The Home Building Process: What is key for you to know?

The purpose of this blog is it to answer as many questions a person might have while thinking about building a home, during the process, and after the home is completed.  Are there key questions you have that we could answer for you?  Please let us know-- you can post a question in the comment box--, and they will be addressed in a timely manner.

Lots going on!

Not a lot of blogging, but a whole lot of building!  Some pictures of Summer 2012 projects with Steele Trademark Homes...

"Base" questions for TN

Can foundations here (in TN) be poured concrete or are most made from cinder block here? (I came from PA)  And are they sealed with the black waterproofing sealant?  I see this house has a crawl space, are basements possible here as well?

Thanks for your questions!

Poured foundations are more popular in the North due to the freeze-thaw factor.  They are more resilient than block and mortar, with fewer areas for water to infiltrate and freeze.  Depending on the concrete, it may be nonporous and not requiring waterproofing.  An example would be Superior Walls, which are precast foundations, custom-made and ready to install on a gravel footer.  They are pre-insulated, ready for drywall and guaranteed waterproof.  

Basements are required to be waterproofed both out and in for maximum protection.

Block foundations for crawl spaces are not required to be waterproofed.

To Paint or Not to Paint...

That is the question!

Custom colors may cost more up front or may not, depending on how your builder prices his home.  Steele Trademark Homes Inc. prefers to bid a home with custom colors.  Builder beige is a terrible canvas against which to furnish your newly built home.  Although painting may seem easy, figure how much your time is worth and leave it to the experts.  Why move into your new home and already have a honey-do list?

Putting all the pieces together

Building a house is kind of like putting together a puzzle. A lot of pieces have to fit before you can begin to see the whole picture. When you work with a great builder, the process will come together in a way that seems easy!

Banking on Building Your Dream

How do you get a loan to build your home?

• Talk with your builder.  He has had many construction loans and can point you in the right direction.  
• Use a local bank where you can put a face with a name.  If you have questions, you can chat face-to-face, and not with a call center half way around the world.  
• Your local bank also has the pulse of the community and your local suppliers.  
• Most banks will loan up to 85 percent of the appraised value of the home to build it.  This means that in most cases you will need some capital to build your home.  

Never put the cart in front of the horse and have your dream home built in your mind before you have your finances in order with the bank.  Pick a lot, pick a plan, pick a builder, and pick a bank.  Four important selections before you choose paint!

Immersion Building

Take a chance and involve yourself in the building of your new home.  It is an intimidating venture, but if you immerse yourself in it, you will have a better appreciation for your home and your builder.

Looking for the Right Pane?

A critical factor in the efficiency of a home is the type, size, and placement of windows through out the rooms.  A good builder will discuss with you what is best for your home.  While the number of windows on the house plan may look good, those may not fit with your specific lot or the situation of your home on that lot.  More windows does not always equal a better home.

When you consider your window choices, it is also important to factor in the weather conditions for the region in which your new home is being built.

There are many different types of windows available on the market: single hung, double hung, casement, sliding, fixed are just some of the types offered.  Be sure to ask you builder what kind he uses and why.  

Some builders make their window pane choice based on which will cause the least amount of pain to the their bottom line...  But as has been stated before:  You get what you pay for!


You can avoid the painful cost of having to prematurely replace your inferior window panes by understanding the best choice for your new home upfront.  Look to your builder for good advice...and see more about the world of windows here: http://www.atrium.com/

Good Things Come in Threes!

So you want to elevate your home beyond just a builder's spec home...  but there is that whole budget thing.  What are good choices to turn your basic home into a well-appointed home?





Three Interior Choices:

1. Upgraded kitchen cabinets, tops, and appliances
2. Hardwood floors
3. Interior trim

Three Exterior Choices:

1. Brick
2. Stone
3. Landscape (and an irrigation system to keep that landscaping looking great= **highly recommended!**)

Talk with your builder.  A good builder will listen to your wishes, and then will be honest with you about what you are able to accomplish within your budget.

Steps to Making Your Stairs Safe

While walking into a home with a gleaming hardwood staircase can be stunning, please keep in mind the safety factor with stairs.  Putting a thick pad and good quality carpet on your stairs can save you tons of money and heartache, especially if you have small children in your home.  A tumble down carpeted steps may land your child with some bumps and bruises, but a fall down those gleaming hardwood stairs will most likely land you in the ER.  Most people would agree that paying for an upgraded carpet and pad  is a better investment than paying for casts and stitches!

Hardwood stairs can be beautiful, but do require regular maintenance to keep them gleaming.  When properly cared for, i.e. "no shoe" policy and regular vacuuming, a well-carpeted staircase can last 10 years.

When it comes to the stairs in your home, it pays to take the proper steps, considering all of your home's inhabitants.

Which Wood Would We Want?

Wondering about which type of wood to use in your new home?  Here is a comparison/explanation of solid hardwood vs. manufactured wood.

Solid hardwood is a solid piece of wood from the top of the wear layer to the base of the plank.  (Tongue and groove has a wear layer.  It's the portion above where the wood is fastened.  On most hardwood this is typically 3/16-3/4 inches.)

Engineered hardwood flooring has a wear layer that varies in thickness based on the size, type, and species of hardwood chosen, and its sub-straight is made up of cross-bonded plywood which makes it more dimensionally stable.

Solid hardwood is more susceptible to moisture or lack of moisture.

With the finishes available today, a good engineered floor is less costly and more earth friendly (it uses less of a specific species, plus the plywood is made of recycled or otherwise wasted materials).

Today's finishes on hardwood flooring (either solid or engineered hardwood) are more durable than site finished applications.

Today's finishes, if properly cared for, will last a lifetime.

Ask what type of flooring your builder uses and why.

The Home Building Process: What would YOU like to know more about?

The purpose of this blog is it to answer as many questions a person might have while thinking about building a home, during the process, and after the home is complete.  Are there questions you have that we could answer for you?  Please let us know-- you can post a question in the comment box--, and they will be addressed in a timely manner.

Coming soon...
Which wood would we want? So you want to know about the differences between solid hardwoods and manufactured hardwood?  Check back on Monday to find out more!

Think about what is over your head...

Everything in your house, with the exception of your porcelain fixtures, is susceptible to water.  Why not spend as much as you can on roofing?  A good builder is going to encourage you to buy the best materials you can afford, and will provide the best roofers to have your roof properly installed.

Be aware of the unprofessional builders next door

Building a home in a subdivision with less-than-attentive builders is a challenge. A good builder provides electric, water, rest room, and needed materials and supplies to his subs to accomplish their tasks. Others seem to think that these amenities are for community use. ie dumpsters, porta johns, electric, water soil, sand, and on and on. When building a home with a good builder, be vigilant and help him help you by performing a little neighborhood watch. It will keep costs down on your end and reduce your contractor's overhead by not having to support less-than-prepared and unorganized neighboring builders. Give an inch and they will take it all!

What kind of builder do you have?

When you are picking a builder, do you stop to think what skills your builder possesses? Is your builder a good manager of the subcontractors with which he will be working? Does your builder have the ability to set a good example on the job site? If necessary, can your builder pick up a hammer or saw and build your home effectively? While not all builders are actually "builders," you might want to inquire as to what skill set your home builder has.

Controlling your Climate

Your home's HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning) is complex... there is no guessing involved.  The size of the condenser, air handler and coil are critical to optimize your system's efficiency.  Insulation, exterior finish, size and type of windows, insulation package, and the direction your house faces all play an important part in equipment sizing, and we haven't even gotten to supply and return placement.  Again, it is complex.  If you have questions or concerns, ask to meet your builder's HVAC subcontractor, and get clarification.  There is nothing worse than an uncomfortable climate in your home.

How is the pitch on your pipes?

Plumbing is gravity based.  Too much pitch or too little pitch and solids don't move.  It is crucial to have the proper pitch on your home's plumbing!

Kohler: A company committed to quality

Located in Kohler, WI, right off Lake Michigan, is a company that produces plumbing fixtures.  But these aren't just any plumbing fixtures.  Visit their webpage- http://www.kohler.com/corporate/index.html -and you see their motto:  "...A single level of quality regardless of the price." This is a company dedicated to quality in all the products they produce.  This way of thinking mirrors the Steele Trademark Homes, Inc. way of thinking.  When it comes to building your home, you don't want to sacrifice on quality, especially when it comes to your plumbing fixtures.  Steele Trademark Homes, Inc. uses Kohler products in all the homes they build.

The P Word

Plumbing is a critical component of a home that is often taken for granted.  Let's be honest...  Not everyone wants to talk about the purpose of plumbing.  To be blunt, plumbing has to do with bodily functions, and sometimes bodily functions are accompanied with noises.  Be sure to consider the plumbing locations in your home and ask your builder about minimizing the noise of plumbing.  Everyone will appreciate your good planning!

A plumbing observation...

"Don't judge a faucet by its cover...  It is what is on the inside of a faucet that counts." --Steele

A Plumbing Equation

A good plumber + great plumbing fixtures= 

a well-plumbed house

Just as you are careful in your selection of a great builder to build your home, your builder carefully selects a plumber to plumb your home.  Good plumbing can make all the difference in how your home functions in the years ahead.

An Electrical Perspective

Many people underestimate the importance of a home's electrical framework. An extensive wiring and electrical structure is essential for the house to be able to function at its full potential.

Electrical Options

There are many different ways to light a room.  Some options to consider adding to your new home:

• fan/fanlights- especially in bedrooms
• can/pot lights- great task lights for areas where fixtures are not wanted
• switched outlets- to turn on a lamp with a wall switch
• floor plugs- handy in large living spaces for floor lamps
• outlets for Christmas lights
• under-cabinet lighting
• extra outlets in the garage

A great builder will suggest adding these and other lighting options to your new home.

Another E Word~ Electrical

At this stage of building your home, an electrical walk-through is an absolute must.  Think about homes you have lived in previously, and areas where an extra outlet or light switch would have been helpful.  Now is the time to make sure you have those incorporated into your new home. This is an area where simply wiring to code is insufficient- spend the extra money to have extra wiring done.  Once the house is wired, it is wired.  While additional wiring is possible to add later, it is difficult and expensive.  Remember you can never have too much light!

Illuminating quote of the day

"When I turn on a light, I want to see." -Steele

How well do you understand your home's mechanics?

A good builder will explain to you all of your home's mechanical features--plumbing, electrical, HVAC-- including operation, size, type, quantity, and quality of the material used.

Proper Perspective on the Framing Process

At this stage of home building, your house looks like a toothpick factory.  To get a better perspective of each room, walk through the house and look at the bottom plate of each space to help you see the room.

All lumber is not created equal

Just as you are conscientious in your choice of home builder, your builder makes a careful choice in the company that provides the lumber for your home.  A good lumber company will be very stringent in the type of lumber that they sell to their builders, carefully checking each shipment to ensure that only the highest quality materials are provided for the building of your home.

Another F Word: Framing

Basic Steps of Framing

Framing begins with the silseal  (a black plastic membrane) and the silplate (2x8 or 2x10 pressure treated lumber (PTL)) on which the first floor rim board and the joist will be attached.

1.  First Floor Framing- 

• floor joists and key structural members
• first floor exterior walls
• first floor interior walls

2.  Second Floor Framing-

• floor joists (double as first floor ceiling joists)
• second floor exterior walls
• second floor interior walls
• second floor ceiling joists
• roof canopy and roof decking