Tankless Hot Water Heaters Add Convenience
Rinnai Tankless Water Heater installed in a historic home remodel
Imagine the luxury and convenience that comes from enjoying a long shower and not having the water run cold halfway through. One of the most in-demand appliances in custom home construction and home remodeling is the tankless hot water heater. Perfect for families who constantly run out of hot water or those looking to save energy costs, tankless hot water heaters qualify for a $300 federal energy tax credit and supply an endless demand of hot water.
Just as with any large purchase for the home, it is important to research the products available and understand the way in which tankless water heaters operate. An expensive purchase, tankless hot water heaters are not necessarily simple, over-the-counter systems. There are several factors involved with purchasing and installing an on-demand hot water heater and familiarizing yourself with the following basics will make your decision much easier.
How they work
On demand hot water heaters don’t store hot water, but rather create it as soon as needed. In tank-type water heaters, hot water is sent from the heater to your appliance, like a faucet or shower head. Hot water sits in the pipes and tank waiting to be heated and cools off when not used.
A tankless water heater works by heating the water directly. While it does not necessarily instantly produce hot water, it will not later run cold. There is no storage tank where water heats and stands by, ultimately cooling over time if unused. That waste of water and energy is what makes tankless water heaters more energy efficient, as they avoid standby heat loss.
Point-of-Use Tankless Water Heater
Depending how you want to use the tankless water heater, you’ll want to decide between whole house heaters or a point-of-use system. Point-of-use tankless water heaters provide hot water for small sources, like a cup of tea. Less expensive than whole house tankless water heaters, point-of-use heaters cost a few hundred dollars, minus installation. The point-of-use tankless water heater is relatively small and will usually fit inside a sink cabinet or in a closet.
Whole House Tankless Water Heater
Although more expensive than point-of-use heaters, whole house water heaters have higher gallon per minute flow rate capacities and can supply enough water for more than one fixture. For larger families, more than one whole house water heater might be necessary, as it is important to have a water heater that can handle the maximum flow of the appliances or fixtures you plan to use simultaneously. Whole house units are available in gas and electric varieties, however there are several additional expenses that come with the installation of whole house electric tankless water heaters due to the large amount of electricity required for operation.
Whatever option you choose, tankless hot water heaters add luxury to any household but also require professional installation and additional research. Working with a qualified general contractor is advised to learn more about choosing the right tankless water heater for your next home.
Custom Kitchen Design Layout Basics
Kitchen of custom home by Brock Builders
Custom kitchen design often tops the list of importance when building a new home or remodeling a current one. Altering the look of the kitchen with new products or creating a completely new kitchen design layout becomes an exciting process for homeowner and builder alike. While consulting a general contractor and kitchen designer can bring any kitchen design ideas to life, having a better understanding of the various layouts is the biggest help.
When beginning the initial kitchen design, it is important to ask how you plan to use the room and what is to be achieved. While some families cook five nights a week, others only need a few cabinets and counter space for take out food or homework. A condominium’s kitchen might equal less room, but a professional small kitchen design can still provide adequate space for those who enjoy cooking on a regular basis.
Once the kitchen’s functions are decided one should next consider the layout. When building a new home, this is often determined during the design of the floor plan with a custom home architect and builder. But a kitchen remodel will often undergo a large transformation with the removal of walls and cabinets to create a truly new layout.
There are several kitchen design layouts and each offer something different to the amount of available space. The number one goal in any custom kitchen design is to incorporate the essential work triangle. The work triangle includes the refrigerator, stove/oven and sink, and aims to create a short, unimpeded distance between the three with the work surface, prep sink and refrigerator never more than a few feet away from one another. Once the amount of available space and the work triangle are determined, the next step is deciding what style layout to use.
Single Wall
For those in a small space, such as a condo or townhome, the single wall design is the best use of space. This allows the chef a long work surface for the countertops and appliances, typically with a microwave overhead.
Corridor
Corridor or galley kitchen design is a second option for smaller, rectangular spaces. This layout provides additional cabinetry not found in the single wall design and also promotes the work triangle more efficiently than a single wall layout.
L Shape
The L shape is a very popular kitchen design that proudly displays the work triangle. The longer countertops usually include the range and refrigerator, while a sink might be in the shorter part of the L shape.
U Shape
The U shaped kitchen is one of the best examples of employing the work triangle and will often include kitchen island designs. Larger in surface area, the U shaped kitchen will typically have an abundance of countertops and cabinets and is a perfect choice for any home chef.
Once the layout is decided, the true fun begins with kitchen cabinet design, countertop and color selection. Determining the appliances, flooring, hardware and décor can be a bit overwhelming, but a custom home builder or kitchen designer will often assist with the overall look. Stay tuned for additional information on kitchen appliances and the role they play in the design and function of your new space.
Tips to Stay Within your Building Allowance
Custom home by Brock Builders
Whether building a new home from a stock plan or working with a custom home architect, staying in budget is what homeowners aim for most. Although most general contractors will provide a building allowance, not all builders explain what is covered in the construction budget and leave many homeowners confused about what they are actually allowed to choose for their home. Settling for the cheapest bottom line and not comparing allowances from builder to builder often leaves the homeowner with a higher price tag in the end, or less than satisfactory products and finishes in the home. With a few simple steps and questions however, building a house on a budget is not as hard as it seems.
While the term budget can often sound restricting, in new home terms it is meant to identify the bottom line, or implied total cost of building your home. A construction allowance shows more than just the final cost. It should include several components that allow homeowner and builder to agree on the number at the bottom and the products in the end result. Many new homeowners make the tragic error of wanting one number on the receipt but don’t understand how the building allowance works. Before signing on the dotted line, consider the following points:
Don’t buy more house than you can afford.
While this may seem obvious, several new homeowners find themselves building a larger home than they can afford only to run out of money for allowances. If your entire construction budget is spent on the dwelling itself, there is typically not much money left over for upgrades or high-end products and the homeowners are left unsatisfied. Too much house often equals too little money for the finishing touches.
Talk with your builder about your wants before signing any contracts.
A good builder or general contractor will listen to your wants and needs before creating the new home allowance. Discuss what you envision the home will look like. Remember, adding a couple of square feet here and there or switching tile for hardwoods can translate to thousands of dollars in unforeseen upgrades.
Visit wholesalers to see if your choices are available.
You may prefer granite countertops, but your building allowance only calls for laminate. Often times in the construction budget breakdown, the builder’s preferred vendors or stores are available for you to visit and make sure for yourself that the products you anticipate wanting in your new home are in fact part of what you’re paying for upfront.
Spend money now on the products that will cost more to install later.
Products such as tile work, hardwoods, fireplace surrounds and cabinetry can be expensive to upgrade, however they are even more expensive to install at a later date. There are hidden costs in removing, stripping, replacing all of these products, not to mention costs for installation. It makes sense to spend the money now to have them done, rather than pay someone later. After the move in, less costly items such as light fixtures, towel bars, and drawer pulls can be upgraded and installed as time and money permit.
Remember, the most important thing when trying to stay within your new home allowance is to do as much research upfront and talk with your builder about the types of products you envision in the home. Simple conversations in the beginning can result in thousands of dollars saved in the end.
Trends in Custom Homes Offer Innovative Techniques
2009 building trends have seen quite a few changes from the recent years of opulence and grandiose residences. While many homeowners still enjoy elegant living, it is not the showy products that are popular, but rather the increase and focus on sustainable living and practical spaces. With several builder trends moving away from the McMansions and onto green building, smaller homes and flex spaces, new homes are an improved version of what once was.
Outdoor living space - Custom home by Brock Builders
Smaller Homes
The old adage of less is more is not always true, but with many trends in new homes, this is becoming more and more popular. Smaller doesn’t necessarily equal less quality, but having a smaller footprint can often create a larger impact on saving resources, time and money. With the rise of open floor plans, many smaller homes are still just as functional as larger ones, but are more practical in layout and functionality.
Flex Space
It might be a home office to you or a library to another, but whatever the reason, flex space is a frequent addition to new floor plans. A qualified general contractor can assist in altering a plan’s flex space to fit your needs. Work with your builder to create a black-out room for home theaters or the builder trend of built-in furniture and French doors for the home office.
Storage
With homes shrinking in size, storage remains a top priority among 2009 building trends. While closets are important, many homeowners are turning to the attic as a new functional space. Often thought of as dead space, the walk-out attic can now become additional square footage to store more than Christmas ornaments and old clothes.
Outdoor Living/Outdoor Rooms
You don’t need a sprawling back yard to have an enjoyable outdoor living area. Functional living space can include everything from an outdoor kitchen and fireplace, to a comfortable seating area and a water feature. How you choose to spend your time outdoors is entirely customizable with your vision and local home builder’s prowess. The recent increase in home technology and green building also expands to outdoor living spaces. Wire your outdoor room for football games and movies, while enjoying delicious meals and an on-site recycling station.
Green Features
One of the largest builder trends practiced today is green building. Whether the home is entirely green, such as a HealthyBuilt Home, or includes tankless water heaters, recycled materials, rainwater collection systems or energy-efficient appliances, green home builders are in high demand and with recent energy tax credits, any-size home can do its part to conserve energy.
Several other trends in new homes include the addition of technology throughout the home such as in security systems, cameras, built-in speakers and other technological conveniences. Custom kitchen design is still one of the most popular home building trends and includes functional spaces rather than rarely-used rooms, such as the formal dining room. Desks, computers, cell-phone recharging stations and multi-use islands are all easy additions yet popular examples of functional custom kitchen designs.
Trends in new homes come and go, but how you live in your home is always the most important part of any new home build.
New Home Punchlists are Crucial for Homeowner and Builder
Custom home by Asheville general contractor Brock Builders
When building a new home, most homeowners care about staying in budget and moving in on time. One often overlooked but important part of the home building process is the punch list. Any professional general contractor or custom home builder will work with the homeowner to complete the criteria listed on the punch list in order to create a positive relationship with the homeowner.
A punch list is a list of items created by the homeowner and builder toward the end of construction and explains all of the necessary items needed to complete the custom home construction. Typically the builder and a representative for the builder will walk through with the homeowner and possibly the real estate agent (if one is being used) and scan the home for flaws or anything that was not done according to the contract. When determining the flaws, there are two categories in which flaws usually fit: reasonable and unreasonable. The latter affects the quality of the home and can often delay moving into a new home.
While damage is fairly inevitable, most custom home builders will prepare for reasonable flaws and typically do their own walk-through before the official punch list inspection occurs with the homeowner. It is important that the person who prepares the punch list is familiar with the home’s plans and specifications and is not someone who is new to the home.
Just as no two custom home projects are the same, no two punch lists will have the same items. Typically speaking however, the same types of items are inspected and they usually include the following:
- Paint and Finish flaws (external and internal)
- Missing trim pieces
- Inoperable plumbing fixture
- HVAC controls
- Hardware
- Appliances
- Inoperable electrical fixtures and outlets
- Fixtures and materials that do not conform to specifications
Prior to the punch list inspection, the following items should also be closely examined for any flaws:
- Smoke detectors
- Lights and outlet testing
- Hand rails, guard rails and stair rails
- Electrical systems
- Stairs
- Insulation
- Appliances
- Plumbing fixtures
Once all of the punch list items have been addressed, it is still important for the homeowner to obtain a list of contractors and building material suppliers in the event a repair is necessary and the builder is unavailable. It is also recommended to acquire a list of design consultants, including the architect, engineers, landscape architect, interior designer, etc for any record keeping.
After the homeowner moves into the home, a truly great builder will not dissolve the relationship and should make him or herself available for any necessary repairs. For example, in certain regions such as Asheville, weather might cause one to use the heating and cooling systems differently than in another region, and this could lead to eventual shrinking or expanding of certain materials. This and other problems are often not known until the home has been occupied for some time and will require a professional builder’s attention.
When choosing a builder for a custom home, remember to consider the relationship not only during the building process, but also after. Word of mouth and referrals are the most important advertising for any builder, so finishing the home on time, in budget, and continuing to make the homeowner happy even after move in, are all crucial practices for any local home builder.
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