Upgrading classic farmhouse homes is some remodelers’ bread and butter. Find out how they integrate modern elements while honoring the traditional style.
More home buyers want healthy homes but don’t exactly know how to define them. This presents a unique opportunity for builders to clear up any uncertainty and gain trust for new projects. It’s difficult to not think about our living spaces when we’ve spent nearly all our time indoors over the last year. We’re using more electricity, breathing more indoor air, and wanting a closer connection to the outside with large openings and natural light. And that’s caused an increasing number of home buyers to consider renovations and construction that net a healthier home. But what makes a healthy home, and how can builders rise to meet these aspirations? Let’s break it down. More natural light This indoor-outdoor trend is not only very popular style-wise, but also more conducive to a healthier indoor environment. Natural light contributes to well-being, and with the right glass, homeowners can feel comfortably connected to…
The rapid rise of a master homebuilder There’s a lot you can learn from Jason Black. In just five years, Black has taken Artisan Signature Homes, the company he cofounded and operates, from an idea to one of the top high-end custom homebuilders in Kentucky. In a typical year, he and his team will deliver eight homes, or about one every six weeks. His homes range from $400K to $2 million on up, with an average home value of $1.5 million. You may be thinking, “How did this guy go from a start-up to a top custom homebuilder in just five years?” He leaves no job behind. Small or large, new construction or a remodeling project, they all have the power to make new friends, circulate his name, win referrals, and help his company become the first one folks turn to when it’s time to build, well, nearly anything. Small project, big impact Jason Black…
Recruiting new talent and bringing them up to speed is a tall order when faced with demanding projects. Here’s how builders and remodelers can maximize productivity from their current workers to make room for growth. It’s no secret that the construction industry is struggling to recruit young workers. That’s why in today’s constrained labor market, it’s more important than ever that builders and remodelers have strategies for motivating their crews to accomplish more with less help. If this sounds like your situation, here are a few ideas to consider to help your workers and managers be more efficient in the long run. Delegate tactically Although it seems tough if you’re used to doing it yourself, delegating tasks to your crew can actually embolden them to take the initiative and put forth their best effort. We’ve seen this strategy succeed within one of the world’s most powerful organizations: the United States military. And building consultants like Clark Ellis, principal of Continuum Advisory Group, says strategic delegation is just as effective within the construction industry. “The smart delegation of decision-making can be a powerful productivity booster,” says Ellis. “I advise devolving tactical decisions, like warranty requests,…
Today’s custom homebuyers want designs and amenities that serve all family members Demographic trends should lead builders to rethink the way they design custom homes. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau projects the over-65 population growing from 47 million in 2015 to 71 million by 2030. In a 2016 Home Advisor survey, respondents over age 55 said they wanted to stay at home for as long as possible. “We’re getting more requests for homes that accommodate multiple generations,” says Tim Winter of Paradigm Building Group, a design/build firm in Fairfax, Va. “A lot of clients are asking for a first-floor en-suite bedroom for aging parents.” If the parents won’t be moving in just yet, the room can be configured as a study or guest room. If parents and their grown children prefer a bit more separation but the lot won’t accommodate a first-floor elder suite, consider an elevator. Winter is getting more…
There’s a potentially huge market for net zero homes, but you have to know how to sell them. It’s easier than ever to build a home that uses so little energy that, when outfitted with solar panels, it puts more electricity back into the grid over the course of a year than it uses. Although such homes cost more than code minimum construction, industry pros are learning how to help buyers see the return on that cost. Many claim they can make price objections virtually disappear. This approach is called net zero home building. As the next step beyond ENERGY STAR, it represents the cutting edge of energy-efficient, high-performance construction. Now, thanks to more sophisticated building products, better developed building science, and tax incentives for solar, it seems poised to go mainstream. Net zero has been the topic of countless magazine articles in recent years and has even spawned a…
Your choice of brand has implications for various parts of the operation. Builders are loyal to brands that offer the features, benefits and durability they require. With doors and windows, most settle on one or two brands that meet their price and performance specs, and that offer strong warranties they know the dealer and manufacturer will stand behind. When deciding which brands to align with, large-volume builders obviously want a breadth of product that will serve them across all their home models without adding unneeded complexity. To simplify the specification process, they may opt for a base product with various options in glass grille patterns, so they can use it in different neighborhoods with different styles. This type of consistency also pays off in the sales process. “By sticking with a few trusted brands you’re better able to explain their features, benefits and advantages to the buyer,” says Scott Alden, a…
More and more of us work from home. It’s time to turn the home office into a peaceful, more productive place. Some say the coronavirus pandemic has fundamentally changed how many of us will go to work. About four percent of the U.S. workforce worked from home through 2019. In 2020, that number skyrocketed to more than 50 percent, a massive test of the work-from-home concept. Experts now say by the end of 2021 up to 30 percent of us will permanently telecommute. The world has changed. Today there’s an increasing need to make the home a professional work environment. That frequently starts with household acoustics. Children, lawn mowers, pets, vehicles, appliances, and music can create a cacophony of noise that can interfere with video conferences, distract from tasks, and slow productivity. Meet ProCore® One way to manage unwanted noise is to close the door. However, not every door is suited for noise…
Millennials are your future customers. Are the homes you build today ready to check off their wish lists and meet their needs? If you aren’t already selling your homes to millennial clients, you will soon. Millennials represent an enormous generation, and they are just beginning to buy homes. Now is a great time to learn more about them and how their tastes and requirements are similar to and different from other generations of buyers. Here are some findings and trends we’ve uncovered recently that will help you get to know this incredibly important group. First, who are millennials? Millennials are currently the largest segment of the US adult population, representing approximately 72 million people. (For comparison, boomers currently include 71 million, a number that will continue to decline.) “Older” millennials, those born between 1980 and 1989, were roughly 31 to 40 years old as of 2020. “Younger” millennials, born between…
Discover the perfect windows and doors for coastal style homes Exuding relaxing vibes and embracing expansive views, coastal style homes have instant appeal. From the natural wood to the ocean-inspired color pallet, coastal style celebrates comfortable living. We created the JELD-WEN Coastal Style Collection to make it easy for homeowners to get inspiration and find the ideal windows and doors to achieve the perfect coastal look in their homes. A more efficient solution to product selection Our curated Coastal Style Collection makes it a breeze to find products that meet style requirements within your budget, all in one place. The guide organizes windows and doors by pricing tiers, so you can easily estimate costs and mix and match options based on quality, material, features, and budget. Involving your client early in the design process strengthens the overall product. They have a vision that they want to see brought to life, and you have product requirements that must be met. Use this curated coastal…