Tag: Builders

How to Save Money When Building a Home

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Guzman Construction - New Homes

Can’t afford your dream lot?

If it is a large lot, consider buying it with a family member or a friend. After the purchase, you can split it into smaller lots. This way you will be able to acquire a great site for a good price.

Consider buying a narrow, infill or hillside property

These are problem lots that don’t fetch a good price. But if you have got the right house plan and an efficient contractor, you can build a great home even on a difficult lot.

Waterfront properties

If you are interested in a waterfront site, buy a bay or a canal lot. It is less expensive, but it still has access to water. Also, these properties provide better protection against hostile weather.

Choose low maintenance materials

Buy building materials that require less maintenance, for example, metal roofing and vinyl siding. They may be costlier as far as installation is concerned, but they require less maintenance and you don’t have to replace, repair, or repaint them.

Use salvaged materials collected from demolition sites

You will most probably be able to have these materials for free. Of course, you will have to haul them away.

Resist the temptation to build a house that is too large for the neighborhood

If your home is bigger and better than other homes in the neighborhood, it might make you feel proud, but when it is time to sell, the property won’t fetch a fair price. The assessment will most probably be influenced by the less expensive homes around it. That said, do not skimp on important structural components. Buy the best doors and windows you can afford.

Hire an experienced general contractor

Their experience is invaluable. What’s more seasoned contractors have trade relationships with subcontractors and suppliers.

Omit features that are not exactly necessary

Do you need a fireplace? Your home will run without it. So omit it if you can and you will be able to save hundreds of dollars on labor cost and materials

Do you really have to build a well-furnished game room in the basement? Game rooms are a great way to make use of the basement space, but they don’t have to be fully furnished.

In some climates, the porch isn’t useful all year round. In this case, you can omit it. In any case you can add the porch later.

Many houses have full basements, but they are not a necessity. If you need a full basement, it will require more digging and deeper foundations.

Build a two-story house

If you plan to build all the rooms on a single floor, the cost of construction will be higher. Two-story houses require less excavation, less foundation walls and less roof.

If you are keen on cutting costs, choose simple architecture. Rectangular houses cost much less than those with an irregular shape.

If you live in an area where winters are particularly cold, you cannot omit insulation. But it is not all that important in other areas. So, use the kind of insulation you can afford.

Planning to Build a House? Keep Feng Shui in Mind

Posted on February 4, 2020 by Guzman Construction - New Homes

The science of Feng Shui is testament to the interconnectedness of all organisms, which are in turn interlinked with the universe. The principles of Feng Shui can be used to enhance a living space to maximize its potential as well as to ward off all negative energy.

Be it your garden, your choice and placement of furniture, or even the materials used in your house, Feng Shui can be applied to every component that makes up your house. Everything contains and emanates energy. According to Feng Shui principles, the least productive area in your house is the living room – which in most houses takes the central position. This space is believed to receive the least amount of cosmic energy. Living room spaces are mostly associated with a space meant for relaxation and casual interaction.

If the living room space is synonymous with low energy, why have a separate bedroom space – you may ask. While low energy might be appropriate for times of rest, positioning of a bedroom and the furniture within can play a huge role in determining your quality of life. It is important to be able to sleep well in order to wake up refreshed and charged up for the tasks and challenges that the new day will bring. A wooden bed, and its appropriate positioning can make or break a good night’s rest, which will in turn affect your mood and functioning for the following day.

Feng Shui makes use of a number of aspects, including magnetic fields, axis of the plot, cardinal magnetic directions and planetary associations, among other factors. For example, doors placed on the cardinal directions are considered to be in a bad position, as are furniture and heavy items placed in the northeast sector of your house – an area associated with knowledge and learning.

Feng Shui places great importance on the location of the kitchen within a house as this is the space that provides the inhabitants of the house with energy – in the form of edible material – using a number of elements like fire, water, and metal, etc. The location of the kitchen also influences other spaces within the house. Experts advise that the main door of the house must not open into a kitchen. Feng Shui principles also govern that toilets are to be planned well away from the kitchen area. This principle is based on the belief that the energy that emanates from the toilet may not be beneficial for the energy that is associated with the food from your kitchen. As you can see, not only does keeping your washroom/toilet spaces away from your kitchen area promote hygiene, but this practice is Feng Shui approved as well.

Most Home Buyers Prefer New Homes – Let’s See Why

Posted on January 4, 2020 by Guzman Construction - New Homes

Let us take a look at some of the advantages that come with choosing a newly built house

In comparison to a previously owned house, a newly constructed house will translate to modern construction material, contemporary design, and new technology. New houses also come with a longer warranty period, leaving you to enjoy your new abode without the stress of maintenance and upkeep, for many years to come.

Lower Prices

Technology and advancements in construction have ensured lower prices for better quality material that lasts longer and requires minimal care. Unlike an older house, which will require constant upkeep and demand more attention with every passing year, a new house gives you the option of setting aside some time to first customize it the way you want and then reap the benefits of your new space in absolute comfort.

More Options

With an older house, you will find that your options are limited. The look and feel of the house has been decided by its previous owner, leaving you to work with what you get. This could mean outdated flooring options, impractical storage spaces, maybe a few awkwardly positioned rooms, and maybe even higher bills that may arise from older plumbing and heating designs.

Unlimited Customizations

When you seldom settle for used items – clothes, automobiles, or even furniture, why then should you compromise on a new house? By opting for a new house, you can pick and choose from a number of options to make your space look like the dream house you have always lusted after. You can customize your house with sustainable construction material, high ceilings, extensive closet spaces, modular kitchens, airy bedrooms, and well laid out bath spaces – whatever strikes your fancy.

Uniquely Yours

No matter what your style, a new house gives you the option of deciding exactly how you want every corner of your house. Want an unconventional living room that has both a fireplace and a lounge area that also doubles up as a patio? It’s yours! Or perhaps you want your children’s bedrooms to be connected to a play area? With a new house, there is no limit to what you can build.

Energy & Cost Savings

Modern construction also allows for energy and cost savings, with a multitude of options for you to choose from to keep your home as airy or as warm as you require throughout the year – be it the windows you choose, the type of glass, air ducts, etc.

The advantages of opting for a new home are countless. Not to mention, the finished product is yours entirely. A space that will not only reflect your personality, your choices and your hard work, but will also stand as a testament to a home that you built from scratch.