Saturday, September 29, 2007

Stick it dont kill it...

One of my big worries about building a house is the Sick House syndrome. While I doubt that anyone in the family will get seriously sick, I do worry about the long there effects of some products that are being used right now. The Healthy Home plans site has some excellent resources about building healthy.


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Tuesday, September 25, 2007

A rose is bueatiful because...

As I look more and more at others house designs I find it very interesting that you can just tell good design from bad. In our neighborhood there are four builders.

One my wife and I look at and immediately we can tell its a house built by him. He always has some weird thing that is out of place on the house. For example a house with no curved lines on it except the front door; or brick columns on the porch and no other brick. He is also the worst kind of builder if he can save $0.50 on something he will. We recently went to a parade house of his and the back door would not lock because it was not plum...

There is another builder in our area and his houses take a long time to sell. I have not been in any but they all seem a little small. But if you look at pictures of his work and you can tell he has no idea of a cohesive design theme.

The third builder has nice simple lines and follows a keep it simple mentality. While I like his work and the quality looks good there does not seem to be much value. Less cabinets, less sq footage, etc.

The fourth builder seems to fall in behind the third builder in design voice, but has a lot better value. More features for less money.

I know I wont use the first builder, the second one I might consider if I did the design work, the third I think is a candidate but I would want to know where my money was going, and the fourth is a leading contender.

See if you can tell which is which:

Dave Alan Homes
Elevation Homes

Highmark Builders
Shane Homes


Monday, September 24, 2007

Superficial Surfaces...

I am really intrigued by surfaces. I often find intriguing products that I see that I just want to find a way to use them in my home designs. I am really into architectural resin panels. Lumicor has a new line that are designed by Jhane Barnes one of my favorite textile designers. Checking out her site I find that she also has a line of carpets! I don't know that I will have the courage to use some of the wilder panels, and cost may keep me away, but its nice to dream.

What's it worth to you?

One of the best things about the web is the adventure that following a few links can can start. I was reading the "From the Ground Up" blog, and checked out his custom cabinet maker (Eastvold). From Eastvolds site there are links to a Laurel Ulland a local architect that I have looked at before.

I really like a well designed house, but I don't think that I will be able to afford an architect on my house. Most architects cost between 7% and 15%. That is on the entire project. For my two projects that means a minimum of $70,000, but more likely on the order of $100,000+ While I value an Architect I can't part with that kind of money; of course when you compare it to a Realtor its an awesome value! I'm not even sure that I want a builder! Their 20-35% markup seems like highway robbery! I understand they gotta eat, but maybe they could have hamburgers once in a while? On top of that several folks that I talk to wonder what the builder really does for all that. They had to spend significant time at the build site and every time the builder had a question they got a phone call. In my case I am working to be as educated as possible in regards to all phases of the home construction so at least if I do hire a builder I will be able to look over their shoulder and make sure they are earning their money.


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What's it worth to you?

One of the best things about the web is the adventure that following a few links can can start. I was reading the "From the Ground Up" blog, and checked out his custom cabinet maker (Eastvold). From Eastvolds site there are links to a Laurel Ulland a local architect that I have looked at before.

I really like a well designed house, but I don't think that I will be able to afford an architect on my house. Most architects cost between 7% and 15%. That is on the entire project. For my two projects that means a minimum of $70,000, but more likely on the order of $100,000+ While I value an Architect I can't part with that kind of money; of course when you compare it to a Realtor its an awesome value! I'm not even sure that I want a builder! Their 20-35% markup seems like highway robbery! I understand they gotta eat, but maybe they could have hamburgers once in a while? On top of that several folks that I talk to wonder what the builder really does for all that. They had to spend significant time at the build site and every time the builder had a question they got a phone call. In my case I am working to be as educated as possible in regards to all phases of the home construction so at least if I do hire a builder I will be able to look over their shoulder and make sure they are earning their money.


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Saturday, September 22, 2007

Tubes (but not for the internets...)

I am seeing more and more PEX plumbing in houses that I visit. From what I understand copper is getting more expensive and this is driving the market for PEX. This of course confuses me as I have read that many plumbers charge the same price. The difference is that most PEX installations are run from a manifold in the basement and each faucet has its own individual run back to this manifold. With this style of plumbing you don't have to worry about the flushing the toilet and getting scalded in the shower. But for my money I would expect for a plumber to design a new house correctly and even with a traditional plumbing design this should not happen. So my theory is that plumbers are just making a lot more margin on PEX.
I also wonder about the health effects of plastics. Water is the best solvent around and I just have a hard time believing that there is no off gassing. I found one good article about a specific type of PEX that is bad. So when I finally get around to building I will consider PEX but only if it significantly cheaper.

Friday, September 21, 2007

Not so big; but...


I am a big fan of Sarah Susanka and her not so big house ideas; but... My family does not live well in an open floor plan, I am a firm believer in dedicated spaces for dedicated functions. Our living room right now functions as: Kids playroom, guest entertainment, kids art space, family relaxation area, etc... Needless to say it is never tidy and always a mess. My next house will have dedicated spaces for all these activities; in hopes that it will be easier to keep the rooms that should be neat and tidy in that state.