume the Homeowner understands? They are certainly not a Builder. Homes are not their business. That’s why they hired you.

Most Builders have clear procedures spelled out inside the Building Contract. They have probably added paragraphs and addendums as time passes to cope with specific conditions have arisen inside the past. But once that contract is signed, how many Homeowners (or Builders for that matter) have a very copy of the contract designed for quick reference? The contract is normally filed away and rarely described once the ink is dry. Under the best of circumstances, ‘quick reference’ might be an oxymoron because the contract is written inside the language of legalese.

So what’s the solution? As experienced professionals, we …

As a real estate professional, I can remember the time when at the top of a homeowner’s wish list were things like a master bedroom suite or a gourmet kitchen, but times have changed, and so has the buyers wish list.

While buyers still have these wonderful amenities on the list, they are asking for energy-saving options as their must have items on their list.

Here is a list of options that are affordable and provide immediate savings. Some of these items are: 2×6 walls, house wrap, energy-efficient windows and energy-efficient appliances.

Construction:

Make sure the walls of the home are framed with 2×6 lumber. Using 2×6 lumber for framing allows extra room for more insulation, which will keep the home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

House wrap:

It is installed right after framing, and it literally “wraps” the entire house to create a thermal barrier that keeps the house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The wrap also acts as a vapor barrier between exterior materials and the framing lumber.

Windows:

More home buyers today love windows, as they bring in more natural light, open up rooms and provide a connection to the outside. But there is thermal transfer with windows. A quality builder will know how to balance the homeowner’s desire for “walls of windows” while still meeting the new more stringent code requirements.

Appliances:

Appliances account for for a sizeable percentage of electric usage in a home, especially the refrigerator, …