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Living Stone Includes a 3rd Party Warranty on all Homes

by | Jan 14, 2013 | Construction, Construction & Design, News

Provided by Bonded Builders Warranty Protection Overview Workmanship, Materials and System Defects During the warranty period on your new home, the builder warrants that the home will be free from: Defects in the materials or workmanship as defined in the Construction Performance Standards. This does not include defects in appliances, fixtures and equipment, which are not covered in this warranty. Defects in the electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems as defined in the Construction Performance Standards, including wiring, piping and ductwork of those systems. Any systems defects resulting from failure of an appliance, fixture or equipment that is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty are not covered by this warranty. Bonded Builders guarantees the builder’s performance underthe warranty. Refer to the warranty for complete terms and conditions,including exclusions. Major Structural Defects The warranty provides coverage for major structural defects that occur during the term of the warranty. A “major structural defect” is defined as actual physical damage to designated load-bearing portions of the home. This damage must affect the load-bearing function to the extent that the home becomes unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise unlivable. The repair will include only the steps necessary to ensure that the home is restored to its approximate condition just prior to the defect, not “like new” condition. Subject to the limits provided in the warranty, we will a) repair or replace a covered major structural defect or b) pay the homeowner the reasonable actual cost of repair or replacement. Bonded Builders is fully responsible to you, the homeowner, for total liability of all major structural defects arising during the term of the warranty. Liability is limited to the amount of coverage provided under the warranty as specified in your warranty document, but shall not exceed the original purchase price of the home. Repair and/or replacement shall not extend the term of the warranty. Refer to the warranty confirmation page in your document and review the full warranty document for all coverage exclusions.

New Homes Are Less Expensive to Maintain

by | Jan 14, 2013 | Building Green, Green Building, News

Data from the 2009 American Housing Survey (AHS) offer proof. The AHS classifies new construction as homes no more than four years old. For example, for routine maintenance expenses, 26% of all homeowners spent $100 or more a month on various upkeep costs. However, only 11%  of owners of newly constructed homes spent this amount. In fact, 73% of new homeowners spent less than $25 a month on routine maintenance costs. Similar findings are available for energy expenses. On a median per square foot basis, homeowners spent 78 cents per square foot per year on electricity. Owners of new homes spent 65 cents per square foot per year. For homes with piped gas, homeowners spent on average 53 cents per square foot per year. Owners of new homes spent 38 cents per square foot per year. These data highlight that a new home offers savings over the life of ownership due to reduced operating costs. This is one of the many reasons that the current system of appraisals needs updating to reflect the flow of benefits that come from features in a new home.

Superior Walls: Instant Gratification

by | Jan 11, 2013 | Building Green, Green Building

Superior walls are efficient because they are pre-manufactured and pre-engineered. Install time is a fraction of a typical foundation. Also, they are pre-studded on the inside so they are ready to be finished out whenever. They are energy efficient because they are insulated panels.  This foundation was set in 3 hours, using Superior Walls.

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Understanding HERS (Home Energy Rating System)

by | Jan 10, 2013 | Building Green, Green Building

The RESNET HERS Index is the industry standard by which a home's energy efficiency is measured. The HERS or Home Energy Rating System was developed by RESNET and is the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home's energy performance. Certified RESNET Home Energy Raters conduct inspections to verify a home's energy performance and determine what improvements can be made to increase it. For more information click on RESNET HERS Index Across the nation state and local governments are adding a HERS Index Score target as a performance compliance option to their building energy code. The reasons why a HERS Index Score is being tied into energy codes include: The inspection and testing protocols are established in RESNET's national home energy rating standards. RESNET is a national not-for-profit membership standard setting organization. It is accredited by the American National Energy Standards Institute (ANSI) as a Standard Development Organization. The professionals that undertake the inspection and performance testing are certified following RESNET's standards stringent training and testing procedures. All certified RESNET home energy raters are subject to RESNET's quality assurance oversight procedures. The RESNET national home energy rating standards are recognized by the federal government (U.S. Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Internal Revenue Service) and the mortgage industry. The HERS Index is a trusted measurement of the energy performance of a home. Over one million homes have been issued a HERS Index Score in the US. Every home that Living Stone Builds is certified through the Home Energy Rating System to save YOU money.