Garage, Laundry, & Room Over Addition

This fall we are taking our custom home building experience and applying it to a custom addition project. Our first step was to draw the homeowner's plan of a garage, laundry room, finished room over garage, and bathroom.
Then, with the proper building permits, insurance, and licensing, we were ready to begin the actual construction effort. Footings first...

Next up, masonry and slab work.

Then framing...

To be continued...

Special Project

I have heard from a few of you about the "picture clue" in my last blog post. Thanks to the Facebook readers as well. Matt Lucas of 31-W Insulation knew what was going on because he was a contributor on this project. Again, here was the picture clue:

What was going on here? One guess was that we were finishing a basement. Actually, this special project consisted of a framed first level on a raised slab and a 2,000+ square foot finished modular home placed on top of that. The picture shows where we cut into the floor of the home to create space for a staircase down to the newly framed first level!

We had the first level precisely framed with extra support on the perimeter and other loading bearing areas so that the modular home could be set on top in three adjoining sections by a crane. The project is almost complete and here are several pictures that show the sequence of events.

The brick columns and arches really dress up the front of this home. The upper porch columns, railing, and steps to the ground level will again change the look from the road. I'll post more pictures when the project is complete!

This is one of those special projects that reminds me of how unique a custom home can be. I don't think there is another one like it. And most importantly, its just the way the homeowners want it!

Summer 2009 Update

It has been quite a while since I have posted. 2009 is proving to be a very interesting year in the custom home building business. We are currently working on two custom home projects with a few others on the radar.

The biggest hurdle I am seeing for many people wanting to build a custom home is in the area of lending. If you're paying with cash as some are (and they are getting some good deals) then lending is not an issue. For those that are looking for a construction-to-permanent loan, we are seeing banks that used to require 5% down now requiring 25% down. And some are requiring that a person's existing home be sold before a construction loan can be opened - and for good reason as we've learned in the past several months.

So, this post is primarily to let anyone that is reading know that Master Plan Homes is still building custom homes and we're looking forward to what the rest of 2009 holds.

Here is a picture clue of one of the projects we're working on right now. Its a first for us...


Any guesses?

Interior Trim Work - Part 2

Some additional pictures of an elaborate trim package being installed in one of our custom homes...

Interior Trim Work

Interior trim work is often one of the areas in custom home building where the custom attributes really come to life. From baseboards to crown molding to door/window casings to mantles to built-in bookcases to cubbies to coffered ceilings etc. The possibilities, combinations, and material choices are countless.

Pictures of trim work in a magazine or a friend's house can be used as a starting point of what you're looking for. The trim carpenter can then draw ideas right on the wall for a custom design that suits your preferences.



Wainscotting can be used in rooms that you want dressed up.


It truly is amazing how trim work can transform a room - and even a ceiling!

Custom interior trim work is also a great way to maximize the space you have to work with.

We have worked with several trim carpenters in the Columbia and Lexington areas. Some of them truly can be artists... That is one of the great things about a custom home: you get to choose what makes it unique and yours. And this is certainly true in the area of interior trim work.

Home Plans and the Home Planning Process

While the spring and summer are usually the busiest time of year for new homes to get started, the fall and winter are a great time to start the home planning process. Many people are overwhelmed with the number of choices that go into a new home and the array of possibilities for their custom home plans. The more preparation you do on the front end, the easier the process can be.


Your lot may provide multiple layout options. Perhaps you can make the most of a sloped lot by planning for a basement home. This works very well on sloped lake lots to increase views to the water. Then there are various styles to consider: craftsman, ranch, traditional, colonial, cottage, courtyard, etc. I am drawing house plans and would be glad to work with you to create your own custom home plan. My plans include elevations, floor plans, roof plan, foundation plan, electrical plan, and even 3-dimensional views and renderings. We can also save time by sending revisions out as PDF files for your review. This allows me to not only work with locals of the Columbia and Lexington SC areas, but also with individuals in other cities and states. Drop me a line if you want additional information.

For a smooth construction process, we encourage homeowners to make as many building selections as they can before construction even begins. This includes everything from brick & mortar choices all the way to towel bars in the bathrooms and everything in between. You might be surprised at just how many selections are available and some of them take time to make a decision on. Do these early and the actual construction process will feel more stress free.

Also, if you're considering going green, the best time to make that decision is before you ever break ground or get home plans. As a Certified Green Professional, I can help educate you on what makes a home and the home construction process green.

So if 2009 is going to be the year of your new home, consider beginning the planning process before 2008 ends. Of course I would prefer that you also consider Master Plan Homes for your house plans and/or as your builder of choice. But whichever route you choose, I'd still be happy to talk with you about it.

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2008 Parade of Homes

Last night I had the opportunity of attending the Preview Party of the Parade of Homes at the Saluda River Club presented by the local HBA. The parade officially opens tomorrow and runs through November 2. There are six fully-furnished and decorated homes open for tours. As usual in a parade of homes, there were some "over the top" features including a water closet with its own tv and a dedicated massage room.

The Parade is a great place to get ideas on home layouts, built-in features, interior design, landscaping, etc. I was looking for more green building materials and practices (since 5 of the 6 homes were obtaining the local Green Council's certification) but they didn't appear to be blatantly spelled out. In a way, its a good thing for people to see that green built homes don't have to look odd or futuristic. However, I think it would have also been good to highlight what makes the homes green. To give the Parade credit, they are hosting a "Green Day at the Parade" on October 29 where they will be presenting the green features of the homes.

I hope you get the chance to attend the Parade of Homes this year. And feel free to share your comments about it here if you'd like. I'll be at the ticket gate on October 29 from 2:30 to 7:00pm so maybe I'll see you there!

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Are Columbia and Lexington banks still lending for new construction?

In light of the current national and global economic issues, there seems to be some confusion out there about whether or not banks are still lending money. To find an answer to this question for the Columbia and Lexington SC areas, I decided to ask my friend and associate Todd Mitcham at BB&T Mortgage. I found his response refreshing and contrary to much of what we're hearing in the media or on the national level. So I'd like to share what Todd said here:

"We are still lending money the same as we always have. On construction loans we still do 95% loans and we still base the value off of the appraised value and not the cost (so if it appraises for more than the cost as it often does we give the client "free" equity). So, nothing has
changed.

The problem is that I've got no one asking for any loans. It is not that we aren't loaning - it is that no one is borrowing. However, I wonder if no one is borrowing because they think we are not loaning."

And I am wondering the same thing. But if you've read this, you now know that there are banking institutions right here in the Columbia and Lexington SC area that are lending money for qualified borrowers. Todd Mitcham of BB&T Mortgage is one that I would recommend. He has been in the mortgage lending business since 1992 and he has provided great service to many of our custom home clients. Todd can be reached at 803-251-1404 or by email.

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In Home Intercoms

In home intercom systems have come along way. There are many varieties on the market with varied bells & whistles. No longer does the main station in the kitchen or master bedroom have to be over powering on the wall. Along with the improvements in technology, the price of in home intercom systems has also lowered over the years.

As is usually the case, a great time to wire for components such as an intercom is during new construction while all the walls are open and accessible. We have had the Greyfox (now OnQ/Legrand) intercom system installed in several of our houses. This system, like many today, uses Cat5 wiring from a structured wiring panel to each room that will have an intercom station. The room stations themselves are only the size of a two-switch panel. The main station is the size of a three-switch panel. These small sizes and the traditional looking face plates allow the intercom to blend well on the wall along with your other electrical switches.

One of the best features of this intercom system is the monitor which allows any room station to be monitored from the rest of the house. This is great for a baby's room, when someone is sick in bed, or even for an elderly person that is not easily mobile.

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House Plan Design & Drawing

While things were slow for us earlier in the year, I took the opportunity to learn something new, something I've had an interest in for years - drawing house plans.

My goal was to become proficient enough to be able to design efficient house plans similiar to those provided by other local draftsmen. I have no intention of becoming an architect so if you need one I'd likely point you to our friend Pete at von ahn design. Thus far I've succeeded in my goal as I have drawn several plans, one of which I teamed with an engineer on and we are currently building. Another custom house plan which I drew for a client is on the schedule to begin construction in a matter of weeks.

Learning how to draw working house plans came pretty quickly for me for two reasons. First, I am drawing with a Computer Aided Design (CAD) software called SoftPlan. I was formerly a computer programmer and applications developer so I have a fair amount of computer-related experience working for me. Second, as a licensed builder, I get to see houses constructed in real life on our job sites. This gives me the insight to know of certain things that work well and others that don't at all. Not everything that is drawn on paper will work in the real world.

All this being said, everytime I work on a house plan I am learning new things. The learning never stops in the business of home design and construction. I think that's one thing that makes it fun... If you need your own house plan drawn, let me know and I'll be glad to assist you.

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Getting Busy

This is my first post for the month of April. The main reason for that is things are starting to get busy again. Over the last two weeks we've had some good new activity:

• Signed two contracts for investor speculation homes
• Started the design/drawing process for a home we'll build on Lake Murray this year
• Bid on a client's home addition and garage
• Bid on another client's garage and room over
• Met an associate at their lot to discuss building their custom home

In addition to these new activities, the custom home we're building in Lexington right now is going very smoothly. In just 8 weeks we've completed the footings, crawlspace foundation, exterior veneer, framing, roofing, doors & windows, electric rough-in, plumbing rough-in, HVAC rough-in, and the drywall. All that and we had 4+ rain days that slowed us down! At this pace, the house will be done in a total of 4 months. We told the client it would take 5 to 6 months. That feels good!

You hear people talking about lower interest rates being an incentive for people to build or add-on... You also hear that many construction material prices are down... And with a supposedly "slow" housing market, you hear there are trade contractors competing with their prices... We aren't just hearing these things, we are seeing it as a reality with the recent flurry of activity in our business at Master Plan Homes Inc.

If you're on the fence about building a new home, give us a call or email and we'll talk about the possibilities.

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How long does it take to build?

A question that we often get asked: "How long will it take to build my house?" The answer depends on several factors:

• Size of the home (both heated and non-heated areas)
• Type of site work required (clearing, grading, digging basement, etc.)
• Amount of detailed features in the home
• Weather
• Availability of materials

The majority of the homes we have been building take less than 5 months to as many as 10 months. This slideshow makes it look incredibly quick!

At Master Plan Homes Inc, Jon and I are licensed residential builders that want to build our homes in a timely manner without sacrificing the integrity of the job.

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Selecting a Lot to Build your Home

There are several things to consider when selecting a lot to build your home on. Do you want to be in a neighbhorhood or on private land? Do you want waterfront or a view of a lake or pond? How close do you want to be to your place of work? What school district do you want to be in?

Established neighborhoods have become very sought after as people often want to know what the properties around them are going to be like. A neighborhood can have restrictions on the size and style of houses being built. This can be beneficial for those concerned about how the neighboring properties will affect their resale value. Also, neighborhoods often can provide shared amenities such as a pool, tennis court, or pond.

On the flip side, some people prefer private land so they aren't forced to deal with community restrictions. Private land can generally be found at a lower cost since neighborhood amenities are not built into the price. Also, some people build on private land that belongs to their family or to get a bigger tract of land than what is available in most developments.

From the construction side, it is also helpful to consider the following when selecting a lot or land to build on:

• Elevations - Check to see the slope of the lot (if any) and how this will relate to the house you want to build. Be mindful of how and where water run-off from your house will go.
• Setbacks - Each lot is going to have a minimum setback for the front, back, left, and right sides of the property. This is particularly important on smaller lots - you want to make sure the house you intend to build will fit within the setbacks of the lot.
• Facing direction - Find out which direction your house will face on the lot to ensure it's going to suit you. This will let you forsee which rooms in your house will be getting direct sunlight at certain times of the day.
• Sewer or Septic - A septic system usually requires more clearing of the lot in order to install the septic drain lines.
• Public Water or Well - The expense of digging a well is often unknown because it depends on the depth which must be dug before a good supply of water is hit. You won't know this exact depth until you start digging.

All of these things considered ahead of time will help you make a good lot selection. Of course, all of these issues may also have an affect on the price of the lot or land. Lot and land prices have been increasing considerably in recent years. This is not a surprise as there is only so much land out there. The price range can also be very wide. For example, the price range of lots in neighborhoods in Lexington SC 29072 is any where from $35k to $415k.

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