Hills Architectural Properties

Archive for January, 2011

Congratulations! You are almost very knowledgeable as far as construction is concerned, thanks to the previous series of articles on the factors to consider before building your house.

When it gets to the time of construction, the real task gets underway. All the knowledge that you have gathered is finally put to the test. Your dream is finally turning to brick on brick. The day of ground breaking is particularly very important and should not be missed by any member of the family. Some photos are in order as you drive the pick into the ground! Another electrifying moment is when the cornerstone is laid. But beyond celebrating and congratulating yourself, there is a lot for you to do to ensure that the process goes on smoothly. Some of these tasks include;

· Funding the process – This is arguably your most important role in this stage of the process. As earlier discussed this is guided by the bills of quantities (B.Q) and requires you to fully understand the movement of the construction finances. Any deviations from the earlier estimate should be clearly highlighted and projections into the final estimate done from time to time. Although most of the deviations are on the higher side, it is also possible to have reduced budgets. Cashflow over the period should be as constant as possible to make sure that the progress is not hampered.

· Verifying and approving design – as greed earlier, the design determines the final product and being a long-term product and an integral part of your family it should represent your best interests as much as possible. Being a constant visitor on the construction site will give you a tangible understanding of the upcoming house and as such, give you a chance to make whatever adjustments and clarifications as may be important. Adjustments are usually necessary at times and they may involve some demolitions. It is imperative to understand the financial implications of such changes and to put them into the bigger budget so that you don’t overshoot the budget unknowingly. But it is not all changes that will lead to a financial implication; some will just involve a change of shade, or even an omission of some elements, eventually reducing the cost.

· Tracking progress – time is money as they say. Your urge to stay in your own house grows stronger each day. This means that the timely completion of the house should be in your best interest. Any possible deviations from the works schedule should be addressed in a timely manner and where such deviations occur, intervention measures should be taken to put the project back in the right timing. You don’t want to give a notice to vacate from your landlord’s by a certain date only to revoke it later. Who knows, it may even be impossible, putting you on the streets as your contractor struggles to put up a roof or whatever other activity that might have been pending completion.

· Maintaining quality – quality is a relative term. Different people have different thresholds of quality. If you are the kind that must close one eye to see a crooked line, you are not hard to impress and your contractor should have an easy time. If you are (and you here includes your wife and children) the perfection type, however, it will be to your best interest to constantly visit the site of works to avoid heartbreaks. It gets critical at the point when finishes, fittings and fixtures are being applied. This is the face of your house. It is best to request for samples of whatever sensitive parts of the house as your family wants it. Photos and catalogs suffice here. It is also good to look around for what is doable so that you don’t end up frustrating your contractor or professional consultants.

In the next and last article, we address some important post construction considerations and conclude our series of articles on the factors to consider before building your own house.By Kynyn Kamau

In total, there are literally thousands of details to consider when planning out custom homes. From the layout and design to curtain rods, the entire process involves a huge amount of effort and discipline, encompassing a span of months, sometimes years. But by having a set plan and choosing a professional, qualified team of help you through the process, the possibilities regarding your custom home are virtually limitless. In this article, we will walk you through the steps of building your very own customized abode.

Step 1 – Start with a dream binder. This binder will hold your notes, magazine spreads, flyers, brochures and contact information. A good sized binder will have roughly 20 tab dividers to help you stay organized. A few examples of possible tabs include: Interior, exterior, lighting, plumbing, mill work, paint, and flooring. Alongside your binder, you should invest in a large basket to help store bigger items such as carpet and tile samples.

Step 2 – One option when designing the layout is house planning software. Online, you’ll find a variety of free computer programs the help you through the design process. If none of these programs meet your fancy, you always have the option of seeking out paid software, which may offer ease of use and added tools.

Step 3 – A wonderful way to obtain ideas and visualize your dream home is by touring as many model homes as possible. Bring along a note book and write down any ideas that come to mind. Inspect every nook and cranny; opening doors, closets, shower doors and curtains. Pay attention to the general layout and the materials that were used in the building process. If you enjoy the way that the model was decorated, consider obtaining the decorator’s contact information.

Step 4 – In total, you will need to find yourself an architect, interior designer and builder to realize the results you’re after. These three individuals or companies will need to work side by side in the design process. Talk to friends, family members and co-workers in hopes of obtaining referrals. You can also get in touch with your local area building association to obtain additional recommendations. Make sure to be thorough in your search and ask for references from any contractors that interest you.

Step 5 – Perhaps, even before you’ve gotten this far, you’ll want to plan out your budget. Having a solid budget will help you in the decision making process throughout the build. It’s not uncommon for custom houses to go a bit over budget, but if you can stick to a number you can afford, you’ll be much happier in the long run. Be sure to keep any new window treatments and furniture items in mind.

Step 6 – Once you’ve got your budget, you can begin really digging into the design and feel of your home. Try to have as many ideas and selections decided on prior to breaking ground. The more thought out your plan is, the less likely you will be sidetracked. Make sure to communicate all of your ideas and plans to your building team.

By Alfred Ardis

This marks the last of our series of articles on the factors to consider before building your own house.

There is not much to do at this point other the following;

· Enjoy your new house – Do I need to say more? Owning your own house is an achievement and it is just in order that you enjoy living there.

· Post-construction reporting – This is a very important aspect that every new house owner should engage in. It goes without saying that your house will portray some behaviors that are worth reporting, especially to the construction team. If the paint is peeling off, tell your architect to have it repaired and to also ensure that the same is not applied in another site they are engaged in.

· Repaying any dues – One of the most common dues in this period is a small percentage of the contractor’s money that is usually held for some defined period time. When this period expires and any defects are corrected, this money should be released without delay. You can easily be sued for such delays and also be charged any interest that might have been accrued on the same money while you were holding it. It is also required that you repay any loans that may be due on the house, for example the construction loan. Your house could easily be confiscated for unhonoured repayments.

· Keeping the house in good order – This may look obvious but it is not. This goes beyond cleaning your house. Maintenance and repair are two very important aspects of this period. While repair is more likely to be answered to, maintenance seems to be constantly forgotten. This is what refreshes your house and keeps it in the right order as if it were new. It is important to note that where replacement is needful, it is good to use similar components to ensure compatibility and as such longer life.

All in all, your house is your responsibility and what it results to is directly attributable to you. After all you need to get value for your money. This should not surprise you. Remember that your role in all this is overall direction. This you should do by making sure that you work with the right people and give them enough space to operate. It is commonplace to have frustrated professionals either out of unreasonable criticism or unpaid dues. Once you have the right people on board and you have given them an enabling environment, yours will just be a phone call here and a meeting there and a good house in the end. This is because you will know what question to ask your architect, which will make him quickly rush to site and issue a stern instruction to your contractor! Your impression of understanding of the process will make sure that no one attempts a dubious trick on you.

It is my sincere hope that you have been enlightened and that you will be a better house owner. To your success.By Kynyn Kamau

Buying a house is one of the most vital decisions a person makes during his entire lifetime. Factors like budget and location can have huge bearing on your decision to buy a house. This is because purchasing a house is not a child’s play, as it is both costly and a long-term decision that is bound to have major implications for the years to come. So, obviously one tends to give his best shot while building the house of his dreams rather than crying over spilt milk, later on.

So, to accomplish these dreams, one has to take aid from various people like an architect, builder etc. Since, you have invested a whole lot of time, money and effort into building your dream home; you would want every slight bit of fitting and design in exactly the same manner as you had dreamt of. This can only be possible with the aid of a builder offering customized services. So, you should cheer up, as fortunately nowadays you have the privilege of opting for a custom home builder to ensure that your home is exactly the way you had imagined it.

Well, these custom home builders are specialized in building one-of-a-kind homes which are specifically designed by keeping a particular client and a location into consideration. Normally, such builders seek professional assistance in the form of a designer to achieve the best possible results. You can consider the case of a house which is environmentally-friendly to be a perfect example of a house customized to one’s needs. Not choosing a custom home builder essentially means an ordinary, run of the mill house with default interiors and exteriors. However, choosing a custom home remodelers would definitely bring a twist to the story, as you can have accessories like skylights, passive solar heating, geothermal heating and cooling systems, bamboo floors etc adding glamour and substance to your house.

Above all, custom homes can be a great way of showcasing your creativity that too for the sake of your own good. It is always a wonderful feeling to cherish every moment in your own dream house with exactly the kind of amenities you ever wanted. Then off course, home Constructors/remodelers help you gain the supreme level of gratification and the pride of living in the house of your dreams. If building a dream house is on your mind then you should right away start looking around for a suitable Constructors and remodelers.

By Trent Newville