by Mitchell Metz | Dec 7, 2023 | Construction & Design, Postings
[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="4.23.1" 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="{}"]The Terrible Truth About Building Beyond Your Means Balancing Desires and Affordability Sometimes homeowners want to build a home that doesn’t seem to be affordable for them; it’s well beyond their means.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src="https://media-upload-livingstone.s3.amazonaws.com/img/20231129143014/Youtube_Thumbnails_For_Project_Features-5.png" alt="homeowners tips and tricks 2024" title_text="homeowners tips and tricks" _builder_version="4.23.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="||11px|||" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.23.1" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]A client budgeting for their dream home to avoid unnecessary surprises that could inflate the costs.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Title" module_class="chronospro-heading green-heading" _builder_version="4.23.1" 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="{}"]Builder's Dilemma That’s a tough situation for me because if I build the home the way they want, I know they’ll regret. On the other hand, if I don’t, they won’t be happy with me. In fact, I’ve sometimes lost building opportunities simply because I want to be straight with people when it appears they’re pushing the envelope of costs. Of course, I know I’m not my clients’ keeper regarding how they spend their money. But as a professional who values integrity, I believe I have a responsibility to share the cold, hard facts of the large investment they will be making in building a home. Some people begin the design process with a realistic budget that’s within their means, but as the process moves along, it can begin to get out of hand. Budget Creep If you’ve purchased a new car recently, you know what I mean. Say for example, you want to get a nice car and you decide your budget is $30,000. Once on the lot, you see the base price on a model you like is $34,000. Well, it’s only a few thousand more, you think. But then you start noticing some of the options. You really like the Bluetooth voice recognition controls (only another $1,000), and it’s just $19.80 a month more on your monthly payment. Of course, then you see other cool things like the GPS Navigation System, the backup camera, and the Premier Audio System— so you add another $6,000. You also decide to upgrade from the standard leather package to the heated and cooled, comfort leather seats. That adds $2,160, but it’s so incredible! Then you discover the Satellite Radio System, and add $486. Finally, you decide to add a sunroof, custom paint, and upgraded tires… You get the picture. In a matter of minutes, your $34,000 car became a $45,000 car. And remember, you started out looking for a car that would cost $30,000. That’s what it’s like for some homeowners who design and build a home. Construction hasn’t even started and already they’ve added options and selections to their home beyond the original plan. Sometimes people stretch and stretch financially to build their new home and by the time construction begins, they’re under so much stress that when we have an opportunity to add a nice feature to their home (something as simple a additional crown molding), they are completely stressed out because of a few hundred dollar decision. That’s often because they didn’t discipline themselves to stick to a reasonable budget. Please don’t build a dream home that you will have to sell before you even move in because you can’t afford it. Be sure you have a builder who will help guide you through this process with honesty and professionalism. If I notice that costs are beginning to exceed the homeowner’s budget, I tell them that it’s my responsibility to communicate this to them. The final choice is up to the homeowner. Ultimately, I want them to be happy and financially healthy with their finished dream home. Will I Go Over Budget? If you’re like most people, yes, you will probably go over your budget. On the way home from work, I occasionally stop at the grocery store just to pick up a couple of quick items. As I get out of the car, I’m thinking I’ll be in and out in five minutes. Twenty minutes later, I’m standing in the checkout line, my arms filled with items I never intended to buy. The watermelon was on sale, the blueberries were a two-for-one special, there’s a new brand of chips that looks delicious, and on it goes. Now I’m standing in line with my arms and fingers filled with items wondering what I came here for in the first place. Oh yes, a gallon of milk and bananas! I have to set the items down and run back to the dairy department because I forgot the milk! Does any of this sound familiar? Most likely you’ve been there before. The same thing can happen with the new homebuilding process if
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by Mitchell Metz | Nov 29, 2023 | Construction, Construction & Design, Postings
[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="4.23.1" header_text_align="left" header_2_text_align="left" header_2_text_color="#727272" module_alignment="left" custom_margin="||||false|false" hover_enabled="0" border_style="solid" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]How Long Does It Take to Build a New Custom Home? Factors Influencing Home Building Time [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src="https://media-upload-livingstone.s3.amazonaws.com/img/20231129155750/Black-Orange-Modern-Construction-Facebook-Cover.png" alt=" How long does it take to build a new custom home" title_text=" How long does it take to build a new custom home" _builder_version="4.23.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="||11px|||" hover_enabled="0" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.23.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="||8px|||" hover_enabled="0" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]Building timeline should be communicated clearly to avoid unrealistic expectations found in Common Arguments Builders Have With Homeowners.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Title" module_class="chronospro-heading green-heading" _builder_version="4.23.1" header_text_align="left" header_2_text_align="left" header_2_text_color="#727272" module_alignment="left" min_height="1082px" custom_margin="49px||||false|false" hover_enabled="0" border_style="solid" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]Architectural Planning Timeline The amount of time it takes to build a new, custom home depends on the size, complexity, and geographic location (what part of the country you are building in). The time it takes just to complete the architectural plans depends on how timely you make decisions and your availability to meet with your designer and builder for design meetings. Preliminary Planning and Approvals On average, it takes approximately 3 to 6 months to develop a preliminary set of plans, price them, make revisions, and get approvals to move forward. It can take an additional 2 to 3 months to finalize construction drawings, selections, the construction budget, engineering, well/septic approvals, landscape plans and final HOA/DRB approvals (if a Storm Water plan is required, it can take an additional 1 to 2 months to get drawings, pricing, and approvals). Construction Phase Duration Once construction begins, it typically takes approximately one month of construction per $100,000 worth of work. For example, a $1,600,000 project would typically take approximately 16 months to complete. (Note: Weather, market conditions, and labor availability can all affect the construction schedule). These estimates assume normal market conditions, which allow for a timely response from vendors and subcontractors. Considerations and Caution It’s important to understand the realistic timeline you get from your builder and the things that may delay a timely completion process. Beware of a builder who promises an overly idealistic timeline just to get the contract. In the end, you’ll be stuck with the reality timeline. — Ask you builder how long the design, permitting and building process takes and what would cause delays in the process. -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="4.23.1" _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" hover_enabled="0" 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="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]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]
by Mitchell Metz | Nov 24, 2023 | Construction & Design, Postings
[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="4.23.1" header_text_align="left" header_2_text_align="left" header_2_text_color="#727272" module_alignment="left" custom_margin="||||false|false" hover_enabled="0" border_style="solid" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]Design Your Home With Resale in Mind Resale Value Considerations in Custom Home Buildings Who thinks about resale value when building a custom home? While it may seem odd for a person who’s building a new home to think about selling it, it’s important to address what you want and what the market wants even in the initial planning stages. If you’re not careful, you may design your dream home and find that no one else will buy it later![/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src="https://media-upload-livingstone.s3.amazonaws.com/img/20231129143016/Youtube_Thumbnails_For_Project_Features-4.png" title_text="Home design" _builder_version="4.23.1" _module_preset="default" hover_enabled="0" global_colors_info="{}" alt="Home design" sticky_enabled="0"][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label="Title" module_class="chronospro-heading green-heading" _builder_version="4.23.1" header_text_align="left" header_2_text_align="left" header_2_text_color="#727272" module_alignment="left" custom_margin="||||false|false" custom_padding="25px|||||" hover_enabled="0" border_style="solid" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]Designing For A Broader Market Most people who build custom homes are financially sound. For the most part, they are able to build beautiful, quality homes because they’ve been making good financial decisions for many years. As you go through your design process, be certain you get wise counsel from your builder, architect, designer, and possibly a real estate salesperson to be sure you’re not building a home that only your family will like. Balance your wants and needs for the home of your dreams with potential market appeal for future resale. You are probably not building your dream home as a spec home (a home without an end buyer before construction begins, generally built with an intended profit), so be careful not to include design features that are not what the broad market is asking for. An experienced builder will guide you through the design process and help protect your investment. Once you have the facts, it’s your responsibility to make your own design decisions. If you proceed to design and build a home that only appeals to a very narrow market, then at least you are aware of that (and the consequences) in the early stages of the design process. Sometimes homes linger on the market for a long time because a homeowner made design decisions without taking into account the long- term resale effects. How Long Are You Going to Live Here? 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.” 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. 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. Strike a Balance in Design 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. 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. BOTTOM LINE Find the balance between what you want and what the market wants. Be realistic about your short term and long term needs and how long you will live in your home then design accordingly. -Sean Sullivan [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built="1"
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by Mitchell Metz | Nov 17, 2023 | Construction, Construction & Design, Postings
Interestingly, an allowance (or budget) can be your friend or it can be your worst enemy. Good, honest, quality builders may lose jobs to the competition because they establish a realistic allowance that truly reflects the scope of the entire job.
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by Mitchell Metz | Nov 10, 2023 | Building A Quality Custom Home, Construction, Construction & Design, Postings
Now, what do you do about furnishing this new dream home? The temptation is to use this as an opportunity to save money and use items you already own (but don’t love) or purchase new items based on price instead of substance.
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