Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Luxury Home Building in Paradise Valley AZ [7 Steps]

Luxury home building in Paradise Valley AZFinding your dream home may not be as easy as you think. Sometimes, you have to build it yourself. However, with the help of skilled contractors and quality materials, you can make your vision a reality. It is vital that you learn the appropriate steps to take when considering luxury home building in Paradise Valley AZ. Building a home is a very detailed process that requires patience, organization, and a decent budget. Selecting the right home building company in Paradise Valley will be one of the most important steps. The contractors can make or break your project. In this article, we will outline some steps to help you start the luxury home building process.


Buying Land


Buying a home is all about location. The right location will increase your home’s future resale value which is very important. The prime concerns for luxury homeowners are convenience and safety. Homeowners want a space that is secure and not easily accessible but also close to schools, stores, and the highway. You can achieve the right balance with careful planning. The key is to buy a lot that you can build and expand on comfortably. Keep in mind that certain vacant lots do not come equipped with water, electricity, etc. You may have to invest in the basics of plumbing and electricity. Research the lot to find out what utilities need to be added onto the property.


You should also make sure the land is not swampy, marshy, or prone to flooding. This could lead to disaster in the future.


Finding the Right Home Building Company


Your home building contractors should be just as solid as your home’s foundation. The home builder will not only carry out your building plans but you will also have to communicate with them daily. For this reason, it is important that your personalities mesh well together.


Consider interviewing multiple companies before deciding on one. Ask your friends and neighbors for referrals to help you get started. It is also a good idea to contact your local division of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). They will be able to provide a list of qualified licensed and insured builders in your area.


When you start interviewing contractors for the job, ask to stop by some of their building sites to get a firsthand look at their work. You may even chat a bit with their customers to ask if they are satisfied. During the interview, ask the builder some specifics such as their financial plan and warranty program. It is important to gauge their level of expertise so that you know exactly what you’re working with.


Applying for Permits and Approvals


It is important to be familiar with the zoning laws in your county and state before starting a luxury home building project. Building a home in Paradise Valley will require special building permits. Construction permits are a necessary requirement for most home additions. Talk to your contractor to make sure you stay abreast of permit needs and have a backup plan when certain permits fall through.


Please be aware that the city council has to approve your building plans before you break ground. You and your contractor should work together on drawing up the building plans in order to send them to the council.


Choosing Quality Building Materials


When you finally decide to build a luxury home, you will be able to design every detail exactly how you want to. Now is the time that you can choose exotic wood species, custom granite, stone, and any other materials that you have always wanted to use. Your contractor can provide valuable guidance and suggestions for choosing the right home materials.


The Building Process


Once you have your building plans approved, it’s time to get started on the home of your dreams. By this point you should already have a budget in place, all of your required materials, and utilities added to the property. Home building can occur all year long due to advanced technology. Therefore, it is important to lay down a time frame with our building. Homes can take anywhere from three months to a year to be built. When hiring a home builder, you should meet as often as possible to go over your luxury home blueprints and check their progress.


The Walkthrough


A final walkthrough with a home inspector is essential before you officially move into the home. The contractor, inspector and you should meet and examine the home to make sure everything is up to code and there are no major building violations or hazards.


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Contact the Paradise Valley home building experts at Peak One Builders & Restoration to learn more about creating a custom home. Request a free estimate or call 480-378-0611 now!

 


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Luxury Home Building in Paradise Valley AZ [7 Steps]

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Adding an Addition to a Home in Carefree: Pros & Cons

adding an addition to a home in CarefreeYou may be considering adding an addition to your home but may be weighing all of your options. Home additions have lots of pros and cons. Many homeowners decide to add an addition when their family starts growing because it’s less costly to add an addition compared to moving into a bigger home. Adding an addition to a home in Carefree will increase your property value and is a major selling point to buyers. However, before you start your project it is important to weigh all the pros and cons of undertaking such a project. Our guide will help you determine if Carefree home addition is right for you.


Increase Your Living Space


A home is built with a certain amount of square footage and that never changes. The value of your home may go up due to market factors, but the actual size of your home does not increase unless you modify it. Many homeowners choose to add an extra room or area to their home to increase square footage and accommodate more people. Families often build extra rooms to house more children or in-laws. They may also decide to build an addition specifically for entertaining such as a game room or sunroom. Others may choose to make it a multipurpose room that can be used for a wide variety of activities. Ultimately, it is up to the homeowner to decide how to use the addition once it is built.


Create Your Dream Room


It is never too late to turn your home into the house of your dreams. Home additions make it possible by allowing you to build a room from scratch. You can add electronic elements, new finishes, or anything else that you always wanted to have in your home. The right home renovation experts will help you construct the perfect space for you. They will sit down with you and plan the blueprint for the space including size specifications, functions, and materials. Home addition contractors in Carefree are skilled at bringing your ideas to life.


Adding Value to Your Home


The major benefit of modifying your home is the added value to your property. As mentioned earlier, additions increase the square footage of your home and certain accouterments will modernize the space. Features such as surround sound and stainless steel will make your home more valuable and appealing to future buyers. Making home additions in Carefree are good for resale value and a nice way to make your home stand out in the neighborhood.


Dealing with Construction


The end result may be wonderful but the process is not always pretty. A new addition means major construction that can be very uncomfortable to deal with. Typically, home additions do not take long to build but the project will still be a little inconvenient. You may never get used to random strangers walking around your house or hearing loud equipment early in the morning. The best thing to do during this time is to be patient. If you and your contractor communicate frequently and effectively, the project will not take too long.


Limited Outdoor Space


Most homeowners choose to build outward instead of upward. It may seem like the sensible thing to do but one thing you must remember is that your yard space will decrease. Building anything on your land will decrease the amount of available acreage. Additions are not easy or intended to be removed so once they are built, they are permanent. If you cherish your yard space, you will have to carefully plan the size of your addition.


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Contact the Carefree home addition experts at Peak One Builders & Restoration to learn more about adding on to your home. Request a free estimate or call 480-378-0611 now!

 


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Adding an Addition to a Home in Carefree: Pros & Cons

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Home Renovation Service in Paradise Valley [Hiring Checklist]

home renovation service in Paradise ValleyHiring a contractor for your home improvement projects can be a tall order. You want someone who is skilled, efficient, and reasonably priced. These may all seem like reasonable feats to manage but every contractor is not created equal. Selecting a contractor has a lot to do with your needs, schedule, and personality. You need someone who is willing to accommodate you as much as possible. You also need a contractor that listens to your ideas while being honest about their capabilities. In this article you will learn more about home renovation service in Paradise Valley and how selecting the right contractor makes all the difference.


Check Experience


Experience is the best teacher for a reason. There are a lot of factors that go into home improvement and many unsuspected problems can occur. Someone that is skilled and adept at handling issues can save you a lifetime of trouble.


The best way to check a contractor’s experience is to find out about their home improvement certifications. There are certain certifications that contractors can obtain that show they are trained in certain skills, such as a certified graduate remodeler (CGR), membership with the Building Industry Association (BIA), and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) are just a few examples to think about when checking out the experience and qualifications of your contractor.


A good contractor will be transparent about their credentials and eager to inform you about them. You can check their website to find out more about their credentials or you may see the certificates hanging in their store or office. This is the first sign that the contractor is experienced and ready for the job.


Ask for Referrals and Check Reviews


Oftentimes, the best contractors come with referrals. Ask your neighbors and friends about the contractors they used for their home remodeling and home improvement projects. If more than one person mentions the same contractor, then it might be a good idea to talk to that contractor.


You can also ask workers at your local home improvement store who they recommend to help you with your project. Home improvement stores have good a rapport with local contractors so they will be familiar with the ones in your area.


You can also check websites such as Yelp and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to check local reviews of the contractor’s services. People will leave comments about their good and bad experiences with the contractor which will help you determine if you should use that particular home improvement company.


Look at Images of Recent Projects


A good contractor should have recent photos of their home remodeling work. A collection of recent pictures not only shows that people are hiring the contractor but it also shows that the contractor will be able to deliver the work you are looking for.


The contractor should have a gallery on their website where they showcase home improvement photos. The contactor may also be active on social media and they may have an Instagram, twitter, or Facebook account that shows their work.


Know About Proper Licensure


A trained contractor should be licensed, bonded, and insured in your state. Bonding means that the contractor has insurance to protect the customer if the contractor doesn’t complete the job properly or doesn’t meet his/her financial obligations.


With a home renovation contractor in Paradise Valley, they are required to have a trade and registration. You can contact the local state department or research the contractor to find out if they have proper licensing.


Ask About Process and Timeline


One of the most important things you need to talk to your contractor about is the timeframe of the home remodeling or home improvement project. A timeline gives you an idea of how much the project will cost and how long it takes to complete. A contractor that isn’t able to give you a timeline may not be professional and may cause you to lose time and money in the end.


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Contact the Paradise Valley home remodeling experts at Peak One Builders & Restoration to learn more about creating a custom home. Request a free estimate or call 480-378-0611 now!

 


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Home Renovation Service in Paradise Valley [Hiring Checklist]

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Designing Your Own Home in Scottsdale for Entertaining

designing your own home in ScottsdaleThe wonderful weather in Scottsdale, AZ makes it the perfect place to entertain all year long. Events like barbeques, pool parties, and movie nights are great to host in the comfort of our own home. Homeowners that want to enjoy these festivities should look into designing your own home in Scottsdale. Read this article to learn how to create the perfect home for entertaining guests and throwing fun events.


Create a Grand, Entertainers Kitchen Space


Culinary shows on TV always have the most beautiful and well-decorated kitchens. These beautiful spaces inspire many homeowners to create an entertainer’s kitchen in their own home. An entertainer’s kitchen normally features a stylish theme, lots of space, clean surfaces, a nice-sized fridge, and a butler’s pantry. All of these factors are created to accommodate multiple guests while the chef is cooking.


You can include a beverage station in your kitchen that includes a wine cellar. When building a custom home, you can request a modern wine cellar conveniently located in your kitchen. This makes organizing a wine tasting a very simple for you and your guests.


Easy to clean surfaces could be chrome, granite or stainless steel surfaces that reflect light and are usually simple to clean. Chrome and stainless steel give kitchens a modern, stylish look that creates the perfect theme for at-home entertaining.


These kitchens often have an open layout that makes the island a central focal point in the room. Guests can watch you cook or even help as you use the butler’s pantry or restaurant-style stove.


Have a Magnificent Backyard


One of the greatest benefits of having a home is all the space you get to enjoy. Homes with spacious backyards are perfect for throwing lavish events and parties.


If your home already comes with a pool or any other extra feature, a renovated backyard will add all of the innovative touches you need for the most entertaining backyard. You can also add a pool if your home does not include one.


You may consider building a stone patio, barbeque center with a custom grill, and other cool stations in your backyard for entertaining guests.


Add a Game Area


A game room is where the adults get to act like children again and the kids get to wind down and relax. Modern game rooms come equipped with flatscreen TVs, gaming systems, and even old-school arcade games. You can also add a pool table, ping-pong, or even mini basketball hoops to really give your home an arcade feel.


Add a Wine Room


Many homeowners are opting to add a wine room or wine cellar to their home to store their favorite wines and host dinner events. A wine room is a specialty space that requires insulation and thermal glass. You will also need wine racks and barrels to store the bottles or cases of wine. Lighting will also need to be customized to protect the wine.


Scottsdale Home Building


Building a custom home requires an expert contractor that understands the needs of your space. To stay within city codes of building and remodeling standards, you will need a home building company in Scottsdale who is well familiar with them. A home built for entertaining can only be accomplished with skilled contractors that can bring your creative ideas to life.


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Contact the Scottsdale home building experts at Peak One Builders & Restoration to learn more about creating a custom home. Request a free estimate or call 480-378-0611 now!

 


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Designing Your Own Home in Scottsdale for Entertaining

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

How to Find Energy Efficient Appliances for Green Homes

energy efficient appliances for green homesIt is becoming more and more important that homeowners start investing in green technology where they can. Considering that so much of a home’s energy is used powering our electrical units, you may first want to look into energy efficient appliances for green homes if you are serious about cutting down those painful utility bills at the end of the month. There is a lot of advertising out there, however, claiming that such and such appliance is more efficient than another. This makes it difficult to distinguish the facts from the fiction.


Finding energy efficient appliances does not have to be so tough. Follow these tips instead from your green home building contractors in Scottsdale. Doing so will protect you from choosing faulty appliances later down the line.


Look for EnergyStar Appliances


You have no doubt heard about EnergyStar appliances, if nowhere else than on television advertisements, and for good reason. Being certified with an EnergyStar rating from the EPA is one of the best endorsements an appliance can receive. A voluntary energy conservation movement, EnergyStar has helped promote efficient appliances since 1992, and before you purchase any new appliances, you should check for an EnergyStar rating first.


It may be in your best interest to avoid non-rated appliances.


Review the EnergyGuide Label


If an appliance as been rated by EnergyStar, you should still review its EnergyGuide label to be sure you are choosing the right product for your home. As set by the US Department of Energy, the EnergyGuide label is essentially the record that a given product has been tested and approved for its energy efficiency.


The specific information you will find on an EnergyGuide will typically include: (1) the total amount of energy used by the appliance, (2) its energy use compared to similar products, and (3) an approximate list of annual operating costs, though your local utility rates and energy source will have more to say on that.


Keep Size in Mind (Sometimes Smaller is Better)


More often than not, using your intuition will help you when selecting the best green appliances. For example, consider the larger, bulkier appliances many of us are used to. In reality, a good number of these big units are not energy efficient at all, consuming massive amounts for relatively little extra output.


Sometimes a smaller appliance is better, and you should not shy away from these options because of preconceived ideas of what a good appliance should look like.


Contact Local Builders to Learn More


Making the switch to a green home requires a good deal of contribution on your part. Not only do you need to learn more about efficient practices but you also need to research new appliances and installations that can best fit your vision. You will want professional consultation during this time to ensure that you are making well-informed decisions.


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Contact the Net-Zero Energy home building experts at Peak One Builders & Restoration to learn more about creating a custom cutting-edge green home. Request a free estimate or call 480-378-0611 now!

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How to Find Energy Efficient Appliances for Green Homes

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

How Do Sustainable Green Homes Affect the Environment?

Sustainable green homesResponsible homeowners in today’s world need to understand that even the smallest lifestyle decisions can have major effects on the world around them. The environment has been particularly ravaged through the years due to unsafe and unregulated practices regarding trash and waste disposal. The energy we consume is also causing an irreparable dent in the planet’s natural resources, and eventually there will be nothing left. We, therefore, have to do what we can to protect the environment, and sustainable green homes might just be the answer.


Green homes are specialty constructions that are built to have a negligible impact on the environment. This sustainable housing boasts many eco-friendly elements, and if you have additional questions reach out to a custom energy efficient home building company in Scottsdale, but until then consider these benefits.


Green Homes Reduce Water Wasting


Especially if you live in a dry state such as Arizona, green homes are particularly beneficial in reducing the amount of water waste your home produces. This can be done a number of ways, though these three options are among the most common if you are trying to conserve water:


  • EnergyStar Appliances: Incorporating EnergyStar appliances in your home is a great way to limit the amount of water that gets wasted. From dishwashers to clothes washers and everything in between, these eco-friendly appliances can turn a guzzler green overnight.

  • Efficient Plumbing Systems: Green homes are especially known for their efficient plumbing systems, which can reduce the amount of water that goes into something as simple as a toilet flush.

  • Landscape Watering: Instead of drowning your landscape to get rid of disease and weeds, green homes can utilize efficient irrigation systems to minimize runoff and overspray.

Green Homes Help Protect the Surrounding Ecosystem


Green homes are usually constructed to help a given homeowner reduce energy waste, but green homes are even more important to the surrounding ecosystem. With green homes, you do not have to worry about dangerous pollutants or non-biodegradable waste being produced by the home itself.


Moreover, some green homes are naturally resistant to pests based on construction style and the materials involved. In other words, instead of pumping harmful chemicals in and around the home, let the building take care of itself.


Green Homes Improve Air & Water Quality


By looking at your personal carbon footprint calculation, you might be shocked at just how much negative impact you are having on the environment, though you may quickly find that unclean and inefficient utilities have just as much of a negative impact on you. Fortunately, green homes can help alleviate these issues by improving your home’s air and water quality.


This can be done a number of ways based on the specifications of your project, but usually, green homes are outfitted with special tools to remove harmful chemicals or other organic compounds and organisms from the available water and air supply. Most green homes are specially designed to eliminate leading carcinogens, such as radon gas, from our homes.


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Contact the Net-Zero Energy home building experts at Peak One Builders & Restoration to learn more about creating a custom cutting-edge green home. Request a free estimate or call 480-378-0611 now!

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How Do Sustainable Green Homes Affect the Environment?

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Best Windows for Energy Efficient Homes Built in Arizona

Best Windows for Energy Efficient HomesIn our modern world, energy consumption levels throughout the nation are higher than ever, which makes energy efficient home building so important. Net-zero homes, in particular, can produce roughly as much energy as they take in, leading to much lower utility bills and expenses. However, reducing your carbon footprint does not necessary mean investing in an entirely new house. You can start on a much smaller scale by investigating the best windows for energy efficient homes.


Finding credible information for non-professionals can be difficult, but the following are just a few of the solid green window options you can choose to install on your home.


Sample Alpine High-Performance Products


Alpine High-Performance Products are an energy efficient option that can increase interior comfort while saving you a small bundle. Styled with a premium design, Alpine High-Performance Products are available in an insulated vinyl or fiberglass frame, and you can typically have them done in a variety of pre-finished colors.


Alpine High-Performance Products are also known for their durability, and with little maintenance, you can have a set of beautiful new windows that will last the lifetime of the home itself and prevent excess energy loss as well.


Try Marvin Integrity


Made from Ultrex fiberglass, Marvin Integrity windows compare favorably against vinyl, aluminum and other fiberglass composite materials. Ultrex is specifically made through a pultrusion process that equips the windows with enough endurance to withstand harsh elements for many years to come. Ultrex protects against chalking, chipping, peeling and fading, making it one of the best materials out there with the additional benefit being particularly felt in utility bill savings.


Discover Fibertec Windows


Fibertec produces a number of energy efficient windows that can cover both residential and commercial applications. Using pultruded fiberglass frames and strands, Fibertec windows are known for their thermal endurance and material strength.


Offering a versatile range of window and awning types, Fibertec is a good green choice for those trying to reduce their personal energy consumption.


Consider Accurate Dorwin


Using a pultruded fiberglass that is stronger than either PVC or wood, Accurate Dorwin windows are engineered to be some of the strongest on the market. Due to such incredible strength, these windows can use lower profile frames, resulting in some fantastic surfaces and views.


Like many other fiberglass windows, Accurate Dorwin is also resistant to a wide range of elements, and if you are going for a more self-sustaining home, these are the windows you will want to install.


Contact Professionals to Learn More


To feel the full benefit of an energy efficient home, you need to rely on a dedicated green company to handle the job. As an energy efficient home building company in Scottsdale, professionals are particularly qualified to direct most eco-friendly home improvement projects and new constructions. If you are serious about going green, consider reaching out to experts like these.


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Contact the Net-Zero Energy home building experts at Peak One Builders & Restoration to learn more about creating a custom cutting-edge green home. Request a free estimate or call 480-378-0611 now!

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Best Windows for Energy Efficient Homes Built in Arizona