Landscaping Ideas for Your New Home

Backyard PatioWith a brand new home, the possibilities for landscaping are wide open. There are so many ways to beautify the land that your home was built on. When you have a new home built by custom home builders in NC, your outdoor spaces should be an equally important part of your home design. Consider the latest trends in home landscaping and get some great ideas for your yard.

  • Low Maintenance Plants. With busy lifestyles becoming the norm, many people are looking for low maintenance landscaping that won’t require much upkeep from week to week. Plants that are hearty in dry conditions and won’t need extra watering are popular for convenience and economic reasons. Let landscaping experts recommend plants that work well in the region where you live.
  • Vegetable Gardens on Display. Growing your own veggies is becoming common practice again as organic foods offer health benefits. What’s changing most is that your garden doesn’t have to be in the backyard out of sight. Your veggies can be planted in the front yard among other attractive flowering plants which not only offers aesthetic benefits, but cross pollination benefits as well.
  • Flowing Water. The serenity from moving water makes it a valuable investment. Fountains, fish ponds, waterfalls, and more are popular additions to many yards and patios. Zen gardens are all the rage with water scenes for peaceful meditation.
  • Outdoor Kitchens. This concept is by no means new, but it continues to be a staple for backyard patios. Elaborate grilling and outdoor cooking areas combined with comfortable patio seating, often under and pergola or pavilion, is ideal for outdoor family dining and entertaining.
  • Indoor Comforts Outdoors. Thanks to advances in outdoor furniture design, it’s possible to have indoor-quality furniture outside. Waterproof and fade-proof fabrics, as well as durable materials, make it possible to have stylish, cozy outdoor furniture that holds up to the elements.
  • Stone or Tile Steps and Paths. Direct the flow of traffic in your yard with stones, tiles, or concrete pads. Create pathways and stepping stones to take guests on an adventure through your beautifully landscaped backyard, or lead them right to your front door without damaging the grass.

R&K Custom Home Builders in NC Include Landscaping as Part of the Custom Building Experience

Landscaping does not have to be an afterthought once your home is completed. Your plans for your outdoor spaces and plants should be part of your original home design. In order to make the best use of the lay of the land, patios, decks, plants, ponds, and other features should be planned for from the beginning. R&K Custom Home Builders in NC have the expertise to incorporate your landscaping ideas into the overall design of your home. From outdoor patios with pergolas to screened-in porches, these spaces are just as important as the home itself. Trust your whole home to R&K Custom Home Builders. To get started planning your dream home today, call (336) 362-5225 to schedule a free consultation.

Top 5 Questions You Should Ask Your Custom Home Builder

View from front of houseIn your search for the right custom home builders in North Carolina, there are many things you need to consider. Of course, the style of home plays a large part, as does location. But by the time you have reached this point, you will most likely already have a list of home builders in mind for the project. There are several very important questions you should ask any custom home builder you are thinking about using.

1. How Long Have You Been Building Custom Homes in NC?

Hiring custom home builders in North Carolina is similar to hiring a team of long-term employees. You would not hire an employee without a resume and references, so why would you hire a builder without doing the same. You need to know about their work history, how many years they have been in business, what special skills they bring to the table, and that they are fully familiar with all local codes and regulations.

2. How Long Will Building My Home Take?

Before you decide which contractor to hire, you should ask them to provide you with a start and finish date in writing. Along with this, the contractor should be able to give you a complete list of the major milestones in the construction project. This will allow you to check on the progress of your custom home at any point and address any variances before they become a major problem.

3. What Happens If I Make Changes to the Original Plan?

When you sat down and put together the plans for your dream home, you probably thought you were done. However, during construction, you might find you have to make a few modifications. You need to ask the contractor how they handle these changes and if those changes will cause work to stop while you hammer out the details. Be sure this information is all included in the contract to avoid issues down the road.

4. Do You Handle the Entire Project

This one is very important as not all custom home builders in North Carolina do their own work from start to finish. Many use a number of sub-contractors for things like wiring, plumbing and climate control. While there is nothing wrong with this, you need to know how much time the contractor will spend on-site during the project and who will be supervising the construction of your home when he is not there.

5. Why Are You the Right Custom Home Builder for Me?

Making the right choice of custom home builders in North Carolina is vital to a successful outcome. Having a custom home built represents a major financial and personal investment. Be sure to ask every builder you are considering what sets them apart from the rest, what makes them unique, why they think they are the best choice to build the home you and your family plan to live in for many years? Each builder has their own philosophy, this is a good time to make sure theirs and yours mesh so that you are comfortable with them constructing your new home.

Top Benefits of Custom Building your New Home

Custom home built by R and KWhile there are plenty of previously-owned homes on the market today, there is nothing quite like walking into your first custom-built home. There are many advantages to having the best home builders in Greensboro working with you to create your dream home. A new home allows you to personalize it to meet your needs and desires, while at the same time enjoying many years of low-maintenance living. Here are several major advantages of having your next home custom-built just for you.

A Personalized Home

When you are looking at new homes today, most are built to a predetermined set of plans. For example, if you walk through a new housing development, all the houses are built using a very limited number of floor plans. The best home builders in Greensboro will work with you to create a floor plan that best fits your family’s needs. You decide what rooms go where, how big they are, how many bedrooms and bathrooms your house will have. You also choose all fittings and fixtures, cabinets, color schemes and more. In other words, you have the final word in making your house into a home your family will love.

Increased Energy-Efficiency

The cost of utilities such as electricity, gas and water will likely only go up. Modern homes are being built using the latest in “tight construction” techniques with the most energy-efficient insulation materials. They are airtight and designed to keep in heat and air conditioning better than at any time in the past. New custom homes come with energy efficient appliances, low-flow showers and toilets, and LED lighting designed to maximize light and minimize power usage. All of this will help keep your utility bills under control.

Built for Special Needs

Do you need wheelchair access, special bathroom fixtures to help an elderly family member? What about extra space for elderly family members like an “in-law” apartment. Having the best home builders in Greensboro add these in while building your home is far more cost effective than buying an existing home and then having to pay a contractor to modify it.

Reduced Maintenance Costs

When you buy a previously owned home, you could be investing in a wide range of hidden problems that are likely to show up in the months after you move in and cost a lot of money to repair. With a new home, your maintenance costs are likely to be far less. Most custom home builders in NC offer a warranty. Depending on the nature of this warranty, it might cover things like the furnace, air conditioner, heat pump, appliances, windows, doors, roof and more. This can save you a lot of money in repairs compared to if you bought an existing home.

Working with the best home builders in Greensboro puts you in the driver’s seat. You never have to deal with the hassle of house shopping and making repairs as you are moving in. This may be one of the least stressful moves you and your family will ever make.

Top Reasons Building a Home Provides More Value

There has never been a better time to build a home on one of the many custom home lots available in the Greensboro, NC, area. What better way is there to have your cake and eat it too? When you have a home built for you, you get the best of both worlds. This includes all the benefits and modern features you get in a fresh newly-constructed home along with the traditional look you wanted in your dream home. However, there are several more practical reasons why building a home offers more value.

Home for sale in Oak Ridge

You Choose What You Get with a Custom Built Home

When you have a home built for you, you know exactly what you are getting right down to the last fixture in the master bathroom. You know what is hiding behind the walls as much as what you can see with your own eyes. Your custom home builder can answer any questions you might have during the construction process.

You Get to Choose Where You Live

One of the great benefits of custom home lots is that you get to choose where your new home is to be built. You can look for a lot near the lake, out in the woods, on a particular street or in a certain part of town. Building a new home puts you fully in charge as you get to choose a site that matches your tastes and lifestyle.

Build a More Eco-Friendly Home

You will find it hard to compare the energy efficiency of homes built today to those built as little as ten years ago. Today’s designers and contractors use the latest insulation technology and modern appliances that are far more energy efficient than at any time in history. This will help you keep your utility bills to a minimum.

You Get to Start with a Blank Canvas and Create the Ideal Home

When you buy an existing house, you are stuck with what you get to a certain extent. That is unless you want to invest in renovation. By having a home built for you, you get to design your new home starting with a blank canvas. You are the master of your own destiny and the only one who has the final say in what your new home will look like.

Lower Costs with Your Custom Built Home

When you buy a home that has just been built, everything in it is brand new. This means that for the first few years at least, your maintenance costs should be virtually nothing. An older home may have problems you are not even aware of, which could end up costing hundreds if not thousands of dollars in parts and labor to rectify.

It can be tempting to buy an existing home; it’s already built and ready to move into. But, if you would like to have more input on your home, consider having a custom home built on one of the many available custom home lots in the area. Then let R&K Custom Homes help you with the design and construction of your new home.

How to Ensure a Timeless Home Design when Building a Home

Have you ever wondered why it is that some homes can look dated only a few years after they have been built, while others look current and almost trendy despite being decades old? Custom home builders in NC will tell you it’s because these homes have what is often referred to as a timeless design. This type of design is one that will not only stand the test of time but is always going to look like it’s new and trendy.

Home for sale in Oak Ridge NC

Start by Looking Around at Existing Homes

If you want custom home builders in NC to create a timeless design for your home, the best place to start is by looking at the classics. In other words, seek out those homes that already seem to have that timeless look. Look at the different colors, designs, and styles considered to be “classic” and build your design around these concepts.

Go with Classic home Building Styling

Classic styling is just what its name says, styles that draw on history to create a new look that will endure. The Greeks used columns, busts, stripes, statues, and an amazing array of architectural molding in their homes. You can draw upon these for inspiration and make use of natural materials such as wood, cotton, brick, stone both inside and out.

Avoid Fad Styles in Home Construction

A good timeless home design is one that doesn’t get its ideas from the latest trends. The design should instead be a little understated, sophisticated yet simple. Your home design should be one that considers function before form yet is not boring. Any design you choose should be one that can be adapted as life changes or the house is sold.

Timeless Designs are Truly Functional

If there is one thing you can’t help but notice when it comes to timeless homes, it is that they tend to be rather sensible and functional in design. Create rooms that will have neither too much nor too little space for your furniture. Choose fixtures that while quite beautiful and functional are not over the top. Choose furniture that will best compliment the size and style of your rooms.

Avoid Being Overly Colorful

If you look at traditional home décor, one of the first things you notice is a high usage of neutral colors. Colors like off-whites, beiges, grays all play a large role in timeless designs. They are often offset by bright white fixtures and moldings that bring the rooms together. Avoid trendy colors if you can or at least try not to make them the main focus of the room.

Working with your custom home builders in NC, create a design that is not overstated yet is large enough for your needs now and in the future. Use plenty of neutral colors both inside and out to create a warm traditional look and you are well on your way to owning a timeless home. For more information and help designing your next home, please contact R&K Custom Homes at (336) 362-5225 and talk to our team of expert custom home builders.

5 Common Mistakes First Time Homebuyers Make

home for sale in GreensboroThe housing market is running very hot right now as interest rates continue to remain low. However, inventory is lower now in many areas and the best home builders in Greensboro are busier now than they have been in years. Buying a home, especially for first-time buyers, can be a very complex undertaking. A single mistake can lead to a lifetime of financial heartache. Here are five common mistakes first time homebuyers make.

Buying a House Whose Price Is Over Your Head

If you were to ask the best home builders in Greensboro what they thought was one of the most common first-time homebuyer’s mistake was, chances are good they would say spending too much. Bear in mind that just because you qualify for a certain amount doesn’t mean you should spend it on a home. Buying the most expensive home you can qualify for can leave you scrambling to pay the bills each month, let alone save any money.

Failure to Educate Yourself on Home Buying

When the time comes to buy a home, take your time and look around at the various homes in your price range and in the area you wish to live in. While you may feel the need to act fast, you should never feel like you are being pressured into buying your first home. By taking the time to learn about local markets and pricing, you could save yourself thousands of dollars including the purchase price, utility bills, taxes, and insurance.

Not Making Sure You Have Your Financial Ducks in a Row

Before you start shopping for your first home, you need to take the time to get organized and make sure you have all of your financial ducks in a row. According to several of the best home builders in Greensboro, far too many first-time homebuyers end up biting off more than they can chew and risk losing their new home because they ended up getting in over their heads and being unable to meet their mortgage payments.

The Best Home Builders in Greensboro Say You Need to Visit Your New Home Frequently

The best home builders in Greensboro all agree that the house you buy is not going to move, it is stuck where it is whether that happens to be in a good location or not. You need to visit this location several times and at different times of the day to see what is going on. The last thing you want is to buy a home on a noisy, busy street or in a neighborhood that doesn’t suit you. Do your homework and make sure you can live where your new home is located, if not move on and find another one.

If you are interested in having a custom home built for you, contact R&K Custom Homes, one of the best home builders in the Greensboro area. Call us at (336) 362-5225 to discuss new home construction or renovating your current home.

What Makes a Home More Energy Efficient?

New home in Summerfield NCOne thing any new home builder in Summerfield, NC, can tell you is that the homes they are building today are far more efficient than those they were building even ten years ago. In part, this may be due to massive changes in building codes that require contractors to meet stringent new guidelines. But it is also due to new materials, new construction techniques and more.

New Materials in Home Construction

There have been many advances in building material design over the past few decades. Where once when utilities were cheap, a single pane of glass set in a wood or aluminum frame was sufficient, today we work with double and triple glazed windows that are gas filled for maximum energy efficiency. New insulation methods and materials such as expanding foam now create walls that lose virtually no heat. The drive to achieve more in this area comes directly from consumers who constantly demand more.

Size Plays a Role in Home Building

Today’s home buyers are tending more towards building bigger houses rather than smaller ones. The bigger the house, the more it is going to cost to cool, heat, and illuminate. This has led to new developments in energy saving appliances, heat pumps instead of furnaces and air conditioners, and the widespread demand for LED lighting that costs pennies per year to run.

This same concept applies to stoves, refrigerators, hot water heaters, and virtually every other appliance being installed by every new home builder in Summerfield, NC. It is no longer acceptable to use appliances that are not ultra-efficient. These are among the biggest ways in which the energy efficiency of new homes continues to improve.

Is There a Point Where a Home Can Be Too Energy Efficient?

To put it quite simply, no there is no point at which a new home can become too energy efficient. The average home built today can be up to 30 percent larger than a similar home built only five years ago and yet only increase the utility bills by approximately 2 percent thanks to the latest in energy efficiency technology.

If you want a home that is bigger than your current home and yet costs you no more than your current utility bill, it is quite possible. You need to work very closely with your new home builders in Summerfield, NC to add several changes in the design, materials, and appliances to meet your energy efficiency desires.

Most have the skills needed to create “high-rated” energy efficient homes using the very latest technologies. Homes like these far exceed the standards for the average home and leave the federal standards sitting in the dust.

Energy Efficiency Means More than Saving Money

There is more to an energy efficient home than simply saving you money on your monthly power bill. When your home is built to these standards, you should never experience hot or cold spots nor should the bottom floor be colder than the upper one.

These are some of the reasons why new homes are more energy efficient than those built only a few years ago. If you are interested in having an ultra-high energy efficient home built, call R&K Custom Homes at (336) 362-5225. We specialize in building energy efficient homes using the latest technologies and materials.

What Square Footage is Right for You?

Home for sale in GreensboroWhether you are buying a spec home or are talking to your building contractors in Greensboro, NC, about having a custom home built, there are many factors you must take into consideration. When it comes to the initial planning phase, should you think about the overall square footage of your home or worry more about functionality and design.

The simple reality is that while both are equally important, overall functionality and design are dictated by size. Yet if you haven’t taken the time to put both factors into play, you could easily end up with a home that is either too big or too small. There are several factors you need to take into account as you try to determine how much square footage you need. Among these are:

  • How many people will be living in your home?
  • Do you have younger children or are they older?
  • Do you plan to use your kitchen to cook big meals and entertain?
  • How much time do you spend in the bedroom or the common areas?
  • Do you like to spend time outdoors on a deck or patio?
  • Do you entertain and how often?
  • Do you need a lot of storage space?
  • How much money do you have to spend on taxes? On maintenance?

Any time you talk to one of the building contractors in Greensboro, they are going to ask you questions just like these. The whole idea is to find out as much as possible about how you plan to use your new home. Doing so will help you and your contractors make the right decision regarding the size of your home.

Other Considerations for Building a New Home

Once you answer all of the above questions, you should be getting close to being able to nail down the square footage of your new home. However, there are a few more things you might want to take into consideration before you commit. These include:

Resale Value: Functionality plays a large role in resale value as does size. For example, a home with 2.5 bathrooms will sell faster and for more money than one with only 1.5 bathrooms.

Your Future: If you have kids or are planning to have more, you need to plan enough space in your home for them. This means adding another bedroom, making common areas larger, even adding an extra bathroom.

Your Hobbies: Hobbies come in an amazing array of sizes. Do you quilt and need a large sewing room, maybe you’re a woodworker and need room for a shop, or perhaps you like to play noisy online games? These can dictate how much space you need in your home.

Be True to Yourself: Take a good look at the dream home you are planning and think carefully about what you are planning to have your building contractors in Greensboro build. Do you really need a huge kitchen or are you just trying to impress others? Maybe you would be better off with a smaller kitchen and funneling the money towards another part of the house.

For more help in determining how much square footage you truly need, contact R&K Custom Homes at (336) 362-5225. Our experts will work with you through the entire process. Then you can count on us to design and build your perfect dream home.

Best Questions to Ask your Home Builder

Checklist for your home builder graphicIf you’re considering custom building your new home and are interviewing custom home builders in NC, don’t miss these important questions to ask before you hire them.

Do You Have References for Whom You’ve Built Custom Homes?

Find out what it is like to actually work with your custom home builder by asking for references. Calling former customers and speaking with them will help you decide if you can partner and work with your new custom home builder for an extended period of time.

Do You Offer a New Home Warranty, and What Does It Cover?

Reputable custom home builders in NC will offer a warranty. But don’t just settle for a yes. Ask for the details surrounding the warranty and what it specifically covers and does not cover to avoid surprise expenses.

Am I Permitted to Visit the Building Site During Construction of My Home?

After you pick out your materials and design, you won’t want to wait until your home is fully constructed to visit and check on the status. Ask your custom home builder if you will be permitted to come on site and be a part of the entire process.

How Will You Communicate with Me During the Home Building Process?

Communication is paramount to a successful project. Find out what the home builders’ communication style and frequency are to ensure you’re not in the dark about your new custom home’s progress, problems, and cost.

Get Your Questions Answered by Expert Custom Home Builders in NC

Interview one of the best custom homebuilders in NC, today. With more than 20 years’ experience building custom homes, R&K custom homebuilders has the rapport and expertise to make your custom home building experience a smooth and successful one. Start making your custom home plans and call them at (336) 362-5225.

Great Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent About New Homes for Sale in Greensboro

Photo of a new home for sale in Greensboro NCSearching for new homes for sale in Greensboro can present countless options for your perusal. Choosing the right one can be challenging, especially if you’re not a new home expert. Enter: your real estate agent. Agents spend their professional lives buying and selling homes. While you’re searching for your perfect future home, tap into your agent’s wealth of knowledge to help you make the right choice.

What Do You Like About This Home?

Agents spend their days touring new homes in Greensboro. They are privy to the conveniences and drawbacks of many new homes. Asking your real estate agent about what they like about the home may uncover some of the home’s appeal you may have missed.

What Do You Know About the Builder’s Reputation?

Real estate agents don’t just know homes; they know home builders. Being in the industry of selling homes built by various builders naturally results in feedback from clients or other agents’ clients about their new home experience. That information can be helpful when making your decision to purchase a home by a specific builder.

What Would You Change About This Home?

Real estate agents don’t just know what’s great about a home, they’ve seen enough homes to know what negative signs to look for. Ask them what they’d change about a home you may be interested in. It’s as valuable as asking a renowned chef what he would change about a recipe. You’re bound to come out ahead with his answer.

Do You Think the Price is Fair?

Real estate agents also know about price and the housing market. They know what homes have sold for in the area, and possibly what the value may be in the future. Take advantage of your agent’s history in the new home market by getting honest answers about price before going all in.

Start Your List of Questions About New Homes in Greensboro, Today

Start the conversation with your agent by starting your new home search with R&K Custom Homebuilders by calling them at (336) 362-5225. With brand new homes in Greensboro, NC and a solid reputation with area real estate agents, they are the premier custom homebuilders in Greensboro with whom you can find the answers to your new home questions.