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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Outdoor Rooms Add Usable Square Footage

kristen — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:00:45 +0000

Working with your custom home builder in a part of your home you may not have imagined, you can add useful square footage in the form of an outdoor room. Backyards are too often laid with grass and beyond that, left virtually empty, save a swing set, rusty old grill, or tract of space for your dog to run.

Outdoor Kitchen

Modern outdoor rooms have expanded upon the old backyard favorites in ways that provide function in a luxurious package. Simple grills have been replaced with built-in outdoor kitchens with massive stone and pizza ovens, perfect for entertaining year round. Warm summer nights can be enjoyed outdoors with friends over a fresh baked pizza. Cold winter nights are made warm by gathering around massive stone ovens, while piping hot soups boil up atop an outdoor stove.

Outdoor Living Space

Tattered patio furniture has been become a thing of the past. Replacement options include built-in seating units with removable cushions, tall stools seated before an outdoor bar and rustic wooden dining tables and chairs. Built-in furniture, like benches and sofas can add a natural appeal to your outdoor space at a minimal carbon footprint by using indigenous materials.

Indigenous Landscaping

No room is complete without the right decor. And for outdoor rooms, that means landscaping. Working with your HealthyBuilt Certified Home Builder, you can incorporate native plants into your outdoor space, which will require little to no maintenance. Eradicating plants that are exotic to Western North Carolina in favor of native species will create harmony in the ecosystem of your outdoor space to ensure the health and well being of forces who also appreciate your outdoor space, such as migrating birds.

Since recent studies suspect perfectly manicured lawns as one of a home’s largest carbon producers, transforming your dull, grassy space to a luxurious outdoor room can even be beneficial for the planet.

Whether you’re looking to add life to your existing home in the form of an outdoor room, or you want to create a special entertaining space in your new custom build, speak with your home builder to make use of this valuable space.

Get Tax Credits for Solar Hot Water Heaters

Brock Builders — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:27:31 +0000

Tax Credits for Solar Hot Water Heaters

Long, hot baths don’t have to be a waste of energy. Solar hot water systems can heat the water for your kitchen or bath without running up your electric or gas bill.

In fact, many homeowners are now replacing traditional hot water heaters with solar powered systems, proving to be a revolution in green building. Solar water heaters use collection plates and highly insulated storage tanks to harness the power of the sun, thereby reducing carbon footprints and saving money on energy bills.

Systems are categorized as either active or passive. Active systems circulate the water within the tank using pumps or coils. While passive systems rely on gravity and the water’s natural temperature based circulation. An experienced green builder can advise you as to which system fits with your solar water heating needs. Some factors to be considered include your home site, local building codes, and the size of your family.

Whichever system you choose, the benefits can be astounding. According to some statistics, solar water heating systems can reduce your monthly utility bill, essentially paying for itself in less than five years. Your home builder can also help you to comply with federal tax credit regulations regarding a new solar hot water heating system to further help in covering the costs of the unit and installation. Federal tax credits will pay for up to 30% of the cost of installation of an energy star solar water heating system, but only if the system is installed before the deadline of December 31, 2016.

It’s important to contact your green building specialist as soon as possible to discuss the solar heating options for your home to start saving money and energy. Whether you’re building a new construction or updating the system in your existing homes, it’s a win-win situation for all homeowners.

Home Remodeling and Energy Tax Credits

Brock Builders — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:04:37 +0000

Energy efficient replacement windows in a home remodel can earn energy tax credits.

Conserving energy through the use of “green” products might not have been at the top of your list a few years ago, but thanks to the 2009 economic stimulus bill the government has made it financially beneficial to homeowners to work toward energy efficiency. Tax credits are available unlike ever before to homeowners who are planning a home remodel with green appliances and practices.

The 2009 economic stimulus bill improves upon pre-existing credits in a big way:

2009 tax credits are now in effect until 2010
The 10% tax credit is now 30%
Tax credits that were once a specific amount are now converted to 30% of the cost of materials
The maximum credit is now $1500 instead of $500 and is for all improvements combined for the 2009-2010 period
Certain home improvements, including geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, and panels are not subject to the $1500 maximum

Asheville remodeling contractors such as Brock Builders can perform a home energy audit to outline the areas that will benefit most from installing energy-efficient appliances and insulation systems. By installing a variety of energy-efficient items from the following categories, you may be eligible to claim a tax credit of 30 percent:

Biomass stoves
Exterior doors, skylights and windows
HVAC
Roofing (metal and asphalt)
Storm doors and windows
Water heaters (nonsolar)

Tax credits are also available at 30% of the cost, with no upper limit through 2016 (for existing homes and new construction) for the following categories:

Fuel cells
Geothermal heat pumps
Solar panels
Solar water heaters
Small wind energy systems

The new tax credit does have a discrepancy, however, when it comes to windows. Energy Star windows purchased before June 1, 2009 are eligible for the tax credit of 30%, but not all Energy Star windows purchased after June 1 will qualify. To meet the requirements for the tax credit after June 1, the windows in your remodel must be super-efficient windows with a U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) less than or equal to .30. According to Energy Star’s website, most of their windows will not meet the requirements for the tax credit. These confusing standards are being reviewed by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), who are urging Congress to reconcile the stimulus bill standards with Energy Star criteria.

In order to qualify for the tax credit, all products must have a signed statement from the manufacturer certifying the product meets the standards for the tax credit. The Manufacturer Certification Statement isn’t required to send in with your tax return but must accompany your receipts and records. It is recommended by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to save all receipts with the contact information of each manufacturer, the make and model of the product, and the manufacturer’s statement that the product meets the tax credit standards.

Whether you plan to do a basement, bath or kitchen remodel, hiring a general contractor familiar with these tax credits ensures your home remodel is earning the highest credits possible, the proper appliances and products are purchased and installed, and the specific records you need are organized. When helping the environment while saving money, everybody wins.

Large Home Remodeling Project Video

Brock Builders — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:36:15 +0000

We put together this video showing some images of a major home remodel we have underway. This has been a fun, and challenging, project so far. Some rooms have been added and many Marvin windows installed. One of the more interesting features of this remodel is the outdoor pizza oven. We have also added some architectural features such as a large shed dormer and raised ceiling in the great room.

We’ll post more about this remodel as it nears completion. Stay tuned for some “after” photos and videos.