Lake Homes

The Illusion of Square Footage Pricing

The question I’m asked with the greatest frequency is how much a house cost to build per square feet. Although this question is presented earnestly and with the expectation of a simple answer, I find it nearly impossible to offer a reply that is even remotely helpful to the questioner. As a wise realtor once quipped, “asking what the square foot cost is for a new home, is a bit like asking how much a bag of groceries cost”. Although it may seem to be a fair question, there are a multitude of factors that influence the square footage cost [...]

Choosing the Right Fireplace for You

Whether they are in use or not, fireplaces are the focal point of any room they are installed in. The fireplace is one feature in a new home that, at once, is a decorative fixture and a functional part of the home. It can help create ambience in a space and at the same time provide physical comfort. From the time our earliest ancestors discovered that fire could be controlled and used to their benefit, humans have been fascinated by its beauty and power. While learning the benefits of fire, it also became apparent to our predecessors that it could be [...]

Choosing a Stairway Balustrade

Stairway balustrades are one of the more prominent features of any multi-level home. Railing systems can be constructed with different materials and arranged in ways that serve to compliment the overall style that you desire in your new or remodeled home. Although there is a great amount of design flexibility for stairway railings, there are several building code requirements that will have an impact on the appearance of your railing. One of the codes that greatly influence the design of a railing system is the requirement that one must not be able to pass a 4” sphere through any part [...]

So You Want to Build It Yourself…Really?

Every now and again, I’ll hear of someone who has made the enormous commitment of attempting to manage the construction of their home by themselves. Their reasons for taking this leap may be many but the only one that is certain to deliver is the thrilling adventure of taking on this task alone. Like a certain company deciding to change a decades old successful soda formula, riding a helium filled zeppelin through a thunderstorm or performing an appendectomy on oneself, some decisions should just be avoided. There are myriad reasons for relying on a professional builder to oversee what is [...]

With This Contract, I Thee Build

If the title sounds a bit like a wedding vow to you, it is as intended. After all, signing a contract with a builder to construct a new home for you, or remodel your existing home is, in some ways, very similar to entering into marriage, albeit a very short one. Although some people do marry their childhood sweethearts, it is much more common for individuals to go through the courting process before entering into a serious relationship. Same can be said for choosing a builder. There is absolutely nothing inherently wrong with having trust in a single builder if [...]