[New Post] How Do You Select The Right Luxury Home Builders In Phoenix AZ?

Building a dream home is the goal of every hard working family. Whether you are planning to retire, just starting out a family or planning on living on your own, the process of finding and hiring the right custom home builders can be tricky and time consuming. However, when you are planning to spend a lot of money on new custom home – you want to ensure the people building it are qualified and competent to complete the job on time – and most importantly on budget. As such, here are a few tips that will help you find and hire the right luxury home builders in Phoenix.

Tip #1 – Speak with Current Custom Home Owners about their Experience

They say that word mouth advertising is the most effective platform for any company. But for luxury custom home builders – the solid testimonials about their services, process and quality truly speaks volumes. This is why the first thing that anybody that is considering building a custom home in Phoenix should do is speak with a friend that has gone through this process on their own.

There are many reasons for this including:

• Asking them about the process that was involved will give you a good baseline understanding of the details involved in building a dream home.


• Previous custom home builders can also provide you with some personal experiences they had with their contractor which again, gives you a starting point of qualities to look for in the right custom home builder.


• It’s great to get ideas from your friends. Ask them if you can tour their custom built home to look at some of the unique additions they made – that you’d like to include in your own custom home.

Tip #2 – Look towards Online Reviews

After you’ve spoken to friends about their experience and gathered information about what went well and didn’t about their own experience with custom home builders in Phoenix, the next step is to find a few that you can speak with directly. The best source of factual information about all contractors is Angieslist.com. This website includes consumer reviews of all sorts of contractors – from those that fix HVAC equipment to those that create luxury home plans and are considered the top luxury home builders in Phoenix.

The best thing about Angieslist.com is that you’re getting reviews directly from the horse’s mouth – people that have actually worked with contractors. If you spend an hour on the website, you can narrow down your list of potential luxury custom home builders in Phoenix that you can then research directly.

Tip #3 – Visit the websites of at least three custom home builders in Phoenix

The top luxury home builders in Phoenix all have one thing in common – dedication to perfection. And one of the best ways to see this directly is the way they represent themselves online. If a custom home builder talks about the pride in craftsmanship and attention to details, yet has a website filled with misspelled words, really sloppy images and no attention to detail – how can you trust them to build your dream home correctly the first time?

Also, by visiting their website you can get a clear understanding of the process they use to craft the home of your dreams. Contrary to popular belief, custom homes don’t build themselves. And there is solid evidence that supports the statement that the process that custom home builders in Phoenix use during the entire process is often the key to success in the custom home industry.

Once you’ve had time to speak with previous custom home owners, checked out some factual online reviews and visited the website of luxury home builders in Phoenix – you’ll have a solid foundation to begin your search and hire the right contractor that will turn your dream home aspirations into reality.

Once you have thought about the type of custom house you want,

give Peak One Builders a call at (480) 378-0611 today.

Read related articles on custom home construction:

• New Home Construction: Buy New or Build New?


• 3 Tips On How To Buy Land And Build A House In Arizona


• How to Build A Custom Dream Home In Scottsdale

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/selecting-the-right-luxury-home-builders-in-phoenix-az/

[New Post] How Involved Do You Need To Be In The Custom Home Construction Process?

It’s the dream of virtually every homeowner to eventually design a custom home in Arizona. However, what might beone person’s dream can often lead to another individual’s nightmare. Contrary to popular belief, the custom home building process in Scottsdale is not as simple as you’d think. It takes detailed planning, experienced contractors, several permits and other critical steps to ensure the build goes off without a hitch. This often leads to the inevitable question about how involved does the homeowner need to be during the entire home building process.

Here are a few facts for you to consider when you’re looking to have a custom home built in Scottsdale.

Fact #1 – The Overall Process of Building a Custom Home

After meeting with a custom homebuilder and having an initial discovery meeting the actual process of building a home begins. When you’re looking to build any custom home, there are four main elements that make up the entire process including:

• Choosing and Purchasing a Lot


• Establishing a budget


• Planning, Designing and Creating a Custom Design, floor plan and other construction details


• Actual Construction

Each of these individual steps requires a different amount of input from the homeowners.

Choosing and Purchasing a Lot

During the first phase, the input of the homeowner is exceptionally critical. As the homeowner, you’ll be responsible for picking a lot that is functional, affordable and provides you with the required location that will fulfill several individual needs and desires. However, it’s also important to lay on the experience of the custom home builder to help you choose a lot that will provide you with the best return on investment as well. Always be involved in this step – but also be open to the professional advice of the homebuilder.

If you’re planning on purchasing and building in Arizona, check out this article I wrote about: 3 Tips On How To Buy Land And Build A House In Arizona

Establishing a Budget

You know your finances better than a homebuilder. However, this step should be a collaborative effort and often takes a lot of time to fine tune. A budget will include several considerations including:

• What resources you have to purchase the home


• What long term or short term goals you have for the home


• What ancillary additions you will add to the property besides the basic custom home such as landscaping, backyards, pools, garages, detached buildings, etc.

Work with your homebuilder to determine a budget that you can afford but also provides you with required elements for your home.

Planning & Design

This is the fun part of building a custom home where you should have a tremendous amount of input. With design features, the goal of any custom home is having the flexibility to create from a blank canvas a house that fulfills your dreams and desires. However, practicality also enters the mix from time to time. Always work with your homebuilder to create a custom home that suits your needs, but also your time requirements as well. Many custom homebuilders have basic floor plans that you can customize to meet your individual needs.

Actual Construction

This phase is where the homebuilder takes over for the most part. Although you should request frequent updates on the construction process, it’s often best to let the professional do what they do best without too much interference from outside sources. If you have a good plan – and a trustworthy homebuilder, you can expedite this process and feel at ease knowing that you’re construction is going well.

As you can see, each individual step will require different levels of input from you the homebuilder. The home building process in Scottsdale is much easier when you work with an experienced homebuilder that will make it enjoyable to work with during this dream process.

What questions do you have about your custom home building process? Call Peak One Builders at (480) 378-0611 to get answers!

Read related custom home building articles:

• Choosing An Energy Efficient Homebuilder In Scottsdale AZ


• 3 Tips On How To Buy Land And Build A House In Arizona


• How to Build A Custom Dream Home In Scottsdale

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/involvement-in-the-custom-home-construction-process/

[New Post] 4 Useful Tips To Help Select A Home Remodeling Contractor In Scottsdale

Regardless of the industry, when you want to have major work completed – what steps do you take to find the right source? Believe it or not, the process for Scottsdale homeowners on how to choose a remodeling contractor should be no different than trying to find the best option for any major project. However, you’d be surprised on how many people tend to over complicate this process. To help you along this process, here are four simple – yet very important things to consider when you’re in search of a remodeling contractor in Phoenix.

Fact – Look at their Qualifications

If you’re hiring anybody, one of the first things you’ll do is examine their application. And on this application there is a huge section that includes individual elements that make some candidates more qualified than others. The same thing needs to apply to your search for remodeling contractors. In this case, look for the following details:

Tip #1 – Do they have experience completing the exact type of remodeling project you’re requesting

If you have a bakery, and are looking to hire a new employee, would you hire somebody that had worked in bakeries previously or somebody that has general work experience? The answer is simple – you’d hire the person with the particular skillset that you need to complete the job. Same thing applies with remodeling contractors. Make sure anybody you contact has experience completing the specific type of remodeling job you are interested in completing.

Tip #2 – Can they provide you references from previous clients that had similar work completed

The next step in this process is making sure that the contractor has the ability to provide you with references of individuals or companies they’ve worked with in the past that had similar needs as yourself. Just like getting any job, often a qualifying factor are the solid references of people that are willing to provide you with detailed examples of how this contractor completed their tasks. In this case, make sure to ask them about a few details including:

• Did they complete the job on time and within budget?


• How well did they communicate during the entire process?


• Were they flexible to your work schedule?

Tip #3 – Make sure they have the proper certifications

When you hire anybody for a skilled position it’s important for them to have the proper training right? In the case of contractors that complete home remodeling projects in Scottsdale, this applies to certifications and licenses. Make sure any contractor has the following:

• Certified contractor in the State of Arizona


• Licensed, Insured and Bonded to complete ALL residential construction projects

Tip #4 – Ask about their support team

A great remodeling contractor is only as good as the people and support team that surrounds them. This fact is often overlooked by many people searching for the right remodeling contractor in Scottsdale. When you interview a contractor, ask them about their support team including:

• People that work in sales, design, and construction


• What vendors do they work with daily


• What suppliers provide materials and what is their service record

When you add up all of these individual elements, you’ll quickly discover that the process of how to choose a remodeling contractor should be no different than hiring anybody. Just make sure that each qualification is specific to the job you’re looking to have completed, ensure that they provide great customer service and are looking out for your best interests at all times.

Work with a veteran owned luxury remodeling company! Call Peak One Builders at (480) 378-0611 for a complimentary consultation. 

 

Read more helpful articles about home remodeling: 

• Tips on Finding a Residential General Contractor You Can Trust


• Peak One Builders Begin Remodeling Army Ranger Remsburg’s Home


• Home Remodeling Contractors In Scottsdale Busy With Additions

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/4-tips-to-select-a-home-remodeling-contractor-in-scottsdale/

[New Post] 3 Great Backyard Pool Remodeling Tips For Homes In Scottsdale Arizona

There is no denying the fact that making the decision to install a pool in your backyard is a serious investment in time, resources and money. Due to this, any homeowner should carefully consider a few important elements when considering backyard pool ideas; design, safety and maintenance. When you look at each one individually it might not seem to be that big of a deal, but trying to infuse all three into your decision making process is the trick that most homeowners have.

To help you with this major decision, here are a few tips to consider when you’re looking for the best backyard pool ideas in Scottsdale.

Tip #1 – Design of the Pool

Here is a quick question for you – why do you want to install a pool in the first place? Believe it or not, many Phoenix metro homeowners simple forget to consider this critical question when they are looking to add a pool. It might seem to be common sense however thinking about ‘why’ you want to install the pool will often help guide you into the design features you want to see included. Here are a few examples:

• Are you looking to add a pool for exercise? If so, you’ll want to ensure that you have a pool that has a longer shape for swimming laps. It’s also important for you to have a design that provides access into and out of the pool on both sides. This is also important for safety as well – but we’ll get into that a bit later.


• Are you looking to add a pool for recreation? If this is the primary reason, then you might want to include a deeper end so people can safely ‘jump’ into the pool.


• Are you looking to add a pool for relaxation? If relaxation is the primary attribute, then consider designing a pool with a walk-in entrance; where you can have custom-designed lounge seats integrated into a shallow section where you can relax in the comfort of the pool.  

Tip #2 – Safety of the Pool

Another area you need to consider is the safety of everybody that will enter your backyard. As a homeowner, you are responsible for the events that happen on your property. This is why integrating pool safety is a critical step during the planning stage. Here are a few things to consider:

• Do you have children? If so, you need to design a pool or swimming area that is child friendly. Some things to consider in this area include specific design features such as rounded corners on the pool ledges, easy access in and out of the pool, designated shallow and deep ends, slip-resistant pool areas and possibly padded areas near pool entrance and exit.


• Do you have pets? Another important element to consider is the safety of pets. Many dogs love to use the pool as their private play zone or drinking fountain. Consider this – including what type of pets you have when thinking about your pool design.

Tip #3 – Maintenance of the Pool

The third step that any home owner needs to consider into any backyard pool ideas is maintenance. In this area, you need to understand how different pools are best maintained. Always speak with a professional pool company about the different types of pools – including chlorinated, salt-water, natural pools and so on; and the specific maintenance they require.

When you factor all three of these remodeling tips, you’ll quickly discover that many backyard pool ideas you might have are simply not practical for your individual situation. Always take the time to research and consider each of these important steps when you’re thinking about adding any swimming feature in your backyard.

When you’re ready to tackle that backyard pool remodeling job, give Peak One Builders a call at (480) 378-0611

Read Related Articles:

• Turn Your Yard Into An Oasis With The Most Popular Backyard Makeovers in Scottsdale


• Top Outdoor Patio Ideas That Are Easy To Complete In Arizona


• Fun Swimming Pool Remodel & Backyard Projects For Arizona Homes

 

Is it time to make an upgrade to your Scottsdale swimming pool? Call Peak One Builders today at (480) 378-0611.

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/3-pool-remodeling-tips-for-homes-in-scottsdale-arizona/

[New Post] Try These 3 Exciting Outdoor Living Ideas In Phoenix Arizona

Spending time outdoors is one of the perks of Arizona living. Whether it’s a hike in the local mountains, or taking time to entertain friends and family in your backyard –it’s common that Phoenix-area residents have a desire to enhance their experiences. However, there are some outdoor living ideas in Phoenix that work better than others. Either due to financial reasons or extreme weather we get in the Valley of the Sun; these three outdoor upgrades that are certainly to succeed.

Outdoor Living Idea #1 – Installing a Fire Feature

One of the best backyard upgrade projects that tends to show up across the Phoenix metro area is the inclusion of fire pits. The reality of living in Arizona suggests that most people tend to spend the majority of their time indoors during the daylight hours for half of the year. However, at night, Arizona home owners enjoy heading to the backyards for some relaxation, fresh air and socializing with friends. It’s for this primary reason that most backyard upgrade projects will include some sort of fire feature.

There are several ways you can incorporate a bit of ‘flame’ into your outdoor living spaces including:

• Adding tiki torches along walkways of your backyard


• Installing a natural gas-fueled fire feature


• Including a fire pit and social area filled with soft sand in your backyard

When installed by a professional remodeling contractor, a fire feature can really liven up your outdoor living space; plus it can also provide some added warmth during the colder winter and early spring evenings if you want to spend time outdoors all year long.

Outdoor Living Idea #2 – Adding a Covered Patio or a Pergola

Since Phoenix gets a lot of sun, finding a way to provide some shade is a vital addition of enjoyable outdoor living. However, when many areas of the United States can add pop-up shade tents or umbrellas, this option isn’t very practical for the extreme weather we get in Arizona. Most ‘portable’ or lightweight shades tend to wear out quickly when forced to withstand the extreme heat. However, we also get tons of wind in the desert as well – which also can rip and destroy these pop-up umbrellas.

The solution to this problem is to install a solid structure; like a covered patio or a pergola – designed to provide some shade if you want to spend time outdoors during the daylight hours. Many backyards in Arizona have some sort cover over the patio – so if you’re looking to spice up your backyard, make sure you have a professional install a covered patio or stylistic pergola.

Outdoor Living Idea #3 – A Water Feature

This idea simply makes sense when living in Phoenix. Having a mister, splash pad, swimming pool or hot tub included in any outdoor living space is a great way to cool off in the Arizona heat. However, some water features are better than others. For swimming pools, consider installing a salt-water pool – as you’ll spend much less on maintenance and upkeep compared to traditional chlorinated pools. It’s also a great idea to install a misting system on your covered patio – to provide your guests with a light spritz of water to cool their jets. Also increasing in popularity are small water features like waterfalls in rock formations. Not only is this visually pleasing, but it’s also a great way to add some relaxing ambiance to your outdoor living space.

Regardless of what type of outdoor living ideas you might have, the key is to find a home remodeling company in Phoenix that will provide affordable and practical ways of making your ideas a reality. Always spend some time researching any idea before spending money on installation. Consider the cost of installing, upkeep and whether or not it can handle and hold up to the extreme weather elements we get in the Valley of the Sun.

Read more about exciting outdoor living in the Phoenix metro:

• Top Outdoor Patio Ideas That Are Easy To Complete In Arizona


• Fun Swimming Pool Remodel & Backyard Projects For Arizona Homes


• 5 Reasons To Improve Your Outdoor Living Space In Scottsdale

Ready to create an beautiful outdoor living space at your Phoenix home? Call Peak One Builders today at (480) 378-0611.

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/3-exciting-outdoor-living-ideas-in-phoenix/

[New Post] Top 5 Scottsdale Residential Construction "FAILS" to Avoid

Getting in over one’s head often yields negative results – regardless of the project you’re undertaking. However, it canget downright ugly when it comes to residential construction projects in Phoenix. Whether it’s mistakes made by the contractors or the home owners, in the end; the person doing the hiring is and should be responsible for making sure that every ‘I’ is dotted and all “T’s” are crossed to ensure that their home improvement or custom home construction project goes off without a hitch.

Since this is a statement of fact, here are five of the most common residential home construction ‘fails’ that any home owner should avoid at all costs.

#1 – DIY at the Wrong Time

Although many of the popular home improvement shows on TV tend to ‘look easy enough’ to complete, the reality begins to sink in when you get in over your head with a do it yourself project. This is why the first residential construction mistake that any home owner should always avoid is getting in over your head with any project. Regardless of how easy it might seem to be – always do the research about any project including:

• Ensure to compile a complete budget


• Know what tools are required to do the job – and that you have the skills to safely use these tools correctly


• Understand how much time it will take to complete the project – safely and correct the first time


• Make sure to choose an energy efficient homebuilder in Scottsdale

When you follow these three rules, you’ll quickly discover that many DIY projects should be classified as ‘Call in the Professionals’.

#2 – Forgetting to Get Permits

Believe it or not, the most common mistake that home owners tend to make during any construction project is ‘assumption of risk’. The truth is that although there are many private contractors that will take care of all building permits, ultimately, the responsibility falls on the property owner. Never ‘assume’ that your contractor will pull all permits. Before you sign any contract or agreement, make sure it’s clearly articulated and documented WHO is responsible for obtaining all permits from local code enforcement.

#3 – Obtain a Completion Date Estimate

Many home improvement projects or custom home building projects are completed by private contractors. And the number one leading cause of over-budgeting is extended time to complete the project. This is why the third thing you should always avoid is an open ended completion date. Regardless of where you are building, an experienced contractor in Scottsdale will always be able to provide you with an estimated completion date and incorporate that into their price quote. Although there are legitimate reasons for a delay, such as ‘Acts of God’ – make sure those are clearly spelled out in your contract so that at closing you don’t have an unexpected extra few thousand dollars on the bill.

#4 – Poor Communications during All Phases of the Construction

It’s literally impossible for new Scottsdale homeowners to always be onsite during a complete home rebuilding project. And even if they are – it’s quite common for communication gaps to occur between many contractors and the clients. Before you hire any contractor, make sure they have several contingency plans for effectively communicating with you including:

• Asking and clarifying the best methods to communicate with you


• Providing guidelines about when you need to be contacted for any changes or approval


• Always communicate any changes via email. This is critical as it’s documented in writing – so it will cover you in case there is any confusion.

#5 – Always Consider Resale Value

Finally, when you’re planning your residential construction project in Scottsdale, it’s vital that you consider the resale value of any projects you undertake. The goal of any construction project; whether it’s a simple upgrade, addition or complete construction is to provide extended value to the home owners. Unless you have endless supplies of cash to burn – it’s very important to consider cost vs. resale when you’re planning any construction project.

Peak One Builders will help avoid the home project “fails”

while providing an end result you can be proud of.

Give us a call today at (480) 378-0611

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/top-5-scottsdale-residential-construction-fails-to-avoid/

[New Post] Turn Your Yard Into An Oasis With The Most Popular Backyard Makeovers in Scottsdale

Anybody living in Scottsdale understands the value of a nice backyard. However, trying to come up with an affordable and stylistic backyard makeover in Scottsdale AZ can be very complex and difficult. However, thanks to those awesome home improvement shows, like Yard Crashers for example; many home owners are starting to integrate some of these ideas into their backyard improvement projects.

As such, here are three of the most popular backyard makeover ideas that will enhance the overall look and function of your backyard in Scottsdale – without breaking the bank.

First – Consider Spicing-Up the Flooring with Concrete Cover-Up

Anybody that has the plain – Jane basic concrete slab poured in their backyard can easily enhance the look – and function of their backyards by integrating some clever and cost effective concrete cover-ups. There are two really easy ways that any home owner can bring some life into your traditional concrete patio:

• First, use some masonry stain to ‘color’ your concrete with some earth tone colors (like deep brown or honey). You can get creative by adding some patterns, (like checkerboard patterns or diagonal patterns).


• Second, apply some slate tiles over the plain concrete. These types of tiles are very easy to apply with thin mortar products (like Versabond for example).

The primary mission here is to add some color or depth to your flooring that will enhance the overall look and feel of your backyard without compromising comfort or having to do too many detailed improvements that take tons of time, resources, talent and money to accomplish.

Second – Add a Trellis or Pergola

Another popular trend popping up in backyards across Scottsdale is the addition of pergola’s and trellis. You often see a trellis as the entry way to luxurious gardens or parks – so why not incorporate these easy to install items in your backyard? There are several home improvement stores that sell ‘easy to assemble trellis’ or prefabricated trellis. It’s best to place these centrally in your back yard – so people will see it as a focal point when they enter the back yard. Adding some vine or plants to either side of the trellis is also a great idea to enhance the look of this very easy and affordable backyard enhancement.

The addition of Pergola’s to Scottsdale AZ backyards is also growing. For those that don’t know, a pergola is a cubed shaped structure that traditionally is placed over a patio or deck to provide some shade – without completely blocking the sun. Just like a trellis, a pergola is rather easy to install – but you might want to seek the advice of a Scottsdale remodeling contractor to be on the safe side.

Third – Add Vertical Enhancements to your Backyard Makeover in Scottsdale

Finally, regardless of what other enhancements you choose to incorporate into your backyard makeover project, it’s always best to find affordable ways of increasing depth. This is where integrating vertical designs, plants, rocks or other items provide this added dimension to a backyard. Believe it or not, simply adding a few large boulders to your backyard can significantly improve the overall look. Plus, they take up space and add some character to your backyard. Colorful plants and shrubs are also very simple and affordable ways of adding some ‘height’ to your level backyards in Scottsdale.

Regardless of what you choose to do – get creative with your backyard makeover in Scottsdale. But as with any other project, always set a budget first – before you start to buy. And as always, if you require some professional help; don’t hesitate to contact experienced home improvement specialists to receive their ideas or a free quote for a truly customized backyard enhancement

Read more about backyard remodeling projects:

• Top Outdoor Patio Ideas That Are Easy To Complete In Arizona


• Fun Swimming Pool Remodel & Backyard Projects For Arizona Homes


• 5 Reasons To Improve Your Outdoor Living Space In Scottsdale

Ready to create your backyard oasis, call Peak One Builders today at (480) 378-0611

Read the full story at: http://peakonebuilders.com/the-most-popular-backyard-makeover-in-scottsdale/