Plan All Rooms Early

A powder room or an extra bathroom on the main floor is almost a must. Make sure that you discuss this with your builder prior to beginning construction. Adding a bathroom ”later” is not as easy to do, as it is to say, and will be more costly in the end. Planning ahead is a necessity.

Wiring Tip

During the framing stage, make sure that the electrician has added the wiring you need for an extra refrigerator or freezer in your utility room or pantry. These larger units need to be on their own protected circuits in order to avoid tripping other breakers/outlets.

Utility Room

Another place you will be happy you have an extra sink is in your utility/laundry room. How many times have you had clothes that required an extra soaking or a small pet that needed a bath? Add that sink in your utility room and you will be prepared for whatever mess walks in the door.

Vegetable Sink

When designing your new kitchen, consider adding a vegetable sink. Most don’t think of a second sink in the kitchen, but once you host that big Summer party or have all the family over for the holidays, you will find out what you’ve been missing by NOT having a vegetable sink.

Garage Slab Length

While we are on a garage tip role, if you are making sure the slab is wide enough and the doors tall enough, make sure the length is at least 22′ for the longer vehicles. NOTE:  The length of the slab may be impeded by the depth of the lot you are building on! Your builder knows best ONLY if he is advised of your needs PRIOR to design and construction.

Garage Door Height Prior To Framing

Another thing to remember when planning design and construction on your garage - the height of the door. Do you have a boat that is kept indoors or a vehicle that is higher than average? Your builder MUST be made aware of this BEFORE framing has begun on the garage. If you “forget” to let the builder know this information, the end result will be a change order and increase in cost. Ideal time to divulge ALL pertinent information is during DESIGN…..

Garage Slab Tip

Whether building or remodeling, there are always little tips and tricks to keep in mind. For instance, when the garage floor slabs are being poured, make sure they are framed at 9′NOT 8′. Many people have larger vehicles and with 8′doors, and the smaller doors will mean having to fold mirrors in. Make sure your builder is aware of the vehicles you drive or are considering purchasing prior to the floor pour.

Fall Planting

The following is an excerpt from our August 21,2012 newsletter. Please follow the link for more information.

Fall Planting 

Selecting Your Builder/Contractor

The following is an excerpt from our August 14,2012 newsletter. Please follow the link for more information.

Selecting Your Contractor

Believe it or not,selecting the building contractor for remodeling your current home or constructing your new home can and should be a long process. Righ now you may be asking “Why?”.

Framing

The following is an excerpt from our August 6,2012 newsletter. Please follow the link for more information.

Let’s Talk Framing

Framing is probably the most exciting step of any building project! Visualizing in your mind and seeing on paper what your addition or home will look like is one thing,but watching the project take shape,that is amazing.