Maine Modular & Custom Home News

What do they have in common?  Not a lot.  But what we have discovered at Schiavi Home Builders is that they make a perfect complement to one another.  Timber framing is a beautiful building process that has been in use since Midieval times, and was used in building many of the great cathedrals throughout Europe.  Gorgeous exposed beams add grandeur to the interior of any building and allow for an interior design like no other building process.  While timber framing is strong enough to support the largest buildings, as with everything today, cost is a factor.  That’s where the complement comes in.  One of the ways to keep cost manageable, yet still incorporate the beauty of timber frame construction is to do a combination of modular and timber frame.  One idea is to start with a timber frame great room and add other rooms in a modular building process.  That way you can incorporate the timber frame aesthetics into a shared area where you spend a lot of time, yet keep the cost down by using modular building on the other areas of your home.  If you can’t picture these two building processes together, make sure to visit our Bethel, Maine Model Home Center.  We have added a timber frame mudroom to one of our model homes, so you can visualize just what it looks like to combine the two technologies.  I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Building is more than picking up a hammer and nails and let’s have at it! Modular Home building is becoming more and more specialized with detailed carpentry added to customize your home just as you envision it. To help you communicate with your builder, here is a quick guide to a list of building terms. Referencing the correct terms can help insure that you and your builder are talking about the same thing. As far as I know gusset, mullion and lintel could all be part of tonight’s dinner recipe - yet there they are on this list of building terms. Check it out for yourself.

Should green building be mandated by the federal government? The state government?  Any government?  Advisors for both presidential campaigns attended the 2008 Energy Efficiency Forum last week.  Jason Grumet, speaking for Senator Obama said, “We have to invest in our infrastructure.”  Sounds good, but I’m not sure exactly what that means.  George Allen, on behalf of Senator McCain, “emphasized government’s responsibility to ensure it’s own facilities are energy efficient.”  I agree, but I don’t think there was any follow up on just how that might happen.  As the presidential candidates start to debate on the hot topic of “green”, a lot of ideas are being thrown around, without a lot of specifics on how to achieve the desired results.  Read the article posted on the U.S. Green Building Council site that summarizes the two positions.  Energy Efficiency Forum.  After reading it, I wasn’t really all that clear on what each party proposes, however, it was fairly evident that the government, whether local, state or federal, wants to begin to legislate how we do the “green thing.”  Makes me wonder who is profiting the most from building green?

Here are a list of 10 very important questions to ask your builder and/or contractor - courtesy of HBAA - part of the National Home Builders Association. If you are uncomfortable with any of their answers, dig a little deeper, or find a different builder.
1. What types of projects do you do?
2. Can I see some of your projects?
3. Can I talk to some of your favorite clients?
4. Are you licensed and insured?
5. How long have you been in business?
6. How do you handle call backs?
7. How much do you charge?
8. What is your payment schedule?
9. With whom will I be working on the jobsite?
10. Do you belong to any type of professional organization?
It is important that you, your builder and contractor can all work together. If your builder is not willing to take the time to answer your questions, ask yourself why? You will be working with them for several months before your project is finished, so make sure you have the right person for the job.

Moving - there’s so much to think about.  Here’s a good guide to getting organized and making it a smooth move.  (summarized from http://www.vanlines.com/)

6-8 weeks before the move:

• Start accumulating moving and packing supplies
• Think about your new home layout - create a floor plan
• Create a folder for all moving expense receipts
• Start transferring medical and dental records

4 weeks before the move:

• Start filling out change of address forms
• Contact utility companies at the new and old locations with disconnect and connect dates.
• Open new bank accounts if necessary.

3 weeks before the move:

• Make any special arrangements for transporting your pets.
• Return any borrowed items.
• Organize any valuable items that will need special transportation.

2 weeks before the move:

• Transfer prescriptions to a drugstore near your new home.
• Cancel newspapers.
• Drain fluids out of your lawn mower, snow blower, etc. for easier moving.
• Back up all your computer files.

1 week before the move:

• Empty, defrost and clean your freezer.
• Return videos and library books
• Gather keys.

Moving Day:

• Make sure all items are packed.
• Give a last cleaning to your home.
• Make sure children and pets are supervised.

Doing a few things each week will lead to a less stressful moving day.  A little organizing can go a long way.

How do you analyze if one building material or method will save you money in the long run?  It’s easy enough to determine what the least expensive initial monetary outlay will be.  The price tag up front can be a real determining factor, especially if your budget is tight to begin with.  Sometimes it’s a little more difficult to figure out what the cost savings might be over the years if you spend a bit more in the beginning.  This article posted on the U.S. Department of Energy Website gives you a few different models to use in your calculations.  Of course there are always those items that we can’t put a price tag on, like the aesthetic value of your project.  Sometimes we can’t evaluate solely on the monetary benefit,  our comfort level and happiness count, too! Building Cost Analysis.

1. Do you know what you are buying?
Has the land been surveyed? If yes, have you walked around the land to find the boundaries? If no, has the seller told you what they think they own and are there any markers, monuments, walls, pins, etc. to go by and have you checked with the neighbors to see if they agree? It’s a good way to get to know your new neighbors and to educate yourself on any boundary disputes early on.

2. What’s it going to cost?
The size of the lot, location and amenities will determine the market value of the land. Once you have your home planned out, you’ll need to sit down and talk with a lender about the total costs. Are you going to finance the land or pay cash? How much of your budget can you put toward the land? As a general guideline, 25% will go toward the land and 75% will go toward the home. This guideline may not apply if you are looking at land on a lake or with fantastic views, or building your castle.

3. Now I bought it but they say I don’t own it?
One of the most important details to pay attention to once all of your research is done and prior to buying the property is to know what kind of deed you are getting and to know if the title has been searched. Is the deed a warranty deed, quit claim deed, quit claim with covenants or any other of several possibilities? Each of these deeds offers different guarantees from the seller as to their title to the property. You should always discuss having a title search with your attorney or Title Company as well as the need for title insurance.

Michael Noble
Schiavi Home Development

1. What services are available?
Most vacant lots in my area are not ready to build. They may have the electric available, but no septic/sewer, well or town water. Is cable or natural gas available in the area or will you need to plan for oil, propane and a satellite dish? You will need to account for those costs such as paying for the water hook-up, well, installation of septic or sewer hook-up and more. In order to find the best piece of property that meets your needs, you will need to know what your budget is for a property that is ready to build. Then, you can work backwards from that point and determine how much you can afford for the land.

2. Now that you have found the land, can you build what you want on it?
Check if there are local zoning requirements. Is the property zoned to allow for a residential home? If you are looking for somewhere to retire in a quiet and cozy cabin, the looking at land zoned as commerical agriculture is probably not heading down the right road, unless you would like to retire on a farm. What are the set-backs? Once you take into account the set-backs from the streets, easements, side of the property, septic, well, wetlands, flood zone and any other sensitive areas, how much room is really left to build? Is the foot print that is left enough space to build your dream home? Do you need to adjust the plan for your dream home or find a different piece of property?

3. How do I get there from here?
What is the access to the property? Is it on a public road maintained by the city/town? Is there a road maintenance agreement you should be aware of? You want to make sure that everyone who uses the road agrees to help with the upkeep. Are there any easements on the property? An easment gives someone the right to travel across another property. Do you need an easement and is it in the deed? Is there an easment running through your propery? The easement location will also affect where your home can be built. Don’t assume that because an easment is not being used right now, it will never be.

Michael Noble
Schiavi Home Development