Is it Better to Buy a Plan or Design Custom?
[et_pb_section fb_built="1" admin_label="section" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="||21px|||" da_disable_devices="off|off|off" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}" da_is_popup="off" da_exit_intent="off" da_has_close="on" da_alt_close="off" da_dark_close="off" da_not_modal="on" da_is_singular="off" da_with_loader="off" da_has_shadow="on"][et_pb_row admin_label="row" _builder_version="4.16" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" custom_padding="||13px|||" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Title" module_class="chronospro-heading green-heading" _builder_version="4.17.4" header_text_align="left" header_2_text_align="left" header_2_text_color="#727272" module_alignment="left" custom_margin="||||false|false" border_style="solid" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}"]Is it Better to Buy a Plan or Design Custom? Read this Before You Decide Should you buy a ready-made plan for constructing your new home? It depends. [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src="https://media-upload-livingstone.s3.amazonaws.com/img/20231129150952/Sean_Blueprint.jpg" alt="Living Stone Design+Build The Modern Farmhouse" title_text="Sean_Blueprint" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="||11px|||" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]Sean Sullivan reviews a client's custom home blueprint[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Title" module_class="chronospro-heading green-heading" _builder_version="4.17.4" header_text_align="left" header_2_text_align="left" header_2_text_color="#727272" module_alignment="left" custom_margin="||||false|false" border_style="solid" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}"]Cut and Paste If you have a large lot that doesn’t have restrictive setbacks, then finding and buying a ready-made plan may work well for you. It’s important to know that most plans you find in a plan book are designed for specific lot sizes and regular shaped lots. If your lot is long and narrow and the plan is designed for a lot that’s narrow and long (just the opposite), you could have a problem. Sometimes people will use the “cut-and-paste” method. A couple will take a plan from a plan book and “cut-and-paste” it to make it fit their lot. Be careful with this method. When the Plan Works If you can find a plan that fits on your lot with little or no changes, it may be a good option for you. However, very few people are completely happy with a design they find in a plan book without making minor to major modifications. If you are thinking of buying a ready-made plan and just shrinking it, it almost certainly will not work. Most good, custom-home builders have successfully built homes from ready-made plans. Typically they purchase the rights for the plan, make any needed modifications, and proceed to build the house. Be aware that ready-made plans are copyrighted. Your builder can purchase the rights for the plan, but be sure this step is not overlooked. You can get in real trouble down the road if you shortcut this step. Design/Build Package For people who don’t choose a standard plan, some builders offer a complete design/build package. Usually this process starts by the builder getting you a complete survey in order to properly evaluate the lot; it’s important to take into account its positive and negative features. The builder then takes the homeowner’s completed list of their prioritized needs and wants and begins the design process. At your initial meeting with the builder, it’s an important step to review the design and to ensure the architect and homeowner have a complete and thorough understanding of your program (needs and wants) and budget. Once the builder has clearly identified your objectives, he can work with the architect to create a unique, quality, custom home—the home of your dreams. As a builder, I’ve found that it doesn’t necessarily cost any more (and often we’ve discovered cost savings) by first focusing on and designing what our homeowners most need while also taking into account what they want. In doing so, we’ve found great success because the process allows us to optimize the conditions of the specific and unique lot instead of having to work from an existing design by enlarging or shrinking areas in the home.With clear objectives and a good plan, you can focus your energy and resources on your unique needs for your new home. -Sean Sullivan [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built="1" specialty="on" admin_label="Building a Quality Custom Home" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" custom_padding="39px|||||" da_disable_devices="off|off|off" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}" da_is_popup="off" da_exit_intent="off" da_has_close="on" da_alt_close="off" da_dark_close="off" da_not_modal="on" da_is_singular="off" da_with_loader="off" da_has_shadow="on"][et_pb_column type="2_3" specialty_columns="2" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type="2_3" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" header_font="|||||on|||" header_text_color="rgba(17,32,73,0.79)" header_font_size="54px" header_2_font="||||||||" header_2_font_size="34px" custom_margin="||||false|false" header_font_size_tablet="39px" header_font_size_phone="38px" header_font_size_last_edited="on|desktop" header_2_font_tablet="||||||||" header_2_font_phone="||||||||" header_2_font_last_edited="on|phone" global_colors_info="{}"]Building A Quality Custom Home Want to know more? This book by Sean Sullivan is full of helpful information in easy-to-read chapters like this blog post. It is a step-by-step guide to the “must-know” issues of building your dream home. Discover the custom-home construction secrets that could save you headaches, heartaches, and thousands (if not tens of thousands) of dollars.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url="https://www.livingstoneconstruction.com/building-a-quality-custom-home" button_text="Learn More" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column_inner][/et_pb_row_inner][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_3" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_image src="https://media-upload-livingstone.s3.amazonaws.com/img/20231129151432/Untitled-design-8.png" alt="Building A Custom Home" title_text="Custom Home Book" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" custom_padding="3px|||||" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_section]
How Important is Indoor Air Quality?
[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" da_disable_devices="off|off|off" global_colors_info="{}" da_is_popup="off" da_exit_intent="off" da_has_close="on" da_alt_close="off" da_dark_close="off" da_not_modal="on" da_is_singular="off" da_with_loader="off" da_has_shadow="on"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" width_tablet="" width_phone="90%" width_last_edited="on|desktop" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_blurb title="How Important is Indoor Air Quality?" alt="Indoor Air Quality" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" header_level="h1" header_font="||on||||||" header_text_align="center" header_text_color="#58a618" header_font_size="36px" background_image="https://media-upload-livingstone.s3.amazonaws.com/img/20231129151435/Indoor_Air_Quality.jpg" custom_padding="315px||||false|false" custom_padding_tablet="200px||||false|false" custom_padding_phone="||||false|false" custom_padding_last_edited="on|phone" box_shadow_style="preset4" box_shadow_horizontal="0px" box_shadow_vertical="-3.5em" box_shadow_color="rgba(255,255,255,0.76)" box_shadow_position="inner" box_shadow_vertical_tablet="-3em" box_shadow_vertical_phone="-5em" box_shadow_vertical_last_edited="on|phone" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.23.1" _module_preset="default" header_2_line_height="1.4em" header_2_font_size_tablet="" header_2_font_size_phone="24px" header_2_font_size_last_edited="on|phone" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}"]Green Certifications Part 2 (Read part 1 here) Homebuyers today are increasingly concerned about the indoor air quality of their homes. Issues like mold, radon, carbon monoxide and toxic chemicals have received greater attention than ever as poor indoor air quality has been linked to a host of health problems. A Wellness-Within-Your-Walls (WWYW) certification is a good way to ensure healthy indoor air. WWYW is an informational resource group created to provide education and guidance on chemicals commonly found in living environments. Check out the Ready Residence, which is soon to be the first WWYW certified home in N.C. Many years ago we built a home for Steve and Betty. Like all of our homes, it was certified and very energy efficient. Steve and Betty told us that they wanted to provide their own cabinets from a company that is known for “do it yourself” because it was less expensive. We tried talking them out of this decision but they had their hearts set on it. On the day that the cabinet parts were delivered to the site, we asked Steve who was going to put together the cabinets? (The cabinets came unassembled in flat boxes and reeked of formaldehyde). Steve was shocked, he hadn’t thought about who would put them together (or install) his cabinets. Once he realized how heavy they were, he decided to have our trim carpenters do it for him. After the cabinets were assembled and installed, it cost more than if they had gone with a decent quality wood/plywood cabinet. Not only that, but the home was now filled with off-gassing particle board. It was only a few years later that I remember Betty was diagnosed with cancer. Obviously we cannot prove the causation, but the correlation is certainly reason for alarm. If you're building a custom home, you are likely not planning to sell it any time soon. Aging-In-Place certifications are also important if you're building your forever home. New homes are much tighter than homes built before the first energy efficient legislation in 1978. However, even if your home is built and certified Energy Star, there is no documentation for the quality of the contents pertaining to air. Homes built to earn the Indoor airPLUS label include features to reduce contaminants that can lead to poor indoor air quality, including mold, moisture, radon, carbon monoxide, toxic chemicals and more. Unfortunately, homeowners are not taught of the dangers that home furnishings can present when brought into the home after completion. A few things to consider regarding indoor air quality when building your new custom home: Up to 90% of our time is spent indoors 750,000 new asthma cases per year in the U.S. alone Childhood asthma has increased 600% in the last 30 years Homes built today are much tighter than just a few years before and fresh air is hard to get into the home Danger Level 1 Contaminants (in a home) include toxic compounds such as: Building materials Furniture Carpets Paints Cleaning chemicals Flame retardants and other chemicals have been used for decades in the production of commercial and residential upholstered furniture as a method for achieving fire protection. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has classified formaldehyde as a Toxic Air Contaminant, based on its potential to cause cancer and other adverse health effects. What is formaldehyde? Formaldehyde is a colorless gas. At elevated concentrations it has a strong, pungent odor and can be irritating to the eyes, nose, and lungs. Formaldehyde is released into the home from a variety of indoor sources. Some resins, or glues, used to bind wood chips or fibers into plywood, particleboard, and other pressed wood products, contain formaldehyde. Cabinetry and some floor and wall materials are often made from such products. Formaldehyde is also used in fabrics to impart wrinkle resistance or to fix color, and in some consumer products it is used as a hardening agent or preservative. Also, formaldehyde is a by-product of cabinetry, and gas appliances are common sources of two combustion processes, such as wood burning, gas appliance use, and cigarette smoking. Formaldehyde is usually present at lower (but not necessarily healthful) levels in outdoor air; it is emitted in some industrial sources, and is also created from chemical reactions in the air among combustion pollutants, such as those in automobile exhaust. Some common sources of formaldehyde indoors: Pressed wood products: particleboard, plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF); often usedRead More
Should I Go Green?
[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.16" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="||||false|true" custom_padding="||||false|true" da_disable_devices="off|off|off" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}" da_is_popup="off" da_exit_intent="off" da_has_close="on" da_alt_close="off" da_dark_close="off" da_not_modal="on" da_is_singular="off" da_with_loader="off" da_has_shadow="on"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.16" _module_preset="default" width_tablet="" width_phone="100%" width_last_edited="on|phone" custom_padding="9px||10px|||" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.16" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_blurb title="Should I Go Green?" alt="Design Forever Home" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" header_level="h1" header_font="||on||||||" header_text_align="center" header_text_color="#58a618" background_image="https://media-upload-livingstone.s3.amazonaws.com/img/20231129151437/Featured-Images-1920-%C3%97-900-px.jpg" custom_padding="200px||||false|false" box_shadow_style="preset4" box_shadow_horizontal="0px" box_shadow_vertical="-55px" box_shadow_color="rgba(255,255,255,0.76)" box_shadow_position="inner" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.16" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.16" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.23.1" _module_preset="default" hover_enabled="0" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]Green Certifications Part 1 (Read part 2 here) Today many builders and home buyers are concerned about preserving the environment. With increased attention on the condition of our planet, “green building” has become a sought after choice for homeowners, especially in our market. But what does green building mean? In its simplest terms, green building is making your home the best it can be. It means increasing your home’s efficiency so it makes better use of things like water, energy, temperature control, and construction materials. It’s about using resources effectively so you reduce the impact of your home on the environment, buying local, and creating a healthy indoor air environment. While building an environmentally friendly home sounds good to most people, they usually want to know two things: what can I do and how much will it cost me? Let’s address the last question first. You may have heard that building green is more expensive. While that may be true in some instances, it doesn’t have to be. In today’s market, some elements of green building can cost more initially, but many do not, and some even cost less. Factor in energy savings over time and the increased durability of many of the green building products, and any additional up- front cost becomes much easier to justify. Also, some mortgage companies now offer reduced mortgage rates to homes built green, and green homes are worth more than non-certified green homes. To answer the other question, let’s take a look at a few things you can do to make your new home more environmentally friendly. Heating and Cooling Equipment: One of the most important things you can do to make your home more “green” is to carefully consider your choice of heating and cooling equipment. The heating/air conditioning system should be built and installed with the highest SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating possible. The greater the SEER rating, the more energy efficient your unit will be. The system should also be sized appropriately to effectively cool or heat your home without being oversized. In fact, it is often better to err on the side of being undersized by half a ton than oversized. (Note: A “ton” is a unit of energy used to measure output. Typically you need about one ton of output for every 400 square feet of your home.) Many builders don’t recommend that you oversize the tonnage of your home’s AC system. The most efficient homes often run on a system designed to be 10 percent smaller than typical installations. A good air system should also be installed with as few bends and connections in the duct work as possible to minimize the risk of gaps and voids. Insulation: If it’s within your budget, one great option is to have your home insulated with a CARB II complaint foam product. When installed correctly, foam can be quite effective. On top of the good R-values (a term used to measure how well insulation resists the flow of heat or cold through it) foam can fill cracks and crevices in ways that traditional insulation can’t. If a foam product can’t be used, great care should be exercised to make sure the installation is done to eliminate as many gaps and penetrations as possible. Home Orientation: To reduce energy loads, it’s important to design and position the house in such a way as to minimize exposure to the hot sun while taking advantage of cooling breezes. Whenever possible, the front door or the house’s longest wall should be set to within 5 degrees of true south. It may also be important to landscape in such a way to create wind breaks for the home or create shade to increase efficiency. Good window placement can increase natural light while reducing the need for electric lighting. These decisions are taken into account when designing a home for passive heating and cooling. Windows and Doors: Windows help make a home beautiful, but they can also waste a lot of energy if they let in heat in the summer, cold in the winter, and drafts anytime. To get more energy-efficient windows, select ones with good insulation values. Some have special coatings that can help repel heat. Others are double- or triple-paned which helps insulation. Some energy- efficient windows have non-toxic gas between the panes such as argon or krypton that provide better insulation than air. Even the window frames can affect how efficientRead More
How To Plan Your Forever Home
[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.16" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="||||false|true" custom_padding="||24px||false|true" da_disable_devices="off|off|off" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}" da_is_popup="off" da_exit_intent="off" da_has_close="on" da_alt_close="off" da_dark_close="off" da_not_modal="on" da_is_singular="off" da_with_loader="off" da_has_shadow="on"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.16" _module_preset="default" width_tablet="" width_phone="100%" width_last_edited="on|phone" custom_padding="9px||10px|||" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.16" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_image src="https://media-upload-livingstone.s3.amazonaws.com/img/20231129151442/Plan_Forever_Home_header.jpg" alt="Design Forever Home" title_text="Plan_Forever_Home_header" _builder_version="4.23.1" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" width_tablet="" width_phone="90%" width_last_edited="on|phone" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.16" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.23.1" _module_preset="default" header_2_line_height="1.4em" hover_enabled="0" header_2_font_size_tablet="" header_2_font_size_phone="24px" header_2_font_size_last_edited="on|phone" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]Aging In Place If you ask someone who is ready to build a new home, they will often tell you that “This is the last home I will ever build. They will have to bury me in the back yard.” If you’re building a forever home, it’s always a good idea to consider designing your home for Aging- In-Place. Good Aging-In-Place considerations will include an elevator (or shaft), curbless showers, wider doorways, lever door handles, and an extra emphasis on lighting to name a few. This will allow you to live in the home as long as you want or provide better resale-ability should you choose to sell your home in the future. You also will want to consider your Indoor Air Quality. An often overlooked aspect of homebuilding that is becoming more important as homes are built tighter (read more here). If you're building a forever home, a Wellness-Within-Your-Walls certification is a good way to ensure healthy indoor air. Check out the Ready Residence, which is soon to be the first WWYW certified home in N.C.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.23.1" _module_preset="default" header_2_line_height="1.4em" hover_enabled="0" header_2_font_size_tablet="" header_2_font_size_phone="24px" header_2_font_size_last_edited="on|phone" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]The Only Constant Even if it is the last home you will ever build, you should be prepared for plans to change. Recent surveys show that most people live in their home an average of five years, and you’re probably not much different. You may be thinking, but this really is going to be my last home. And if it is, that’s great. But you may want to consider the reality of averages. A client of ours (who we'll call Susan) took more than a year to design her new home for her family, only to discover she was way over budget. She also realized that by the time she completed her home construction, all but one of her five children would be away at college, and she had designed bedrooms for each of them! Reality finally dawned on her—within a few short years, she and her husband would be empty-nesters. Designing her home for a family of seven thinking this would be her home for the rest of her life didn’t fit the reality of Susan’s imminent transition to a home for two.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.23.1" _module_preset="default" header_2_line_height="1.4em" hover_enabled="0" header_2_font_size_tablet="" header_2_font_size_phone="24px" header_2_font_size_last_edited="on|phone" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]Priorities When designing your custom home, first design for your immediate needs. Second, take into account what market conditions will allow for your particular home design. Third, give strong consideration to how long you may live in your home. Susan may shift gears and design a home that’s perfect for her family’s needs for the next five to seven years, with a plan to downsize at that time. With this more realistic outlook, she may give additional consideration to the resale value of her choices.Don’t make the mistake of over-designing a home that may become obsolete for your family within a short period of time.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.23.1" _module_preset="default" header_2_line_height="1.4em" hover_enabled="0" header_2_font_size_tablet="" header_2_font_size_phone="24px" header_2_font_size_last_edited="on|phone" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]Bottom Line Be realistic about your short-term and long-term needs and how long you will live in your new home, then design accordingly.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built="1" specialty="on" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" custom_padding="39px|||||" da_disable_devices="off|off|off" global_colors_info="{}" da_is_popup="off" da_exit_intent="off" da_has_close="on" da_alt_close="off" da_dark_close="off" da_not_modal="on" da_is_singular="off" da_with_loader="off" da_has_shadow="on"][et_pb_column type="2_3" specialty_columns="2" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type="2_3" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" header_font="|||||on|||" header_text_color="rgba(17,32,73,0.79)" header_font_size="54px" header_2_font="||||||||" header_2_font_size="34px" custom_margin="||||false|false" header_font_size_tablet="39px" header_font_size_phone="38px" header_font_size_last_edited="on|desktop" header_2_font_tablet="||||||||" header_2_font_phone="||||||||" header_2_font_last_edited="on|phone" global_colors_info="{}"]Building A Quality Custom Home Want to know more? This book by Sean Sullivan is full of helpful information in easy-to-read chapters like this blog post. It is a step-by-step guide to the “must-know” issues of building your dream home. Discover the custom-home construction secrets that could save you headaches, heartaches, and thousands (if not tens of thousands) of dollars.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url="https://www.livingstoneconstruction.com/building-a-quality-custom-home" button_text="Learn More" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column_inner][/et_pb_row_inner][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_3" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_image src="https://media-upload-livingstone.s3.amazonaws.com/img/20231129151432/Untitled-design-8.png" alt="Building A Custom Home" title_text="Custom Home Book" _builder_version="4.17.4" _module_preset="default" custom_padding="3px|||||" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_section]