Building Green: Promoting Healthy Indoor Air

Healthy indoor air quality may be the most important aspect of building green. After all, what could be more important to your health than the air you breathe? Achieving healthy indoor air, however, depends on a comprehensive approach to high-performance building. There's no way, for example, to make an indoor environment comfortable and healthy without properly building, insulating, sealing the house against air and moisture, and without installing the appropriate heating, cooling and ventilating equipment.

Still, there are practices and products we offer as an eco-conscious builder that can improve indoor air quality. Specifically, we look for and encourage the use of various interior finishes that contain low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or ideally, no VOCs at all.

Manufacturers of products that have emitted VOCs in the past have made impressive strides in reducing or eliminating those chemicals in their products, usually without a loss in performance or durability. Here are a few of the ways we address VOCs in the homes we build:

Particleboard. Particleboard has been used for decades in the manufacture of kitchen and bathroom cabinet boxes, as underlayment for countertops and floors, and as backing for wood paneling, to name just a few. However, particleboard (and certain wood composite panels) can emit or "off-gas" VOCs from the glues and resins used to make it. We work with our suppliers to identify products and manufacturers that have switched to wood composite panels emitting no or low VOCs or to alternative products, such as solid-wood or non-wood panel products that do not contain such chemicals at all.

Adhesives and sealants. In several phases of construction, our crews and subcontractors use adhesives and sealants to build your home -- in most cases, to help ensure a quality job and promote better energy efficiency. Past versions of these products have emitted VOCs. To address the issue, we work to make sure that new-generation, non-VOC products are used as adhesives and sealants while still achieving the goals of high-performance housing.

Paints and stains. These are perhaps the most-used and best-addressed examples of low and no-VOC technology. Paints (and to a lesser extent, wood stains) are a prevalent finish product in every house, covering the walls and ceilings of every room. They also are completely exposed to the indoor air and the home's occupants. Manufacturers of coatings, by state and federal regulations and on their own accord, have effectively reduced or eliminated VOCs from their formulations while maintaining the durability, application, color retention, and other qualities we as builders and you as homeowners demand and expect.

Flooring. Like paints and stains, various floor finishes are in direct contact with a home's occupants. Carpets and pads, wood flooring, and resilient (vinyl) sheets and tiles, as well as the adhesives used to apply them, have traditionally contained chemicals that emit VOCs. But, like other products with this problem, they have been reformulated without those hazards, resulting in cleaner and healthier indoor air quality.

The market for low- and no-VOC products across several categories of finishes is expanding all the time, making it easy to find suitable alternatives to conventional products for your home. That being said, we will continue to work with our trade partners and suppliers to offer the best selection of materials and finishes that meet all of your expectations, from style and durability to your family's health and comfort.

3 PILLAR HOMES OWNER & PRESIDENT NAMED BUILDER VICE PRESIDENT OF CENTRAL OHIO BUILDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Galena, OH – Dec. 7 2008 – The 3 Pillar Homes owner and president, Zenios Michael Zenios, was named Builder Vice President of the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio Friday December 5 at Wedgewood Golf and Country Club in Powell. The Builder VP resides on the Executive Committee and is part of the Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the Association. They direct affairs in a customary manner in accordance with BIA bylaws. It consists of 17 total members, with a combination of Builder and Associate members, as well as the Executive Director of the Association. The President, Senior Vice President, Builder Vice President and Immediate Past President of the Board must all be Builder members. Each office has a one-year term.

Homebuilding Myths: The Three-Bid Rule

As the housing industry becomes more sophisticated and conscientious about achieving genuine and lasting homebuyer satisfaction, the level of professionalism among builders continues to reach new heights.

As a result, potential clients searching for a builder to create their dream home have a much deeper pool of talent from which to select. Today's professional builder is not only skilled in construction and client relations, but also highly-competent in terms of his or her business expertise.

This new and more professional breed of builder deserves to be evaluated by home buyers in a new way. Namely by dropping the age-old practice of collecting three bids for the work in favor of a more business-like approach to a very important decision.

In theory, the three-bid rule was thought to work because it assumed everything else, other than cost, from the competing builders was equal. This thought process assumed that each builder had assessed and calculated the scope of work, blueprints, and specifications in the exact same way.

In reality, however, such assumptions are dangerous and rarely, if ever, accurate. Every builder and contractor, professional or not, analyzes a new-home project and estimates its associated costs differently; as a result, the three bids are not apples-to-apples comparisons. The differences can be subtle, but they exist. And those differences render an unequal playing field for competitive bidding creating confusion and misunderstanding.

Even if all three contractors based their bids on precisely the same interpretation of the project, the three-bid rule still reduces each builder to a number rather than considering his or her various skills, experience, personality, record of success, and ability to do the work. For this reason, an increasing number of the best homebuilders simply refuse to bid competitively, opting out of such opportunities because they know they are being evaluated only in terms of a cost estimate rather than whether they are the best builder for the job.

The professional builder prefers a different approach to contractor selection: the negotiated contract. In that scenario, a homebuilder is selected based on his or her abilities and personality and how they fit with the homebuyer. These are two critical considerations considering how closely builder and client will interact with each other during the construction of a new home.
The negotiated contract also takes the guesswork out of the project's cost. The budget is shared up-front with each of the builders being considered based on what the buyers can afford, not what the builder (and his stable of trade contractors) thinks it will cost. Sharing the budget not only removes assumptions and judging a builder's worth based on price alone, but also builds trust and enables honest communication about actual costs and, if necessary, choices that need to be made to match the project's scope with the homebuyer's budget. That's the "negotiated" part of the contract process.

As important, the negotiated contract process is far superior to the three-bid rule in matching personalities between the homebuyer and the builder, and between projects and a building company's skills and experience. By first narrowing and then selecting one homebuilder based on everything but the cost of the project, buyers help ensure that the project will remain on budget and schedule and result in a finished home that meets (or ideally exceeds) their expectations.
As the homebuilding industry continues to evolve into an increasingly professional business, it requires new and more effective models for conducting that business. The negotiated contract has strong advantages over the three-bid rule. This approach reflects the new age of new home construction to the benefit of every homebuyer.

Building Green: Water Conservation

When we talk about "building green," it is often assumed that we are talking about energy efficiency. Although energy efficiency is an essential element, building green is really about the thoughtful use of all natural resources, including water.

There are several ways we can help our homeowners conserve water in their new homes, no matter what style or design is desired. Our trade partners and suppliers join us in making sure that comfort and convenience are not sacrificed for efficiency.

To plan for water conservation, we take a close look at how, what, and where water will be used in a house. Naturally, we think of the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry rooms, but we also examine the use of water for irrigation and other outdoor needs.

Within each of those areas, we consider the appliances and fixtures. In the kitchen, for instance, dishwashers are far more water-efficient and energy-efficient than those of just a decade ago. By offering a wider range of cycles and cleaning modes, these appliances reduce the amount of water to the minimum needed for the job. Energy-saver cycles run for a shorter amount of time and with less heat.

Every kitchen also contains at least one sink and faucet pair, sometimes more in gourmet kitchens. New home owners can select low-flow and more durable faucets as well as self-contained hot water dispensers. Low-flow faucets dispense a lower volume of water without diminishing useful water pressure. Self-contained hot water dispensers save energy by delivering piping hot water without engaging the home's water heater.

Bathrooms provide several opportunities to reduce water use. The engineering of low-flow faucets, shower heads, and toilets has improved the performance of these products to match or exceed that of the old, more wasteful designs.

Sometimes we suggest tankless water heaters, an innovation that provides instant hot water to some or all of the faucets, rooms, or water-using appliances in the entire house. In a large house, a lot of water can flow down the drain before hot water reaches the user. Tankless or "on-demand" water heaters save water (and heating energy) because they do not have to wait for the water held in a traditional water heater -- perhaps up to 60 gallons -- to warm up to a desired temperature as it flows through the pipes and out the spout.
Of all the water-using appliances, perhaps clothes washers have come the furthest in conservation design. Like dishwashers, they are engineered for a variety of cycles. Water level and temperature can be selected, depending on the type and volume of clothes being washed. Front-loading units, for example, allow homeowners to wash more clothes per load, thus reducing the number of loads (and water used) to get them clean. All machines have improved their per-load efficiency, as drum and agitation technology have advanced to do a better job with less water.

Finally, we often encourage homeowners to consider native and drought-tolerant landscaping for their new homes, which reduce the amount of irrigation water needed to keep them healthy and flourishing. Even with more traditional plant selections, the use of drip and in-ground irrigation systems is far more water-efficient than the use of a hose and sprinkler and will achieve a better result. More sophisticated rainwater collection and pump-irrigation systems can be an eco-friendly way for a homeowner to recycle water and to lower the use of potable (city-treated) water.

As with most features that affect the comfort and on-going costs of a home, higher performance standards are achieved through a partnership between us as a builder, in our design and the products and construction practices we employ, and our homeowners, as the users of those systems. Ultimately, the effective conservation of water depends on lifestyle choices that optimize the products and systems we install

3 PILLAR HOMES FINALISTS AT CENTRAL OHIO BUILDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION 4th ANNUAL AWARDS

Honoring outstanding achievement from Central Ohio Building Industry of 2007

Powell, OH – Oct. 30 2008 – At the 4th Annual Awards Ceremony, Central Ohio Building Industry Association recognizes 3 Pillar Homes finalist, as Next Generation Builder of the Year and their construction superintendent, Brent Cantrell, finalist as Production Manager for 2007

3 Pillar Homes was honored by finalist recognition for their continued success in custom homebuilding as well as their diversification efforts into commercial developments.

Cantrell was recognized for his outstanding customer service and commitment to quality construction delivered in a timely manner.
Established in 2005, The Building Industry Awards honor builders, developers, developments, subcontractors, suppliers and superintendents for outstanding and extraordinary service in the residential construction industry. A distinguished group of BIA Past Presidents served as judges.

Green Building: Fighting Moisture

No one wants to think about house mold or, its underlying cause, moisture. As professional builders, however, we are conscious of the dangers created by moisture infiltration and we are in a position to prevent it. That makes it our responsibility to lead the discussion.
Prevention of moisture infiltration -- and the mold that can follow it -- is a critical objective of what is usually called "green building." Both construction practices and products used in green building are designed to keep moisture in its proper place and to prevent mold spores from settling where they can grow. Such a high-performance home will achieve optimum effectiveness and durability of everything from the home's structural frame and insulation, to its heating and cooling system, and even most finishes.

The key to managing moisture is to have the mindset that it will get in, in spite of all efforts to the contrary. Even when the best products are used and perfectly installed, we must assume that moisture will penetrate the home's exterior through the siding, roof, windows, and doors. To think otherwise -- that a home could be built to block moisture forever -- is an illusion that can only end badly for the builder and homeowner. With this mindset, all parties are prepared for the ongoing battle against this insidious enemy.

This healthy respect for the nature of water and the dynamics of moisture transmission allows us to find and apply appropriate solutions to direct, vent, and otherwise shed moisture.

We use an air-moisture barrier (also called a housewrap) behind the exterior siding or stucco blocks which shed wind-driven rain while venting (or drying out) any moisture that somehow gets past it.

Proper flashing (or sealing) around openings before the windows and doors are installed is essential. This strategy will not be effective unless those units are placed tight and square in their openings.

The roof must be "dried in" with building paper under the shingles to shed and direct the flow of water.

Other common practices include a well-designed and reliable system of gutters and downspouts. Attic insulation is used to keep the temperature of those spaces moderate, countering high levels of humidity. Roofs are designed to prevent standing water or ice dams and waterproofing membranes are installed in basements that both seal and insulate below-grade spaces.

And don't forget, moisture can also be generated inside a home. Cooking, bathing, and laundry can produce a significant amount of moisture vapor (or steam) that will affect finishes and indoor air quality if not properly vented. We specify and install the most efficient kitchen, bath, and laundry ventilation systems to effectively remove moisture from inside the home.

In spite of media hype, the vast majority of new homes built today never experience significant moisture intrusion or dangerous mold growth. That being said, we take the issue very seriously to ensure that our homes meet the highest -- and driest! -- possible standards of performance for durability and for our owners' health and comfort.

Navigating Red Tape

Most people will never venture to the local building department; much less submit themselves (and their blueprints) to the bureaucratic process of obtaining a building permit, scheduling periodic inspections, and complying with building codes and other regulatory red tape for construction.

That, of course, is a builder or contractor's job ... and one that construction professionals take pride in making efficient and hassle-free for their clients. To be sure, working through the red tape takes experience, savvy, and patience. Those who know the drill are able to navigate the approvals and inspection process with confidence.

Consider the potential mine field of regulatory issues that most contractors must map out and manage to make sure their projects are in full compliance and achieve an acceptable level of health and safety for the occupants.

Plan Check. Before a set of blueprints or house plans can be used to build or remodel a house, the building department must review them to make sure the drawings comply with applicable building codes. The plan checker looks at structural design, weight loads, plumbing, heating, and electrical layouts and specifications, and other details in the plans. If everything is in order, the drawings are approved for construction.

Prior to plan check, however, an experienced and professional builder or contractor will review the drawings, as well, and make any adjustments to speed the plan check process. Before submitting the plans, he or she may contact subcontractors or building materials suppliers for their input, as well,. Such refinements and attention to detail help mitigate or avoid "red-lining," or a return of the plans unapproved and marked by the plan checker (in red pen) for necessary changes ... thus delaying the building process.

Permitting. A building permit -- a required document in most municipalities for almost any construction project -- is the document that a building inspector will review and refer to when he or she visits the building site as the project progresses toward completion. The building department will only issue a permit for an approved set of blueprints or plans, and the inspector will rely on the permit and plans on the job site to compare what's drawn (and approved) to what's actually being built. It is imperative, then, to submit a complete and comprehensive set of plans for approval and permitting ... and then follow those plans to the letter to avoid confusion, questions, and potentially costly compliance issues that can stop the job cold until they are resolved.

Inspections. Inspections at key points of a project's construction are necessary to make sure the approved plans are being built as drawn. Professional builders and remodelers have a talent for managing their own work crews, subcontractors and suppliers. They seek to keep the project on schedule. A tight schedule, in turn, reliably and accurately pinpoints those key milestones so that an inspector can be called with plenty of time to schedule his or her visit and, once on site, make a thorough review of the progress and approve it to continue.

Other red tape. Increasingly, builders are required to submit reports regarding the environmental impact, energy use, zoning or land-use variances, and other regulatory compliance issues. Professional contractors are familiar with what's current in this respect, and can shepherd clients and their projects through the red tape to make sure their dreams becomes reality.

Laying the Groundwork

The foundation of a house is its anchor to the earth. It provides the base and the initial dimensions for the structural frame and is a necessary preliminary for every phase that follows, including finishes. The foundation outlines the footprint of your new home. Although it may be invisible to you, you should know about the foundation as you prepare to take responsibility for the care and maintenance of your home.

There are three primary foundation systems for single-family homes in the U.S. These systems include a full-height basement (perhaps finished), a crawl space (the main floor structure is raised a few feet off the bare ground), and a flat concrete slab at ground level.
Some homes may have a "hybrid" foundation that employs two or more of the three foundation types in order to achieve certain design or floor plan features, to accommodate mechanical equipment and their distribution conduits, or to adapt to varying geologic or hydrologic conditions.

In spite of their differences (described in more detail below), all foundation types have two major features in common. First, a foundation of any kind requires a footing to properly anchor it -- and the home above -- to the ground. Footings are usually shafts filled with concrete at each corner of the foundation's footprint, poured to a depth determined by the local building code.
Second, all foundations are reinforced to boost their strength and durability. This is usually done with steel rods called reinforcement bar, or "rebar" for short. Like footings, the number, size, and placement of rebar in a foundation system is prescribed by code.

Basement Foundations. A basement foundation is selected when there is a very deep water table below the house, when the home site is on a sloping lot or when the owners want the option of additional living space below the main living area. Typically built with reinforced poured concrete or stacked concrete blocks, basements are usually full-height to allow everyday use, even if just for storage or the placement of mechanical equipment. If the house is built on a hill, the exposed side or sides of the basement may allow for windows and perhaps a door (called a "walk-out" basement), providing natural light and access to the below-grade part of the basement.
Crawl Space Foundations. A crawl space sounds just like what it is: a foundation in which the walls that form the perimeter of the house are about 3 feet high, spanned across by the structural floor framing materials. The result is an unfinished (though usually insulated) area under the house populated by duct runs from the heating and cooling equipment, plumbing pipes, electrical wires or conduits, and other system components serving the living spaces above. Also called a "raised floor" system, a crawl space allows convenient (if tight) access to those systems and the structural floor members for periodic maintenance, repair, inspection, or upgrades.

Slab Foundations. Literally, this is a thick slab of reinforced poured concrete with deeper footings embedded at the corners. The slab creates a stable platform for the home's structural frame. Set directly on or slightly into the ground ("on grade"), a slab foundation is typically selected in flat dry areas where digging into the ground is not possible or financially feasible. The monolithic platform created by this type of foundation is ideal for tile floors and carpet. The slab also provides an effective thermal mass, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night to maintain a comfortable -- and inexpensive -- indoor climate, another reason for its popularity in desert areas.

There are several less common foundation systems, as well; including insulated concrete forms and permanent wood foundations. However, basement, crawl space, and slab foundations are the prevailing types. Knowing what's under your house can be a valuable piece of knowledge down the road as you live in and with your new home.

Welcome Christine!

3 Pillar Homes would like to welcome our newest member to the team, Christine Lamp. Christine is the new Marketing and Sales Assistant. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Marketing Communications. She has had prior experience in the homebuilding industry and is very excited to become part of 3 Pillar Homes.

Cooking up the Latest Kitchen Trends

Kitchens have always been the center of a house. It's where everyone congregates at a party, regardless of the host's intentions. It's where the mail, the keys and the family news are dropped on the way in. The kitchen is so important to most people that it is the feature most likely to make or break the purchase of a home.

Not surprisingly, the kitchen is a lightening rod for design and lifestyle trends. In addition to such products as cabinets, appliances, and plumbing fixtures (to name only a few), the layout, function, and look of the kitchen continually evolves to meet modern needs. Here are a few current trends to consider:

Outdoor kitchens. Once you experience a true outdoor kitchen with a full range of function, you'll never go back to a rollout charcoal grill again. Outdoor kitchens have become a legitimate industry. Manufacturers offer improved products that better withstand the weather (such as polymer-based cabinet fronts) and refreshment centers that more aptly accommodate outdoor needs, such as snacks and beverages.

New fronts. Raised-panel cabinet fronts are a mainstay in kitchens, but the natural wood look is waning a bit in favor of paint finishes in deep reds and lighter greens. Designers mix and match painted and natural-wood finishes to add distinctive style and to identify subtle differences in function. For appliances, popular stainless steel finishes have evolved into brushed metallic and graphite-like looks to broaden the options and upgrade style.

Secondary kitchens. Also called butler's pantries or prep kitchens, these smaller spaces allow caterers and party-throwers to keep the mess out of the main kitchen (where, as we said, everyone gathers) while also creating a convenient access to food and refreshments from the dining room. Smaller-scale appliances, including warming drawers, built-in coffee makers, and wine chillers, not to mention specialty storage options, suit the function of these spaces. Morning kitchens, located in or adjacent to the master suite, are also gaining popularity.

Specialization. Once upon a time, there was only one sink in the kitchen. Now, there can be a handful, serving specific functions and equipped with varying styles of faucets. Long trough sinks, those with built-in cooking elements, multi-basin designs with integral cutting boards, small bar basins, and deep, single-basin sinks for large pots and pans dot every corner of the kitchen.

Zoned approach. The advent of secondary spaces has affected the main kitchen. Smaller-capacity appliances and other products have fostered "snack zones" for busy families. Equipped with a microwave oven, dedicated storage for non-perishables, and various undercounter drawers for refrigerated foods, dishwashing, and warming chores, these zones accommodate a wider (and hopefully healthier) mix of quick meals in a self-contained area.

Center of the universe. The open kitchen plan that includes kitchen, casual eating area and family room is now firmly established. The newest expansion of kitchen function is the kitchen island that extends farther into the living space, serving as an area for homework and crafts, dining and catering, and all-round hangout. Equipped with flush-mounted or concealed under counter electrical outlets, overhead lighting, and ample storage, today's island is considered by many as a home's true center.

Let the Sunshine In

While gas prices have jumped over the $4 level and consumers have become aware of "green building" advantages, solar energy for residential use has emerged from the shadows.
Professional builders interested in meeting the concerns of energy-conscious homebuyers are taking a new look at solar energy systems, primarily photovoltaic or PV systems. PV panels, usually mounted on rooftops, convert the sun's energy directly to usable electricity. PV systems can reduce an owner's dependence on power from the local utility while supporting conservation and environmental issues.

PV systems have come a long ways since they first became known in the energy-conscious 70s. For example, although solar generation is more efficient in some areas of the country than others, a smart builder and solar expert can design and install an effective system anywhere to reap the benefits of the sun's infinite energy. Geography is not a limitation.

The quality of PV panels has also greatly improved over the last four decades. So-called built-in panels blend with a variety of roof finishes, including shingles and concrete tiles, replacing big, unsightly metal frames. PV panels are now far more efficient, so that smaller panels generate more power. Better aesthetics combined with better function result in systems more acceptable to builders, design professionals and homeowners.

Even with improved efficiency, however, the goal of PV design has shifted from entirely replacing the local utility to partially replacing its power supply to the home. Most residential PV systems installed in the last few years deliver 60-80% of the home's electrical requirements. The change in design objective lowers the initial cost of the system while delivering a reasonable return on that investment by reducing the homeowner's monthly power bill.
In fact, supplemental PV systems often generate more electricity during the height of a summer day than the typical house uses. This is especially true of homes built to high-performance standards. As a result, and because the house is still tied to the power grid, the excess electricity is metered and sent back to the utility where it is credited to the homeowner. (See Sidebar '101') When the owner again needs to draw from the power grid, his accumulated credits are used before he is charged for "new" electricity.

It is important to note that PV power generation -- and its sister technology, solar thermal heating for domestic water -- is not a green solution for an old or inefficient building. A PV or solar thermal system reaches its full potential only when the house is designed and built to a high-performance standard. Such features as a thermally tight building shell, above-average levels of insulation, energy-efficient appliances and heating/cooling equipment, and controlled ventilation all work in concert with solar energy systems to efficiently lower the home's energy demand.

Improved technology has brought solar power systems into renewed favor with homeowners and builders. In combination with high performance or green-building practices, supplemental PV and solar thermal systems can be an effective hedge against rising home energy costs.

The Rhythm of Home Building

The construction of a new home has a particular rhythm, fluctuating from dynamic progress in the early stages, to a natural and expected ebb of activity as the house nears completion. Our clients find it useful to understand this tempo. They know what to expect and they can appreciate their new home as it takes shape.

Initially, the building process shows almost daily progress. As we build the foundation and structural frame, the general, three-dimensional shape of the house quickly takes form. The house becomes real and tangible; room sizes and locations on the floor plans become obvious within a few weeks.

The beginning phases of construction happen faster than the finishing stages later in the process. At the outset, large-dimension components, such as the wall studs and roof rafters are assembled into three-dimensional forms. At this stage, several workers often build those and other structural elements at the same time on different sections of the house. The job site is a hive of activity, and there is obvious progress.
Likewise, the windows and doors, roofing, and siding materials install nearly as quickly as the home's foundation and structural frame, resulting in a nearly finished exterior shell. Meanwhile, the electrician, plumber, and heating contractors work inside to install their respective behind-the-wall systems before the framed walls are filled with insulation or covered over with drywall and other substrates.

It is a very encouraging time for everyone involved.

As work continues, however, the pace begins to slow considerably as the focus shifts from the so-called "rough" or early stages of construction to the finishes. Dynamic progress gives way to very subtle, yet equally critical, improvements and finishing touches toward the home's completion.
While the placement of insulation and drywall occurs somewhat quickly, and produces the dramatic effect of having the walls and ceilings nearly finished, the process of taping and texturing these surfaces to make them ready for paint, wallpaper, or other textures is necessarily slow. A drywall contractor may require a week or more to properly prepare an entire house. In addition, few other contractors can complete their work during this phase of the finishing process.

Typically, from this point to a home's completion, the various trade contractors that once worked side-by-side must now operate in sequence. Carpenters, for instance, install the cabinets and countertops before the appliances and plumbing fixtures can be connected and finished.
Meanwhile, the painting contractor waits for the trim carpenters to finish before he can cover their work. And imagine how many faceplates, switch plates, light fixtures, and other finishes need to be fastened in place to complete the electrical system, not to mention carpeting and other floor finishes, tile work, and plumbing fixtures.

The laborious rate at which this stage of construction occurs can test the patience of any homebuyer. To help ease any anxiety or mystery, we often schedule opportunities to walk through a new home with our buyers, pointing out the understated progress going on in the latter stages of construction to assure them that their home is nearing occupancy.
Understanding the rhythm of homebuilding, from dynamic beginnings to the precision of its completion, helps our clients establish reasonable expectations and appreciate the realities of the construction process.

Green Building: Lighting

Lighting is one of the easiest, least expensive and most effective ways to reduce a home's energy consumption and utility costs.

The quickest way to realize energy and cost savings may seem too good to be true. All it requires is replacing old fashioned incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights or CFLs. Bulbs that qualify under the federal Energy Star program (go to www.energystar.gov) use 67 percent less energy. These upgraded bulbs also generate 70 percent less heat than incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.

In addition to identifying the best compact fluorescent lights, Energy Star also qualifies complete CFL-compatible fixtures, from floor lamps to sconces to porch lights, in just about every style and price range. The federal program also offers an Advanced Lighting Package to help builders and home buyers find and specify qualified fixtures.

Lighting design is critical to efficient lighting use. Good schemes combine general lighting (usually overhead) with task-specific, security, and decorative lighting. Such specialized lighting design is appropriate both inside and outside a home to enhance safety and to emphasize the architectural lines of a home or a room, while simultaneously increasing energy efficiency. Of course, any good lighting design maximizes the use of daylight to supplement artificial light, thereby reducing both energy consumption and glare.

Besides the fixtures and bulbs themselves, control of a home's lighting is an essential part of a systematic approach to energy efficiency and green building. The efficiencies of high-performance lighting -- especially when combined with window and glass door shading systems that regulate valuable daylight -- can only be realized under a concerted control scheme.
A new generation of lighting control mechanisms combines style, convenience, and technology. Today's lighting controls are far more than simple on/off switches. Instead, they offer multi-tasking capabilities and multiple modes (or scenes) so that lights are used only when and where needed. Furthermore, instead of a central "processor" for all the lights in a home, the latest systems feature electronic (and ergonomic) touch pads and wall-mounted controls throughout the home that can be reprogrammed, replaced, and maintained at each location without affecting or shutting down the entire system. At the same time, each touch pad can integrate with others for optimum control.

For even greater convenience, lighting systems can include handheld devices for remote operation. Key fobs and other handy gadgets allow a homeowner to trigger a particular lighting scheme inside the home when the garage door is opened from the car. Another function might create a lighted path to safety if a fire alarm is engaged.
By switching to energy-efficient bulbs and light fixtures, a homeowner can realize immediate cost savings while conserving energy. High-tech home lighting systems can get the most from more elaborate and area-specific lighting designs that incorporate several energy-conscious products, such as window glass shading systems, as well as energy efficient fixtures. With both wall-mounted and wireless handheld devices, all elements of the lighting design can be smoothly integrated, including that most old-fashioned and efficient light source, the sun.

Managing Change

When we're on the job site, we want to make the most progress possible on our clients' new home. Building is a dynamic and exciting process; one that we try to make trouble free and easy to understand. Once we get going, things can happen quickly, so we work with our clients to make decisions well ahead of time to help ensure they get the home of their dreams.
Before the first scoop of dirt is moved, we collaborate with our home owners to make most of the big decisions, but that is rarely the end of the process. Once we're underway, owners often think of a few things they'd like to change. Such changes may range from making the house larger to a change in bathroom cabinets, a different floor pattern or material in the kitchen, or just adding an extra light switch or two.

We document such requests, called "change orders," to make sure that we and the homeowners have a clear understanding of the scope and cost of the change. Although our goal is to make sure our clients are satisfied with their new home (with no unpleasant surprises when it's time to pay the bill), it's also important for the homeowner to understand how change orders affect the building process. When owner and builder communicate well, the impact of change orders on construction schedule and budget can be minimized.

A change order made after construction begins always has a cost attached. The cost may be the time (and labor) it takes to make the change or it may be the price of additional materials or products required -- and usually both.

The timing of a change order has a big impact on such costs. Typically, the later in the building process, the more expensive the change order. Some changes, of course, are simply impossible or truly cost prohibitive, such as altering the foundation or adding a basement once we've started building a home's structural frame.

We respect our clients' desires to get exactly the house they want. We know that some finishes (or even floor plans) may be hard to visualize until they're actually installed or built. Changes will happen! For that reason, we've become more sophisticated and systematic about managing change orders. Our process not only ensures good communication and provides assurances between everyone involved, but also helps us maintain the building schedule and minimize additional costs.

The change order process: The most effective change order processes follow a general pattern that creates a paper trail and provides reliable cost information up front, including:

Centralization. Your change order requests are often managed by one person to help ensure effective communication between everyone involved. This includes specialty trade contractors, suppliers, our job site managers, and, of course, our customer. We discourage owners from making special requests directly to a trade contractor, as this is a quick route to misunderstandings and disrupted schedules.

Documentation. Customer requests are transferred to an electronic or paper-based change order form that initiates a paper trail and helps ensure greater accuracy and communication.
Terms. We anticipate many of the changes our homebuyers make. We have a good idea of the cost and time most changes require. As a result, we can often communicate the terms quickly so that owners can make an informed decision in plenty of time to make the change or decide against it.

Confirmation. It's important to everyone involved that no change occurs without a client signature. Clients must approve the cost and terms, as well as the style, finish, or other details about the change. In addition, clients must be aware of how the change may affect their move-in date or other aspects of the construction schedule.

Inspection. We may request a client to visit the new home's job site when the alteration is being made so they can see it happen, ask any questions and insure satisfaction.
Payment. Costs for change orders may be billed separately, usually as soon as the change has been made and completed to a client's satisfaction. Sometimes we ask for a percentage of the cost or full payment up front before making the alteration, depending on the type of request.
By using a dedicated, document-based change order system, our clients are assured that any changes they consider -- whether minor or extreme -- are taken care of in a timely fashion without confusion, miscommunication or unnecessary costs.

Business First Top 25 Custom Homebuilders List

We are proud to announce that 3 Pillar Homes has been named to the Top 25 Custom Homebuilders of Central Ohio by Business First.

"We are grateful to be part of such an elite group. Our hard work pays off! Special thanks to our 3 Pillar Team and the clients that have trusted us with their new homes!"

-Zenios Michael Zenios, President & CEO, 3 Pillar Homes

THE GRASS IS GREENER HERE

as posted on the www.ColumbusHousingFacts.com website...

The BIA of Central Ohio is partnering with the Columbus Board of REALTORS and the Columbus Housing Partnership on the “Grass is Greener Here” Campaign.

Affordable. Stable. Available. All real estate is local. Despite negative news stories about the national real estate market, central Ohio's housing market remains healthy and stable. Experts applaud our housing affordability and emphasize that this is a great time to buy! Mortgage rates are at historic lows, there are plenty of homes of every style and price range on the market, and plenty of free resources are available to help educate those who want advice on homeownership.

We're proud to say that The Grass is Greener Here!

For more information visit www.ColumbusHousingFacts.com

Greater Powell Area Chamber of Commerce

President of 3 Pillar Homes, Zenios Michael Zenios, is proud to announce that the Greater Powell Area Chamber of Commerce has selected us as their annual recipient of the Old Village Award. The awards presentation was this past Thursday May 8th at the National City Bank in Powell, Ohio.

BIA of Central Ohio MAME Awards

The Sales and Marketing Council of the Columbus Divisions of the Building Industry Association (BIA) announced the winners of the 21st Annual Marketing and Merchandising Excellence Awards on May 9th, 2008 at the Bridgewater Conference Center in Powell, Ohio. 3 Pillar Homes is excited to announce that they received two MAME Awards.

*Best Logo by a Builder
*Best Newsletter by a Builder

The MAME Awards were created to honor the top achievers in the new home industry. The awards recognize sales and marketing achievements among Realtors, Interior Designers, Architects, Landscapers, Suppliers, Remodelers, Builders and More!

Finishing Touches

Regardless of a home's size or style, all construction follows a consistent pattern and pace. Excavation and foundation work will be followed by the framing phase, which will be followed by rough mechanical, electrical and plumbing work. As soon as those stages are complete, insulation will be installed. These steps follow each other quickly and are easy to see. The progress is exciting!

But when our crews and subcontractors begin to focus on the interior finishes of your new home, the pace seems to slow down and daily progress is more difficult to follow. To the homeowner, it might seem that we are losing focus or paying less attention to the project. In fact, the opposite is true. The apparent pace of work has slowed because finishing work is much more detailed than the previous stages. We must be more focused and pay more attention to the finishing details.
For example, cutting, building, and fastening the pieces of a complex crown molding profile along the ceiling-wall joint of an upscale kitchen requires several hours of painstaking work by a skilled finish carpenter. Likewise, finishing newly built walls to a smooth, uniform surface is a process that takes multiple cycles of application, drying, sanding, and cleaning to accomplish properly.
There also are more products to install. The number of cabinets, faucets, light fixtures, door handles, and outlet and switch covers in a modern new house continues to increase as homes become larger and more luxurious. To get some sense of that task, count the number of outlets and switch covers in your kitchen and family room alone (or in the whole house, if you're more ambitious), each of which must be installed by hand before you can move in.

Finally, finish work signals the last stage of the building process. Both we and our homeowners are anxious to finish the job after several weeks of anticipation and hard work, not counting the time spent planning before construction began. It is hard for homeowners to remain patient when the work appears to be moving slowly.

By the very nature of its exacting, hand-applied work, the finishing phase of homebuilding is necessarily slow. That does not mean that the work is being neglected! During this final part of your home construction, remember that we remain focused on the highest quality installation and application of your home's interior finishes.

Warm regards,
Zenios Michael Zenios
3 Pillar Homes

Green Buliding: Windows, Doors and Skylights

Energy efficiency plays a central role in building any new home. Building a "green" home, however, requires energy efficiency and much more. "Green building" means taking a comprehensive approach to energy and resource efficiencies from design through construction and operation of the house. Certain components of a home's construction contribute greatly to the success of such an approach.

Windows, doors, and skylights, in particular, have a critical impact on a home's ability to conserve energy, reduce moisture intrusion, and keep utility costs low. Like the vent pipes in a roof, they are penetrations in the home's structural envelope, only much larger and more widely distributed.

The average new house, in fact, has more than 20 windows and doors, each a potential avenue for outside air and water. In the past, windows and doors were not much better than open holes in the wall. They were designed to bring useable daylight into the home, provide views to the outside, and allow passive (or non-mechanical) ventilation in warm and humid climates. In order to keep their homes reasonably comfortable in cold seasons, our ancestors kept windows and doors to a minimum.

Fortunately, today's windows and doors are designed to enhance a home's energy performance. Though still relied upon for passive ventilation and views, windows and glass doors are now insulated in both their frame and glass design. High tech window construction and specially treated glass can reduce glare, unwanted solar heat gain and damaging ultraviolet radiation, which can fade rugs and upholstery. Windows and skylights can also be designed to increase passive (free!) solar heating, reducing the amount of costly energy needed by the furnace.
Energy-conscious home owners can now choose among a variety of options in order to precisely match windows and doors to the seasonal climate conditions of their home's location. To optimize the overall thermal performance of the house, windows and doors can also be selected according to which side of the house they will be installed. For example, south and west-facing windows can let in more solar energy than north and east-facing windows.

In addition to enhanced glazing options, new wood-based window and door frame materials are engineered to resist warping, thus minimizing the small gaps between the window or door and the wall that may develop over time. In better quality vinyl window and glass door frames, the hollow cavities are increasingly insulated to boost their effectiveness.

As professional builders concerned about the performance of your new home, we take care to select the best windows and doors for your new home. We also take care to find knowledgeable suppliers and trained subcontractors to ensure not only high quality products but also proper installation that will maintain the design performance values of the window and door products used.

Windows, doors, and skylights play an important role in any home's appearance and overall performance. In a green-built home, they are critical elements in a range of integrated design and construction approaches that help reduce a home's energy use and operating costs while increasing indoor comfort and air quality.

Top 25 Home Builders of Central Ohio-2008

We are proud to announce that 3 Pillar Homes has been named to the Top 25 Homebuilders of Central Ohio, by Business First, for the 4th year in a row!

"We are proud of our company and staff to be able to maintain our high rankings within Central Ohio. Special thanks to my staff and our referral base that made this possible and worthy."

~Zenios Michael Zenios

Zenios Michael Zenios named BIA Builder Vice President

The Board of Trustees of the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio is the governing body of the Association and directs its affairs in a customary manner in accordance with the bylaws.
The Board consists of a total of 17 members, with a combination of Builder and Associate members, as well as the Executive Director of the Association. The President, Senior Vice President, Builder Vice President and Immediate Past President of the Board must all be Builder members. The Associate Vice President is an Associate member. The Secretary and Treasurer of the Board can be either Builder or Associate members. Each office has a one-year term.
The Board is comprised of a unique group of individuals from diverse backgrounds, and each person brings their own expertise and talent to the table. The Board members are all volunteers, and they invest a great deal of time and energy into the betterment of BIA members' working and personal environments.

It is through their generosity that the BIA continues to become a more pivotal Association in the city and the state. Their time, effort and dedication to the Association are greatly appreciated.

Thank you to each and every Board member.

Builder Vice President Zenios Michael Zenios3 Pillar Homes

50 S. Liberty St, Powell, OH 43065

3 Pillar Homes is proud to announce that our first commercial project, located at 50 S. Liberty Street in Powell Ohio is now open for business. We are pleased to introduce to the City of Powell, our first residents. The 40,000 square foot building boasts the Liberty Tavern, which is open for lunch & dinner service. The Beehive Bread Company is also located in the building and serves a variety of freshly baked bread, muffins and cookies daily. A national chain, Rita’s Ice will also be joining the existing retailers in the new space. We are looking forward to the arrival of Tangled Tale, which will offer a selection of books and yarn.

The building at 50 S. Liberty Street is a multi-use space. It is the new home to Artina Promotional Products. They have taken 10,000 square feet on the second floor to serve as their showroom and office space.

We look forward to welcoming many more businesses to the space at 50 S. Liberty and downtown Powell.

3 Pillar would like to extend a special thank you to everyone that helped us make this dream a reality.

The Key to Success...Communicate!

If there's one thing you can do to help ensure a successful and satisfying homebuilding experience, it is to maintain regular and productive communication with your builder and his staff. Effective communication is key to reducing concerns and stress during the building process. Keep the lines of communication open at all times.

As you engage in the home buying process, gain a sense of how comfortable you are with each builder's communication style during the sales process. These early communications often reflect how your builder will communicate to you during construction and after closing. In addition to imparting the sales message, builders who are effective communicators will encourage your input and provide satisfactory answers to questions you pose. Effective follow-up efforts that provide real information also help to establish a solid foundation for communication through the process.

As you reach a purchasing decision, make sure you are comfortable with how you and your builder will discuss the project and its progress. Many builders encourage periodic walk-throughs of the house at critical stages, such as during structural framing, electrical and plumbing rough-in, and once the interior walls have been drywalled. Find out about opportunities to conduct informal meetings or use other communication efforts (such as phone calls or e-mails), and ask how quickly you can expect a response from your builder when you have a concern.

You should also expect and talk through a detailed scope of work with your builder, which outlines the construction process along a timeline or schedule. Use the scope of work as a guide that elicits questions about the construction of your new home to gain a better understanding of the process. The scope and schedule will also establish deadlines for key decisions you must make on time, such as selecting paint colors, lighting and plumbing fixtures and flooring materials.

An essential part of the owner-builder communication process is the "change order," which is the procedure established by a builder for making changes after construction begins. Few projects are completed without some changes. You should be familiar with this process before the first dirt is moved. You should learn, too, the details of your builder's warranty and service program.
Savvy and successful builders have a plan in place for communicating effectively with their homebuyers throughout the sales, construction, and warranty service process. Respect that process, while taking appropriate opportunities to express your needs and suggest slight changes within it to better suit your situation, preferences, and comfort level. Once you've settled on a communication plan, stick with it! It is a key to a 'safe and sane' building process and providing you the home of your dreams.

Warm regards,Zenios Michael Zenios
3 Pillar Homes

Homeowner Leadership Training

Homebuilding has changed significantly over the last hundred years, especially since the 1950s, when the housing industry boomed following World War II. In many respects, construction has evolved from a trade or craft to a systematized process, and building a home, in a classic, hands-on sense, is far from standard practice these days.

Modern homebuilding is much more sophisticated. Today, builders manage construction materials and methods, coordinate trade partners and suppliers, and deal with a variety of building codes and other regulations. The sophistication of these processes naturally distance homeowners from the actual building process, and can cause uncertainty as to their role.
In fact, a homeowner's role during construction is more important than ever, if vastly different than it was a century ago. The homeowner is still, ultimately, a leader in the process. By gaining a solid understanding of the building process homeowners can provide an example of professionalism to the rest of the team.

Consider the following "leadership training" tips that help define a homeowners role on a project:
Education is key. Even though you won't be building the house or acting as the general contractor or builder, get educated about the home building process and gain an understanding and respect for the pace, phases, and materials that go into a home's construction. (That is one of our purposes in offering this newsletter.) This knowledge helps you communicate with your builder, and will give you confidence as your home moves through progressive stages of completion.

Meet deadlines. Builders set deadlines for certain decisions so that materials and labor will arrive on the job site at a certain point during construction, enabling steady progress and on-time completion. As the homeowner, take responsibility to negotiate reasonable deadlines for decisions you'll have to make, such as the selection of cabinets or flooring, and stick to them. In addition to helping maintain the construction schedule (which ultimately impacts your move-in plans), it sets a good example for your builder and his suppliers and subcontractors to follow suit and return the gesture.

Respect the change order process. Make sure that your contract includes a formal and dedicated process for managing change orders, which generally are decisions made (or changed) after an agreed upon deadline. Change orders always cost money and often impact the schedule. It may take time to remove one product, wait for the delivery of its replacement, and to install it. As professional builders, we do our best to accommodate customer changes. For their part, homeowners must respect the impact a change order has on costs and the construction schedule and take responsibility for requesting and accepting the trade-offs of a change.

Communicate. Communication is critical, so avoid keeping a concern, issue, or idea to yourself. Come into the process with an open mind and don't be shy about asking questions. If possible, keep a list and present your questions during a scheduled meeting or on-site conversation with your builder, but don't shy away from an occasional ad-hoc phone call (during business hours) if you need an answer more quickly.

As a professional builder, we are proud of our business operations and systems. We partner with each of our clients. We understand and respect the relationship we have with our home owners. Our savvy customers meet us part of the way, by educating themselves, sticking to deadlines, and asking quality questions.

Warm regards,

Zenios Michael Zenios