Home Construction Saving Tips You Need To Know About

Building a house is a big deal, especially when you think of the magnitude of the financial investment you are about to make. No one wants to pay more than necessary when building a house. Building experts have the best construction saving tips, and the following is a selection of a few that can help you in your own project:

Share lots

The cost of buying a lot may be too much for one person, especially if the land seller is not willing to subdivide it for lower sales. You can find a friend or family member that you would not mind being neighbors with to share the lot. Therefore, you can pay for the sellers price together then further split it into two smaller lots. This is because most of the appealing property is often at a much higher price than what you may afford. If you can share the cost with someone else, you can by land in some prime locations.

Low maintenance building materials

You should consider low maintenance building materials as a long-term investment towards the value of your home. No need to buy cheap materials that will lead to costly repairs and maintenance in the near future. Materials like vinyl siding and metal roofing are some examples of great low maintenance materials. With such materials you do not need to repair, replace or spend any extra money than you need to on maintenance.

Salvaged materials

Construction materials are also reusable and recyclable and many people still are unaware of this. If there is a demolition nearby your construction, you can salvage a lot of useful materials that you can use in your new constructions. Some of these materials will cost you much less than new materials while some cost as little as nothing. From demolition sites of old buildings you can get used bricks, steel rods; timber or even wooden doors that will make your home look elegant without spending too much.

Spend on what you cannot live without

Saving money on construction is not all about buying cheap or used items. It is about knowing when to spend and when to pinch the pennies. There are some things you cannot truly live without and this is where most of the spending should be. For instance, security is crucial to your new home and you are allowed to go crazy on windows and doors that will keep your home safe.

Monitor construction spending

Before construction begins, you need to sit down with the construction manager and discuss the budget for the process. You should monitor this spending as the construction continues to ensure that you get exactly what you discussed with the construction manager. From construction elements to decorative details, never settle for less than the agreed unless there is a cost adjustment from the budget. Consider the particular brands as some may be cheaper than others yet the construction manager lists them down under the same price. 

Posted By: Bruce Johnson  http://bjrcinc.com

5 Questions to Ask Your Residential Contractor Before You Start

A dependable contractor who is determined to watch the project succeed from the start to the end can be difficult to locate but not if you follow the right procedure. You will need to ask the right questions if you want to know whom you will be dealing with from the beginning.

Depending on the type of project you are currently focusing on, you may be dealing with this contractor on a regular basis so it’s important to find someone you can get along with. That said, here are some 5 questions you need to ask the residential contractor before hiring.

Do they have the required licenses and insurance?

Licensing and insurance are very important aspects and you shouldn’t consider dealing with contractors who do not fulfil these 2 major requirements. Remember that your home insurance is unlikely to cover any damages or injuries of workers and you may have to pay for these expenses from your own pockets if you hire people who are not fully covered.

Have they worked on similar construction projects?

You will certainly have to go through their portfolio to find out if they have worked on similar projects before. Get an idea of what their skill levels as contractors and ask them to give you 3 contacts of their references to whom you can speak and find out more about the services rendered. Don’t just trust the images you see on their site, take the background checks to a different level by calling the people they claim to be their previous clients.

  

Who will be managing the project?

Most construction companies have a project management team that ensures the project runs according to plan. It’s important to find out if the residential contractor will have a supervisor or manager that handles all the aspects of the project. Some small construction companies have most of their team members working on site and are likely to provide a better service.

When is the project likely to start and end?

The start and end dates can only be communicated to you after you have given the contractor more details on the work you want done. They should provide realistic timelines and also indicate the penalties that will be imposed if they fail to meet the deadlines. The fact that the contractor will be ready to commit themselves to a certain timeline is a good sign of their workmanship.

How are complaints handled?

Construction companies have different ways of handling complaints. You need to consider what the business values are and whether they are inclined towards focusing on the needs of the customer. Any business that puts their customers first will be ready to handle complaints with the professionalism and grace that is desired. You don’t need to be involved in unnecessary arguments with your contractor. Contractors who value strong communication lines with their customers are usually the best to work with. The best potential contractors should be able to work with you to bring your vision into life. 

Posted By: Bruce Johnson Residential Contractor Inc.  http://bjrcinc.com

Guide to Understanding Builder's Risk Insurance Policies

If you're in the field of construction, contracting, or even property management or development, then you may be wondering about builder's risk insurance and how it actually applies. Here, you can learn more about builder's risk policies, what they protect against, and how they're utilized.

A builder's risk policy is actually property insurance, in essence. It's designed to protect and cover property during construction. This includes new construction, as well as major renovations to existing buildings and properties, both commercial and residential.

As opposed to many other forms of insurance, with builder's risk, short-term policies are available due to the nature of construction and what's being covered. Therefore, three and six month policy periods are quite common here.

Both the materials used and the equipment used will be covered by builder's risk. Additionally, it's important to note that materials and equipment will most typically be covered not only on the construction site, but also on off-site storage for the project, or in transit towards the site.

While this isn't always the case, most typically, builder's risk will fall under an inland marine policy, due to that transportation and storage component addressed above. This is as opposed to commercial property insurance. However, this may vary from provider to provider, and place to place.

Policies also differ in what qualifies as a covered risk. For instance, different types of forces of nature or natural weather, fire, theft, vandalism, and so forth, are all potential areas of risk.

Depending on your locale, you may seek coverage for specific events and risks, such as hurricane season in Florida, or earthquakes, tornadoes or flooding elsewhere. It's important not to assume what is covered and not, but to go through a checklist with your provider to see what they are specifically offering.

Generally, the lead builder, contractor or project manager buys the policy. In the case of renovations to an existing home, the homeowner though may want to personally and directly invest in the policy. This means that any damages would be paid to them directly, which is both more convenient, and helps guard against them not receiving their full benefits.

Hopefully you've learned more about builder's risk insurance and what it really means. Remember, it's to protect actual property during construction, which could include materials, equipment, and more. You'll only need to get it for a short duration of time, so there's flexibility there. Be sure to work with an insurance provider or agent who understands your needs, and can help you get the ideal form of coverage.

John Rothschild is the owner of ACI Insurance Services, a leading provider of Florida commercial insurance and surety bonds for more than 10 years. ACI is known for their customer service, their extensive experience and knowledge of the industry, and their affordable rates, and they'll do everything they can to meet the needs of their clients.

Posted By: Bruce Johnson Residential Contractor Inc.  http://BJRCINC.com

Preparing Your Home for Remodeling

Remodeling your home is a great way to get the house you always dreamed of without having to build it from scratch or buy a new one. However, there is a lot of ugliness involved in the remodeling process before your homes new look can come into shape. You need to be well prepared for the journey:

Permits

You may need to some permits from the local building authority before making changes to your home. You should find out the various permits and licenses you need before starting the construction project. Once you get a design plan, take it to the local building authority and find out what they have to say.

Warn the neighbors!

Construction can be quite nosy. All the machinery being used can generate a lot of noise that may disrupt the neighborhood. You may need to inform your neighbors of the construction about to take place. The dust and debris may also be blown by the wind into your neighbor’s pools and homes and this may be a cause of conflict.

Safety first

You need to contact an electrician and your gas supplier. During major construction, the electricity and fuel supply should be turned off to prevent any accidents. The electrician may be part of the remodeling team since the whole remodeling process also involves quite a bit of wiring. You should also turn of the water supply to the house in case any plumbing comes loose during construction.

Pack up

If you are remodeling only one part of the house, you can move the items from those rooms to the part of the house that is not under construction. You can also rent a self-storage unit for a month or two while the rooms are  being remodeled if these items cannot fit in the other parts of the house. You may need to stay with a friend or family during construction if the entire house needs to be redone. You need to agree on the timelines with the construction team so you know how long you will need to stay away from home.

Clean up

You need to clean out all the unnecessary junk piled up in your home before construction. This will reduce the amount of junk you need to sift through when packing up or what may obstruct the contractors from their work. You may even hold a yard sale before the remodeling. You can use the money from the sale towards your construction budget. Once the construction is complete, you will not want that junk messing up your new clean space.

Set aside emergency cash

Remodeling projects often tend to uncover some problems that were already in existence but unidentified. Therefore, the total cost of the entire project may be much more than you had projected. You need to stash away some emergency cash to cover these unexpected costs that may arise. You do not want the entire project stalling and ruining the timelines set. This will affect your permits and disrupt the contractors work.

Posted By: Bruce Johnson  Residential Construction http://bjrcinc.com

Benefits of Doing Business with a Florida Custom Home Builder

Are you interested in owning a new home in Florida? If you are, you likely already know that you have a number of different options. For instance, you can buy a home that would be "new to you," you could build your own home, or you could hire a professional to do it for you. If you are like many others who want to own a new, personalized home, you may be interested in seeking the assistance of a custom home builder.

When it comes to seeking the assistance of a professional custom home builder, it is important that you know that there is a difference between a home manufacturer and a custom home builder. Florida residents, possibly like you, who want to have some say in how their home is constructed, are urged to do business with a custom home builder. Florida home manufacturers may be willing to a little bit of customization, but not always. In most cases, home manufacturers are those who produce pre-designed homes; homes that cannot be altered.

Although it is important to know that you should do business with a Florida custom home builder, you may be wondering why you should do so. First, you should know that there are a number of benefits to doing business with a custom home builder. Florida residents, just like you, who want more information on those benefits are encouraged to continue reading on.

Perhaps, the greatest benefit of doing business with a custom home builder is that you are able to get the home of your dreams. There are many home buyers who spend months, even years, trying to find the perfect home. Unfortunately, many end up settling for second best or even less than that. That is the beauty of being able to have your own custom home built; you can have the home of your dreams and there is no having to settle for second best. Doing business with a Florida custom home builder can get you the home of your dreams.

Another one of the many benefits of doing business with a Florida custom home builder is their experience. An individual who has undergone the proper amount of training and has some work experience is often considered a professional custom home builder; Florida has a large number of them. What does this mean for you? It not only means that you have a number of different Florida custom home builders to choose from, but it also means that you will get professional results. When it comes to your home, professional results are not only important, but they are necessary. That is why it is advised that you choose to do business with a professional, highly rated and recommended custom home builder. Florida residents who have are almost always satisfied with the results.

The decision as to whether or not you want to do business with a custom home builder is yours to make, but it is something that you should definitely examine, especially if you want a customized, personalized home. You can use the internet, your local phone book, or recommendations from real estate professionals to get information on a local custom home builder. Florida residents have been using custom home builders for years now and you may now want to start doing the same.

Posted By: Bruce Johnson Residential Construction http://bjrcinc.com

Mistakes to Avoid When Building a Custom Home

Building a custom home gives you the opportunity to turn your dream home into reality. Whether you are looking to own a waterfront property where you can vacation in the summer or a family home in a gated community, building your own home is a great step. The bad news is, many would-be homeowners get so caught up in the excitement of building their own home that they make some mistakes that prove costly in the long run. Here are five deadly traps that you should avoid when building your custom home:

Buying a lot before knowing how much it will cost you in site prep and servicing

You’ve identified a great site for your custom home. It has everything you want-privacy, waterfront views and even proximity to amenities. But have you considered how much it will cost you to prepare the site and connect services to it? Think, environmental remediation and municipal zoning. These are going to cost you money, and you’ll find your budget so inflated you will start to rethink your entire decision to build a custom home. Before you buy any lot for your custom home, conduct a feasibility analysis so that you know exactly what you will be expected to spend later on.

Forcing a home design on a site instead of adapting a design to the site

You’ve conducted a feasibility analysis on a site and determined that you can deal with all the financial responsibilities it comes with. However, once the actual construction starts, you realize that what attracted you to the site in the first place has become a stumbling block as far as your design goes. Instead of imposing your design to the site, consider adapting your design to it, such that you incorporate certain aspects of the site to your design. For instance, instead of clearing all the trees on the site, how about making them part of the landscape design?

Starting on the home design before you are clear on your budget

Your budget will give the designer an indication of how big a space you are looking to own, and what can be incorporated. Figure out what your budget threshold is, and then communicate this with your home designer. Keep in mind that your home design forms the cornerstone of everything else, and if done incorrectly, it will have a negative ripple effect on all aspects of your custom home.

Choosing a home designer who is not suited for the style of home you want

Go for a designer who matches the design and style that you are seeking. This way, the designer will be fully capable of turning your visualizations of your dream home into a black-and-white design that your builder can actualize into a home.

Not checking relevant references

By relevant references, it means people whose homes are close to what you want. It is not enough to check with people who have had their houses built by a particular custom home builder. You must ensure you talk to references whose homes are in the style you want. This way, you will know that the builder you choose is capable of delivering on the exact kind of custom home you are looking to own.

Posted by: Bruce Johnson Residential Construction http://bjrcinc.com/

Mistakes to avoid when building a custom home

Building a custom home gives you the opportunity to turn your dream home into reality. Whether you are looking to own a waterfront property where you can vacation in the summer or a family home in a gated community, building your own home is a great step. The bad news is, many would-be homeowners get so caught up in the excitement of building their own home that they make some mistakes that prove costly in the long run. Here are five deadly traps that you should avoid when building your custom home:

Buying a lot before knowing how much it will cost you in site prep and servicing

You’ve identified a great site for your custom home. It has everything you want-privacy, waterfront views and even proximity to amenities. But have you considered how much it will cost you to prepare the site and connect services to it? Think, environmental remediation and municipal zoning. These are going to cost you money, and you’ll find your budget so inflated you will start to rethink your entire decision to build a custom home. Before you buy any lot for your custom home, conduct a feasibility analysis so that you know exactly what you will be expected to spend later on.

Forcing a home design on a site instead of adapting a design to the site

You’ve conducted a feasibility analysis on a site and determined that you can deal with all the financial responsibilities it comes with. However, once the actual construction starts, you realize that what attracted you to the site in the first place has become a stumbling block as far as your design goes. Instead of imposing your design to the site, consider adapting your design to it, such that you incorporate certain aspects of the site to your design. For instance, instead of clearing all the trees on the site, how about making them part of the landscape design?

Starting on the home design before you are clear on your budget

Your budget will give the designer an indication of how big a space you are looking to own, and what can be incorporated. Figure out what your budget threshold is, and then communicate this with your home designer. Keep in mind that your home design forms the cornerstone of everything else, and if done incorrectly, it will have a negative ripple effect on all aspects of your custom home.

Choosing a home designer who is not suited for the style of home you want

Go for a designer who matches the design and style that you are seeking. This way, the designer will be fully capable of turning your visualizations of your dream home into a black-and-white design that your builder can actualize into a home.

Not checking relevant references

By relevant references, it means people whose homes are close to what you want. It is not enough to check with people who have had their houses built by a particular custom home builder. You must ensure you talk to references whose homes are in the style you want. This way, you will know that the builder you choose is capable of delivering on the exact kind of custom home you are looking to own.

Posted by: Bruce Johnson Residential Construction http://bjrcinc.com/

Building a Custom Home

If you have always had a dream home in mind, you can actualize your dream by investing in a custom home. Before you dismiss this as wishful thinking, it is important to understand that custom homes are not always out of reach. In fact, sometimes building a custom home might be more cost-effective than buying an already built home, especially if you settle for a smaller sized custom home. What are some of the things you should consider when thinking of building your custom home?

Finances: This is the very first thing that you should think about when planning your custom home. The amount of money you have available will determine the appropriate community where you will build. Also, if you do not have available funds, you will need to think about taking a loan to close on your home once it is complete. It is recommended that you talk to a mortgage broker and a mortgage banker before you embark on the process of getting your custom home built.

Once you have gotten all your ducks in a row in matters finance, it is time to think about…

Location: You must determine where you want to live, and then take steps to find out what is required before you can build a custom home there. Some communities will sell home sites to the builders, while others will sell a home site directly to the homeowner. You must know what you are dealing with beforehand, so do your homework properly. Once you find a neighborhood you feel interested in, drive through the streets and see whether you would enjoy living there. Talk to the people living there. Check to see whether there are schools within accessible distance (if you have children), and whether other social amenities are easily accessible.

Style of your home: The beauty of building a custom home is you get to incorporate every specific need and want you have. However, you may have to align your style with the requirements of the community you choose, so think about this too. Get your inspiration from magazines, on blogs and even by borrowing from the styles of other homeowners in the neighborhood.

Call in the experts: Once you have taken care of the first three factors, it is time to call in the experts who will turn your dreams into reality. It is always important to work with people who have enough experience in building custom homes, and who can provide you with much-needed guidance during your home-building project. You may need an architect to properly capture your dream home on paper while a realtor may come in handy when dealing with the contractual bits of building a custom home. Lastly, you will need a builder; a company that has been building custom homes for many years, and one that you can rely upon to translate your dreams on paper into a beautiful custom home where you can create memories with your family for many years to come. So don’t put off owing your dream home. Start with a dream and finish with a home!

Posted by: Bruce Johnson Residential Construction http://bjrcinc.com/

Get Your Own Custom Home Built Today

Buying a home is a fulfilling experience that puts you one step closer towards attaining the American Dream. If you’re like most people, you already have an idea of the kind of home you wish to own, thanks to many years of dreaming about it. So what if the homes on the market do not quite exactly fit the home you had in mind all along? What if you have found the existing homes to be boring and unimaginative? The solution is simple: build your own custom home. Building a custom home allows you to include anything you want, and eventually own a home that meets all your specifications and fantasies. The process of getting a custom home is one that should be approached carefully, as it is an investment that not only requires your time but your money as well.

The first thing that you need to do if you are in the process of getting a custom home is to organize your financing. A lot of people assume that building a custom home is more expensive than buying an existing one. This is not necessarily true, as you could always build a smaller custom home. What makes the process of building a custom home expensive is that sourcing for materials on an individual basis is more expensive than doing so in bulk.

In order to finance a custom home, you will require a construction loan. Lenders consider construction of custom homes risky, and are not too eager to offer construction loans. You will therefore need excellent credit to convince your lender to give you a construction loan. On top of this a down payment of at least 20 percent to 25 percent is required.

On top of the funds, you will require to look into getting relevant insurance during the construction period.

The next thing you need to do is interview potential architects and builders. Some homeowners opt to work with architects first before moving on to the builders, while others will first consult with the builders. Some firms will also do the design and construction work in entirety. You must do your homework and get only the best in the field.

It is important to have a land and plan that match, so that you do not start the construction work only to realize later that the land cannot accommodate the home you have in mind. It is necessary to have your builder tour the site to discuss pre-construction measures that will be required before the construction takes place.

You should consider the neighborhood you build your home keenly, as this will impact the resale value of your home should you decide to sell it later. Ensure your home stays in the same range as the other homes in the neighborhood, in matters of price range and general size. Should you decide to sell your home later on, you will not have to worry about your home being oversized or overpriced.

Your dream of owning a custom home need not remain a dream. With adequate preparation and determination, this dream can be turned into a reality.

Posted by: Bruce Johnson Residential Construction http://bjrcinc.com/