Brock Builders: Asheville General Contractors for Custom Homes, Remodeling, Green Building

Brock Builders Chosen for The Cliffs Signature Services

Brock Builders — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 04:15:11 +0000

The Cliffs communities are some of the finest and most beautiful in all of the Carolinas. So it is with great pride that we are announcing that Brock Builders has been selected as one of the highly qualified custom home builders chosen for recommendation by The Cliffs Signature Services.

The Cliffs Signature Services was created to aid property owners in the navigation of their Cliffs home building process by rec0mmending highly qualified builders, architectural designers and interior design firms.

Choosing the right home builder is essential to creating your dream Cliffs home. Brock Builders is well-renowned in Western North Carolina for their experience and expertise in custom home builds.

For more information about building your dream home in one of The Cliffs exclusive communities, please visit CliffsSignatureServices.com.

Why Green Your Home Remodel?

Brock Builders — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:09:08 +0000

Brock Builders HealthyBuilt Home

While remodeling your existing home as opposed to buying a new one may save you money and produce exactly what you want, incorporating green features and practices into the process may generate an even higher ROI.

A great place to start is to consult a custom home builder who also has experience in building green and HealthyBuilt Homes. At Brock Builders we are often able to incorporate green features with little change to the budget, but that also save the homeowner money over time.

Popularity Means Better Pricing

Many home remodeling fads cycle out rather quickly, but “greening” a remodel is a trend that’s here to stay. Popularity is so widespread in fact, that incorporating green features into your home will cost you less today than ever. Plus added incentives like government tax credits, longer product life-spans and long-term reductions in energy use are converting more homeowners every day.

Greater Availability and Design Options

With increased availability also comes a wider range of design options. In the past, green home features may have been thought of as “thrifty” or aesthetically unappealing, but today green home features can be luxurious, stylish, even cutting edge. And in the Asheville area, all levels of green remodels are taking place.

Community Benefit

If you are still unsure of whether or not your home remodel should be a little greener, consider the community impact. Using greener practices doesn’t just benefit your family, but also the builders, painters and all contractors who are hired to help make your dream home a reality.

Brock Builders has green home building and remodeling experience, plus the Certification to remodel older homes that may contain lead paint that became required by law earlier this year. Please contact us if you would like to discuss the options for “greening” your home.

Wood Flooring Options for Custom Homes

Brock Builders — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:57:14 +0000

Wood flooring is a long running favorite among home owners. But with choices ranging in price, look and eco-friendliness, it helps to understand the basics. The first step you should take is consulting your custom home builder who will already have a strong understanding of what fits your home and budget.

Cost

While lower priced wood flooring materials have gained popularity in these economic times, it’s important to understand not only what you’re paying up front, but how a material will handle the test of time.

Some homeowners may want a flooring choice that has a low up-front cost and are not concerned with how it will wear in 10 years, like a low grade number one or two oak. However, most homeowners prefer to invest a little more up front for a product that’s going last, such as a Brazilian cherry.

Green Factor

Green wood flooring like bamboo is appealing, but for it to truly be eco-friendly, this renewable wood source must be local, not shipped across an ocean from Thailand. If you want a green wood flooring option, talk to your certified green builder who can help you find out what’s available locally.

Use

In newer homes, the floor plans are typically more open, making wood throughout a great choice. But wood flooring in kitchens and bathrooms will likely be damaged by water and wear over time, making cork and engineered wood products may be a better choice.

Again, this is where your home builder may be able to help, as he will have a greater understanding of a room’s use matched with an aesthetically appealing floor.

Tips for a Successful Remodel

Brock Builders — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 03:51:06 +0000

Raised Ceiling Remodel With Spray Foam Insulation

Working with an experienced and well-respected builder can help ensure that things go as smoothly as possible. But before the work begins on your home remodel there are still a few points to clarify with your custom home builder to make sure that everyone is on the same page.

Weekly Check-Ins

Establishing the expectation of holding weekly meetings will keep you up-to-date. Your home builder has eyes on every aspect of your home remodel. Spending just a few minutes together each week will keep you in the loop on all progress.

Nominate a Decision Maker

In cases where a critical decision must be made without notice, your builder needs to know which of you to approach, and how to reach you. Typically, one member of the family has final say in matters of design or even price. Knowing who that is, will save valuable time and help things to get done right the first time.

Photograph Everything Beforehand

Taking pictures of your entire home’s existing condition before a remodel can ensure that everyone is on the same page after completion. While going back over things after the fact could uncover a crack or flaw that may or may not have been there previously, the pictures will give everyone a reference point.

Map Things Out

Messes are made when things have no place to go. The same goes for a construction site. Designate where delivery trucks should park, where tools can be stored and which areas are off-limits to workers.

Set Standards for Cleanliness

Reputable home builders like Brock will take careful measure to protect areas of the property you may not have considered, like the landscaping. They will also have end-of-day clean-up procedures and take care in practicing dust-containment procedures.

Keep Children and Pets Safe

A construction site is not where you want to find your child or pet. Make arrangements to keep entrances to construction zones off-limits for your little loved ones.

Wood Frame Homes Win

Brock Builders — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:43:40 +0000

Brock Wood Frame Home

The surge of innovative new materials to the home building market may have you wondering whether a wood frame is the best choice for your new custom built home. The experts agree, wood frames win.

Natural and engineered wood products provide unmatched structural strength and safety. Even after its long reign at the top, wood is still considered the primary choice for residential and even commercial building structures.

Here are some of the top benefits to using a wood frame for your new home build:

Wood is Affordable

Wood is one of the most affordable and available choices for your home’s frame. While lower-priced prefabricated wood products are growing in popularity, framing wood is available in a wide range of types and price points.

Wood is Available

Wood and wood based products are in great supply and easy to find.

Wood is Adjustable

Wood products can also be easily cut down to meet a job’s specifications, while other materials may be more difficult to alter.

Wood is Strong

Innovations in wood products and in the way that wood is used in framing a structure mean greater strength than ever. Wood framed houses have even been shown to survive hurricane winds and earthquakes.

The facts are in; wood materials make great home frames, but be sure to consult an experienced home builder to help select the best products for your new home.

We at Brock Builders have the experience and expertise to help you select the best products for your home build.

Top Five Reasons for a Bathroom Remodel

Brock Builders — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:58:19 +0000

Natural Stone Shower

If you’re considering renovating your home, you may want to include that master bath remodel you’ve been dreaming of for years. Bathroom remodels don’t just deliver the calming, relaxing space you always wanted; they are also surefire ways to add equity to your home.

Smart Investment

Though the housing market is continuing to the mend, bathroom remodels still prove smart investments. Many homeowners are even choosing to add or remodel bathrooms to their existing home in favor of selling. After all, the average bathroom remodel can produce a 71% ROI.

Smaller is Better

Smaller homes with smarter use of space are becoming all the rage in home design, making the incorporation of extra bathrooms in your current home an easier feat, as there will be fewer square feet acquired by the new bathrooms. Even renovating your master bath can be much less stressful if you are less concerned about square footage and more concerned about the use of natural materials and addition of smart storage.

Smaller is Sustainable

Smaller bathrooms require simpler sinks, tubs and fixtures so as not to overwhelm the space. In terms of tubs, simpler tends to also mean smaller, which will save money and water. There is also more emphasis on the use of eco-friendly toilets, showerheads and faucets.

Sharing is Caring

Another popular bathroom trend is isolating the toilet in a separate water closet. This makes the bath and vanity space useful even when the toilet is occupied.

Earth Tones Add Warmth

With the incorporation of more eco-friendly materials throughout the home, earth toned stone flooring is becoming an increasingly popular choice in bathrooms. Small, sterile bathrooms can feel cold and uninviting, but the use of warm hues and natural stone can make the space feel warm and spa-like, no matter the size.

Green Landscaping Adds Great Value

Brock Builders — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:25:12 +0000

Native Rhododendron Calendulaceum

One of the easiest and too often overlooked ways to add green-value to your HealthyBuilt home build is through the incorporation of native and organic landscaping. The use of native, drought-resistant plants is quickly becoming a best-practice for saving money and doing your part for saving the planet.

Better Plants

The shift from reliance upon chemicals for healthy, beautiful greenery towards the use of processes that more closely resemble what nature intended will actually help to harness the plants’ naturally defenses and result in stronger, healthier plants.

Better Value

The use of native species and good planning to incorporate the plants into the space you’re working with can help cut down on unnecessary time and financial expenditure for maintenance.

You may even wind up saving money in ways you never expected—proper placement of the right trees can actually help reduce cooling and heating costs! So in short, well thought out landscaping means less work, less money and less waste winding up on its way to the landfill.

Better ROI

Another great reason to invest in a healthy, green landscape is the ROI you will see in the form of added value to the home. Typically, the full cost of landscaping, if not more, can be recouped at resale. As a rule of thumb in the real estate market, the right landscaping can easily translate into a 10% increase in property value.

Certified Green Builders Produce ROI

kristen — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:26:57 +0000

HealthyBuilt Home by Brock Builders

The ROI for incorporating green features into your home is apparent. But did you know that in order to make the most cost effective and energy efficient choices for your new custom home or remodel, your builder must have invested ample time and money into the proper educational and certification programs?

Adding green building features to your home has become an even smarter investment with government tax break incentives in the mix. But a lag time between the supply of certified green builders and homeowners looking for these services is to be expected. We at Brock Builders have remained on the cutting edge of the WNC green home building movement and do possess the proper certifications.

Adding green features can range in complexity from simple ENERGY STAR appliances and windows to expertly architectured geothermal wells. So when searching for the home builder for your job, look for a company with both the certifications as well as the experience.

In order to receive your ROI, these green features must be expertly incorporated into the plan and build of your home. Certified HealthyBuilt Home Builders in WNC like Brock have the know-how and the man-power to seamlessly incorporate your green home includes.

Certified Renovators of Homes with Lead Paint

kristen — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:46:58 +0000

Blueprints for a Home Remodel

If you’ve been thinking of renovating an older home to better suit your family’s needs, you will want to verify that your home renovator is certified to work in a space that may contain lead paint. In 2008 the EPA mandated that builders would have two years to complete extensive safety and procedural training to handle environments with lead paint.

Safety First

The reason for these new laws revolves around the safety of the home owners, workers and anyone who may have cause to be in the house. You see, when renovating a home, common practices such as sanding, cutting and demolition can create dangerous dust and chips which are harmful to anyone exposed to them.

EPA’s Requirement

This new law states that as of April of this year, any contactors hired to work in a manner that would disturb old lead-based paint in a home, child care facility or school built before 1978 must have undergone required certification training.

Protective Procedures

Certified builders must maintain the following procedures:

Contain work area
Minimize dust
Clean up thoroughly

Brock Builders has completed the proper training and is a Certified Renovator of Homes with Lead Paint. For more information about protective measures while working in homes that may contain lead paint, please visit the EPA website.

10 Must-Have Features for Your Home

kristen — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:50:11 +0000

Attractive Stone Flooring, A Design Favorite

The global economy has greatly influenced home design, giving life to some unexpected trends. Consumers are building and buying homes that are smaller, smarter and greener; quite a contrast to the bigger-is-better, lavish-excess of recent years.

Whether you are planning to build a new home, buy or remodel, you should familiarize yourself with these emerging trends, which appear to be here to stay:

Energy Efficiency is Key, Smarter is Better

ENERGY STAR Appliances—Stylish, up-to-date kitchen appliances can make a great impact on your home’s visual appeal. But even more importantly these days—they can also save you money. With energy tax credits and the money you’ll save over time on utility bills, adding energy efficient appliances to your new home has never been so important.
Water Catchment Systems—Incorporating native, drought-resistant plants into your landscaping is great-looking and good for the planet. But did you know that you can make your yard even greener by installing a rainwater catchment system. Gutters deliver rainwater into insect and bacteria resistant barrels, which can later be used for watering gardens and several other non-drinking purposes.
Energy Saving Building Includes—With utility costs on the rise, homeowners are looking for houses that are well insulated and sealed from the beginning. Drafty, leaky houses are costing too much to maintain, and using up too much energy to heat and cool.
Tankless and Solar Water Heaters—Another way to quickly run up your monthly bills is by paying to much for those winter-defrosting hot baths. Solar heating systems make great, natural use of existing sunshine to heat your hot water, leaving you paying for just those not-so-sunny days.
Natural Flooring—Bamboo, cork, wood and stone have long been favorite flooring choices of interior designers, but did you know that they also help create a healthier, chemical-free environment in your home.
Outdoor Rooms—With rarely used, formal living rooms becoming a thing of the past, outdoor living and dining spaces are quickly taking over. Some popular features include large, space-heating stone ovens, built-in seating made of natural materials and huge, welcoming dining tables.
Smaller, Smarter Spaces—Bigger-is-better is a mindset of the past. Huge homes with extra rooms mean higher monthly bills, and lower spacial efficiency. Homeowners are instead choosing open and accommodating floorplans.
Smarter Storage—Built-in kitchen islands, perfectly organized garages and tons of closets can help make better use of your square footage. Too little storage means clutter and large furniture pieces to accommodate closet overflow. But adding extra storage into your build means seamlessly making room for all of your belongings.
Smart Home Systems—If you knew how much energy it was actually using, you may be more likely to turn that light off when you leave the room. Smart Home Systems not only allow you to heat and cool based on the times of day that someone is home, but they can also tell you just how much power is being used at a given time.
Front and Side Porches—Outdoor spaces add square footage and traditional attractiveness to your home. Whether you’re enjoying a summer evening out front under a ceiling fan or rocking in a chair watching the sunrise, front and side porches enhance your home’s welcoming curbside appeal.