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Building a custom home- get an estimate not a guestimate.
What do you mean estimate verses “guestimate”? An estimate for a construction project is arrived at much like an estimate for your car repair after an accident. You list the parts and labor and give an estimate. With one huge exception: the construction estimate does not have a standardized cost manual like the automotive repair center does. Additionally, there are many more products to define for the end cost. For this reason, you must be sure that your building contractor is giving you a good detailed estimate, and not just a “guestimate”. A detailed estimate will always have “take off” … Read more
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How to stay “alive’ in this wavering economy.
I was recently asked by a “younger” builder who has been in the home building business for about 6 years, “How do I stay alive in this economic downturn?” My answer, “It’s hard”. Those of us that have been here for a while, know that we will face ups and downs in the market. We knew that in tough times like the late 1970’s to early 1980’s, we had to diversify to survive those economic changes. Those times had different challenges, as lending was available, but at peak rates. We paid 18-21% for construction loans, and 30 year mortgage rates … Read more
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When remodeling: Part 2
How did this story unfold? Here’s another little known fact the “contractor friend” won’t mention. The original builder of your home is absolved of many and maybe all responsibilities/warranties when someone else works in that house. Below is a list of examples that may trigger this situation: Carpentry, such as altering of framing or even moving a doorway Electrical alterations HVAC alterations Plumbing alterations Any carpentry change can have an effect on the structural integrity of the house. Any electrical change will have an effect on the electrical panel and code. Any plumbing change can affect the status for code … Read more
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When remodeling, why do I need a licensed contractor?
Recently I was asked to bid on a basement remodel that required some framing, electrical wiring, plumbing, insulation, drywall, trim carpentry and painting, along with a few other odds and ends. As we always do, I completed a drawing, followed by an itemized cost estimate based on that drawing. I quoted the job and was asked several questions by the homeowners in regards to the estimate. They asked if they could use my scope of work and plans to have a “contractor friend” quote the job also. I agreed to let them use the plans and scope of work, with … Read more
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Compilation of Live Tweets from International Builders Show
Rough start out of the gate Where to start We’re here Louisville’s very own G.E. Seminar on Financing More New Products New Kohler Products Green Appliances Solar Panels Shameless self plug Some fun amongst all the hard work 🙂 Back to the ville. The last connection. The trip home. Last tweet.
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International Builder Show Post 1
After visiting the 2010 International Builders Show in Las Vegas this past month, we came back with new insights leading to new ideas for upcoming months. It was a great show, and featured many new products and designs for new home buyers and remodeling customers. Some of the most interesting to Buck and I were the new energy saving products including: water saving devices and systems, electrical saving devices and systems and sewage disposal systems. High energy efficient products and building practices were also a big part of the show. The use of energy efficient building systems and practices, along … Read more
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4 things we’re doing to stay leading edge
The best way to get through tough times is to act. We haven’t been sitting around crying the blues. I recently became a Certified Renovator, as required by the EPA Renovating Repair and Painting law that takes effect in April 2010. We recently took courses dealing with drywall specifications and finishes along with painting finishes for new and remodel construction. I just completed a course concerning ICF forms, and the part they play in the Green Building process. We will be attending the International Builders Show later this month. We will be attending educational courses concerning upcoming codes and standards … Read more
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2009 this too shall pass
We’re looking forward to a better year in 2010 than 2009. Last year was a tough year for most of the building industry. The wavering economy and financial markets put a stop to the new home buyer market. The buyers were not only concerned that their net worth had diminished with the fall of the stock market in 07 and 08, but they were also concerned about their employment situations. Concerns and debates over nationalized health care and the unwillingness of banks to lend were two other headlines that led to uneasiness. These are still concerns for everyone in 2010. … Read more
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What comes first? Chicken or the Egg
When building your dream custom home, what comes first: the Chicken or the Egg? In this scenario the Chicken being your lot and the Egg being your home plan. This could be debated either way and our emotions tell us design your plan first. After all that’s far more exciting then picking out a piece of barren ground. With 35 years of experience we think the opposite. Home plans can be a endless search without some parameters. A good first parameter- what size and what are the restrictions of your lot? If your lot will only allow for a home … Read more
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December Project Updates
We shot a video of a recent custom contract home we began in early November. Things are moving right along. Apologies for the shakiness in the beginning of the video it was very unlevel ground- at least that’s the excuse we’re using. 🙂 We discuss a few of the standards on all P.L. Lyons custom homes like house wrap and Rub R Wall basement waterproofing system. More shots to come from our custom kitchen remodel and our commercial buildout we started in November.
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Custom Cabinet Layouts
Recently, we shot a few videos showing how P.L. Lyons delivers a true custom experience. When laying out the custom kitchen cabinets on this contract home, Perry covers all the bases. Perry discusses how furniture will be laid out and even uses wood cut-outs showing customers where the kitchen table will sit. He thinks through how doors will swing open affecting clearance. He talks about storage needs and the general flow of the space. Of course specific measurements are done as well. This is all before the actual custom cabinet supplier comes to officially measure and eventually install. Have questions … Read more
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Thanksgiving Message
This message is a little late but nonetheless important. We’ve been blessed at this time of Thanksgiving to start a custom remodel, commercial buildout and a contract custom home. We were blessed before but feel even more grateful after beginning these projects in November. God is good, we give him the glory. The winter in the building business can be a difficult time in good years much less in tough years. So we’re very thankful to have these projects to keep us moving forward during the cold winter months. We’ll be posting some pictures of our progress with each project … Read more
