Lake Homes

Unclogging Plumbing Fixture and Faucet Selections

You have made the decision to build a new home or remodel an existing bath or kitchen and are now asked to select plumbing fixtures and faucets for the project. You will quickly discover that gone are the days when only the very high-end homes are appointed with decorative plumbing fixtures and faucets. Although it is true that most fixtures and faucets are manufactured to operate in a similar way mechanically, with only minor variations, the style and finish can be very different and it is with the decorative variety that prices can vary substantially. The average plumbing budget for a [...]

Time Was

As our company enters its 30th year of designing, remodeling and building homes and commercial structures across northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio, I feel compelled to reflect on how much things have changed in the construction industry. Here are just some of the things that have changed since our company was founded:                          30 Years Ago - Today Formal living rooms and family rooms    -   Great rooms. 8’ high ceilings  -  9’ high ceilings or higher Low pitched simple roofs  -   High pitched multi-planed roofs Walk-thru [...]

Survey(or) Says

Although sometimes unappreciated, a professional surveyor is an important contributor to the successful outcome of your new home or existing home expansion and remodeling project. Among a surveyor’s  responsibilities, establishing lot lines and flood protection grades, drawing plot plans and staking buildings on the site are but a few of the crucial functions they perform. Although some of this work can be provided by someone less qualified, the penalty for even a seemingly minor  infraction can be severe and take a lot of time and money to remedy. Many times there is no choice but to position a new home [...]

Choosing Windows Made Paneless

Of all the products that must be selected when building a home or adding a room to your existing home, your choice of windows will arguably have one of the most profound and lasting effects in the level of satisfaction you experience from your new home or addition. Material, style, features, energy efficiency and brand name are all factors that must be considered while choosing the best options to meet your needs. Amazingly, as important as these decisions are, it is not uncommon to discover that the client has given very little thought to such an integral part of their [...]

Blueprint Requiem

Since the mid 1800’s some type of the blueprint has been used to guide builders of all sorts to construct mechanisms and structures large and small. With its iconic white on blue or blue on white appearance, the blueprint has been an instrumental part of American history. From the monuments of Washington D.C. to the Golden Gate Bridge, it’s indisputable that these fetes of construction could not have been accomplished without the blueprint. Having learned at an early age how to read them, and later on how to produce them, blueprints have been a ubiquitous part of my life. It [...]