MUSIC PRACTICE

You know the drill: "... it's time to practice your music". Whether you have children in school or not, it's time to practice those instruments that bring enlightenment or disturbance. Set aside a music room in your home construction plan.

find ideas: home building ideas for a music room | finding a home building contractor

Unless you move on a fairly regular basis, at some point you'll have to replace your home's roof at least once. A roof that does its job well is important because it protects your home from everything that nature can throw at it. Rain, wind, sun, snow, hail, sleet, ice, debris, and much more must be repelled and only a roof that is in good shape can get the job done.

You have several options available when replacing your current roof, but not every choice may be feasible. Shingle roofs are the most widely used materials for new roofs, offering a good price and available in a number of different colors (black, gray, earth tones, even vibrant colors) and styles. Derived from asphalt and reinforced fiberglass matting, the cost of materials has risen sharply this past year as have all petroleum based products. If working with a contractor, get the price of the shingles to be used in writing.

Longer Lasting Roofs

Most roofs will last between 20-25 years, but some shingles have warranties which extend their usefulness to 40 years, even longer. You'll pay more for better quality shingles, but you'll have a roof that lasts longer and, if you plan on selling your home, a roof that will add value.

Beyond shingles, some homeowners prefer metal roofs because they are more durable and able to hold up against high wind and can resist fires. Businesses and factories favor steel and metal roofs, but homeowners are finding that they can provide superior protection for their homes too. Tip: Check with your insurance broker to find out if your metal roof would drop your homeowners premium too!

Contractor or DIY?

If you are searching for a roofing contractor, find someone who is licensed and can provide local references.  Check with the Better Business Bureau or your Chamber of Commerce for local roofers. Get your estimates in writing and insist that everyone who steps on your property is covered by the roofing company's insurance.

If you are planning to tackle the roofing job yourself, then shopping around for supplies can save you money.  To plan your project, you'll need to do the following:

• Measure the entire room, section by section. Width x length for each section and then add those numbers together to determine how much shingles you will need. Divide that number by 100 and then add 5-10% to your total to cover waste, mistakes, and eventual repairs.
• Follow the shingle manufacturer's guidance on the type of nails to be used and the recommended number of nails for each shingle. Multiply that amount by the square footage to determine the amount of nails needed.
• Purchase enough roofing felt to cover the entire roof.
• Roofing cement will be needed for ridges, flashes, and edges. Other roofing materials can be purchased as the same time as your shingles.

Most roofing jobs can be completed in about two days for an average sized home, by using a team of workers to strip and remove the old roof and lay down the new roof. Once done, you'll have a home that looks great, is more energy efficient, and ready to withstand whatever nature will be throwing at it over the next 20, 30 or 40 year.

2008/08/07

If you're considering have a home built to your specifications, then congratulations -- you're having a home built the way that you want it to look instead of settling for what a builder or previous owner has in mind for you.

Building a home to spec used to be a big hassle, as drawing your own plans, redoing them again and again, before finally getting it right takes a lot of concentration, patience, and endurance.

Fortunately, home design software has changed the way that homes are designed so much so that even the novice can help design a house. Best of all, if you make mistakes or need to make a change, you don't have to start from the beginning -- your design can be modified within minutes.

Taking A Peek Inside

Imagining what your home will look like once inside used to be difficult but quality house design software programs which include a three dimensional interface where you can see the home from the inside are available. Please know that not all software programs are the same, with some offering expanded uses. Shop for those which allow the following:

Realistic 3D modeling -- view rooms exactly as they'll be created. Sized and laid out proportionally with the ability to make changes on the go.

Comprehensive 2D planning -- draw rooms, design floors and ceilings, add text comments, and show room measurements.

Demonstrative room elements -- programs which allow you to add sample sized furniture can help you see if everyone you want in the room will fit and where you can place everything. More elaborate programs will allow you to choose furniture very specifically -- that 93" Ethan Allen Retreat Sofa could be placed right in the living room, giving you an exact look for that part of the house even before you begin to build.

Detailed utility inclusion -- Software programs which allow you to add electrical and plumbing conduits, even customized trim for walls, windows, and stairwells, will give you a remarkably close final design.

You'll Still Need Professional Assistance

No, designing your home won't remove the need for you to call upon the services of a qualified architect, but your design can help him understand what you want in the layout of your new home. Limitations of paper and pencil are no longer an issue with quality home design software, obstacles now removed thanks to the computer age!

2008/08/06

Assembling a Home Construction Specification Plan

Interior Decor

Who is the best judge of how a new home should look? Is it the builder? An interior decorator? Or would that be some other type of professional?

Although there isn't anything wrong with employing the services of a professional, the people who live in a home are often the best judges as to how it will look. After all, a house isn't a home until you have personally decorated it.

We've Come To An End In Our Series

In our ongoing home construction specification plan series, which comes to an end with this article, we've taken you through all of the steps needed to acquire property, lay a foundation, build your house, and turn that house into a home. The final step, your home's interior, isn't a requirement of your home specification sheet, but it does play an important role as to where a wall will be built, how a room is laid out, and more.

Fortunately For You, My Advice Is Limited

Although I have been comfortable detailing the entire home spec plan up to this point, I must tell you that I am not someone who is particularly adept at interior decorating. For that, I leave this task in the capable hands of my wife.

If I were tasked with decorating a home, it would probably have a distinct bohemian bachelor look -- a mix and clash of furniture, colors, and assorted knick knacks. It would be tidy, but not something that would appear in Architectural Digest or House Beautiful.

Get Informed!

Fortunately, there are some great resources out there for the person who wants to decorate their home. I mentioned two of the more popular interior decorating magazines, but there are some other places you can go for help:

Interior Decorating Stores: If you have a good store in your area, paying them a visit could be worth your while. Many of the larger stores offer seminars and classes to help you design your home's interior. Sure, they want your business, but the ideas offered can be used anywhere.

Take A Class: Many adult schools and some community colleges offer classes on decorating your home. You don't have to get a degree, but if that Window Treatment class costs you $50, you'll likely get that money back when you go out to shop for what you want.

Turn On The TV: If you have access to cable channels, then a channel like HGTV can help you lay out your kitchen, choose the right colors for your den, find the best bedding for your child's room, and much more.

Of course, a knowledge friend can also offer tips and advice, just the information you need to personalize your home.

On a final note, thank you for following our series which began in October 2007. If you are interested in a recap, most of our articles were posted on Tuesdays, so please go back to our Home Style For Every Homeowner article and start from there.

Enjoy your new home!

2008/03/04

Assembling a Home Construction Specification Plan

A Fresh Approach to Outfitting Your Lawn

First impressions of a home are often made by just how well the front lawn looks. A million dollar home can lose its sheen if the lawn is burnt, filled with crab grass, or patchy. Trees, poorly placed shrubbery, and misuse of yard ornamentation can also make your estate (or simple abode) look less appealing.

Saving Your Landscape Project For Last

Many new homeowners rightly save their major landscaping project until after they move in and rightly so: you have other things to take care of first. Besides, when it comes to your lawn you want to be on site when the landscape contractors appear. What better way to do that then when you're actually living in your home and able to direct the project?

Points to Consider When Landscaping

Today's homeowners are much more in tune with the environmental impact that their landscaping projects have on their property and the surrounding area. When working with a landscape contractor or doing the job yourself consider these points when developing your master plan:

How Much Grass Do You Want To Maintain? Seeding, fertilization, maintenance, and watering can take up a lot of your time and use up valuable resources. In some areas of the country, local drought conditions will dictate what you can or cannot do, therefore consider creating a landscaped area that requires less water and incorporates superior seepage. Smart use of an in-ground irrigation system can keep your lawn green longer and help you monitor water usage.

Planting Trees And Incorporating Existing Vegetation. If your lot wasn't clear cut when your home was built, then you probably have some mature trees and bushes already present. Trim back dead branches and survey the property to create a nice balance of sun and shade. Plant additional trees well away from your home if desired, select those types of trees which are native to your area, disease and drought resistant, and offer the least amount of maintenance. Apply these same points to shrubbery too.

Making Room For Gardens. Sunny areas adjoining your house make for perfect gardens. However, if you are considering vegetable gardening, you'll want to move these gardens well away from your home. Flowers and small bushes look appealing next to your home, but tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, and other vegetables do not and they need the maximum amount of sun.

Your Outdoor Living Area. If you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors, then having an area for relaxation and entertainment is a must. Consider brick pavers or concrete slabs as places to put your outdoor furniture. Even if your home has a deck, you may want a separate area where you can be closer to the lawn, flowers, etc.

Some homeowners are opting to simply pave over their properties to limit their outdoor maintenance tasks. While this may be an option for some, drainage is a real problem as run off must exit the property, perhaps flooding a nearby neighbor's parcel.

If you are planning to do the landscaping project yourself, you are in good company. The largest outdoor living stores regularly run free seminars for their customers, a great way to learn how to map out your landscaping master plan and save money in the landscape design and implementation process.

2008/02/26

Assembling a Home Construction Specification Plan

Garage and Pathways

Not many people who are building a new home take into consideration the eventual resale value of their property. Likely, you're planning to spend many years enjoying your new home, possibly staying in it well past the years when your children have grown and left home.

Of course, our plans are often subject to change as a job transfer, different housing needs or changes in family status can weigh in. Almost suddenly, your home is on the market and you're looking to obtain top dollar for it.

To ensure the best resale value for your home, two areas of consideration include your pathways and your garage. Both can play an important role in providing enhancing a buyer's first impression of your home as well as deliver plenty of satisfaction for you right now.

The Garage -- No matter whether you choose a two or three car garage, you'll want to make sure that this area of your home is used properly. Assuming that the garage will house your vehicles, the remaining room can be used for storage, particularly for bikes, lawn equipment, a workbench, and more. You'll get great use from this space while potential buyers will see usable "living" space.

The Pathways -- Will you choose asphalt or concrete for your driveway? How about stone or brick? The look of your driveway can make all of the difference for your home with some materials providing many years of rock solid durability. Materials for your driveway can be used for the front and side paths as well as a rear patio area.

Finally, with your garage you can add value to the home by choosing special garage doors which improve your home's appearance. Distinctive wooden carriage doors with either a swing, fold or slide look are popular and add to the character of your home.

2008/02/19