Author: alien

How to Choose the Best House Plan for Your Family

Posted on October 31, 2022 by alien - Home construction

Designing a house plan is both exciting and nerve-racking. Exciting because you’re visualizing your dream home, and nerve-racking because the room for error is vast.

In most cases, the process will start by choosing a custom home builder to design the dream home for your family. But it’s better to know how to choose house plan for family. In this article, we will explain six steps to selecting the ideal house plan for your family.

How to Choose House Plan for Family

Consider the Number of Bedrooms

Among other things, you would want to consider the number of bedrooms in the house. They’re the place to relax and rest after a tiring day. These spaces make a house a real home.

Ideally, you need bedrooms for every family member and additional bedrooms for guests. So, figure out the total family members, including kids. Do you plan to expand your family in the future? If so, the newer members would need their bedrooms as they grow up.

Bigger families with more than five members should plan for a house with at least four bedrooms. In that way, you’ll have an extra bedroom for guests.

Besides the number of bedrooms, consider their location. Families with toddlers would want their master bedroom closer to the nursery. Families with adults will prefer a more spread-out layout.

Make Sure the Home Fits your Lifestyle

The next thing to check is compatibility. Every family leads a different lifestyle. Therefore, you must understand your lifestyle before planning the house.

Do you require ample space to relax? Do any of the members work from home, hence need a separate home office? Do you frequently organize home parties? Do you require natural light coming into the house?

All of these questions will help you in the planning process.

Once you’ve figured out your lifestyle, select a particular architectural style. Some styles are:

Contemporary
Mid-century Modern
Victorian Tudor
Colonial
Cape Cod
Farmhouse
Cottage
Mediterranean

If you feel overwhelmed by these various styles, it’s best to consult with a custom home builder.

Open or Closed Floor?

The third decision you must make is whether to invest in an open or closed-floor design.

In an open floor design, you have two or more rooms without walls. Whereas, in closed floor design, every room is isolated from one another with walls.

Open floors are better for families with kids. You can supervise your little ones from the kitchen while they play in the living or dining room. Likewise, older children can receive help with homework from the kitchen island while the dinner is being prepped.

This unobstructed view is why open floor design is so popular these days.

On the other hand, closed floor design offers more privacy and increases the number of walls available. So, make the decision wisely when planning.

Does the House Have Sufficient Storage Space?

You need adequate storage space regardless of the type of house you choose. Even if you lead a minimalist lifestyle, having sufficient shelves and cupboards will cut down the clutter. This will make your home more appealing both to you and your guests.

While you should strive to create storage space in every room, focus more on these:

Mudrooms – These are sections that accommodate backpacks, shoes, and coats. Make sure you have them at the entrance and in the living room.
Bedrooms – The bedrooms should have enough drawers and cabinets. You can place wardrobes to create more storage space.
Kitchen – The kitchen should have drawers to accommodate appliances and utensils.
Desk area – Dedicated desk space is ideal for adults and children to carry out their professional and academic work.
Garage – The garage should have adequate space to house cars, motorbikes, bicycles, and additional equipment.

What about Outdoors?

A brief look at outdoor safety in McAllen should complete the house planning. The necessities would vary from family to family. But everyone would appreciate a veranda, a lawn with few trees or plants, and parking space.

If you’ve got more space, you can plan for an outdoor pool that your kids will love. Lighting is another aspect to consider when choosing the best house plan.

Determine the Budget

Last but not least, determine the budget for your dream home. It would depend on several factors, including the house type and location. Homes in McAllen, Texas, typically cost less than in Houston, Texas.

Proper budgeting and planning will help you get the best home for your family. Working with the right custom home builders also helps.

Get Started

Hiring custom builders is popular among many home buyers. They not only help with planning the house but also with financing and designing. By partnering with RGV home builders, you can be sure of building your dream home. Contact us today to learn more.

5 Signs You’ve Hired the Wrong Excavating & Grading Contractors

Posted on September 27, 2022 by alien - Custom built homes, Home construction, Home Construction Questions

Site development services are provided by grading and excavating contractors operating in the construction industry for commercial, industrial, and residential projects. Their main task is to level off and prepare the construction site, and to dig up all matter buried in the ground. Licenses and permits to perform the work are secured by the contractors, and they are responsible for the safety of the workers and the environment.

The excavating contractor plays a vital role in preparing the building site; therefore, it is essential to hire a contractor that does not comply with the following requirements and makes the most costly mistakes.

1. Licensed and Experienced Contractors

Professional licensing for excavating and grading contractors is a requirement in most states.

In addition, the contractor must comply with the city’s requirements for insurance and bonds. Including a general liability policy and surety bonds to protect clients.

There are contractors who cut corners with state regulations, as it is a lengthy process with many requirements to be met, and they do business without the proper licensing.

This is against the law, and you can protect yourself by verifying the contractor’s licensing before entering into an agreement with such a company.

The contractor should have in-depth knowledge and experience of the required task – whether commercial or residential.

Previous clients and reviews of a company can give you the feedback you need.

Look around, visit websites and ask questions before venturing out on hiring an expensive grading and excavating contractor who might not be up to completing the job successfully.

2. Ineffective Management

Construction requires a large amount of knowledge and expertise.

A dedicated team of specialists should be involved from the start of the project to give advice and answers to the prospective client.

A project management team is integral to the success of the outcome of the job.

It requires daily control, scheduling, and budgeting and this central unit must be available to facilitate communication and collaboration across the project teams involved in the project.

When a project fails it is usually because of the project management techniques or leadership.

Their professional behavior and expertise can answer many questions from the start of the first consultation.

A good management team will also be aware of the required labor force to complete each project.

There will be a skilled labor force and emergent technologies in use to resolve challenges for achieving a successful outcome within the correct timeline.

3. Inadequate site surveying.

The grading and excavating contractor must survey the complete project site and analyze all aspects of the site.

This includes the slope of the land, the type of soil, underlying facilities or structures, and distance to human or wildlife populations.

This information will help to develop an appropriate plan for the work, determine the best equipment and machinery suited for the job, and to allocate the required number of workers to complete the job within a specified timeline.

4. Rushed designs

The thorough onset of a project is of utmost importance.

Starting from the first consultation, site surveying, providing estimations, and requirements for the grading and excavation, each step must be designed and planned with thorough detail.

Rushed designs can cause work-order changes, onsite errors, and delays in completion with additional costs that could have been prevented if planned well, using advanced technologies to remove human error during preconstruction.

Taking time on planning a project for grading and excavating can prevent time-draining mistakes and conflicts.

5. Incorrect Estimates

A critical part of preconstruction and planning is estimating. Providing incorrect numbers can directly affect the success of the project. Timelines and budgeting do not add up and the grading and excavating project is doomed from the start.

Assessing the cost and ensuring the math adds up, pays in the end. Fees of labor, material, potential risks, and every detail must be assessed before accepting the contract and commencement of the task.

In conclusion, when choosing a grading and excavating contractor, it is vital to not only look at the cost but also the company’s reputation, area of expertise, licensing and management, level of experience, and detailed approach to the task. If they do not fulfill these requirements as discussed, keep on looking until you find a suitable and qualified grading and excavating contractor.

7 Important Considerations Before Hiring a Demolition Contractor

Posted on September 4, 2022 by alien - Home Construction Questions

When embarking on the project of creating and building your dream home or office, you might find yourself with an ideal stand but there are existing structures on this chosen site. Extensive alterations and changes are required. That is when you need the help of an expert demolition contractor: but be proactive and consider the following before hiring a demolition contractor.

1. Time frame

First, find out whether to contractor’s availability and timings would suit your needs.

For this, you will have to prepare the following information and what needs to be done:

Straightforward house demolition: include detailed tasks including possible hazardous materials like asbestos, remodeling of the kitchen might include tasks like re-design, installing of new cabinets, painting, electrical sockets, and appliances. As much detail as possible should be included to estimate the level of work required and the time necessary to complete the demolition.
House/ building square footage: how big is the building you want to be demolished, is it exclusively interior demolition or complete demolition?
Material used to build this structure: what material is the building made of?
Foundation: can you keep the foundation, how thick is it, and is it suitable for the new structure or will it be demolished?
Possible other demolition required such as pool demolition.
Access: how easy is access for demolition equipment onto the property and inside the existing building to be demolished, are entrances to the neighbors close, do you need to keep any landscaping intact?

2. Verify the contractor’s License

Find out what demolition requirements are in each state as in some states the contractor needs a license and in other states, they only need to be registered. In general, a contractor must have a license to perform the following tasks:

Construction and/ or remodeling.
Electrical and plumbing.
Hazardous waste remediation.
Hazardous waste remediation (including asbestos)

The contractor’s license should always be available and visible on the websites, quote sheets, or contracts, for you to ensure it is correct and up to date.

3. Are They Insured for Liability and Covered by the Workers Compensation Board?

A licensed, bonded, and insured contractor will ensure that you are working with a dependable, reputable, trustworthy professional that will not leave you financially responsible when something goes wrong. No worker injured during a job can take legal action against you if the company is insured. To make sure all things are above board, cover yourself, and check the demolition contractor’s credentials.

4. Risks involved and safety concerns

The demolition contractor must have regular risk assessments in place before commencing the demolition. The possible risks per site must be identified, and expert involvement is required continually. The reputable demolition contractor will be aware of all potential risks and have safety regulations in place. Their safety and security training will be up to date.

The risks mentioned here, are not necessarily for the workers of the demolition contractor – as that is dealt with in company policies and covered under point 3 above. These risks could be dangerous for neighbors, people living on the property, the owner visiting the site during regular inspections, and any other possible damage to the property and its surroundings. It includes dust, flying debris, and vibration of machinery that could lead to structural damage to other structures on the property, unguarded machinery, and live services such as gas, water, and electricity.

Ask your demolition contractor beforehand whether all safety regulations are in place so that you may not suffer unexpected lawsuits or injuries.

5. Estimate the cost of the demolition – and the experience of the demolition contractor

The demolition contractor will base an estimate on a variety of factors including the size of the job, legal requirements they must provide such as permits, handling of special materials, and the ease or difficulty of the location. Demolition costs also vary in different locations and are less expensive in the South or Midwest, but other cities prefer to discourage demolitions in favor of rehab and would therefore charge more for a demolition permit. Usually, the demolition cost is calculated per square footage and the national average can be between $4 to $8 per square foot.

Special circumstances can add the additional cost to demolition where hazardous material needs to be removed, and the disposal costs to haul debris to a landfill – whereas the type of debris and the distance to the closest disposal facility will impact the cost.

Remember your initial list to be done in the time frame? Make sure that all details are included in the cost estimate you receive – the foundation, removal of debris, plumbing, and electrical requirements. The demolition contractor must provide a detailed quote breakdown, a good practice is to get at least two or three estimates from reputable demolition contractors.

Do not only compare the estimates in dollar value – but also compare the demolition contractor’s experience, references from previous customers, their payment schedule expectations, start and completion dates, and overall impressions of a professional company.

There is of course the option that you can do yourself – if the job is not too big – such as debris removal. Compare and calculate the professional removal of debris by a demolition contractor to that of your disposal of debris before accepting and signing a quotation and contract.

6. Require a written contract.

A contract from the demolition contractor must have everything in writing.
It should outline: the following:

What work will be done?
Materials and equipment that will be used.
Who will be doing the work?
A payment schedule.
A timetable for completion – to match your time frame.
Permits and legal matters covered by the demolition contractor.
The cost for their assessment, the actual demolition, the clean-up, and the disposal of demolition debris.

All legal aspects of the contract must be included before signed or accepted, and you should understand and ask about the contract, before signing and before work will be commenced.

7. Regular inspections.

You should personally keep track of the progress done by the demolition contractor. Once agreed on the time frame, starting and completion date, have regular on-site visits with the contractor to see the progress. Schedule appointments ahead of time, and keep the demolition contractor bound by those appointments – to explain questions you might have, problems that occurred, and expected completion date.

Even though this is a huge undertaking, there are always people behind you to assist and help.

What Realtors Don’t Want You to Know About Custom Homes

Posted on August 8, 2022 by alien - Custom built homes

What Realtors Don’t Want You to Know About Custom Homes

Are you looking to buy a home in the safe and bustling McAllen area? While the area’s subtropical climate, ample housing options, and affordable cost of living make it a great place to find your dream home, you may be even happier if you build a custom home in the area.

Custom homes, which allow you to create a residence built to your needs and desires, have a lot to offer, but you won’t always find them being promoted by realtors. Here are a few of the things realtors may not tell you about custom homes but that you will definitely want to consider.

You do not need a realtor to build a custom home.

Not only are you not required to hire a realtor to build a custom home in Texas, but you can usually navigate the process on your own. What is the secret? A great home builder and a willingness to invest some time into understanding the process.

How do you choose the home builder who will make the custom home process easy? Look for someone whose primary goal is your satisfaction. In addition, look for someone with these critical qualities:

Strong reputation
Years of experience
Numerous happy clients
Portfolio of homes matching your style and budget
Responsive, client-focused communication

Then ask these questions to choose a custom home builder who will give you all the benefits and none of the drawbacks of working with a custom home expert:

Does this builder work in my preferred area?
Does this builder invest in quality materials?
Does this builder help with financing?
Is this builder easy to talk to?
Is this builder insured?

Once you have the right home builder, building a home without a realtor should be a straightforward process because your home builder will act as a partner supporting your dreams and providing you the necessary resources throughout the process.

A custom home is the perfect way to get your dream home.

A realtor’s job is to help you find the perfect home. Unfortunately, the chances of finding your dream home already built are very slim. All existing homes have something that will need to be updated or improved. Some homes may simply not have all of the design details and amenities you want in your perfect space.

That is why a custom home can be such a wise investment. When you begin planning your custom home, you have a blank slate upon which to create the design of your home. From the floor plan to the finishes, from the location to the last detail, your dreams, specifications, and needs are in charge.

Here is how that unmatched level of personal attention can create the perfect home for you and your family:

You decide how many bedrooms, offices, and bonus rooms you desire.
You create a floor plan that makes the flow of your daily life easy.
You can add a pool or opt for a big backyard.
You build the outdoor living space you want for entertaining.
You can add a theater room.
You select the perfect colors and finishes for every room.
You select the light fixtures and window dressings.
You choose the style of your home.

The result? A brand-new home that has the look, the details, and the features you have always wanted but been unable to find in any existing house.

A custom home allows you to build anywhere you desire.

If you use a realtor to purchase an existing home, you may only find houses that have the features you want in areas you do not want to live. When you build a custom home, you have the freedom to build anywhere you desire.

Custom home builders like Liongate build homes throughout the Rio Grande Valley. That means that you can enjoy a beautiful dream home built to your specifications – In the area that is most convenient for you?

Want to live near good schools? Are you looking for proximity to work or entertainment? Is it important to live minutes from some of the area’s best shopping, dining, retail stores, or healthcare? Or are you looking for a more secluded location where you can enjoy your home away from the hustle and bustle of the city? All of it is possible when you build a custom home.

A custom home allows you to spend your money only on what you want.

Purchasing a home, custom or not, is a large financial investment, even in the affordable McAllen area. Because this home will be one of the biggest purchases of your life, you want to make your money stretch as far as possible.

A custom home can help. If you seek out an existing home with the help of a realtor, you may find a home that has some of what you want, and some features you do not. Why spend money to pay for those features that you may not use, or even like?

Building a custom home helps you to include all of the features you want, and none that you don’t. Want to skip the pool? Not sure about vaulted ceilings? Looking for a unique style? Spend your money on the things you want, and enjoy the satisfaction of coming home every day to a place that is exactly what you always imagined.

A realtor may not tell you about the advantages of building a custom home, but at Liongate Builders, it is our pleasure to walk you through the whole process. We never build the same home twice, and it would be our honor to help you build your truly unique dream home. Contact us today to learn more!

7 Custom Home Features we Adore

Posted on April 18, 2022 by alien - Custom built homes

The home is where the heart is, so why not adorn it with the best money can buy! Bringing your custom twist to the interior of your home is a great way to spruce it up and personalize it to your own aesthetic and taste. We have compiled a list of 7 custom home features that we adore, and you will surely love too.

Walk-In Closets

What better way to use space in your bedroom or near your bathroom than building yourself a custom walk-in closet. It provides you with oodles of additional storage for your clothes and other wearables. Still, it also allows you to organize your space better and provides an extra layer of privacy and security. Not only will this make your life easier, but this custom feature will also make your space cleaner and more organized.

Washer And Dryer in Dedicated Room

This will make laundry much easier to do and free up space it would have taken up elsewhere in your house. Adding a laundry room will also substantially add value to your home.

Maximized Storage Space in Kitchen

Modern living at its best calls for a home with as less clutter as possible. Everything has a place, and no surface is littered. In such cases, cabinets in kitchens with clean lines and attention to detail while making would be the perfect fit for your home. Open shelves or full-faced slab flat fronts of cabinets would do wonders to add to the clean yet spacious look of your kitchen.

Simple Modern Gable Roof Plan

Long seen within the annals of history, this modern gable roof plan, and design is not going out of style anytime soon. Not only does it provide additional floor space with the extra volume it takes up (for a loft or an attic space), with additional windows, it would be a great way for natural light to enter the house space.

Large Windows or Window Walls

A well-built house needs to balance nature outside as much as it needs to decorate the inside. To appreciate nature and be able to witness its beauty while still within the confines of one’s own home is one of the many luxuries that window walls could afford you. These types of windows allow large amounts of natural sunlight into the home and allow one to take in the scenes of nature outside. Not only are they incredibly aesthetically pleasing in terms of design and look, but they also provide the great utility with the amount of natural light they let in.

Kitchen Wall Tiles with a Pop of Personality

While a clean countertop with sleekly designed cabinet and storage spaces are great for a kitchen, the addition of beautiful tiles on the kitchen walls would be just the pop of color that would add personality to your kitchen. Rather than sticking to the generic cream or one-tone wall, consider covering your kitchen walls with several small colorful mosaic tiles. This pop of color will surely make your house feel more like home.

Add in a Patio

Considered one of the best investments one could make to increase the value of their home, a patio would be a great custom addition. If you’re not looking to sell, that’s A-okay! Patios are great outdoor areas to relax when guests come around or when the 4th of July rolls around, and the grills are fired up. They provide an outdoor area where all the best family memories are made, and on a hot summer day, one can easily take solace in its welcoming shade.

Custom additions to a home are often expensive endeavors, but more often than not, they are always worth the time and the expenditure. Adding custom features takes your home from merely a place you live up to the level of a place you can thrive in. They are great investments that add value to your house if you happen to sell it in the future and make living a lot more convenient.

10 Facts About Living in McAllen

Posted on March 22, 2022 by alien - Home construction, Rio Grande Valley

McAllen is a city in Texas, US. It is one of the cities evolving at a great pace and has become one of the first choices of many new home buyers. It is also the second-largest city in Rio Grande Valley. But what is it like to live in McAllen?

If you are thinking of buying a new home in McAllen, you should know about the city better. Here are ten fun facts about living in McAllen.

1. No Lack of Entertainment

Settling permanently in McAllen means not falling into a pit of monotonous life. To keep your life interesting, it’s essential to find new ways to celebrate each day. McAllen, in this regard, provides all sorts of entertainment.

It has movie theatres, bowling alleys, malls, and places to keep you away from boredom. Stroll in Fireman’s Park, catch a basketball match at State Farm Arena, shop at La Plaza Mall, or spend quality time at McAllen Performing Arts Centre. There’s a lot to do.

2. Education in McAllen is Thriving

Education and employment opportunities are two critical considerations when living in any city. No doubt, McAllen has excellent employment opportunities all around. For your kids, it has some brilliant public schools with state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Even for high studies, it is home to several universities like the University of Texas- Rio Grande Valley, South Texas College, Texas State Technical College, and others.

3. Upward Surging Growth Rate

McAllen is thriving in all the right ways. Not only in figures, but it has also continued to maintain stability in terms of job opportunities and economic stability. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has helped McAllen thrive with the expansion of trade.

McAllen is strategically positioned just 12 miles away from the US-Mexico border. This allows for international trade and distribution.

4. Enriched with Festivities and Events

The festival and events keep you going. A city is better when it celebrates its cultural festival and events with full enthusiasm. McAllen is one of them. Casual annual festivals in McAllen are celebrated with all zeal. McAllen lights up and glows differently on festivals, whether it is the Palmfest International Folklife Celebration, the Winter Texans, or the Outdoor Artisan Market.

You can expect to indulge in spree shopping, enjoy live performances, car and animal shows, arts from over 70 artisans, and many more.

5. An Affordable Place to Live

McAllen is also known for its affordability. The property prices at McAllen aren’t sky-high. It’s recorded as the third most affordable place in the US. Where the other popular cities and states of the US are costly in clothing, housing, and food, McAllen’s cost of living is about 16.7% lower than the national average.

It’s affordable by all means. The average cost of property in McAllen costs around $2,00,000, whereas the average monthly rent in McAllen is around $700. Moreover, the city median household income is around $50,000.

6. Great for Buying Custom Homes

McAllen is a great place where custom homes are everywhere. Don’t want to buy a move-in house due to lack of customization? Neither do you have enough strength to build a house from scratch? That’s when custom homes are a perfect choice, and thankfully, there is no shortage of custom home builders in McAllen.

7. McAllen is Safe and Pleasant

Moving into a new city is not easy. To make it less dreading, it is essential to know about the crime level and safety. McAllen is one of such cities that would get past this consideration smoothly. It is amongst the top 10 safest cities in the US. It has lower crime rates, but it is also known for safe driving and less drug usage.

Driving under the influence in the US is common, but McAllen isn’t one of them. This makes McAllen safe from all aspects. Also, McAllen has lovely weather throughout the year. It has a moderate climate and mild winters, just the way it should be.

8. Easy to Access Stores and Malls

The transportation facilities in McAllen are also top-notch. You get easy access to universities, schools, malls, and convenience stores as well.

McAllen is also known for its nightlife, museums, live theatre, art galleries that keep the residents entertained.

9. McAllen Has Good Healthcare Facilities

Any city needs to have good healthcare facilities in the least. You need not rush to the nearby in case of emergencies. Thanks to NAFTA, McAllen is also seeing massive growth in healthcare facilities.

Some good hospitals like South Texas Health System, Las Palmas Healthcare Centre, and others.

10. McAllen is a Family Place

In all, McAllen is a happy place for a family to be. It’s a family-friendly place best for any couple to raise a family in a hygienic and clean environment.

7 Tips for Building a House in McAllen

Posted on February 18, 2022 by alien - Home construction

Are you looking to build a home in McAllen? Then you’ve made the right choice. One of the fastest-growing cities in the Rio Grande Valley, McAllen is often touted as America’s best-kept secret. With its low cost of living, an abundance of good schools, cultural diversity, and mild weather, this is a great place to live in.

Here are some tips for building a home in McAllen, Texas.

It’s All About Location

What might seem like a good location today might look very different in a decade, especially in a fast-growing city like McAllen. Keep this in mind while choosing a site. Pay attention to factors such as elevation, soil properties, and size. Look at accessibility to major routes and public transportation to make your daily commute easier, as well as proximity to amenities such as grocery stores and shopping centers.

Living near good schools is an attractive proposition if you have children or plan to start a family. However, the immediate neighborhood around heavily frequented areas such as schools, hospitals, and fire stations is typically noisy with heavy traffic. You could try to find out if there are any plans for future commercial development in the area affecting livability. The turnover rate for real estate in the neighborhood can also indicate how desirable the location is.

What’s The Neighborhood Like?

While McAllen has one of the lowest crime rates in the state, it is probably a good idea to look at these statistics for your chosen locality. This will help you make informed decisions regarding the degree of security measures you might require to feel safe. While visiting a site, talk to the neighbors – are they friendly? Does the neighborhood feel welcoming? These are important to consider, especially if you have young children. Do your research into potential environmental hazards in the area as well.

Customize Your Home According To The Weather

While the winters are mild, summers in McAllen can be quite sultry, with high humidity levels. Consider the angles at which the sun hits the house, and ensure that the most-lived parts of the house face north or east, which would be cooler as the day progresses. The west-facing side might require shades or air-conditioning to avoid overheating.

Ask your builder to focus on ventilation, and use lighter, neutral colors for the walls to create the feeling of space. You could opt for windows with UV reflectance as well. Consider roof overhangs for protection from frequent rain, with the option of rain harvesting.

Design Trends

What architectural style do you prefer? How big is your house going to be? What is your budget? These are essential questions to ask yourself before working on the design.

One of the most popular home design trends in Texas is minimalistic and modern, with open floor concepts. The use of natural elements such as wooded patios and frameless sliding doors is on the rise to create the illusion of blended outdoor and indoor living spaces. Landscaping of outdoor spaces would be an excellent option to build on this idea, with either artificial or natural greens and plenty of muted lighting to suit the ambiance. Built-in seating serves to save space, and window-side nooks would add to the coziness of your living area while allowing you to take in the beautiful South Texas scenery.

Visit Open Houses

Designing your dream home is no small task. Visiting other homes will give you an idea of what you like and dislike so that you can start to incorporate your favorite features in the best possible way. Discuss your ideas with your builder since they have the experience to advise you regarding what will work best.

Access During Construction

Ensure that you have access to the site during construction. This would help you supervise the construction work, keep track of the progress and get the job done within your timeframe.

Apply For Your Building Permit In Advance

Last but not least, apply for a residential building permit well in time, for which you will need to have your floor plan ready. An experienced builder would ideally take care of this on your behalf; if not, read up on the requirements. While approval typically does not take too long, having all your documents and plans in place in advance will reassure you that your home is compliant will the regulations.

It will also ensure that your contractor does not attempt to cut corners by circumventing building codes. Factor in depreciation rates so that you are aware of the potential resale value a few years down the line.

Review the builders available, and remember to have realistic expectations. At the same time, don’t compromise on what is most important to you. Custom-building a home is a huge investment, and making the right choices now will stand you in good stead for the next few decades.

How We Make Sure Your House is Built to Last

Posted on November 10, 2021 by alien - Custom built homes

Building your dream house takes a lot of planning and time. The process can even be overwhelming at times. Finding the right builder for your house is paramount in building a long-lasting home, as the builder is responsible for many decisions pertaining to construction. As a homeowner, taking part in the design and build of your house and effectively communicating with your builder will go a long way in enabling you to build the home you want.

Here are a few helpful tips that we consider while building your house to make it last longer.

Clearing The Land

Before carrying on with the task of building a house, the area must be cleared of obstacles. We inspect whether there are any soft patches of soil, debris, or stumps of fallen trees. These obstacles can hinder the construction process. Hence, these must be cleared away when building a new home.

Building A Strong Foundation

Installing a good foundation involves the following steps:

Depending on the conditions of the soil, its strength, and stability, the right kind of foundation must be chosen.
The next step is surveying the area to plan out the surface area of the land to construct the foundation.
Finally, installing footings and concrete blocks to strengthen the foundation.

Choosing The Suitable Building Material

There are various durable materials to consider while building a house. Each material has its own set of weaknesses and strengths. It all comes down to budget, aesthetics, and the design of the house.

Here is the list of commonly used building materials:

Wood

For generations, wood has been a popular choice to build houses. It is affordable and can be managed quite quickly due to its low weight. Wood materials are naturally good heat insulators and help moderate humidity inside the house. Moreover, the texture of the wood gives off a homely and comforting look.

However, wood is known to decay and rot with time, and it is not always structurally capable of supporting a lot of weight. There is also a risk of the wood materials being compromised due to termites.

Concrete

Using concrete to build your house can ensure that your house is durable and long-lasting. It offers greater thermal resistance, protection against strong winds and is much more fire-resistant than wood. Due to its low maintenance and repair costs, it serves as a cost-effective option.

A major drawback of the concrete house is that it sometimes looks gray and plain, giving it an almost industrial feel. Also, over time, if there is an issue with wiring or plumbing, the concrete blocks have to be cut to get to the systems. So, it’s not considered a flexible option while dealing with home repairs.

Steel

Prefabricated steel can make the whole construction process go more quickly as it is easy to install. It is also versatile, flexible, and pest and insect resistant. However, the disadvantage of steel is that it is more prone to rusting. Hence, expensive paints must be used from time to time.

Brick

Houses built with bricks are known to be reliable, robust, and sustainable. It is an ideal choice for people looking to build an eco-friendly home. Bricks are made of clay and shale, which are naturally available resources. They come in various patterns and shapes and give the house a rustic look.

Nevertheless, there are few disadvantages associated with the usage of bricks. In places where the temperature fluctuates from one extreme to another, brick houses are not the ideal choice as this causes the structure to expand and contract. Bricks are also more prone to absorb moisture, driving mold growth.

Improving the home’s insulation: Insulation is a great way of saving energy as it ensures that the house is cool during summer and warm during winter. In addition to that, it is also beneficial in blocking outside noise to a great extent. Different types of insulations can make the house energy efficient, such as:

Wall Insulation
Roof Insulation
Window and door insulation
Floor insulation

Making the most out of the insulation can save you a lot of money down the line. A well-insulated house would also fetch a good resale value as it wouldn’t involve renovation expenses for the potential buyer.

Investing in a sound roofing system: A good roofing system is as important as the house’s foundation. Roofs provide cover against harsh weather conditions such as snow and rainstorms. There are various options to choose from.

Thatch roofs
Metal roofs
Ceramic tile roofs
Asphalt shingle roofs
Slate roofs

Depending on the weather conditions of the area, the most suitable roof option can be chosen. Additionally, along with protecting against leaks and supporting snow, roofs are integrated into the design plan to give an attractive look to the house.

Using Quality Materials

It’s no secret that houses built with good quality materials are expected to be sturdier and more long-lasting. A house is made up of various components, from roofing to flooring, plumbing, wiring, etc. To get the most out of your home, investing in good-quality materials is paramount. A helpful way to decide the ideal materials for the house is by analyzing the durability, availability, maintenance costs, design, and price of each material.

The quality of the materials will determine the durability of the house that is built. So, it’s best not to compromise on quality.

Bottom Line

Investing in good-quality building materials will ensure that your house is durable and functional for an extended period. To increase the lifespan of your home, it’s also necessary to maintain it. Even a good quality house needs due attention from time to time. Weather conditions, natural wear and tear, and neglect can decrease the house’s durability down the line. Make sure that you get things repaired by your builder as soon as you spot any issues. This way, you can further increase the durability of your house.

Should You Buy a New or a Used Home?

Posted on September 15, 2021 by alien - Home Construction Questions

Buying a house is a huge decision, and the first thing to consider is whether you should buy a new property or resale property. Both options have their own benefits and drawbacks, so we can’t claim that buying one type of home is better than the other. It all depends on your preference and various factors such as size and budget.

So if you’re wondering whether it’s better to buy a new home or pre-owned home, we can’t make that decision for you. In the end, you must decide yourself whether to a brand-new house or a pre-owned house, based on your requirements and preferences. But we can bring you to terms with the benefits and positive aspects of both types of homes so that you can make a better decision on which option is more suitable for you.

Benefits of Buying New Home

Here are the advantages of buying a new house:

Better Condition

A new home will be in prime condition as it will be brand new and you will be the first residents. In a used house, you may have to inspect if everything is in proper condition such as the wirings, pipelines, flooring, roofing, furniture, etc. When buying a new house, you will be free of such worries since everything in the house will be pristine, unused, and untouched.

Modern Amenities

Since older homes were built many years back, they won’t have the modern amenities you can find in present day homes. If you love the latest style, accessories, and technologies – like floating stairways, modern kitchen and bathroom designs, open floor plans, automated home systems, etc. – then you have to go for a newly constructed property that has such modern amenities.

Higher Resale Value

A new house will obviously have better resale value than a pre-owned home. So one benefit for buying a new home is that if you wish to move to another location or shift to another house after some years, then you will be able to sell the house for a higher price than you could if you had bought a pre-owned home.

Energy Efficient

Older homes follow the energy standards of the period when they were built which could be from a few years back or maybe more than a decade ago. Modern homes follow the current energy standards and use latest technology so they tend to be more energy efficient. In fact, most new homes also have energy certifications these days.

Benefits of Buying a Used or Pre-Owned Home

Now let’s see what are the benefits of buying a pre-owned home:

Cost-Efficient

The first thing that will come to your mind when considering buying a used home is that it’s going to be cheaper. For the same budget, you can get a much better pre-owned house compared to a new house. If you are tight on budget or don’t want to spend big, then it’s best to buy a used home.

Precise Location

If location is more important to you than the nature of the property, then you may have to settle for a used home. When your main priority is to move to a specific location, you may not always find a new home in that area. In such cases, the only option is to buy a pre-owned home.

Additional Furniture

New homes are mostly empty and non-furnished since they are previously unoccupied. But a benefit of older homes is that they may come with some additional furniture left behind by the previous owner. In fact, you can even find pre-owned homes that is readily furnished with all necessary amenities so you can move in right away.

Well-Established Locality

Older homes are generally located in well-established localities where most facilities like schools, market, and hospitals are within reach. That may not always be the case with new homes. Since large towns and cities hardly have abundant space to construct houses, so newer homes are often located towards the suburbs or away from established settlements.

New vs. Used Homes – Which One Should You Buy?

Now that you are aware of the benefits of both new and used homes, you need to think carefully about which option better suits your needs and preferences.

Old or used homes are the better option if:	New homes are the better option if:
You are on a fixed budget.	You want a brand-new property where you’ll be the first resident.
You want a more spacious, larger home for lower costs.	You want a home that features modern style, amenities, and the latest technology.
You are looking for a ready-to-move house that you can quickly shift into.	You don’t want the hassle of having to inspect the property and performing repairs before moving in
You want to move to a well-established locality or a large city.	You want a better resale value in case you decide to sell in the future.

So based on these circumstances, we hope that you will be able to make the right decision on whether it’s best to buy a new or used home. But in the end, we advise you to take it slow and think it out carefully. Never rush into buying a home unless you are absolutely sure that it’s the perfect option within your budget.