Question 1

What is “Aging in Place” construction?

Accepted Answer

It’s the process of building or modifying your home to make it safer and more accessible for people to live in, regardless of their age or physical limitations. The goal is to help people age in place or remain in their homes for as long as possible, independently and safely. A good example of this might be curbless showers or wide hallways and doors. If you’re building your forever home, we encourage you to discuss this with your builder.

Question 2

What is Gold Fortification?

Accepted Answer

A fortified home is built to a set of standards created by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) to help homes withstand natural disasters. The program goes beyond typical building codes to improve performance during sever weather. Check out www.ibhs.org (http://www.ibhs.org/)for more information.

Question 3

What are allowances?

Accepted Answer

Allowances are budgetary amounts used in your estimate to cover items that have not been selected or decided on at the beginning of construction. Examples might include flooring, light fixtures, or appliances.

Question 4

Have construction costs come down?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is no. Lumber is a commodity, so prices for lumber go up and down. Otherwise, inflation drives the cost of construction. Construction costs typically do not come down. The best time to build is now. Fortunately, the cost of living in South Alabama is relatively low compared to the rest of the country which has helped keep the cost of construction lower than other areas.

Question 5

Is it more expensive to build or to buy an existing home?

Accepted Answer

Though construction costs appear to have stabilized, they have increased over the last few years faster than the increase in existing home prices. Currently, the upfront cost to build a custom home is typically more than buying an existing home. However, over the long term, a custom home is usually less expensive to own than an existing home since there should be very little maintenance for many years and homes today are significantly more efficient than homes built just 12 years ago.

Question 6

How long does it take to build a new home?

Accepted Answer

Many factors determine the length of construction such as the size, location, and level of detail. Typically, a 2,000 square foot home will take about 7-12 months to complete. The more you plan, the better, and quicker the build. Being in a hurry to break ground will drive up the cost and slow the length of construction.

Question 7

Can I use plans from the internet?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but it’s not recommended. Internet plans do not include the engineering necessary to meet the building requirements in your municipality. Therefore, they will have to be engineered by a local firm. Additionally, site plans, electrical plans, and other specifics are not included and often required.

aboutus

SKILLED SUBCONTRACTORS.

QUALITY PRODUCTS.

EXPERIENCED CRAFTSMANSHIP.

OURWORK

aboutus

​

SKILLED SUBCONTRACTORS.

QUALITY PRODUCTS.

EXPERIENCED CRAFTSMANSHIP.

​

OURWORK