Recently I encountered an interesting study on the real cost of home ownership. I’ll look at the data below, but suffice to say I found it quite interesting, because it reminded me of the main reasons my wife Missy and I purchased our 1893 Victorian...
We all want to know how much to budget for our new home cost in West Michigan. We do our research on square foot costs, look at new homes for sale in our ideal neighborhood, and consider the additional cost of major items, like ICF walls. Yet an...
Our previous blog post examined some of the problems of humidity control in custom homes. In this post, we discuss solutions; but if you've not read the first post, go back and check it out now!
Humidity control in West Michigan is a challenge. Unlike Phoenix or Atlanta, Grand Rapids weather cycles between humid and dry in a matter of days, no matter the season. Despite this, excellent humidity control is no secret. While we think every...
Whether you are environmentally conscious or simply looking to save money on your energy bills, solar energy can benefit your home under the right circumstances. Learn about the drawbacks and benefits of including solar panels in your custom ...
In a recent blog post, I shared a horror story. It is a true story, and my heart hurts for the Johnsons.At the conclusion of the post, I wrote the following:How could the Johnsons have avoided this result?Briefly:· Assemble a design team first....
Writing a blog recently had me in an introspective mood. It got me thinking how our process has been shaped and honed not only to prevent mistakes, but ultimately with our clients’ best interest in mind.
Let me begin with a story nobody wants to...
Homes in Michigan frequently feature basements, so many homeowners expect them and aren’t sure how to function without one. A basement is a great feature for storage, flexibility, and safety during dangerous weather. However, basements aren’t the...
What do you get when you cross a Yeti mug with a Tesla car? An ICF home! Many people don’t know enough about this attractive option for creating an energy-efficient custom home. For a modest price increase, ICF returns industry-changing performance....
Every project has to start somewhere. When deciding to build a custom home, people usually begin by exploring current costs to build, land pricing, and more; then deciding if building is right for you.