I wanted to write this a couple of weeks ago. We searched many home builders
in the central Ohio area and ultimately chose 3 Pillar Homes. 3 Pillars had
more of what we were looking for than the others such as a proven track
record, options, communications and flexibility. We are very happy that we
chose 3 Pillar Homes to build our home. The entire process was very smooth
from you at the top to your office manager, Emily, to your supervisor,
Billy.
I especially wanted to let you know what a great supervisor you have in
Billy. This is our first experience building a home and we had a lot of
questions and concerns along the way as you can imagine. Billy kept us
informed throughout the process with his weekly updates as well as direct
emails and phone calls. He quickly responded to our "dumb" questions and our
good questions. My cousin, who has worked at all levels of the construction
business (including supervisor), went through the home regularly and was
constantly impressed with the cleanliness of the job site, the attention to
detail and the general workmanship of Billy's crew. All along this process
he has been professional, up front and easy to work with.
Again, we are very happy that we chose 3 Pillar Homes and will recommend you
to everyone we meet.
Thanks for everything,
Eric and Brooke Hartman
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
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 predictable 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 better appreciate the building process as their new home 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 become obvious within a few weeks.
The beginning phases of construction happen faster than the finishing stages. At the outset, large-dimension components, such as 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 anxiety and take any mystery out of the process, we often schedule 'walk throughs' with our buyers. This provides us the opportunity to point out the understated progress going on in the latter stages of construction and assure our clients that their home is nearing completion.
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
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 become obvious within a few weeks.
The beginning phases of construction happen faster than the finishing stages. At the outset, large-dimension components, such as 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 anxiety and take any mystery out of the process, we often schedule 'walk throughs' with our buyers. This provides us the opportunity to point out the understated progress going on in the latter stages of construction and assure our clients that their home is nearing completion.
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
Monday, April 4, 2011
A Home that Works When Working at Home
Today's home offices have changed residential design forever. They are now a mainstream feature in nearly every type, size, and price of new home. Professional, market-sensitive builders know that the majority of families need a separate space to conduct business from home. The successful integration of work and living environments is critical to meeting individual family needs.
While estimates vary, studies suggest that more than 4 million people work full time from home; many more part-time. When budget allows and the need arise, professional builders are making space in their floor plans to provide a work space that is both separate and private. Many builders provide more than one room in which owners can conduct business, and the floor plan placement, access, and other features of current home offices are increasingly sophisticated.
Compared to the adapted work spaces in dens, libraries and even garages just a few years ago, home offices are now specifically designed for office use. Builders often locate these rooms on the main floor, frequently just inside the front door. This allows privacy by separating the office from other public areas. In addition, the office might share a powder room or full bath (with its own door) and provide built-in bookshelves, extra storage and surfaces for files and office equipment. In model homes, home offices are marketed to make sure that potential homebuyers are aware that the builder offers a dedicated office space in addition to the bedrooms within the floor plan.
Luxury and custom homebuilders may provide a secondary office niche near or adjacent to the master bedroom or in the kitchen. These smaller office areas work well for home management tasks, such as paying the bills or maintaining the family schedule. Such space can also be carved into a long and wide hallway or included in a second-level loft between bedrooms, providing family access to a computer or homework area for school-age children. The floor plan may also provide a similar space near the kitchen or family room so that parents can supervise schoolwork, craft projects, or oversee Internet access.
In some cases, the home office is a separate building, outside the main footprint of the home's floor plan. A separate building allows at-home workers to come and go and greet clients or visitors without disturbing or being disturbed by household activities.
Regardless of the context and however accommodated in the floor plan, there's little doubt that home offices have changed basic housing design. They are now a common feature in nearly every type, size, and price of new home. This trend is sure to continue as work and home management evolve in response to advances in electronic and communication science. Market-savvy builders will be ready to meet the needs of each client family.
While estimates vary, studies suggest that more than 4 million people work full time from home; many more part-time. When budget allows and the need arise, professional builders are making space in their floor plans to provide a work space that is both separate and private. Many builders provide more than one room in which owners can conduct business, and the floor plan placement, access, and other features of current home offices are increasingly sophisticated.
Compared to the adapted work spaces in dens, libraries and even garages just a few years ago, home offices are now specifically designed for office use. Builders often locate these rooms on the main floor, frequently just inside the front door. This allows privacy by separating the office from other public areas. In addition, the office might share a powder room or full bath (with its own door) and provide built-in bookshelves, extra storage and surfaces for files and office equipment. In model homes, home offices are marketed to make sure that potential homebuyers are aware that the builder offers a dedicated office space in addition to the bedrooms within the floor plan.
Luxury and custom homebuilders may provide a secondary office niche near or adjacent to the master bedroom or in the kitchen. These smaller office areas work well for home management tasks, such as paying the bills or maintaining the family schedule. Such space can also be carved into a long and wide hallway or included in a second-level loft between bedrooms, providing family access to a computer or homework area for school-age children. The floor plan may also provide a similar space near the kitchen or family room so that parents can supervise schoolwork, craft projects, or oversee Internet access.
In some cases, the home office is a separate building, outside the main footprint of the home's floor plan. A separate building allows at-home workers to come and go and greet clients or visitors without disturbing or being disturbed by household activities.
Regardless of the context and however accommodated in the floor plan, there's little doubt that home offices have changed basic housing design. They are now a common feature in nearly every type, size, and price of new home. This trend is sure to continue as work and home management evolve in response to advances in electronic and communication science. Market-savvy builders will be ready to meet the needs of each client family.
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