Author: alien

What to Consider When Building a Pet-Friendly Custom Home

Posted on August 24, 2020 by alien - Custom built homes, Home remodeling

Having a pet is a rewarding experience, but one that comes with certain responsibilities. Especially with furry, four-legged friends, you need to dedicate a good amount of your time, effort, and space.

And, if you are building a custom home, it is only fair that you add special amenities that cater to your pets. It not only makes your life easier but also keeps them more comfortable. After all, everybody wants to be loved more!

With the big trends that are developing in the home customization segment lately, it is possible to add any kind of design you like. With a good custom home builder by your side, you can bring any dream into reality.

So, what customizations do you need to consider to make your home pet-friendly? Read on.

Custom Feeding Area

You can build a special feeding space for your pooch with a sliding drawer that can conceal the space when not in use. Pets are part of your family, so why not have them near the dining area with you? Design an open cupboard area at the end of your kitchen cabinetry. You can prevent water and food spills on your flooring.

Consider the size of your pet and get custom bowls fixed so they can eat comfortably. Also, many designs offer feeding stations with in-built food storage.

Dog Washing Station

Pets like cats may not be very enthusiastic about taking a shower, and they can fit in a sink. But for large dogs, you need a separate washing station. You can use human bathing areas to wash off the mess from the pet’s fur, but it can get a tad messy.

Install a pet shower in your utility room, or consider adding a washing area outside the home. Especially, if your pet enjoys rolling in the mud, an outdoor shower space prevents dirty paw prints all over the floor.

Hidden Litter box

Would you rather have the cat see you do your business in the bathroom or give each other some privacy? Most cat owners tend to put the litter box in the bathrooms. But when you have the option to choose any kind of custom home you wish, there is no reason to compromise.

Besides, when you build a hidden compartment in one of your cabinet spaces or a tunnel in the wall, it will be out of sight. You can also keep the odors away.

Custom Doors and Gates

No need to use the boring baby gates to contain your pets from visiting certain areas of the home. Or, you may be still using the cat flaps that are fixed into your door. You can install custom doors and gates that are more attractive and can section off the pets when they are alone at home. Sliding pocket doors or swing gates are particularly effective in achieving this purpose. If your budget permits, you may invest in motion sensors that open the doors when the pet is nearby.

Pet-Friendly Flooring

Pets tend to use your flooring as scratchboards. Some types of flooring can absorb stains from pet accidents. Either way, you may be left with a damaged floor. Besides, you cannot even use carpets for various reasons, such as allergens.

If you have decided to use hardwood floors, select a kind that has a higher hardness level since a soft variety is highly vulnerable. Scratch-resistant and stain-free flooring types include bamboo, stone tile, and luxury vinyl, which are becoming increasingly popular by the day.

Designated Pet Areas

One big trend for pet-friendly home designs is adding personal areas for your critters. Having a place that they call their own fills them with joy and a sense of excitement. Since most homeowners with pets already buy separate beds and toys for their furry friends, you may think of making the spaces unique.

For instance, rather than having a portable or temporary playpen for the pet, use the space under the stairs. Convert any awkward space into the pet’s room, complete with a bed, feeding area, and storage.

Apart from the above, you can add outdoor elements on your property to keep your pets safe and cozy. Some additions may include fences, ramps, and play areas.

Do not wait until you start the construction to decide which pet-friendly features to add. Speak to your custom home builder and the designing team to help you with the options.

10 Benefits of Hiring a Custom Home Builder

Posted on August 10, 2020 by alien - Custom built homes

A custom home is the natural expression of your taste. And since you will be investing a substantial amount of your savings, you will want to hire experts. Custom home builders make it possible for you to lend a personal touch to this intimate space. The advantages of hiring them go beyond just aesthetics. Not only do you get your house to look and feel just like you’ve always wanted, but also save time and money.

There are at least 10 benefits you can reap when you choose custom builders:

1. They are connected with expert subcontractors

A builder works with a vast and reliable supply chain. They usually enjoy professional relationships with realtors, agents, and clients. The combined knowledge brings an assurance of quality to your home.

Moreover, different subcontractors take care of different aspects of a project, for instance, some buying building material, others sourcing the best fixtures. That’s why working with them is a smart move since trying to do everything by yourself is overwhelming.

2. They make bulk purchases with discounts

Custom builders usually purchase items from vendors they are familiar with or have worked with before. Since they regularly purchase similar materials in large volumes, they are able to get substantial discounts.

This is often passed on to their customers in the forms of reduced service charges or concessions. In contrast, if you try buying the same things in small amounts, you’ll end up spending a lot more. Hence, custom builders help you save money.

3. You can implement your preferred floor plan

Homeowners enjoy the liberty of fine-tuning the floor plan of their home. Any reliable builder will get the blueprint approved before moving ahead with the construction. You can modify space usage or make room for additions later. If you don’t need a garage, ask your builder to not construct one.

Need a landscaped front yard? Or a rooftop pool? A furnished basement, perhaps? It all comes down to your needs. Just take a look at the illustration and see if the dimensions or layout appeal to you.

4. Settle down at a location of your choice

One of the biggest attractions of hiring a custom builder is the liberty to choose where you hang up your boots. A good location comes at a premium but pays off in the long run. If you already have a plot, the builder can help you get a proper site assessment.

If you don’t have one, they can help you buy it in a suitable location. Owning a home in the right district with good colleges, hospitals or workplaces is a dream for many.

5. Custom builders manage your resources better

Admit it! They know what they are doing. Time, for instance, is the biggest resource here. As a homeowner, there are only so many hours you can devote to the project. Custom builders have a knack for maximizing your time and making the most out of it. They can properly take care of all the different aspects of your home building venture with a single focus. Their tried and tested processes ensure minimum wastage of time, materials, or labor.

6. Unleash your creative flair with custom designs

Fancy an exposed brick wall in the living room? Or a walk-in shower? The beauty of a custom built home is it draws out your inner designer. Choose your fixtures and ceramics. Play with paint and patterns, contrasts, and combinations until you are content. The house is your canvas and nothing should shine brighter than your personality.

There is a special joy in hand-picked appliances, a satisfaction in custom-ordered floor lamps and it’s all possible in a custom home.

7. Lower maintenance charges

Don’t let the upfront charges fool you. They turn incredibly affordable in a few months. When you have installed the latest in indoor climate-control or specially-selected fixtures for the master bedroom, there is an assurance of performance. They are protected by warrantees and professional maintenance for the first few years.

You don’t have to rush for upgrades anytime soon and your energy bills stay within limits. All this reduces the financial burden on you to a considerable extent and keeps you stress-free.

8. Only pay for what you want

Getting a house tailor-built allows you to steer clear of useless trends. You actually pay for luxuries you want to enjoy. These are not generic houses thrust upon the owner. There is no compulsion to get a floor-to-ceiling window, a large, walk-in closet, and a full blown wine cellar simply because it’s in vogue.

Since your builder works only after you’ve approved of the home design, you’ll save some cash by avoiding any whimsical, useless, expensive additions.

9. Your builder follows a smooth, streamlined process

As a home builder for the first time, you are bound to get caught up in the intricacies of homebuilding. But your custom builder knows better. They have a neat procedure in place and this works every time. They are well versed in the home building process and can anticipate challenges.

They have unique, effective solutions to sticky problems that can easily make you look deranged for a month. Reputable builders have the right connections. From incorporating building codes and certifications to getting your papers in place, custom builders sort out the complications effortlessly. So, hire a custom builder and enjoy a seamless experience.

10. There is room for home improvement

When you build a house around your needs, you can make room for alterations down the line. When kids arrive or you decide to moonlight as a painter, this personalized home can be tweaked to suit your changing needs with minimum fuss. Future-proofing, as it’s fondly called. It gives you complete control of indoor and outdoor spaces, to be used when you like it.

Hiring custom builders are increasingly getting popular. With trust and quality as our hallmarks, we walk every step of the way with you to fulfill your dream of a home that stands out and stands tall. Get in touch with us for all your construction needs.

Five Reasons Your Next Home Should Be Custom Built

Posted on July 15, 2020 by alien - Custom built homes

A custom built home reflects your individuality like nothing else. It caters to your needs and expectations as a truly personal space. If you are struggling with a house that gives you sleepless nights, investing in a custom built home can make life easier for you.

Read on to find out the top five reasons your next home should be a custom built:

1. Your home is not built around your lifestyle and preferences

There’s no end to the flexibility you get with a customized home. Whether it’s the floor plan or the front yard, your choices matter. For homeowners who require home-offices or a sprawling lounge to host big, noisy parties, a custom house provides the necessary space.

You can decide on the number of bedrooms and baths and how to spruce up your small outdoor retreat. The choice of placing certain rooms remains with you. For example, a well-lit, airy corner could become the nursery instead of a storeroom. These choices translate into comfortable living.

2. Your current home is not future-proof

A family’s needs change over time. If your changing needs have outgrown the current house you live in, it is time to think about moving to a custom-built house. These homes are built to accommodate your demands. You can keep your options open. You can easily design a study that can be turned into a spare bedroom for an older child later.

Future proofing is required since changing residences frequently damages your finances and leaves you to figure out your life all over again. Only a custom designed house offers insurance against inevitable change.

3. Your maintenance costs are shooting through the roof

Older homes develop an insatiable appetite for energy. Cracks and gaps appear and put more stress on an HVAC system on its last legs. Maintenance bills begin to inflate. Besides, you cannot modify the heating-ventilation or a leaking faucet every alternate month.

A drafty bedroom here, a humid kitchen there – an existing home is just not working for you anymore.

When you get a custom-built home, these problems are mitigated. You enjoy manufacture warranty and professional maintenance. Also, the latest models are automatically more efficient and lower your expenses. In the long run, custom built homes bring a higher Return on Investment. A truly personalized residence is a dream home you can feel proud of.

4. Your current home is miles away from work and school

Are you spending more time inside your car than in your living room? How do you feel about walking a mile from the car park to your front porch?

If you feel stuck in a house that sits in the middle of nowhere, it’s time to step up your house-hunting game. Homeowners usually prefer to reside in close proximity to schools, supermarkets and workplaces. The right district, the right neighborhood, and the right community make for a peaceful life

Building your custom home gives you the liberty to choose your location. You can be close to your family and friends and incorporate the natural landscape into your home design.

5. You have no idea who your builder is

Unless you have built a custom home, you cannot possibly know your builder well. An existing house may be handed over to you at a time when you have little clarity on matters of building regulations and codes. That’s one of the main reasons to get a made-to-order home.

You can choose a builder who fits the bill, understands your choices and prepares a blueprint for your approval. They will usually respond to your queries immediately and have faster turn-around times.

A reputed builder is usually equipped with the right team and certifications so your homebuilding process gets on smoothly. You get assistance all the way. Custom homes give you value-for-money in the long-run. Select a detail-oriented builder and you have a home that improves your standard of living. Custom builders also assist in home improvements if the need arises.

To get your custom built home, get in touch with us right away. We take pride in transparent communication, deadline-driven work, and industry expertise. With decades of experience under our belt, we place a high value on fulfilling our commitment to building lasting homes that grow in worth.