Are You Chasing Dollars or Your Kids? Everything in moderation right? Haven't we been told this
countless times and yet still we tend to find oursel...
Blackjack - What Are the Odds? Blackjack has the best odds of almost any game in the casino. However, these odds can vary greatly based on t...
So you've decided to build a new home. Like many home buyers you realize that buying a new home offers a wide range of advantages over buying an existing home. You are getting exactly what you want, demanding the highest quality construction, as well as learning how to operate and maintain your home's systems and equipment. You're also developing a relationship with the builder. Congratulations on making a great choice, however, you still have a big decision left to make.
What kind of home builder is right for you? Should you go with a production builder who builds many homes at a time, or do you want a custom home with a distinctive style and features unique to you?
Production home builders typically tend to use stock plans, but often have a variety of options from which to choose. They will tend to build on land they own and build for a wide range of price points. They are generally high volume builders with many builders completing over 200 homes a year.
Custom home builders typically build fewer than 20 homes a year and work to create one-of-a-kind homes. Many of these homes are site specific on either land owned by the builder or on land you already own. They may offer design/build services and usually build higher end homes.
While a production builder may be able to deliver your home more quickly or at a lower cost, this may come at the expense of unique features and one to one service typically offered by a custom builder. As you consider the options, here are a few questions to help you decide which type of builder best suits your needs.
How long will you be in the house? If you're just planning on being in the home a few years, the extra time and attention that goes into a custom home may not make sense for you.
Have you dreamed about special features? With the stock plans used by production builders, it often gets expensive to add unique touches, and they may feel out of place with the rest of the design.
Do you want a distinctive home? The production builder can make a number of modifications, but you'll still be living in a home like many others in the area.
In either case, you should ask the builder for references from past clients. Contact the references and see how satisfied owners are with their homes. Find out what it was like to work with the builder and if their expectations were met. Visit a work site or recently completed home to get a sense of the quality and workmanship of the builder. Finally, look for a professional builder who builds homes full time and has a vision and style that matches your own.
Reid Colson is a Principal in Bridlewood, a custom home builder serving the Central Virginia market. Bridlewood takes more pride in the quality and distinction of their homes than in the number they build. They are committed to providing the highest levels of professional service and consistent communication throughout the design and building process.
Playing The Violin Is For Everyone Who Loves Music Every day musical instruments enrich the lives of people around the world and continue to promote culture and art throughout every society and community, no mat...
Gift Giving For Baby Your friend or relative is going to have a baby. Couldn't think of what to give? Here are some tips to help you shop for a gift.
Reverse Mortgage – Putting Your Equity to Work Many seniors don't qualify for home-equity loans based on income, and in any case, those home-equity loans require a monthly repayment, so they don't solve the ...
How to Create a Decorative Garden Window Do it yourself decorating project instructions. If you have a sunny window in a room where you don't have to worry about privacy, this décor idea will provide a...
Cell Phone Batteries, Money Saving Tips It's hard to imagine what the world did before the use of cell phones! We have become so dependent on having a cell phone that we tend to panic if we forget it ...
Holy Mantrimony In the last couple of weeks, the catholic war machine has been running on all cylinders to oppose the legitimacy of homosexual marriages. I would invite the pop...
Why Salespeople Fail The reasons why salespeople fail have to do with a lack of confidence; abdication of personal responsibility; and denial of the need to practice
All Fortunes Begin With an Idea! A new idea is merely the combination of two or more old ideas. The creation of a new idea is the critical first step in establishing any business.
Let Marketing Manage Your Website Content The definition of the phrase "Content Management" depends on what the organization may need or a vendor may offer. There is no general purpose or standard conte...
How To Talk/Communicate With Your Prospects The key to success in Marketing is to know your target market. You must know their wants, needs, and fears so those issues can be effectively addressed...
The Process Is More Important Than the Objective The real truth is the web can be effective depending on how the Internet strategy is designed. There is one big error that most business make from the very begi...
Marketing Conversations, And Conversation Stoppers Where many marketing conversations get off-track are the ones you have with yourself, before you even pick up the phone or initiate the handshake. As independe...
Food with Niacin and The Benefits Niacin, also called nicotinic acid, is a member of the B-group of water-soluble vitamins and occurs in food with niacin.
Instrument Transformer The instrument transformer are special type of transformers these transformers are defined as the transformer intended to supply measuring instruments, meters, ...
Its Time To Start That Swipe File Just as great fiction is an art, so is great copywriting. Beneath the art, however, there's a foundation of basic knowledge and skills. The craft that goes in...
Personal Checks – Extreme Benefits Why would someone decide to spend just a little bit more money when they can buy the cheaper, more basic checks? It has everything to do with customization.
Potty Training Reward System A great potty training reward system. Hopefully this will make potty training a little easier and give incentive for the little boy or girl to potty train faste...
Meditation 101 The basics and importance of meditation. This article is intended for beginners and those who just need a refresher.