We've compared a home's framing to its skeleton, wiring to its nerves and insulation to its muscle. Now it's time to talk about exterior finishes -- a home's "skin", with a little make-up applied, as well.
We're very fortunate to be designing and building homes in a time that offers a vast array of exterior finishes, including siding (or cladding), roofing, trim, and hardscapes. The choices available in each category enable us and our homebuyers to create unique combinations that distinguish our homes and add to the value of the neighborhood.
With a wider selection of materials also comes a higher level of performance. Today's exterior finishes and systems are tougher and more weather-resistant. These products combine good looks with durability. Because their improved quality is better able to retain paints and stains and to resist warping, cracking, and delamination, maintenance chores and repair costs are reduced for our homeowners.
Greater selection and durability has fostered a trend toward a varied mix of materials on a finished house. It's increasingly common to see a home that tastefully combines stone, clapboard (or lap) siding, and stucco, for instance, to deliver visual interest and achieve a more comfortable scale.
Modern manufacturers, in fact, typically offer various colors, textures, and forms within the same general category of products. For example, a manufacturer of roofing may offer a harmonious array of asphalt or clay tile roofing so that roofs along the same street retain a sense of cohesiveness without being exactly the same. Manufacturers of different products, such as roofing and siding, may even partner to promote compatible combinations across product types.
From a practical point of view, the range of available choices allows our homebuyers to select exterior finish combinations that express their desired style while simultaneously complying with the codes, covenants, and regulations (CC&Rs) of the community. The result is a return to the varied streetscapes of older, historic neighborhoods that are held in such high regard. One color, one style neighborhoods are a thing of the past.
Of course, we are also mindful of retaining the regional materials and architectural styles of our homes. Proper proportion and scale are essential to ensure lasting value and timeless curb appeal. If a certain material does not suit the style of the home -- picture stucco instead of shingle siding on a Cape Cod home -- using it only detracts from the overall appeal and value of the house.
Being able to select from a palette of exterior finish materials is a great advantage to the new home owner. The exterior finish is a home's first impression, its greeting to neighbors and visitors, and an indicator of the owner's taste and style. Thankfully, we and our homebuyers have many choices that enable us to put a unique and beautiful "skin" on every home.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
What Can Your Builder Control?
Homebuilding is a highly specialized and complex process. And like builders themselves, no two clients are exactly the same. Some homeowners are very interested in the homebuilding process, while others are more content to follow the lead of the builder and be available only when needed. Most clients fall somewhere in between. Regardless of their approach or comfort level with new home construction, clients play a vital role in its success.
The ideal homeowner leads by example; making appropriate and timely decisions to help ensure the home is completed on schedule. In addition, pro-active homeowners become educated about the home building process so that they understand and respect its nuances.
A critical part of that education is knowing what is and is not in a builder's control and having realistic expectations for how issues will be managed, questions answered, and problems solved.
One of the most obvious issues is the weather. Rain, freezing temperatures, and other severe climate conditions are out of any earthly being's control. When the weather results in delays in the delivery of materials or their installation, however, it can have a ripple effect on the entire construction schedule. While professional builders cannot control the weather, they can prepare for it by communicating regularly with subcontractors and materials suppliers to gauge their availability once the weather clears and keeping homeowners informed about changes to the schedule.
Likewise, outside circumstances -- such as a natural disaster in another part of the country, or even global trade trends -- may cause the cost and availability of construction materials and labor to become volatile or unreliable. With proper controls in place, however, a professional builder should be able to mitigate or adjust for delays and cost overruns by providing adequate lead time for materials delivery and making sure each trade partner finishes his phase of the work before the next one begins.
To avoid other common delays, smart and successful builders are aware of how long it takes to get approval from the local building department to begin construction and the amount of time an inspector needs to schedule a job site visit to check over the progress to date.
But even under the best of circumstances, barring any problems caused by weather or other outside forces, there's always a risk in relying on other people to help complete any job, whether it's the construction of a house, providing input on a financial report, or creating an advertising campaign. Increasingly, the housing industry exemplifies this shared responsibility among a complex network of players, as builders rely on subcontractors and materials suppliers to deliver pieces of the puzzle on time, within budget, and according to specifications and standards.
In fact, a builder's role is often akin to a manager as much as it is a craftsman. Builders must manage complex scheduling and supervision of various trade partners. It's a job that requires no less skill than building a wall or installing a heating system.
As a homeowner, consider what you can reasonably expect your builder to control. Communicate with your builder to be sure he knows and agrees with those expectations. This will help ensure a coordinated effort toward achieving overall success and satisfaction with the finished home.
The ideal homeowner leads by example; making appropriate and timely decisions to help ensure the home is completed on schedule. In addition, pro-active homeowners become educated about the home building process so that they understand and respect its nuances.
A critical part of that education is knowing what is and is not in a builder's control and having realistic expectations for how issues will be managed, questions answered, and problems solved.
One of the most obvious issues is the weather. Rain, freezing temperatures, and other severe climate conditions are out of any earthly being's control. When the weather results in delays in the delivery of materials or their installation, however, it can have a ripple effect on the entire construction schedule. While professional builders cannot control the weather, they can prepare for it by communicating regularly with subcontractors and materials suppliers to gauge their availability once the weather clears and keeping homeowners informed about changes to the schedule.
Likewise, outside circumstances -- such as a natural disaster in another part of the country, or even global trade trends -- may cause the cost and availability of construction materials and labor to become volatile or unreliable. With proper controls in place, however, a professional builder should be able to mitigate or adjust for delays and cost overruns by providing adequate lead time for materials delivery and making sure each trade partner finishes his phase of the work before the next one begins.
To avoid other common delays, smart and successful builders are aware of how long it takes to get approval from the local building department to begin construction and the amount of time an inspector needs to schedule a job site visit to check over the progress to date.
But even under the best of circumstances, barring any problems caused by weather or other outside forces, there's always a risk in relying on other people to help complete any job, whether it's the construction of a house, providing input on a financial report, or creating an advertising campaign. Increasingly, the housing industry exemplifies this shared responsibility among a complex network of players, as builders rely on subcontractors and materials suppliers to deliver pieces of the puzzle on time, within budget, and according to specifications and standards.
In fact, a builder's role is often akin to a manager as much as it is a craftsman. Builders must manage complex scheduling and supervision of various trade partners. It's a job that requires no less skill than building a wall or installing a heating system.
As a homeowner, consider what you can reasonably expect your builder to control. Communicate with your builder to be sure he knows and agrees with those expectations. This will help ensure a coordinated effort toward achieving overall success and satisfaction with the finished home.
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