Great Ideas When Building a Home

7 Winter Fireplace Safety Tips

2011-12-19T21:29:00.004-05:00

During the cold winter months, many homeowners use a fireplace to heat their homes. Here are a few tips from Heartland Builders for proper fireplace maintenance and use in your new home near Grand Rapids.

Always clean your fireplace before you first use it. You should also have your chimney and fireplace inspected and professionally cleaned, if necessary, before you begin to use it for the season.

Clear any flammable items away from your fireplace. Debris and old ash should be properly disposed of before you start a fire and any flammable decorations should be moved at least 2 feet from the hearth of the fireplace in your new home near Grand Rapids.

Leave the glass doors of your fireplace open when you light a fire and the mesh screening closed. Keeping the glass doors open will allow your fire to breathe properly and keeping the mesh screening closed will keep any stray embers from popping out of your fireplace. When you are not using your fireplace, remember to keep your glass doors closed.

Burn hardwoods in your fireplace instead of younger, green wood. Hardwoods burn longer and cleaner. You should also never burn trash or use flammable liquids to start your fire.

It may seem like common sense, but never leave your fireplace unattended at your new home near Grand Rapids. Always use safety and common sense around an active fire.

Use smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors at your home even if you do not use your fireplace often. It is always wise to use safety precautions at your new home.

Use a chimney cap at the top of your chimney. Caps keep animals and debris from falling into your chimney and out of your fireplace. A chimney cap will help keep your chimney clean so you will not have to clean it as often.

6 Top Real Estate Apps for Your Smart Phone or iPhone

2011-11-29T11:18:00.000-05:00

If you are looking for a new custom home near Grand Rapids, MI, look no further than your smartphone, Droid, iPhone or iPad. In today’s technologically savvy world, you can look up great new custom homes with just a few touchscreen buttons. Heartland Builders recommends these easy to use real estate phone apps when searching for your new home.

1.The Zillow Real Estate app is free for Droid, iPhone and iPad users. Use Zillow’s GPS technology to look at custom homes for sale in a neighborhood you like or the Zestimator to price new homes in Grand Rapids that catch your eye.

2.Use Realtor.com’s free Real Estate Search app for Droid, iPhone and iPad users to find up-to-date new home and new home site listings. Share your great custom home finds with your social networks as you search.

3.Trulia’s Real Estate Search app for Droid, iPhone and iPad users is also free. Find your custom home near Grand Rapids, MI, by browsing listings, prices and neighborhoods that interest you.

4.The Real Estate 114 app only works for Droid smartphone users. Find a custom home in your area and browse available floorplans with this free app.

5.With Property Evaluator you can compare different properties that interest you on your iPhone. For $1.99 you can also calculate your expenses and track your property’s performance over time.

6.The Real Estate Calculator app for iPhones is a handy tool that will calculate your mortgage payments for you as well as calculate loan qualifiers and down payments for your new custom home near Grand Rapids, MI. This app costs $0.99.

7.The My Measures and Dimensions app for Droid users allows you to take photos and add dimensions to those photos. Users can also share their dimensions and photos with their social networks or email contacts. This app is quite helpful for new home buyers building custom homes and only costs $5.96.

Know who you are when building a home. Know what you want. Know what you need.

2011-11-18T21:24:00.003-05:00

Ok, this post is nothing more than a rant really.
I was working with a couple to
build them a home. They chose
another builder because
he had a home site that they wanted.

The home is in the same development
that I am building a home in
right now.

I recently "snuck" into the other home during the day when trades people were there. The couple I referenced. This is their retirement home.

While walking around the house I realized that their bedroom door, bathroom door and closet door are NOT wide enough to be considered accessible. Neither a wheelchair, nor a walker will fit through any of the doors. Amazing!

If you are building a retirement home, wouldn't you think to make it accessible. This by the way is the 3rd home they have built.

Ok, ok, they are not professional builders. Why would they think of such a thing at the ripe, young age of 60. You're right!

Well then what about the builder? He is the builder. Why didn't he think about it? I don't know. It is frustrating though to think that for another $100 to $200 and a few minor changes this home could have been made much more accessible for its owners.

You get what you pay for!

Sorry about the rant. If you want a builder that builds really great homes, that rants sometimes, but loves what he does, please visit our website at www.heartlandbuilders.com and be sure to "Ask Rich" and send me a message. I would love to hear from you. We build homes in and around the Grand Rapids, MI area.

Build on!

5 New Home Maintenance Tips for Fall

2011-10-31T10:02:00.000-05:00

Now that Fall is here, it is time to think about preparing your new home near Grand Rapids, MI, for colder weather. Here are a few easy Fall home maintenance tips from Heartland Builders to help save you money during the approaching cold months.

1. 1. Change your filters. You should change the filters of your AC unit regularly, and definitely change the filter for your furnace before you start using it. Have your furnace serviced before you need to use it as well. Don’t forget to clean your air ducts while you are changing your filters so your heating system will work more efficiently and you can breathe cleaner air.

1 2. Check for air leaks around doors and windows. Air leaks will cost you money when trying to heat your house for the winter. Check the weather stripping on doors leading outside and the caulking on windows. Re-caulk windows and replace the threshold gasket on doors if necessary. To check for air leaks, light an incense stick and wave it near your windows very slowly. If the flame flickers, then you have a small air leak in your window and you should repair it immediately.

3. Clean your gutters. Remove debris and unclog any backups. Make sure water drains properly away from your new home near Grand Rapids, MI. Clogged gutters can lead to many problems including wood rot and foundation damage. Think about installing gutter guards to prevent your gutters from clogging in the future.

4. Clean your fireplace. Clean your chimney and check to make sure your flue and damper are both working properly. Remove any old ashes and install or check your carbon monoxide detector.

5. Disconnect hoses and store seasonal furniture. Disconnecting your outdoor hoses before the first frost will prevent water from freezing and cracking or bursting your hose. Clean your seasonal furniture and store it for the cold months. Now is also a good time to reseed your lawn and prune trees and shrubs at your new home near Grand Rapids, MI.

5 Tips to Choosing the Right Custom Floor Plan for You

2011-10-06T05:55:00.002-05:00

Choosing the right floor plan for you is an exciting step when building a custom home near Grand Rapids, MI. When building or buying a home from Heartland Builders, you have maximum flexibility in the choices for your new home’s design and style. Heartland Builders can even help you find the perfect home site for your desired floor plan. Here are a few suggestions to help you choose the right floor plan to match your family’s lifestyle.

1. Consider your family size. Do you have kids now? Are you planning on having kids in the future? Do you have elderly parents that will live with you one day? Are you empty nesters? You will want to design your custom home near Grand Rapids, MI around your family size so everyone can enjoy your new home comfortably.

Think about living space. Do you spend most of your time in the kitchen or the living room? Look at trends and features that will make living in your new home more convenient. If you enjoy cooking and spending time in the kitchen, look for gourmet kitchen upgrades that will compliment your lifestyle. If you love entertaining, add a formal dining room and a larger central room. Decide on features and upgrades that are important to your specific needs, lifestyle and daily routine.

Make space for your work and hobbies. If you work from home, then build a custom home near Grand Rapids, MI with a large study or office. Add a custom library or shelving. If you work mostly in your garage, build a larger garage to house all of your tools and projects. Do you need a mudroom for easy clean up from gardening? Always consider your main hobbies and build a home to suite your needs and lifestyle.

4. Don’t forget your outdoor space. Do you need a large yard for your kids to enjoy? Do you need a fence for your dog? If you enjoy entertaining outside, consider a luxury outdoor kitchen and lounge area. Curb appeal is just as important as indoor design.

Storage is also important. Every new home needs ample storage. Walk in closets and clever hideaway closets are great for storing holiday decorations and everyday items. Plan for storage in your garage for gardening tools and projects. Think about storage when planning your custom home near Grand Rapids, MI.

4 Things to Upgrading to a Custom Home

2011-08-18T12:16:00.004-05:00

Buying a custom home
in Grand Rapids, MI
is a smart long term
investment for you
and your family.

Heartland Builders
can help you decide
when it is the right
time for you to
upgrade and build a
custom home for you and your family. Here are
a few things to consider when beginning your
custom home builder search.

1. First, do your homework. Talk with your custom home builder about housing trends in the Grand Rapids area. Ask about floorplans, building processes, designs, homesites, etc. Some plans like Heartland Builder’s Universal Designs for custom homes allows families to grow with their home as time passes. Research plans you like, and other home elements that will compliment your family’s lifestyle. Be prepared with questions and ideas about your custom home in Grand Rapids, MI when you meet your custom home builder.

2. Talk to your custom home builder about financing. Heartland Builders can help you build the custom home of your dreams so you can still live within your means. But first, check your personal finances to come up with a realistic figure of what you can afford. Ask yourself questions like, Do you have a steady job and steady income? Do you have money in savings? Do you have enough for a down payment? Can you afford a larger mortgage and higher property taxes? Your custom home builder can help you decide what custom homes in Grand Rapids, MI are in your price range.
3. Look for a custom home builder that uses green building practices. All Heartland Builder homes are Energy Star Certified and uses Green Built Michigan practices. Energy Star appliances and energy efficient homes will save you money on your energy bill and allow you and your family to live healthier lives.
4. Discuss housing options with your family. What type of house will your kids need? Do you want to live close to their school and near their extracurricular activities? Do you need a larger backyard, larger bedrooms, kitchen and home office? Consider what your family will need as you change and grow in the future.

Heartland Builders makes the home building process easy and fun. Just as it should be!

6 Benefits of New Home Ownership

2011-07-18T18:03:00.002-05:00

Buying or building a custom new home for sale in Grand Rapids, MI is an exciting process! Regardless of the ups and downs of the market, a recent National Association of Home Builders research study of likely voters found 73% of the participants said “owning a home is one of their goals” and that “80% of homeowners would advise a close friend or family member just starting out to buy a home.”

Americans feel so strongly about homeownership because it symbolizes personal achievement and provides an anchor for their desired lifestyle. Beyond the sentiment, there are many financial benefits of home ownership in Grand Rapids, MI:

1. Buying a new home for sale in Grand Rapids, MI is the best long-term investment you can make for your family. Your mortgage rate is tax deductible and once you pay off your mortgage your new home is the best investment possible towards your retirement.

2. Building a custom new home is more affordable than ever. Interest rates continue to be at an all time low. Position yourself now to see rapid equity gains as the market climbs back up.

3. When you build a new home for sale In Grand Rapids, MI with Heartland Builders, you have the luxury of designing, decorating and choosing the features you really want. You don’t have to live with someone else’s ugly wallpaper the rest of your life!

4. Save money in the long run with a high-performance home and energy efficient appliances. Check out our green home graphic for details on exactly what goes into a high-performance “smart” home.

5. We use Universal Design principles so you can enjoy your home barrier free for years to come. With a custom home builder like Heartland Builders, you can build the perfect new home that will age as gracefully as you.

6. Buying a new home for sale in Grand Rapids, MI means that you can choose the location of your new home. Heartland Builders can help you find the perfect neighborhood or homesite that is convenient to all of your extracurricular activities and in the best school district for your children. When you own your own home in Grand Rapids, MI, you become part of the community where you live.
Let us help you build the perfect new home for you and your family today! Please call or write to us at rich@heartlandbuilders.com.

Building a Smart Custom Home it's More Than Dumb Luck

2011-06-17T15:17:00.009-05:00

Now is a great time to build a new custom home with Heartland Builders, the premiere custom home builder in the Grand Rapids, MI area. Building a new home in Grand Rapids is not only a great way to enhance your quality of life it is also a sound financial investment for your future.

Heartland’s custom homes are more than gleaming hardwood floors and amazing architectural details. Our custom homes are smart homes; specifically designed for thoughtful home buyers looking for both functionality and aesthetics.

Our smart custom homes are Energy Star Certified and built to the standards of Green Built Michigan. Your new home will not only save you money on energy bills, the high indoor air quality will provide a healthier and more comfortable living space for you and your family. As custom home builders in the Grand Rapids, MI area, we want to provide you with the best quality home that is beautiful, functional, affordable and livable for years to come.

Another feature of our smart homes is the use of universal design principles in our floor plans. Universal design is a building style that incorporates natural light, barrier-free aesthetics, easy-to-use features and durability for people of all physical capabilities. Universally designed homes have wider doorways and hallways, zero-step entryways, rocker-style switches and lever-style faucet handles. While this style of building may sound expensive and complicated, you will be pleasantly surprised how easy and affordable it is to add universal design elements to a custom home in the Grand Rapids area or anywhere for that matter.

We not only want to build your new custom home, we want to be your partner through the entire building process. Heartland Builders can help you find land, recommend an architect, educate you on financing options and so much more. As custom home builders in the Grand Rapids, MI area, we truly love building homes and strive to stay current on all of the latest home building trends and innovations. Contact us today to begin turning your dream home into a smart home reality!

Land, 10 + 1 different things you should consider when purchasing land

2011-06-16T06:25:00.003-05:00

Land - 10, plus one things you should
consider when purchasing land in the Grand Rapids
MI area or anywhere for that matter.

1. Ask a builder to help you evaluate the costs
of building a home on the site. Is the
land even “buildable”? Professional advice
can help you avoid costly mistakes, save money
and make informed decisions.

2. Is the land suitable for the type of home you would
like to build? For example, if you would like a home with a
walkout basement, you should select land with a hill that falls
away from the front of the home. If you have already selected a home
plan, try to visualize it on the site.

3. Does the land contain any wetlands? If so, you may need special permits to build or you may need to observe certain set back requirements when placing your home on the site. Confirm that the property IS NOT in a Flood Zone or a Designated Wetland.

4. What is the soil type? Light, sandy soils will give you the best drainage, and are much easier and less costly for septic systems, excavation and landscaping work. Heavy soils, such as clay, cost more when building. This is good information to know when you are evaluating the costs of one or more sites. Here in the Grand Rapids, MI area we come across many varied soil types - sand, clay, gravel, dry, wet, etc..

5. Does the land have access to municipal water and sewer? If the home site requires a well and septic system, DO NOT purchase the land without having the site evaluated by the county health department. We recommend that this evaluation be requested by you, not the seller. If the seller has an existing evaluation, confirm the content of the evaluation with the health department. The health department must approve a site for well and septic before a building permit can be granted. Once the evaluation is received, speak to a professional that understands the costs to install the well and septic system. A well and septic system are very common and both will perform properly. Yet, their installation costs can very with the depth of the well and the soil condition of the property.

6. Are you aware of the setback requirements required by local zoning? This is the distance your home must be “set back” from the front, sides and rear of your property lines. Is there enough room on the lot to build and place your home as you would like it? This is especially important if you are considering a site located in a subdivision.

7. If you are building a home in a subdivison you should spend the extra money ($500 or so) to have a surveyor stake your home on the site. This is more than the four corners of the site (see #8) this is the actual house plan. The surveyor will determine if your home fits and is within all setback requirements and easements. If you are building on acreage this step often times may not be necessary because the site is very large but anytime you are in a development have the site surveyored. There are many stories out there about homes not being built in the proper location on a site. Spend the money. It is good insurance.

8. Surrounding zoning. Know what the property around your home site is zoned. Drive around. See what exists and/or could be built near your home.

9. Have the property surveyed. The paper copy of the survey will show all property corners and define the location of all easements on the property. A surveyor should visit the site and place stakes on all corners of the property.

10. Are you aware of any deed restrictions or developer requirements? Ask the seller to provide documentation. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to ensure that your home is built in compliance with all restrictions and requirements. Your builder will assist you.

11. Is the property wooded or an open area? Open areas are typically less costly for building a home. A wooded home site, while preferred by many homeowners, is typically more costly when you consider the fact that you will have to remove some of the trees in order to fit your home.

We often tell people, you can over analyze the purchase of land. Once you understand the details of the property, it is OK to simply breath a sigh and say: “I really like it here.”

As you can tell, we didn't even touch on school districts and other practical location considerations. Perhaps you want your kids to be in the Forest Hills School District, the Rockford School District or many of the other great school districts we are lucky enough to have available to us in West Michigan. We will save that discussion for another post. Until then......

Dream and live your dream! If you have any questions regarding land in the Grand Rapids, MI area (or anywhere for that matter), please visit our website www.heartlandbuilders.com and "Ask Rich".

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please share a comment with us. We care about what you think.

What we Believe (at Heartland Builders)

2010-11-27T18:56:00.003-05:00

1. Every home should be energy efficient, have good
indoor air quality, be material efficient and
resource efficient.

2. You should "Build with Confidence" (ask us?)

3. Customers should make all of their selections before you break ground.

4. If you think you can own a home for the same cost as you can rent a
home then renting is the right decision for you.

5. Builders should build "spec homes" to the same quality as they build
a custom home.

6. Builders should give their customers a definitive schedule of
construction. Adjustments may occur, but should not be lengthy or
without an easy, understandable explanation.

7. Customers should go into building a home with their heads; let your
heart take over when the financial decisions are all made.

8. Customers should live within their means.

9. Our industry should figure out how to convey information properly,
concisely and timely. We make it harder on customers then it has to
be.

10. Building a home is a fun experience if (1) a customer can make a
decision, and (2) live within their means.

11. You pick your builder based on philosophy, not on price.

Thank you for visiting our blog. If you came to us from a place other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com.

Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids - Why I belong

2010-03-20T06:29:00.002-05:00

My HBA membership renewal is this month.
Naturally, upon receipt of the invoice I was
faced with the question of whether or not to
renew. Being a man who is slow to talk and
quick to ponder I decided to think it over
from the comfort of my old, worn out couch.

With my dog at my side, fully reclined with my
arms behind my head, feet crossed, beer on the
TV tray, beef jerky crumbs on my chest I dozed
off to reflect upon the question of just what my HBA membership means to me.

First, I had to remind myself of why I joined in 1999. I hadn’t been in the building business that long. I remember two reasons. One was for the education and two because I felt it was the right thing to do. I believed, both then and now, that you have to support the industry that supports you. I remember my wife’s uncle, Jim Albert, a former member telling me I should join.

My first GMM was intimidating. Could Judy Barnes really be that upbeat I asked myself? I later found out that she is and she has been a positive influence for me, our industry and our community. At the meeting there were a number of older, established builders; smart folks that built great homes. I wondered how they got that way and what it would take for me to be like them.

With no homes under construction I decided to participate in the Home Show. At the time, I had only built one custom home and a couple of unprofitable, ugly spec homes. My booth had no photographs of any of my homes. I also took a leap and signed up to speak at a seminar. Home run! Without the home shows and the seminar, I wouldn’t have built homes for the Pierson’s, Nash’s, Zuiderveen’s, the Kumko’s and others.

My first barrier free home came from a customer I met at a Home Show. They had come to my seminar. Over the years, I have milked to death my “Great Ideas When Building a Home” seminar materials. Imagine someone thinking that I am an expert? It seems like the $2,000,000 in sales from the home shows has been worth the $8,000 entrance fees we have paid. If only I were smart enough to remodel. I could stop referring business to my remodeling brethren here at the HBA.

From my seminar at the Home Show, I met a customer willing to participate in the Parade of Homes. Who knew that one of my first parade homes would also be my first home featuring both universal design and green built construction? Who knew that both of those niches would be the foundation of our business today? I wonder if there is a parallel there. Perhaps, but that is way to deep!

Over the years, my parade entry fees have totaled about $20,000. My sales generated from parade homes are close to $4,000,000. How much of our sales today come from green building and/or universal design. All of it! Does the HBA need me or do I need the HBA? Does the fact that most of our business today is from referrals tie back to the customers we first met at HBA sponsored events? Whoa man, way too deep again.

So I joined because of the education. What can you learn in a classroom? I don’t know, but I have spent well over 500 hours in classes both at our HBA, the International Builders Show and during my Builder 20 Club sessions. I sure hope it pays off. I can tell you that the best thing I have ever done for my business is joining a Builder 20 Club. It was a little scary at first. Sharing my financials and operations with other builders from around the country? They will see how little money I make and how stupid I am! Well, they found out. But I also found out what my profit margins were supposed to be and how I was supposed to run my business. If only I were smart enough to implement what I learned I could afford a better brand of beer and more jerky.

In my dreamy state, I continued to wonder if my membership was worth it when I remembered the website. I have a logo link on the HBA site. The $1,000 a year I spend on that link has generated over 400 unique visitors to my site each year and two of my customers in 2009 found me through the HBA website. Can you have returns over 1000%? I am expecting even greater benefits from our new website. Not only will it drive more traffic to my website, it will change the way we do business in our community.

Yup, at my first GMM I didn’t know anyone. Because of my own insecurities, I was sure that it was a country club and I didn’t know the secret handshake. However, over the years I have sat on nearly every committee and participated in many events. Many of my trade contractors and suppliers today I first met through the HBA. I am not smart enough to quantify the benefit of networking. It just feels right.

I still hear people snicker about having to sell the building. Who cares! I still hear people say they don’t get anything from their membership. As I listen to the whine, I wonder just where this person’s head is at. Is this a business or is it a hobby? The natural questions become “Have you sat on a committee?”, “Have you ever taken any classes?”, “Ever been to a meeting?” Nope. Nope. Nope. When I ask them about advocacy they look at me like my dog does when I talk to her. She turns her head and stares at me like I am a fool. Guess I am!

As for the current state of the HBA, we are lucky. These are tough times, but we are still around working hard to fulfill our mission “to empower our members to succeed through education, advocacy, networking and promotion.” We have a great staff that is committed to our members.
The first time I ran for the board of directors I lost. Now, I just hope this President thing works out. It takes a lot of time, but man I sure get a lot of press coverage. It’s pretty good when prospective customers keep seeing my name in the media. It’s too late to hope that it doesn’t go to my head.

I just wonder if the HBA will get as much from me as I get from it. As my kids say “Dad, stop with the crazy talk”. They’re right! I don’t owe the HBA anything. They get my money every year. What do they do for me? Anyway, my dues aren’t due for a couple more weeks. I got time to keep thinking about it. Time for more beer and jerky!

Signed - A proud member of the Home & Building Association of Greater Grand Rapids

Banks, Appraisals and such

2010-01-09T09:32:00.001-05:00

I am working with a well qualified customer right
now to build a home. The financial institution
they have used for a long time is demonstrating
great inflexibility in working with them to build
their new home. This customer has NO personal debt.

The institution they are working with is small and
doesn't do alot of construction loans.

One of the issues gumming up the process is the appraisal. Home appraisals are CRAZY right now. The foreclosure market, "Bank Owned Homes" and distressed sales are hurting all of us.

Nevertheless, since this problem arose, I have introduced them to a
large institution that has experience with construction loans and
can propose different financial solutions to building.

The moral of the story. Know your banks, know their abilities.
Your customers hope to build a home depends on it.

New Home Site Evaluation

2009-08-17T18:30:00.005-05:00

You should always have a builder come to your home
site BEFORE you buy the site. Get advice from someone
that can help you evaluate the site, the terrain and the
home you desire to build.

Please know that we would be happy to come to your building
site (or potential building site). Any builder should be happy
to do this for you. AT NO COST!

What is important information when building

1. Corner stakes/Lot lines - Know what you are buying.
2. What easements exist on the property
3. Setback requirements for your home - See municipality and deed restrictions
4. Well & Septic vs. City sewer and water
5. If Septic, ALWAYS get an evaluation from the health department.
6. If Septic, ALWAYS get an estimate for the cost to install the septic system
7. Soil Conditions - what kind of soil is 1' to 5' underground and 8' underground - It will impact the septic system and whether or not soils will have to be hauled in or out for footings and drainage and more
8. Utilities available
9. How will the home be positioned on the lot
10. Will trees have to be cleared.
11. Zoning around the site

There are many items to consider. None of them difficult, but some will have a greater impact then others.

Let a builder help you decide the "buildability" of a site. Call us. We are in the Grand Rapids, MI area and build in many different communities - Lowell, MI, Ada, MI, Norton Shores, MI, Rockford, MI, Hudsonville, MI and many other Michigan cities around Grand Rapids. West Michigan is a great place to live (and build)!

If you came to our site from a place other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com

Thank you.

Construction Drawings

2009-01-31T06:42:00.014-05:00

When you meet with a builder (or an architect or designer)
and that person is going to draw house plans for you
we recommend that you discuss the following:

1. Cost of the drawings
2. What is included in the cost - what level of service (the plans
must be code compliant)
3. What drawings are you going to get. In order to obtain a
building permit you will typically need the following:

a. Foundation Plan
b. Main Floor Plan
c. 2nd Floor Plan
d. Exterior Elevations (views) - all four sides of house
e. Section View - this is essentially a view of house as if
you could look right through the walls and see what was inside the house.
This view will list many of the features of the home.

4. You should discuss who OWNS the plan. What I mean by this is who has the rights to use the plan. Why is this important?

a. If the plans are drawn and you decide not to use the builder that drew them do you have the right to give them to another builder. You want the answer to be yes. If you are paying for the drawings you should have this right.
b. Also if you work with the builder/architect/designer to design the home you should find out if the builder/architect/designer reserves the right to re-use the plan with another customer. This might not matter to you, but some folks care. They want their house to be one of a kind.

5. Can the person drawing the plans provide you with a 3D view of your home? This is tremendously helpful. It should cost little more.

6. This should all be in writing. Do it with a contract. The person drawing the plan should have a contract. Be certain that it states your desires.

7. It happens to us frequently where a prospective client will come to us with a house plan already drawn yet the client cannot afford the house. The "professional" that drew the house plan prepared a drawing of a home that the customer cannot afford. Frustration! Don't let this happen to you. One, work with a builder throughout the design process; someone that understands how to estimate construction costs. Two, don't finalize the plans until you know you can afford the house. Third, this one is up to you, be upfront and clear with what your budget is; not your "oh, I wish budget", but a realistic budget that you do not want to exceed. The client is sometimes at fault for the position they find themselves in (dreaming big and drawing big). Don't let this happen to you.

That is all I can think of for now. Start drawing, start building!

If you came to our blog from a source other than our website and you would like to visit us please do so at www.heartlandbuilders.com.

Have a good day.

Great Lakes Green 2008

2008-06-30T08:09:00.006-05:00

Great Lakes Green 2008 inaugural conference and
exhibition will teach over 5,000 homeowners, builders
and remodelers about the hottest trend in residential
construction and remodeling - going green. The
three-day conference, August 21-23 at DeVos Place in
Grand Rapids, will feature over 100 exhibitors.

30 experts will showcase the latest innovations in healthy, affordable green products and home design. You will learn about green building and remodeling techniques, the benefits of building green, and what criteria to use in selecting products and services that are both people and earth friendly.

To learn more go to www.greatlakesgreen2008.com

Change Orders: punishment or profit

2008-06-20T18:04:00.009-05:00

Are change orders intended to punish the
customer (or the builder) or is the goal to profit
from them? In reality, the honest answer is NEITHER.

Many people believe that builders love change orders.
We cannot tell you how many people have said to us
"That's where a builder makes all their money." WRONG!

If you were to look at national statistics going back many years the
majority of builders actually lose money on change orders. It's true.

How can that be? Change orders require a great deal of effort. They are often made under time constraints. The timing may not always allow you to properly consider all aspects of the change. When a price is given for the change it very likely is not adequate to cover the real cost of the change.

To restate the point of this post - - The administrative fee associated with a change order is not intended to punish the customer (or the builder) and it is not intended to be a profit center in and of itself.

Just what does the fee for a change order cover?

1. The additional labor required to assess the cost of the change. A builder deserves to be compensated for the effort involved in implementing the change. There are 12 steps involved with a change order. Each must be taken with careful consideration.

2. As your builder we are required to warranty the labor and materials involved in building your home. Similar to an insurance company, we require compensation for the risk we assume. If the cost of a product increases, the risk (cost) associated with replacing the product increases. The cost of insurance for a Corvette is greater than the cost to insure a Chevette.

3. Make no mistake a builder is a business person. They are required to carry business insurance. The premium for a builder's insurance policy is based on the total value of all homes built. If the cost of a home is increased, the insurance premium paid increases. If a builder does not charge a fee for the increased cost of a home the builder actually loses money.

4. Taxes - The state and federal government tax builders based on sales. If a customer increases the cost of a home the builder has to pay more in taxes. If a fee is not assessed to a change order the builder loses money.

5. Creditors require a business "make" money in order to provide credit. If the financial statements of a business are not sufficient to warrant credit the ability of the business to conduct its affairs is severely limited. A builder requires credit in order to build your home.

Please know that we are not writing this post to justify charging our customers more money. Most builders would love a "change order free" world. We are writing this post to bring clarity to an often misunderstood part of the building process.

The best defense against change orders is to MAKE YOUR DECISIONS IN ADVANCE OF CONSTRUCTION. If you do that, changes during the course of construction are typically limited and often minor in cost. This is the best position for both the customer and the builder. Promise!

If you came to our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com. We will be glad you did.

Build on! Build with Confidence. Build for fun. June is "Buy your Builder a Popsicle Month." It's hot out there.

Contracts: Types of Building Contracts

2008-06-08T15:31:00.007-05:00

There are two primary types of building contracts in
residential construction. A "Fixed Cost" contract
and a "Cost-Plus" contract.

Heartland Builders prefers a Fixed Cost contract. This
contract protects the customer from runaway costs and it
protects Heartland Builders by predetermining the work
that is desired.

This is a contract where the price of the home is pre-set based on the construction drawings and the material and labor required to build the home. The builders fee is included within the price of the home.

Is the price really fixed? Yes, but there are some variables which may change the price. What are those?

1. Excavating costs due to soil conditions. It is not always possible to predict what type of soils you will find below the ground. You may have to haul a type of soil in (black dirt, sand or gravel) or haul soil out (clay for example).

2. If your site requires a well (not municipal water) then we cannot guarantee the depth of the well.

3. If your site requires a septic system (not municipal sanitary sewer) then we cannot guarantee the cost of installing the septic system until we are able to determine the soil conditions below the ground.

Other than those three variables, we can accurately predict the cost of building a home. For those three variable items we make every attempt to accurately predict their costs (in advance of construction) by communicating with the local health department, talking to others in the neighborhood that have built or some other method.

As you can see from this method, we guarantee the majority of the cost of the home. Probably 95% to 98% of the costs. We guarantee the amount of lumber, wood, siding, paint, etc..... Under this contract the customer does not have to worry about the variability of pricing or the amount of materials used or unused.

What else can affect the cost of construction when using a Fixed Cost contract? Change orders and customer selections. Both items are under the customers control.

Again, we believe that this type of contract provides the customer with the greatest amount of protection. We like it also because it helps us properly budget and it sets the scope of work in advance of construction. We like that!

A Cost-Plus contract is open ended with no final dollar amount predetermined, either because the project is fast-tracked or the scope of work has not been determined. In addition to the costs of the home, the builder's fee is added to the total costs as a % of the cost.

Please know that the "Costs" under a Cost-Plus contract includes EVERYTHING that goes into building the home. Not just lumber and such, but the builders cost of driving to and from the jobsite, the labor cost of the builder to supervise the job, and all other "soft" costs of construction. On top of these "soft" costs and the "hard" costs (materials) a customer will pay the builders percentage to manage the job.

This type of contract is commonly used in high end residential construction when the work is highly customized. It is used becuase highly customized work can be impossible to estimate from a cost standpoint. Drawing it is one thing, building it is another.

The other time it is used is when a customer does not make their decisions in advance of construction. Without a predefined scope of work it is difficult to determine what needs to be done.

Again, we prefer the Fixed Cost contract. We require our customers to make their decisions in advance of construction. We want our customers to "Build with Confidence." To do that, we feel you have to know how much your home is going to cost before you break ground.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog. If you came to our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com. We will be glad you did.

Build On! Build well! Love your builder!

Schedule of Construction

2008-04-24T20:33:00.008-05:00

Your builder should give you a schedule of construction!

What does that mean? It means you should have a
written list of dates from your builder that tells
you what is going to happen and when it is
going to happen.

Here is what we do - - Once the framing starts on a home we
publish a detailed breakdown of dates indicating what trade contractor (plumbing, heating, flooring, painting, etc...) will be on-site. A start date and an end date - by trade.

Why is that important:

1. We want want our customers to know what is happening with their home and when it is going to happen. It is an important step in our belief that you should "Build with Confidence." When you know something is supposed to happen and then it happens that gives you confidence that your home is on schedule and moving forward as planned.

2. Our suppliers and subcontractors get the same schedule as our customers. Because of this the flooring contractor, for example, knows that he is supposed to install flooring 3 or 4 months in advance. A schedule of constructions helps control delays.

3. Our schedule is detailed to the point where we can give our customers their occupancy date as soon as we start framing the home. It helps our customers plan the move into their new home.

Most builders don't provide such a schedule. I can't figure out why not. My only guess is that they don't want to commit. Our feeling is that our customers have committed to us, we need to ensure our commitment to them.

Please know that we build in the Grand Rapids, MI area - Rockford, MI, Ada, MI, Lowell, MI, Hudsonville, MI, Grand Haven, MI, and many other locations in West Michigan. I tell you this because I want you to know that we are as impacted by the weather as many other communities. Weather can cause a bump in the schedule, but not to any great extent. You can plan, prepare and build under many conditions. Further, because of our experience we plan for bumps along the way. Our customers still move in based on our committed date and schedule.

We are glad that you have visited us. If you came to our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com. If you are planning to build a new home (or dreaming about it), please know that we would love to talk to you.

Build for fun. Build till you can't build no more. Build with confidence.

Remember: May is "Love your Builder" month

Recipe for Success

2008-03-30T20:01:00.003-05:00

At Heartland Builders we want people to have a
great experience - - whether or not they build with us.

Here are a few thoughts that we think are important
to help ensure that "great experience" we so boldly claim.

1. Make your selections before you break ground - that way
you know with a high degree of certainty the ultimate
cost of your home. You can adjust your selections in advance
of construction.

2. Live within your means. It is only a house. No matter your budget, we can assist you in building a beautiful home. Don't outspend yourself.

3. The ability to make a decision is important. We can help you with the decision making process through the use of our interior designer, by directing you to preferred suppliers and so forth. But, make no mistake, you will have decisions to make.

In prior posts I have stated these same words, but they bear repeating (so you might even see them again in the future.)

Thank you for visiting our blog. If you came to us from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com. If you like the words we speak and are looking for a builder, please contact us.

Deposits

2008-03-15T18:43:00.004-05:00

You want to build a home. You will hire
a builder. How much of a deposit should
you "put down?" That depends.

First, when you provide a deposit it should be
clearly written down as part of your contract.
Your written contract! The deposit is credited
towards the purchase price of the home. It is not in addition
to the purchase price.

The amount of deposit depends on a few things. Primarily though it
depends on how your home is being financed. If you are obtaining bank financing the amount of deposit is less than if you are financing the home yourself.

When I am working with a customer that has bank financing I require a $7,500 deposit. This amount allows me to pay for the building permit, water and sewer permits and other miscellaneous costs that have or might occur before the first draw. My feeling is that the amount of the deposit should depend on (1) the price of the home, (2) the cost of permits that have to be drawn early in the project, and (3) if there are significant deposits that must be made early in the project.
I am considering raising the $7,500 deposit as in some municipalities the cost of getting started is more than I am collecting. Will likely go to a $10,000 deposit.

Now, if a customer is self financing the project (no bank financing) than my deposit requirement is much greater. Potentially 20% to 30% of the cost of the house. Why so much?

With bank financing, I know that I will get paid for the work that I do. If the owner gets hit by a bus. I still get paid.

When a customer pays cash for a home, it is customary in the industry to require payment for the work before the work takes place. Therefore, regardless of events that may affect the customer any and all work is paid in full. My trade contractors can count on being paid for the work that they do.

The 20% or 30% deposit allows me to cover the early parts of the building process. The most expensive parts. Then within 30 days I will bill for an additional amount depending on (1) how much of the deposit has been used, and (2) the cost of the work coming up.

The customer is still protected in this scenario as there will always be an amount that does not get paid until the house is fully completed.

One more thing about deposits. If you obtain bank financing, your lender will consider your deposit as part of your downpayment for the loan.

I am writing this article as I want people to understand the need for a deposit and what it should be based on. It should not be excessive.

Thank you for visiting our blog. If you came to our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com.

Build on! Build with confidence.

Wish List

2008-03-07T21:28:00.008-05:00

Not sure about what features you want in
your home? Does the list of options seem
to numerous! We can help.

How? We have created a Wish List to assist you
in selecting the features you desire for your home.

From the Home Page of our site, click on the link to Home Plans.
Click on ANY home plan that you see. From there, right under the
rendering/picture of the home you will see a link titled
"My Wish List". We hope it helps.

Our website is designed to assist consumers interested in building a home. We get a great deal of traffic on our site from people we will never meet. That's ok. We want EVERYONE in the entire world (yes world!) to have a great experience if they decide to build a home.

Recently, a person from Calcutta, India sent an email request to obtain a copy of our "Great Ideas When Building a Home" document. Obviously, we will never build a home for that person, but if our ideas help them build a better home that pleases us.

Build on. Build well. Build with Confidence. Live within your Means.

If you came to us from a source other than our website and would like to visit us, please do so at www.heartlandbuilders.com. If you are considering building a home somewhere near 42° 53' N 85° 31' W (that's Grand Rapids) and not in India please contact us. We would love the opportunity.

Reduce the Cost of Your Home

2008-03-07T21:18:00.005-05:00

Homes are expensive. When we sit with a prospective
customer we nearly always have to reduce the cost
of the home from the original estimate to the final
contract price. It is normal.

You won't know the cost of something if you don't ask. When you find out the cost, it is a great time to determine how much you value the feature. We always believe that if you do not value "it", do not pay for it (i.e. - select it for your home.)

If you want to learn ways to Reduce the Cost of Your Home, we tell you how.
From our Home Page, click on the Home Plans link; then click on ANY of the home plans. Just under the rendering of the home, you will see a link titled "Reduce my Costs."

At Heartland Builders, we believe that you should live within your means. No matter the price of your home we can build it to be "beautiful". We will not skimp on the integrity of the structure. You can have a great home at any price.

Build on. Build well. Build with Confidence. Smile. Have fun.

If you came to us from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com. If you are considering building a home, please contact us. We welcome the opportunity to be a part of your dream.

Interior Design

2008-03-07T21:11:00.003-05:00

At Heartland Builders, we believe that how your
home “looks” and “feels” is just as important as
how well it’s constructed. Fabulous, inviting,
inspired home design is our constant goal and a
major cornerstone of our home building approach.
When your home is completed, we want you to love
how it looks and enjoy how it makes you feel.

Every home we build is designed in partnership with a professional interior designer. Additionally, our interior designer will arrange and attend your appointments with various suppliers. You are not left alone to make decisions. There will be someone there with you that both understands your dreams and your budget.

Fabulous home design is a process that requires a lot of thought, ingenuity, planning, and follow-through. Our objective is to make this process fun and enjoyable for you.

"Build with Confidence" is just one of our motto's. The other is "Live within your means". Our interior designer is responsible for both.

Build on. Build well. Build with Confidence.

If you arrived at our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com. Further, if you are considering building a home, please contact us. We would welcome the opportunity to be a part of your dream.

Green Building - See the "Go Green" section of our site

2008-03-07T20:56:00.005-05:00

There is a link to Green Building on our website.
You might have visited it. There is one more place
to learn about Green Building that you might have
overlooked.

If you want to "Go Green", go to the Home Plans section
of our site. Click on ANY home plan that you see.
Within every home plan is a link to a page titled "Go Green".
It appears just under the rendering of the home.

There are many ways to "Go Green." We are thankful for your interest.

Go Green!

If you arrived at our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com. Further, if you are considering building a home, please contact us. We would welcome the opportunity to be a part of your dream.

Great Lakes Green 2008 - Website

2008-03-06T20:20:00.003-05:00

The website is now "up" for Great Lakes Green 2008,
a regional green building conference. Please check it
out at www.greatlakesgreen2008.com.

The conference is going to be a wonderful event for
construction industry professionals and the general public.

Please plan to attend. If you need information that the website does not provide you, please contact Pam Frankenberger at 1-517-646-2572.

If you arrived at our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com. Further, if you are considering building a home, please contact us. We would welcome the opportunity to be a part of your dream.

Great Lakes Green 2008, a green building conference

2008-01-17T20:12:00.003-05:00

I am serving as the Chairperson for Great Lakes Green 2008,
a residential green building conference.
The conference is being hosted by Green Built Michigan
and the Michigan Association of Home Builders.

Please mark your calendars. It will be held August 22-23, 2008
in Grand Rapids at the DeVos Place.

It is going to be a great conference. On both days there will be over 100 exhibitors available to promote and discuss their green products and services.

On Friday there will be education sessions available to members of the construction industry. Saturday will be filled with education sessions available to members of the public. There is a great deal to learn about green building. This will be the place to do it.

Soon we will have our website up and running. Please visit it at www.greatlakesgreen2008.com.

It is going to be a great event. Please plan on attending.

If you arrived at our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com. Further, if you are considering building a home, please contact us. We would welcome the opportunity to be a part of your dream.

Green Products for your Home

2008-01-09T21:35:00.001-05:00

There is a very positive trend in this country
right now. One can hardly pick up a newspaper
or magazine without reading about it. Turn
the television on and you see it. What is
that trend? Green building.

So how can you green your home? How can you get your arms around just what products are considered “green” when building your home?

The first place to start is with the land where your home will sit. As you are building, be sure to protect as many of the existing plants and trees that exist on the site. If you have the option with your building site, one of the best measures is to design your home with solar orientation in mind. This is not a feature that involves spaceships; it simply takes into consideration the effect of sunlight on heating and cooling your home.

A few other exterior considerations are rain gardens, using plants native to Michigan when landscaping, and controlling storm water runoff from your home site. A little planning up front can help you easily achieve all of these.

Moving indoors you cannot begin to contemplate energy efficiency without considering the “mechanicals” that will be used to heat and cool your home. Many forced air furnaces operate at above 90% efficiency. What that means is that for every $1.00 you spend on gas to heat your home, 90% of it will actually go towards heating your home. The other 10% will be lost in the operation of the furnace.

From a cooling standpoint, 13 SEER air conditioner condensers are now standard in the marketplace. This is up from a 10 SEER air conditioner. A higher SEER rating means greater efficiency and lower energy bills.

There are other approaches to heating and cooling your home that are being talked about with greater frequency. Geothermal energy, air source heat pumps and even solar panels are all concepts that might be the perfect fit for your home and budget.

What about hot water? On Demand or tankless water heaters are becoming more common. Be sure to consult your plumber about their usefulness when it comes to designing your home around your lifestyle.

What would a home be without fresh air? It would be stale. Today we build homes using better products and methods than those that came before us. Many homes today are simply “too tight”. They need to breathe and to do that you need mechanical ventilation. Talk to your heating expert about an energy recovery ventilator or heat recovery ventilator. You will be glad you did!

What kind of insulation should you use? Tough question, but without hesitation you must seal your home from air infiltration. For that there is no better product than foam insulation. However, there are other approaches that are cost effective and do a great job. You should really consider insulating your foundation walls and there are number of products out there that make it easy to do.

The movement of water through your home is another area to consider. Dual-flush or low-flow toilets are becoming more popular as are water saving faucets in bathrooms and kitchens. They perform great.

Enough about technology let’s talk fun!

Many hours are spent in the building process thinking about flooring. You can “green” your home with flooring made of cork, bamboo or even floors that come from the eucalyptus tree (lyptus wood). All are great products and are reasonably priced.

What about carpet? Polyester carpet (PET) is making a comeback. Natural fiber carpets include wool and jute carpet.

For lighting consider fluorescent lights. They are very energy efficient. You can also consider motion sensitive lights.

No energy efficiency conversation would be complete without mention of appliances that are ENERGY STAR® labeled.

How do you reduce the pollutants in your home? Start with Low VOC paint. That is paint that is low in “volatile organic compounds”. What other products let off potentially harmful gas? The plywood used to build your home and the cabinets that your dishes sit in. None of this is scary, but asking about it during the building process will help you understand how to manage the indoor air quality of your home.

Dreaming of building a home? Perhaps you are building now. Whatever products that you choose know that your home is a system of interrelated parts. Every product that you select for your home will affect its performance.

Build well. Build green. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Build with confidence.

If you arrived at our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com. Further, if you are considering building a home, please contact us. We would welcome the opportunity to be a part of your dream.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at rgkogel@comcast.net.

Cost per Square Foot

2008-01-05T15:38:00.004-05:00

I recently received a phone call from someone asking
me the question "What is your average cost
per square foot?"

I get this question often. I cringe when I hear it.

People will ask me this question sincerely in order to compare me
to another builder. I beg you, do not compare builders based
on this question. The answer is more complex than the question.

So what do I do when I get this question?

First, I state that I have built homes before for $94 per square foot all the way up to a home I built for $156 per square foot. (Not including land.)

Why the difference?

1. You have to know what is being considered in the cost per square foot number. Does it include landscaping and the cost of water and sewer (or well and septic)? I have also built homes with 700 foot driveways and ones with 35 foot driveways. That is a big cost difference. Is underground sprinkling included in the number? How about appliances - included or not?

2. A ranch home vs. a two story home. Many people will say to me that they want a two story home because it is less costly to build than a ranch. I agree with them provided they tell me that they have no use for the basement, the lower level.

The reason for the less expense with a two story home is that you have a smaller foundation, fewer trusses and perhaps fewer floor joists than you have with a ranch home.

So when is a ranch home less expensive than a two story home? When you finish the lower level, the basement. With a ranch home, you double your square footage when you finish the lower level. With a two story home, you only grow finished square footage by a 1/3 when you finish the lower level. That's the difference.

3. Structure - the majority of the cost of a home is in the structure. Simplify the structure and you lower the cost per square foot of a home. I once built a 2,400 square foot home that had $15,000 trusses, whereas most of the 2,400 square foot homes we build have trusses of $9,000. Comparing the same homes again, the windows in the more expensive home cost $32,000. The other home had $11,000 worth of windows. Therefore, two homes with the same square footage and one has $27,000 more cost in just two components of the home. Other components can have a greater impact on the cost than the two examples I selected.

One more point on structure, building a home shaped like a rectangle is less expensive than building a home that has lots of jogs, angles, and so forth. Again, simplify the structure and you lower the cost per square foot.

4. What is on the inside of the home. We build homes that have lots of tile, wood floors and solid surface countertops. All of the finer things. We have also built homes of the same size that have vinyl floors, formica countertops and pre molded showers. The cost difference could be $15,000 to $20,000.

"Yeah, Yeah all that stuff above is fine Mr. Builder, but how can I get an answer to my question? "

1. Sit and meet with the builder to review the plan that you have (or desire) and go through a brief list of the features you desire. A builder can ballpark a price for you.

2. Ask the builder to show you some homes that they have built and determine the price of those homes and the square feet. Then talk about the features of the home that make it more expensive or less.

Please keep in mind the old adage "garbage in, garbage out." When you are seeking a cost estimate from a builder the less detail you give, the less accurate the estimate. Do you want accuracy? Then give detail.

When can you compare builders on a cost per square foot basis?

When you are comparing homes that are in the same area, the same development. Homes that are already built. The reason that comparison may be valid is because their building components are likely similar. Their development requirements are similar. They probably have a similar look.

In summary, I go back to my earlier statement "the answer is more complex than the question". Comparing builders on a cost per square foot basis is misleading.

To determine how to find a builder, please look to my blog entry "How to Select Your Builder".

Build on! Build well! Build with confidence!

If you arrived at our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com. Further, if you are considering building a home, please contact us. We would welcome the opportunity to be a part of your dream.

Lastly, please know that we build homes in the Grand Rapids, MI area - Cedar Springs, MI, Grant, MI, Trufant, MI and many other beautiful areas surrounding West Michigan. My words above are universal. It doesn't matter if it is Grand Rapids, MI or Grand Bluffs, ME, Forest Hills Public Schools or Forest Lawn Schools. The dollar amounts may be different, but the philosophy and practice are the same.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at rich@heartlandbuilders.com. Thank you.

How to Select Your Builder

2007-12-15T19:09:00.001-05:00

First, you select your builder based on philosophy.
If you want a really cheap home, find a really cheap
builder. If you want an energy efficient home,
find a builder that builds energy efficient homes.
If you desire a home with universal design features
then find a builder with experience in universal design.
Find the builder that can help you meet the criteria you
are looking for in a home.

What if you don't know what your philosophy is? My recommendation is that you interview three builders. As you go through that process you will start to develop a philosophy. You will get a feel for what it is that you want in your home. You will also get a feel for the person that you are meeting with.

Second, you should know that the cost difference between builders should be minimal. Why is that? Because most builders use many of the same subcontractors and suppliers. Those subcontractors and suppliers use many of the same wholesalers and manufacturers. Therefore, as long as you have told the competing builders the same information their cost differences should be minimal. If there is a large cost difference, someone has wrong information.

Third, review the builder's website. A website will help you understand the builder, their focus, and so forth.

Fourth, ask the builder for references. Call the references. Ask questions. For example, did you enjoy working with the builder? Are you happy with your home? Would you recommend the builder? What did you like about the builder? Did they build the home on time? Did they build your home on budget? Was the builder easy to work with? Was the selections process easy? Did you have any emergencies during the building process? What would you change? When you moved in was the home completed or was there alot of work still left to do? How is the builder's follow up after you have moved in?

Fifth, view the builder's work. Visit their home during the parade of homes. Go see a spec home or model home that they have built. If you have to, ask to visit a home occupied by a former customer. During your visit, ask if the quality of "fit and finish" is consistent with what you can expect for your home.

Sixth, ask the builder how they manage the building process. By this I mean the following:

- Schedule of Construction - you should require one from your builder. It demonstrates that your builder knows how to manage the process. It also allows you to understand the process. Further, when a home is built on schedule it should give you confidence that your home is proceeding as planned. Please note that changes to the schedule are acceptable as long as you understand why. That said, the builder should be able to provide you with an accurate completion date for your home.

- On - Site Meetings - during the construction process you should have the opportunity to walk through the home at various stages to (1) provide direction on what you want, and (2) to understand that the home is being built according to your contract. Therefore, you should ask the builder at what points during the construction process will there be on site meetings. We recommend (1) pre construction site plan review, (2) Rough in Walk through - after framing, but before plumbing, heating and electrical start, (3) Pre Drywall - validate all light locations and so forth, (4) Trim Stage review - if you have a great deal of built in cabinets, (5) a final inspection. These meetings are intended to be fun. You get to see first hand the progress of you home. Very cool!

Seven, discuss with the builder how they manage the selections process. This can be the area that impacts you the most because it involves your time and decision making. You want this to be handled correctly and with ease. See our post on "Managing your Selections". I cannot tell you in strong enough terms that an interior designer is (1) affordable, and (2) worth every penny. (As an aside, our interior designer goes with our customers to supplier locations and assists with selections. See our post "Build with Confidence".) Additionally, your builder should give you a "Decision Checklist" that lists what decisions have to be made and the date by which they must be made. My advice, make your selections early. See our post on selections and making decisions early.

Eight, I believe that you should use a builder that is a member of your local homebuilders association. This by itself doesn't guarantee you have found the right builder, but what it does demonstrate is that you have found a builder that is concerned about (1) supporting the industry that supports him or her, and (2) that hopefully the builder takes advantage of all the wonderful educational opportunities offered by their HBA. A great deal of what I have learned can be traced back to the services (education and networking) offered by our local HBA (ggrhba.com). One more note for what it is worth, HBA's do a great job in supporting the local community through charitable efforts. Give and you shall receive!

Nine, ask the builder how they will manage your money. What their deposit is going to be? How/when they will bill the bank? How/when they will bill you for overages? What about change orders? Ask if your contract price is fixed. If not, what construction items are fixed and what items are variable (meaning can change)? Get all of this in writing. I will say it again. Get all of this in writing.

Ten, pertains to license, insurance and a warranty. Confirm that your builder is licensed. Your bank will require it. Your bank will require that your builder maintains general liability insurance. What you need to do is review your builder's warranty. Please know that the State of Michigan does not require that a builder provide a warranty. Most do, but it is not required. As part of their warranty the builder should state that they are willing to come back to your home during the warranty period and address any issues. The builders warranty should be in writing.

Eleven, is the feel good reason. After you have thought through the above reasons for selecting a builder there is one more very good reason to hire a builder. Because you like the person. You believe in them (again, after going through items 1-10 above). You are going to spend alot of time with your builder. You need to trust them.

Building a home is a great experience. Know that your home is a reflection of you. Express yourself. Have fun. Ask lot's of questions. Visit the site often. Live within your means. Love your builder. Refer him/her to a friend. Have fun.

If you arrived at our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com. Further, if you are considering building a home, please contact us. We would welcome the opportunity to be a part of your dream.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at rgkogel@comcast.net.

What comes first - land or house plan?

2007-12-05T21:50:00.001-05:00

There are times when people will ask us how they should
start the building process. A big question is "Do we buy
the land first or should we figure out our desired house
plan first."

There is no right answer to this question, but if I had to
lean towards an answer I would say that it is more safe to
figure out your floor plan before you purchase a lot / building site. That way,
you know that the house that you want will fit on the site that you are purchasing.

Now, if you are purchasing a site that is large in size (1 acre or more) then the house plan does not likely matter much. The building site is large enough to fit any desired house plan.

Why the house plan first?

1. Because the home has to be livable. The floor plan needs to work for your lifestyle and family size.

2. Knowing what floor plan you want will tell you the dimensions of the house plan. That will translate to the size of the building site that you need.

3. When you go through the process of determining your house plan you analyze how you live your life and how the house needs to work for you. Do you want a walkout lower level? Do you want an outbuilding? Is a mudroom important. All of the desired features of your home are determined at this phase. Better to understand the goals for your home before you purchase a site.

Again, there is no right way to jump into the building process. Sometimes the peace, serenity, family history or convenience offered by a site is more important than the house plan. That is OK. Buy the site and let's get started designing your dream home.

At Heartland Builders we can help you (1) determine the right floor plan, and (2) analyze the land that you desire for your home.

Have fun. Build well!

If you arrived at our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com. Further, if you are considering building a home, please contact us. We would welcome the opportunity to be a part of your dream.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at rgkogel@comcast.net.

Controlling Costs

2007-12-02T18:10:00.002-05:00

During my time building I have heard more than
one story about runaway building costs.
Stories range from "my Aunt built once and told
me that costs came in $40,000 higher than they
expected". One time, I had an appraiser tell a customer
of mine that they should plan for costs to be 15% higher
than the contract price. That would have added $65,000 to
the cost of this home.

My response to all of that - - - Well, my polite response is NO WAY! Not if you have gone about the process correctly.

I often tell my customers that I can control my costs if you can control your's (allowances).

There are some costs that I cannot control (variable costs), but for the most part I can control over 95% of the costs of building a home. I know how many 2 x 4's we need. I know how much roofing and siding materials are necessary to build the home. I can accurately predict those items. If I can't it still is not your problem. A customer should not have to pay for their builder failing to adequately predict a fixed cost item.

So what is a fixed cost item versus a variable cost item? Look below:

Variable Costs: these items are variable because I do not know the real cost until we dig, drill or install.
- Cost of installing a well
- Cost of the septic system
- Soil Conditions
- Change Orders

Fixed Costs equal pretty much everything else, to include building materials and the labor to install the building materials. Basically, I feel that it is a fixed cost item if I can control it.

For variable cost items, we always estimate the price based on available information. Perhaps we will use the depth of neighboring property wells. For the septic system we will estimate based on the findings of the health department.
When we have good information, we have good estimates which is most of the time.
Nevertheless, these are items that I cannot control and therefore I will not fix the cost.

So how can a customer be confident about how much their home is going to cost? First, you and your builder need to adequately determine what you want during the estimating process. If you want wood floors, let's know that upfront. Get everything on the table. It is OK to have to cut costs later.

Second, your builder should provide you an estimate that is accurate with respect to your allowance items (flooring, lighting, etc...). The allowances should be based on your discussions during the estimating process. You should make your selections early during this process (see other blog entry "Selections - make them early").

Third, when you make your selections live within your means. If you cannot afford quartz counter tops then don't look. If you have just got to have the gold dipped tea leave chandelier (yikes) then that's OK (1) if you can afford it, or (2) you are willing to compromise somewhere else (and spend less). By the way, if you can afford everything you want, that's a great feeling. Congratulations to you. You deserve it.

Fourth, if you want something that costs more than what you have in your budget, plan to pay for the additional cost with cash.

So the bottom line is that there is little reason for runaway building costs. It is rare that soil conditions or the depth of the well are the culprits. It is rare that change orders are the culprit. Control your spending. Make your selections early and I bet you will have a great idea how much your home will cost.

Building a home is great experience. Have fun. Ask lot's of questions. Build with confidence. Live within your means.

If you arrived at our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com. Further, if you are considering building a home, please contact us. We would welcome the opportunity to be a part of your dream.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at rgkogel@comcast.net.

Lastly, please know that we build homes in the Grand Rapids MI area - Forest Hills School District, Rockford School District, Lowell School District and many others. My words above apply no matter if you are building in West Michigan or on the West Coast. The concept is universal. Build on!

Selections - Managing the Process

2007-11-29T15:37:00.003-05:00

Our interior designer guides customers through
the selections process. This includes meeting
with customers at suppliers locations to help assist
them.

However, there are times when customers explore on their own
and that can be very educational. Here is some advice:

1. Let the process of making selections be fun. There is no need to be overwhelmed. Reach out to your designer, builder or supplier sales person for help.

2. Compromise will always be part of the decision making process. Respect your spouses, partners or others thoughts and desires. Everyone wins when everyone compromises. If you like this, you can have it. But when it comes to something else, the other person gets the final say. That is OK!

3. Always know your budget. Stay within it. If you go over, pay for the difference with cash. Also, if you cannot afford gold, do not go looking at gold.

4. Ask to see the next available option that has a lower price tag. You might like it just as much and the difference has no impact on quality.

5. Let the person you are dealing with know your budget.

6. If you do not make an appointment with someone in advance of your visit, you are subject to the whims of the day. The service staff might not be able to get to you as fast as you would like.

7. Walk away from any meeting with a written list of materials selected or be clear that one is being sent.

8. Know the name of the person that assisted you during your visit.

9. When making decisions, sometimes you will have to step back and think about the "forest and not the trees." By this I mean there are times when you may have a tough time deciding between options. At this point, stop and think about just how important the item really is in the overall appearance of the project.

10. Live within your means!

Have fun. Build with Confidence.

If you arrived at our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com. Further, if you are considering building a home, please contact us. We would welcome the opportunity to be a part of your dream.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at rgkogel@comcast.net.

Selections - Make them early

2007-11-29T09:28:00.002-05:00

We have our customers make the vast majority
of their decisions BEFORE we break ground on
building their home.

Why do we do that? A couple of reasons and they all
benefit the customer.

First, we believe that when you build a home you should Build with Confidence.

A big part of feeling confident when building a home is knowing the cost of the home. If you make your selections before you break ground on your home, you will have a very good indication of the final cost of your home. If you have to adjust the cost of the home at this point you can do so very easily. Breaking ground knowing that you can afford your dream is a great feeling.

Second, it is normal to be over on one item, say lights, and be under on another, say tile, or vice versa. When you make your selections early and this situation occurs you can adjust. You can have that extra ceiling fan you wanted because of the offset in the tile budget. Hurray!

Third, when you make your decisions early in a coordinated fashion there is greater consistency in your decisions. What this means is that you won't go "now what did I decide about that". The memory will be fresh and will have a positive influence on your other decisions.

Fourth, when the building process starts it moves quickly. There are few if any quiet days. When you make your selections up front, you will not be under time pressures. You eliminate emergency decisions.

I really could have have turned this into a "Top Ten list of Why's" but I won't.

Please know that making your decisions early does not delay the construction process. Most of the decisions occur during the time the bank is processing your loan.

Building a home is a fun experience. Our interior designer is there to help make the selection process smooth and enjoyable. (There I go again, trying to make this fun!)

Have fun. Build with Confidence!

If you arrived at our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com. Further, if you are considering building a home, please contact us. We would welcome the opportunity to be a part of your dream.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at rgkogel@comcast.net.

You can afford to build it, but can you afford to live in it

2007-11-18T12:36:00.002-05:00

Have you watched ABC televisions
"Extreme Home Makeover"? Have you heard about
the great things that Habitat for Humanity does
when building a home?

These folks build homes for people that are economically
disadvantaged. Their customers could not afford the home without the
"gift" that these organizations provide.

So what happens when their customers move into the home. The same thing that happens to our customers when they move into their home. It becomes time to pay for it.

Not only is there a monthly bill from the bank. That amount is known upfront. Now, every month there is also a utility bill or two, gas and electric. Additionally, the lawn needs to be moved. Driveways and sidewalks need to be shoveled. If a window breaks, it needs to be fixed. Someday the furnace will require maintenance. Does your home require a paint job?

Back to Extreme Home Makevoer and Habitat For Humanity. What they have learned from building homes for individuals with low incomes is that it is not only important to provide them with a home, it is equally important to provide them with a home that they can afford to live in.

Get to the point! Alright I will. If you notice what these two organizations do, they focus on energy efficiency and I know from Habitat's standpoint, maintenance free products when building homes. We do the same thing.

We want our customers to be able to afford to live in their homes. We want to maximize the value of their dollars when building their home in order to minimize the monthly costs of living in the home.

How do we do that? Green Built Construction Standards. Energy Efficient Construction.

- Premium Insulation Packages
- Air Sealing the home
- High Efficiency Mechanical Equipment
- Mechanical Ventilation

If you are considering building a home, you HAVE to consider energy efficiency. Do not build a home that you cannot afford to live in. It happens all the time. At all income levels. It doesn't have to. Ask your builder about the energy efficiency of your home. Ask what specific measures they will implement when building your home. The measures must be put in writing within your contract or specifications. Tell them not to forget about mechanical ventilation. Your home has to breath and opening a window every now and then is not good enough.

Build well!

If you arrived at our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuilders.com. Further, if you are considering building a home, please contact us. We would welcome the opportunity to be a part of your dream.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at rgkogel@comcast.net.

Green Washing

2007-09-23T18:07:00.004-05:00

In residential construction, "Green Washing"
this is a term that people use to describe companies
that advertise themselves as Green Builders
(or suppliers of green products), but really are not.

Wikipedia defines green washing as "The term is generally
used when significantly more money or time has been spent
advertising being green (that is, operating with consideration
for the environment), rather than spending resources on
environmentally sound practices. This is often portrayed by changing the name or
label of a product, to give the feeling of nature, for example putting an image of a
forest on a bottle of harmful chemicals."

I am hearing the phrase being thrown around a great deal more than ever before. You have "holy" builders pointing fingers at other builders that supposedly aren't as worthy. You have the "competition" between Green Built Michigan and USGBC (LEED) for whose certification is better. By the way, I like that there is both certifications and the "competition" benefits exactly who it should THE CUSTOMER!

Yes, it is true that there are builders that market themselves as green, but make little effort. It is also true though that there are restaurants that tell you that they have good Mexican food, but really do not. I call that "Mexican food washing."

"Mexican food washing" is of greater concern to me than "green washing." Why do I care little about green washing? Because I believe that sincere customers find sincere builders. Spending time worrying about other builders does not serve my customers.

When looking for a builder, you select your builder not on price. You select your builder based on philosophy. Why not on price? Because if you were to have two or three builders give you a price on a house plan the difference in price should be minimal between builders. This assumes that you have told each builder the same thing concerning your desired features.

Why should the price be close? Because we as builders are likely using many of the same suppliers. If we are not using the same suppliers, you can bet that our suppliers are using the same wholesalers. Building supply products all ultimately come from few sources. The cost of production is nearly the same and the cost of sales are nearly the same. Therefore, the end cost to the consumer is nearly the same.

With all of that said, I go back to my point: You pick your builder based on philosophy." I promise you that you have a philosophy when it comes to construction. You might not realize it, but you do. You grew up in a home, you live in a home now. You know what you like and what you do not. You have a belief system. I promise you that your belief system pertains to the home you want to live in and as such you have a philosophy. Congratulations!

So, in your interviews with builders I suggest the following:

1. Do some research about what it is that you want. Style of home, floor plan layout, features, etc..

2. Looking for a "Green Builder"? Go to www.greenbuiltmichigan.org. Go to other organizations such as www.usgbc.org and see if they have a listing of members. Your local home builders association is a wonderful resource.

A great place to go to is energystar.gov. Under NEW HOMES you will see a link for "Find an ENERGY STAR Builder". Click on that link. The nice part about this site is it will show you (1) how long the company has been associated with the Energy Star program, (2) if they build 100% of their homes to Energy Star standards, and (3) how many energy star homes that they have built. This really tells you who is who and for how long "who" has been doing it. Energy Star is not the most stringent standard to meet, but it is used as a baseline rating for many other more stringent programs (Green Built and LEED).

By the way, when you go to energystar.gov search (1) Michigan, then (2) click on the letter H. Scroll down. You will find Heartland Builders. A proud Energy Star builder since 2002. We were green before green was cool! We build green because it is truly in our heart.

3. Go see the builders work during your local HBA parade of homes. Discuss the green features of the home with the builder.

4. Interview the builder. Ask the questions that are important to you. You will be able to determine if the builder is sincere. You will also be able to gauge their understanding and commitment to green building.

Heartland Builders defines "Green Building" as a sincere attempt to build a home that is both energy efficient and resource efficient. We use durable products that are installed using quality construction standards. All of this is done in consideration of a customer's financial means.

Please know that building a "green" home will save you money on your monthly utility bills, but it will cost you more than a home built "to code". At Heartland Builders, we believe the benefits outweigh the costs. Energy Savings, efficient use of materials, stewardship are all factors that concern us.

When we sit with customers and budget becomes an issue we consider it our responsibility to discuss the features, the benefits and the costs. You can build a green home within almost any budget. Will your home be as green as a more expensive home? Possibly not. But it will be energy efficient and resource efficient and that is where green building starts.

If you are interested in green building then Heartland Builders is the right builder for you. If you are concerned about "Mexican food washing" then I promise you we share your concern. "Breakfast food washing" bothers us as well.

Building a home is a great experience. If you select the right builder and live within your means I promise you that it will be fun. Yes, fun! Do your homework.
Ask questions.

We want you to have a great experience building your home no matter who you select as a builder. If you would like a copy of our "Great Ideas When Building a Home" please visit our website (www.heartlandbuildersllc.com) and send us an email.

Build well!

Tell us what you think

2007-02-25T16:25:00.001-05:00

Please let us know what you think about our blog.

Is it helpful?

Is it worthwhile?

Please click on the word "comments" or on the piece of mail directly below this blog. We would love to hear from you.

We have created this blog based on our belief that an informed customer is the best customer. We want our customers to understand the process of building a home.

Customers do not have to understand 100% of everything that goes into building a home. But, in order for us to understand exactly what our customers are looking for we want to be sure that we prompt the right questions from our customers.

But wait. Not everyone that reads your blog will end up building a home with you. That's okay (although we do think that we should be chosen to build every home in the world :) It's okay, because whether or not you build with us we want you to have a good experience.

Please let us know what you think about our blog. We will be grateful. If you have questions that we have not answered, please let us know that too. We will be happy to answer any question that you may have.

If you came to our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuildersllc.com Thank you.

Designing your home

2007-02-25T15:44:00.001-05:00

This is one of the most fun parts of the homebuilding
experience. You get to design your
home around the way you live your life.

We like to sit with our customers and design their home together.
It is important that your builder is part of the design process. Your builder should understand how you live your life. Your builder also needs to participate in the design in order to give you a realistic appraisal of the cost to build your home.

How do people come up with a design for their home?

1. They may take one of our designs and ask us to modify it (or keep it as is).

2. They may have purchased a design software at a big box store and played around with their own design.

3. Some folks come to us with hand drawn plans on one or several pieces of paper.

4. Others may have found plans on the internet or from a book. They come in with two or three plans as examples. None of them may be right, but they like bits and pieces of each of them. If a customer likes a plan exactly as it is shown in a book, we will purchase the plan. We will not violate copyright restrictions.

5. People will take pictures of homes they like and show us.

6. Lastly, there are people that have no idea for a design they just know they want to build a home.

As you can see it happens lots of different ways. One way is not better than the other.

When we design our homes we like to use a software by the name of Chief Architect. This software allows us to show our customers what their home will look like in 3D - - Before it is built.

We can show customers what the inside of their home will look like. We can show customers what the outside of their home will look like. Again, all of this happens before the home is built. It takes the worry out of the design process.

Please let us know what you think about our blog. You can respond below. Also, if you came to our blog via a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuildersllc.com. Thank you.

The Process of Building a Home

2007-01-30T10:00:00.001-05:00

Building a home is a great experience.
Let's break down the process.

1. Determine your floor plan - You can select one of
our plans as is - or modify it - or we will work together to design a home that is uniquely yours.

2. Determine the cost of the home - We will provide you with an initial cost of your home based on your desired features for the home.

3. Land Evaluation - Can't build a home without land! We will arrange a personal visit with you to the home site. It may be one that you already own or one you want to buy.

4. Sign the contract. We know the costs, we have the construction drawings, the land is determined - - - Congratulations!

5. Financing - Off to the lender you go (for some). You will need from us (1) a signed contract, (2) an estimate for your home, and (3) construction drawings. You can be sure that they will need more from you in the way of tax returns, etc..

6. Final Selections - Once your contract is signed and you are pursuing financing we will review your selections one more time. We will also finalize the construction drawings.

7. Pre-Construction Meeting - When your financing is secured, we are one step away from breaking ground. The pre-construction meeting is held to lay out the schedule of construction, review the site plan and make sure that everyone is in gear. We are ready to break ground.

8. Construction - Let it begin! The process of building a home is really 70% planning and 30% building. Read our blog entry "Build with Confidence." Your trips to visit your home should be fun. Enjoy the process. Your work is really nearly complete.

There will be formal meetings on site with you during the course of construction - see our blog post covering this matter. In between those meetings, stop by
and see the progress. Call with questions. We will be calling you with updates. Have fun!

9. Moving Day - The fruits of your labor. Your dreams. Your wishes. Today is the day you get to celebrate. Do not take the magic of this day lightly. It is a wonderful feeling moving into a new home.

For us at Heartland Builders it is a bittersweet day. We like building homes. We like working with customers. We train our trucks to drive to your jobsite everyday. When the job is done we only get to come back every so often - which is a
commitment under our warranty, but we will leave that for another post.

If you are thinking about building a home "go for it!" It is a great experience.

Thank you for visiting our blog. If you came to us via a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuildersllc.com.

On-Site Customer Meetings

2006-12-22T15:44:00.000-05:00

This post is about specific meetings at your
home site that take place during the
construction process. The goal of these meetings
are for us to learn your wishes and thoughts. Also
very critical is that we gain your approval
of our efforts to date.

Below is a summary of the on-site meetings:

1. Site plan review - We want to walk the home site with you prior to construction. It is important that we understand your vision for the site. Perhaps you want to be able to take advantage of a certain view while you relax watching football games every Sunday. We want to know that upfront.

2. Rough In Walkthrough - This meeting takes place AFTER your home is framed (walls and roof in place), but before plumbing, heating and electrical components are installed. At this meeting, we review all completed framing elements and we dream about the "finish" elements - cabinets, trim, flooring, etc..

Dreaming is only a part of it really. At this point, we know what "finishes" you have selected for your home and we verify that those decisions remain valid in your mind.

3. Pre-Drywall Inspection - This is an important step. Your plumbing, heating and electrical components are now installed. Soon, you will see drywall. If there are any last minute changes then we want to complete them prior to drywall installation. The work is much more difficult afterwards.

4. Final Walkthrough - The purpose of this meeting is to go through your home prior to you moving in and validate that we built your home according to the plan and quality specifications established prior to construction.

There is no such thing as a punch list! Your home should be delivered on time with all items completed. How often do you buy a car with only 3 wheels? "Oh, that fourth one has been ordered and we will let you know when it arrives." I think not!

That is how we do it!

There are other meetings, much less formal though. We want our customers to visit the jobsite frequently. We want their feedback. We want to see the excitement in their eyes and, likewise, we want to know if there is something we can do to improve. We aren't perfect. We don't claim to be, we just try to be!

Building a home is a great experience!

If you came to our blog from a location other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuildersllc.com. Thank you for visiting.

Universal Design - what is it?

2006-11-18T20:58:00.001-05:00

We believe that every home built should incorporate universal
design concepts (out of desire, not by law.)

What is Universal Design?

The intent of universal design is to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications, and the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Universal design benefits people of all ages and abilities.

- NC State: Center for Universal Design

There are alot of names that people use in place of universal design: barrier free, handicap accessible, A D A compliant. Universal Design, I think, is the best name for this concept because to me accessibility is not just for "them folks" in wheelchairs. It is for everyone regardless of age and physical ability.

All right, just what does Universal Design really mean? Here are some features that are very important in the design of the home that are basic to UD:

1. Exterior Doors - without question should be 36" wide

2. Interior Doors - bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms, common area doors - 36" wide (Note
that many articles will say 32" doors. Many wheelchairs will get through 32" wide doors but
if a person is in a wheelchair they will scrap their knuckles as they go through the door.)

I once priced out doors for a house. 10 doors going from 32" to 36" wide. The cost for the
wider doors was under $100 - for the entire house (not per door). No brainer!

3. Wider halls - Minimum 42", better if halls are 48". Please note that halls are a waste of
space. Eliminate them or reduce them and you will increase the functional space in your
home.

4. Turning radius or better said as Clear Floor Space - Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry area that
equals 5'. What is the benefit? If you utilized a wheelchair you would have the ability to
enter and function without obstacles in these parts of your home.

5. My personal favorite - A zero step entry. What is that? No steps into your home from the
front porch and from the garage into the home. Imagine, not having to worry about steps as
you bring home groceries. There are so many benefits to this feature.

6. Wider Stairs - minimum 42", better if 48".

7. There are many other features associated with UD. Their necessity for you depends on your needs.

Why is UD important?

1. Wider doors, wider halls, wider stairs and clear space will make your home appear larger. It
will feel more open.

2. Wider doors, wider halls and wider stairs will allow you to carry furniture throughout your
home much easier.

3. Imagine you are 30 years old and you own your home. If the home incorporates the basic
features of universal design guests will be able to visit your home without limitation.
Imagine if your grandparents or Aunt Millie is in a wheelchair or requires the use of a walker.
They could visit without limitation.

4. Imagine you are 65. Retirement is just 10 years away (no please, not that long). Your
parents may still be alive. Mom and Dad could come visit your home without limitation as
well.

Not to mention, you are probably thinking about your own future AND want to remain
in your home for as long as possible. A home that has incorporated UD is livable for much
longer than a home without such features.

Here is what everyone wants to know - - How much money does this stuff cost?

1. Wider doors - under $100 (per home);

2. Wider halls / Stairs - hard to answer this one, but under $500 (considering cost per
square foot and the size of your home).

3. Zero step entry - this one depends on the size of the home. Generally around $1,000.

Wow! If all you do is 1 and 2, you can have an accessible home for under $500. Better yet, for under $1,500 you can have a home that is really accessible to you and everyone. It makes a great deal of sense.

I am a proponent of UD for one reason. I believe that it is my responsibility as a builder to provide value for my customers when building their home. To me there is no greater value than accessibility. If something were to happen to you or your relatives, without accessibility your home has little value to you.

A few final thoughts (sorry for the length):

Not every home we build incorporates every feature of UD. Customers get to decide what they want in their home. (That said, we don't budge on the doors and halls. Gotta be wide!)

We do not believe that UD should be mandatory by law. The market should decide this issue. You as a person should decide if these features are something you desire in your home. It's your money.

Building a home is a great experience.

Let us know what you think. There is more information about UD on my website - http://www.heartlandbuildersllc.com/.

Build With Confidence

2006-11-14T21:14:00.000-05:00

We want you to have a great experience when building
your home. There are steps that you as a customer
can take in order to ensure the success of your
building project.

Follow these simple guidelines and we bet you will look back with fondness at the building process.

Budget - stay with it; if you decide to go over pay with cash

Schedule - Require that your builder provide you one

Build with good products - Have your builder provide a list of materials - prior to signing a contract. Listing the brand name or material is important.

Warranty - The state of MI does not require your builder to provide you with a one year warranty. You should! Ask your builder his/her policy on coming back after the home is built - get it in writing

Allowances - (example - $10,000 flooring allowance, $2,500 lighting allowance) - Confirm that you can live with the allowances before you sign the contract.

Product Selection - (i.e. - carpet, faucets, tile, etc..) - Determine what you want as early as you can. Gives you flexibility. Helps you determine costs early in the process. Allows for changes if need be.

Guaranteed pricing vs. non-guaranteed - Does your builder guarantee the cost of the home? Some items you just can't guarantee upfront.

Formal Contract - Get everything in writing - Before you sign the contract

References - ask for them - make contact

Uncomfortable with Design - Find a builder that works with an Interior Designer.

Use a member of your local Home Builders Association

Smile - Have fun!

Live within your means

Building a home is a great experience.

If you entered our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuildersllc.com. Thank you.

What Does it take to have a good experience

2006-11-14T20:57:00.002-05:00

To have a great experience
when you build a home the customer needs
two primary traits:

1. The ability to make a decision

2. The ability to live within your means.

If you cannot do those two things, then perhaps renting or staying put is in order.

Your builder can HELP you with both. Notice the word HELP is capitalized. HELP means to assist. Only you can overcome.

How should your builder help you?

1. Ask if they have a Customer Care Manager on staff that is a qualified Interior Designer. I have been in this business for over 9 years now. After all of the homes I have built, I would NOT build my own personal home without the benefit of an interior designer.

They take the worry out of decisions. They can help a person stay on budget. They can play traffic cop between man and women. Oops, I mean a husband and wife sitting at the lighting store trying to decide between a satin nickel finish and the oil rubbed bronze.

2. Living within your means. You know, it is just a house. You can't take it with you on vacation. You can't use it to send your kid to college. No one died from eating on a countertop that wasn't granite. Don't get me wrong I love the finer things in life, but the finer things are only appreciated when you don't have to worry from the stress of being able to afford them. Your builder should serve as a guide to help you stay within budget.

Building a home is a great experience.

If you entered our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuildersllc.com. Thank you.

Heartland Builders - who we are

2006-11-14T20:46:00.002-05:00

We are located in the Grand Rapids MI area.
Our passion is home building and we have
created this blog in order to share our
belief that building a home is a great experience.

Oh sure, your aunt had a friend who had a cousin whose brother had a bad experience when they built their home. We are here to tell you that building a home is a great experience. Hence, the name "Great Ideas When Building a Home".

Our goal is to post information to this site that is useful to those interested in building a home.

To learn more about Heartland Builders you can visit our website at http://www.heartlandbuildersllc.com/.

In the spirit of full disclosure you should know that we do not throw up houses "fast and cheap." While we do build our homes under a strict schedule we take pride in the quality of our homes.

There are two absolutes in this business from our standpoint:

1. Every home will be built in consideration of universal design principles;

2. Every home we build is CERTIFIED in compliance with Energy Star requirements and the more stringent standards of Green Built Michigan. Note - we capitalized the word certified because every home we build is inspected and certified by an approved EPA Energy Star/Green Built Michigan auditor to demonstrate our commitment to our customers.

Building a home is a great experience.

If you entered our blog from a source other than our website, please visit us at www.heartlandbuildersllc.com. Thank you.