Organizing Tips for Your New Luxury Home

Moving into a new luxury home is an exciting time, to be sure. It can be a bit overwhelming, however, as you bring your things into the new house and try to decide where it all should go. Many people find themselves living out of boxes for months after moving in just because they didn’t have a plan for how to get organized.

 

This article will help you create an organizational plan to get your new luxury home up and running as quickly as possible. Of course, if you haven’t yet built the home of your dreams, R & K Custom Homes is one of the leading luxury home builders in North Carolina and has a stellar reputation in the industry and is ready to serve you on this project.

 

First Things First

In the first few days after you get the keys to your new luxury home, your primary focus should just be on getting the basics up and running so the house is functional and everyone has what they need. While it’s certainly okay to keep the bigger picture in mind at this stage, you don’t have to worry too much about being perfectly organized immediately. Just get moved in and comfortable in the space and you can go from there. Here are some of the basics:

 

  • Find all of your toiletries and other bathroom supplies and stock those rooms up first. Simply having your bathrooms ready to go will make this house more quickly feel like a home.

 

  • While you can exist on takeout food for a few days, you’ll want to put the kitchen pretty high on your priority list. Get some plates and cups into the cabinets and fill one drawer with silverware. It won’t take much to allow you to prepare some basic meals.

 

  • Bedrooms and closets also need to be addressed promptly when you move in. Unpack the clothes you wear most frequently, and get your bedding set up for a good night of sleep.

 

Organization for the Long Run

Once the hectic move-in process is in your rearview mirror, you can turn your attention to the task of getting properly organized for the months and years ahead. This is when features like the spacious closets and ample cabinetry of a luxury home really come in handy. Also, consider adding custom storage to areas like the master closet and pantry to make the most of the space you have available.

 

One of the best things you can do to keep your home orderly is to avoid loading it down with too much stuff. Yes, you should have quite a bit of space in this home, but that doesn’t mean you have to fill every corner with things you rarely – if ever – use. Thinning down your possessions will be a huge help on the path toward organization, and you’ll need to spend less of your valuable time tidying up when you simply own fewer things.

 

The best custom home builders leave clients with a house that can stay in the family for generations to come. R & K Custom Homes fits that mold and would love to work with you on an upcoming project. Reach out today for a free consultation.

Custom Home Innovative Storage Ideas

Can you ever have enough storage? It seems that there are always more things to put away than spaces to put them, so it’s important to focus on storage solutions when planning and building a custom home. By adding as many creative storage locations as possible in and around the home, you can keep your house clutter-free without having to give up some of the things you love.

While searching for custom home lots that will work for your dream project, reach out to R&K Custom Homes to talk about your plans. As a leading high-end custom home builder, R&K Custom Homes has the experience necessary to create a custom home that will serve your family for generations.

Start with Built-Ins

One of the features that gives a custom home its custom look is built-in storage. Often, this takes the form of a bookcase that occupies an entire wall, or some built-in shelving on either side of a fireplace or window. The beauty of built-ins can be found in their dual-purpose nature – they are both an architectural highlight and a place to store some items. If you are going to go through the effort to build a custom home rather than picking from a pre-made design, you might as well go the extra mile to make it look and feel custom. Work with your builder to find the right spots in this new home to feature some built-in storage.

Get Creative with Closets

Closets are where you are likely to run out of storage space first in your new home. Once you have the floor plan established and the dimensions of your closet are set, work on designing the space in those closets to be as useful as possible. Standard closets often include little more than some hanger rods and a couple of shelves, but you can do better than that in a custom home. Additional shelves for folded items, drawers for small pieces like socks and belts, and much more can be included. With such an effective use of space in your closets for clothes storage, you won’t find those items spilling out into other areas of the home.

Get Creative with drawers

Sloped walls under staircases or over garage bonus room areas are a great place to add drawers for storage.   If you need more room for sleepover and guests, a sloped wall is a great place to install a trundle bed that rolls out from the wall.  

 The Value of High Garage Ceilings

This last point seems like a subtle one to focus on in a custom home, but it really can make a big difference. When designing the house, think about including higher-than-normal ceilings in the garage. With ten or even twelve feet of room between floor and ceiling, you’ll quickly find that you have a huge supply of available storage space in the garage – and most of it is overhead.

By creating storage solutions up high in the garage – like shelves or cabinets that are up by the ceiling, you’ll have an excellent place to keep things that you don’t use very often. For example, holiday decorations can live in this elevated storage space, only coming down once per year for about a month. Designing and using your garage in this way can allow it to perform as the storage area you need without cluttering up the floor and getting in the way of parking vehicles, working on projects, or anything else you might want to do in the space.

What to Ask Before Hiring a Homebuilder?

Hiring a home builder is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the entire home building process. There are other important choices, of course, like what property you are going to buy and what kind of home you’ll create, but picking the right builder is near the top of the list. Asking the correct questions can help you zero in on the best builder for your needs, and this article will highlight some of the key questions to use in your search.

When looking for home builders in Greensboro, be sure to consider R & K Custom Homes. With years of experience and a solid track record that includes creating beautiful custom homes for many discerning buyers, R & K Custom Homes can be trusted with this important job. Reach out today to learn more.

Can I See Examples of Your Work?

This is the obvious place to start when interviewing home builders in Greensboro. The best way for a builder to prove their ability is simply to show you pictures of previous projects they have completed. If a builder doesn’t have a portfolio that they can share, be wary about investing significant money when they haven’t yet proved they are up to the task. Also, ask the builder if they can provide references from past clients, and see if any of those clients would be willing to talk to you about their experience and how the process went from start to finish. A strong endorsement from one or two past clients would go a long way toward showing you that this is a builder worth careful consideration.

What Types of Financing Are Available?

The financial side of a new home build is obviously a huge piece of the puzzle. Of course, you might have your own financing details worked out separately.  Even if you think you are set with your financing it is good to ask.  A credible builder will know ways to save and the advantages to the different types of loans available to you. If you do need financing solutions, ask all builders you interview about how financing is handled and what options are available to you.

Is There Warranty Coverage Included?

With such a sizable investment, you are going to want to be sure that there is some kind of coverage in place if something goes wrong with the home. A warranty will often be included with a custom home build project, but inquire as to the details of that warranty, such as how long it lasts and what is covered. Beyond the standard warranty that the builder includes with the project, you may be able to purchase additional coverage if you are so inclined.

What’s the Timeline?

This is another extremely important question to ask early in the process. Once you start to work out some of the basic details of how big your home will be and where it will be built, talk to each builder about what the timeline would look like for that project. Even if you aren’t in a huge hurry to have the project finished, it’s still important to know how long it will take so you can make the necessary living arrangements and take other planning steps. Remember, a short timeline isn’t always better than a longer one, as a builder rushing to finish may miss details along the way. The builder who offers the best balance of everything – including timeline, warranty, portfolio, cost, etc. – is likely to be your winner.

New Home Construction 101

Are you considering building a custom home in Greensboro? Before you get started, it will be helpful to learn some of the common terms used by builders to discuss home building plans. This will help you to feel more prepared and know what to expect from consultations with potential builders.

 

Plot plan: This diagram shows the lot and where the home will be situated on the property.

 

Foundation: The first stage in home building is digging and placing the foundation, which is the base for the house.

 

Superstructure: The outer walls, roof, doors, and windows of a home.

 

First Fix: Internal walls, stairs, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC are added.

 

Second Fix: Fixtures go in for the kitchen and bathrooms. Light switches and outlets are installed.

 

Decoration: This stage includes painting, flooring, tile, light fixture installation, and everything that is cosmetic.

 

Walk-through: When the builder has completed the home, the homeowner will do a walk-through and point out anything that needs to be addressed.

 

Punch List: The list of items found during the walk-through go on the punch list. When the punch list has been completed, the home is complete.

 

Blueprints: The construction plans for the home on paper. These are what the builder uses as a guide to build the home.

 

HERS Index: Home Energy Rating Standard. This is the total energy efficiency rating for your home.

 

R&K Custom Homes Makes Building a Custom Home Look Easy

If all these terms seem overwhelming to you, don’t worry. If you’re looking to build a custom home in Greensboro, R&K Custom Homes can make the process easy to understand. There’s no mystery and no confusion. You’ll be fully informed every step of way as your custom home is designed, constructed, for you using the highest standards of construction.

 

Call (336) 362-5225 or get in touch today to schedule your free consultation.

Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Lot

In many cases, the journey toward building a dream home starts with buying the perfect lot. Finding the right lot for your new home can be a time-consuming and challenging process, but it’s certainly worth it in the end. This article will offer some basic tips on how to purchase an ideal lot for your upcoming homebuilding project.

 

R&K Custom Homes is one of the leading homebuilders Greensboro has to offer. If you expect your home to live up to the highest of quality standards, R&K Custom Homes is the right partner for the job.

 

It All Starts With – You Guessed It – Location

There is one thing, and one thing only, that you will not be able to change about your new home after it is constructed – the location. Once your house is built, it’s too late to rethink the location.  With that finality in mind, most of your time at the start of this project should be spent thinking about where you want to live.

 

Before you even start looking at available lots, identify a few areas where you would be happy to live. With those spots picked out, you can then start to dial in your search on properties that are available. Identifying target areas from the start is going to make the lot search much easier, and it will save you time in the long run.

 

The Practical Side

It’s fun to think about the big picture of where you want to live and what you want your life to look like when this project is over. But, as all homebuilders in Greensboro know, there are plenty of practical matters to be handled before your dream is a reality. Some of the many important points to consider are as follows –

 

  • You will need to look into the current zoning status of the land to make sure it meets your needs for the project.
  • The land itself. Work with a builder to evaluate the land and determine how suitable it is for a homesite.
  • Other rules. Beyond zoning, you might be looking at land that is governed by an HOA, environmental restrictions, etc.

 

The smart approach to this process is to work with a custom home builder right from the start to make sure you don’t overlook any important issues when scouting lots and making your final decision.

 

 

Get Started Right Away

It can be a lengthy process to go from searching for a piece of land to actually moving into your new home. So, get started on your lot search right away to start the clock and get closer to making this project a reality. You don’t want to feel like you are rushing into any purchase, especially one as important as buying a lot to build on, so starting as soon as possible is going to relieve some of that time pressure. And if you choose to work with the team at R&K Custom Homes, you will have one the most experienced homebuilders in the area working right alongside you every step of the way.

Designing Your Own “Primary Bedroom”

The term “primary bedroom” is being used in place of “master bedroom” in some house listings and home designs. It still refers to the main or largest bedroom in the home and is often more of a suite with an attached bathroom.

Many home builders in Greensboro have been incorporating some new trends in bedroom design and are expanding the traditional concept of a “master bedroom.”  If you’re in the planning phase of building a custom home, here are some of the latest features and ideas for you to discuss with your custom home builder.

 

Kitchenette

One of the most popular additions to the primary bedroom is a small kitchen area for a coffee pot, mini fridge, microwave, sink, and bar. You won’t even have to leave your bedroom for an evening snack, a nightcap, or an early morning coffee. In the era of COVID and one member of a household having to quarantine this could be extremely useful.

 

Outdoor Access

With many primary bedrooms being placed on the main level of homes, outdoor access directly from the bedroom is more common. Consider french doors or a sliding door that opens out onto a patio, perhaps leading to a pool or jacuzzi. 

 

Dual Bedrooms

Some couples are choosing to sleep in their own beds in separate bedrooms. In one study it was determined that approximately 25% of married couples sleep separately.  These bedrooms are often adjoining with a jack and jill bathroom between them. Many people sleep better in their own space without having their sleep disturbed by the movements and sounds (such as snoring) of their spouse. 

 

Office Space 

A separate area for an office in the primary bedroom is a common feature, especially now that many people work from home. The office can be an alcove or even a separate room off of the primary bedroom. Even if you plan to include a home office elsewhere in your layout, it can be handy to have a second office area for both spouses to have somewhere to work in peace and quiet. 

 

Sitting Area 

Bedrooms aren’t just for sleeping and getting dressed. Many primary bedrooms are being designed with sitting areas for reading, sipping coffee, eating, or watching TV. Include space for a table and a few comfortable chairs or a loveseat for when you wish to spend time in your room without having to sit on the bed. 

 

Luxury Closets 

Walk-in closets may have been the buzz word of the 90s and early 2000s, but even closets have evolved to greater proportions. His and hers walk-in closets can be convenient so that both spouses have their own storage space. Closets the size of small rooms with organizational features make it possible to accommodate his and her clothing, shoes, and accessories in one place. Include seating for dressing and putting on shoes. The main point: no one has ever wished for a smaller closet. 

 

Bathroom Features 

Primary ensuite bathrooms have evolved into luxurious spa havens to unwind after a long day. Consider including any of these bathroom features in your bathroom design:

  • Large soaking tub with jets. 
  • Steam shower with multiple shower heads.
  • Heated floors.
  • Towel warmers. 
  • Ample storage. 
  • Automatic faucets.

 

Design the Primary Bedroom of Your Dreams with R&K Custom Homes 

If you’re looking for home builders in Greensboro who can give you a truly customized experience, R&K Custom Homes brings your ideas to life. Whatever you want in your home from size to style to features, R&K Custom Homes can make it happen. 

Call (336) 362-5225 or get in touch to schedule a free consultation.

custom home Greensboro, NC

When Should You Build Your Home?

custom home Greensboro, NCAre you planning to build a new home? If so, you may be wondering what time of year is the best time to start. The honest answer is that there is not an ideal season for new residential construction. Each season has its own pros and cons. Here are some things Greensboro homebuilders take into consideration when it comes to choosing when to build.

Building in the Spring

Pros:

  • The ground has had time to thaw.
  • The temperature is getting warmer, but not too hot yet.
  • There is plenty of time to complete the project before winter comes around again.

Cons:

  • Rainy weather, which is common in spring, can delay work.
  • The project will likely last into the summer when the weather is very hot.
  • Spring is a busy time in the home improvement and construction field so the price of materials may be higher.

Building in the Summer

Pros:

  • Weather is pretty consistent, with the exception of some stray thunderstorms.
  • There are longer daylight hours for builders who prefer longer workdays and your project may be completed faster.
  • Starting early enough in the summer usually allows plenty of time for the home to be completed before winter.

Cons:

  • Temperatures and humidity can be high, meaning the heat index could make it harder to work outside.
  • Summer is peak construction season so the price of materials is at an all-year high.
  • Severe thunderstorms could delay work and high winds could damage a construction project that is in progress but not complete enough to be secure.

Building in the Fall

Pros:

  • Weather is typically ideal, with temperatures cooling down and low levels of rain.
  • The ground is not yet frozen as the coldest temperatures have not yet set in.
  • There’s time to get the outer walls and roof in place before winter weather when inside work can be the focus.

Cons:

  • Starting in the fall doesn’t always leave enough time to complete the home before winter.
  • If the weather does happen to be very rainy, it can delay progress so that the basic structure is not yet complete before winter.
  • An early winter storm could delay progress.

Building in the Winter

Pros:

  • The cost of materials comes way down as it is the off-season for construction.
  • Your builder is less likely to be busy with other projects so more time can be devoted to yours.
  • If you live in the Greensboro area, a mild weather climate area, the weather might actually be more bearable during the winter.

Cons:

  • If the weather is cold enough the ground could freeze making digging a foundation and pouring concrete more difficult.
  • A winter storm could delay progress.
  • The holidays could also delay progress.

The Final Decision is Between You and Your Greensboro Homebuilder

There are about the same number of pros and cons for each time of year when it comes to building a new custom home. The final decision may come down to when your builder is available, the projected building timeframe for your home, and other personal factors such as your needs and your personal considerations.

The best option is to consult with your builder. Schedule a free consultation with Greensboro homebuilder R&K Custom Homes by calling (336) 362-5225 or request an appointment.

Upstairs or Downstairs Master Bedroom: Pros and Cons

randk-gallery-112619-IMG_4128Should the master bedroom be upstairs or downstairs in a two-story home? This is a question that is worth some consideration, especially if you are currently, or are soon to be, working with Greensboro custom home builders on new home design. There are some definite pros and cons to each option.

Pros to a Downstairs Master Bedroom:

  • When you’re tired at the end of the day, you don’t have to climb any stairs to go to bed.
  • You have more space between your room and the kids’ rooms, which may be ideal if you have older children who tend to live loud.
  • If there are no children or any other family members living upstairs, there’s no need to heat or cool the upper level.
  • It can be an ideal guest room since a master bedroom will typically have its own bathroom and can work as a private suite.
  • More easily accessible for you and your partner as you age or when you have older guests such as aging parents.

Cons to a Downstairs Master Bedroom:

  • Being closer to the living area means noise levels could be higher.
  • There’s less privacy in a downstairs master bedroom as proximity to living spaces means more people walking by.
  • The upstairs activity above your bedroom could disturb you.
  • You might feel that you are too far away from young children if their bedrooms are upstairs and yours is downstairs.
  • If you have a baby or young child who gets up at night, you’ll be traipsing up and down the stairs multiple times each night when you’re tired.

Pros to an Upstairs Master Bedroom:

  • Some people feel safer while sleeping on the second level.
  • There’s more privacy away from living areas and up off the ground level.
  • If you live somewhere with a view, such as in the mountains or on the water, you’ll most likely have a better view from the second level.

Cons to an Upstairs Master Bedroom:

  • You’re closer to the children at night, which could mean more noise when you’re trying to sleep.
  • You’ll have less privacy from children or guests.
  • As you age it may become increasingly difficult to go up and down the stairs.
  • When you’re tired at the end of a long day you’ll have to climb the stairs in order to get to your bed.

Designing a Home with Greensboro Custom Home Builders

One of the biggest benefits of a custom home is that you can have it your way. Your master bedroom can be upstairs or downstairs, depending on your personal preference. Discuss your thoughts with your builder and get some insight from their experience as one of the best Greensboro custom home builders. Each family has their own needs when it comes to the location of the master bedroom. There’s no right or wrong choice here, just the choice that is best for you.

Interested in building a custom home? Call R&K Custom Homes today at (336) 362-5225 to schedule a free consultation. You can also visit our website and click the “Contact” tab on the right side of the screen to fill out a contact request and we will be in touch.

To Landscape or Not to Landscape: Pros and Cons of Landscaping your Custom Home

landscapeLandscaping the land around your home has distinct advantages and disadvantages. When you decide to build a custom home in Greensboro, you will have the choice of whether or not to landscape your yard. Consider all the pros and cons before making your decision. 

Pros of Landscaping: 

Curb Appeal

Landscaping the front yard makes a great first impression when guests arrive at your home. Flower beds, walkways, lighting, shrubbery, and anything else you choose to add can work together to make your home as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside.

Better Use of the Land

It is not only attractive to the landscape, but it is also functional. A walkway to the front door with lighting will help guide your guests in the dark. Backyard landscaping can create beautiful spaces for entertaining and enjoying time outdoors with the family. 

Property Value

Landscaping also adds value to your property, which is not only helpful when you go to sell the home, but it helps increase the collective property value of your neighborhood. 

 

Cons of Landscaping: 

Cost

There is an initial cost associated with landscaping. However, that amount can be added to the overall price of the home, which may be nearly unnoticeable. If you’re trying to find ways to cut costs though, landscaping is one way. You can also choose simple landscaping that will cost less to implement. 

Maintenance

In addition to the initial cost, there is a cost associated with regular maintenance of the landscaping, from bags of mulch to yard tools. Even if you choose to handle the maintenance yourself, that’s a significant time commitment and requires a good bit of energy, especially for elaborate landscapes. 

Impact on the Environment

Drastic landscaping changes are not always environmentally friendly. Cutting down trees and using chemicals to kill weeds is potentially harmful to the wildlife in the area. Consider landscaping around the natural elements and using a plant-based weed killer. 

Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preferences more than anything else. You may decide to skip the landscaping now to save money and plan to do it later. However, you will likely find bringing in a landscaper later for the project will end up costing you more. Including landscaping costs in your total home price from the beginning is more practical. 

Planning to Build a Custom Home in Greensboro?

Landscaping is just one part of the process of planning a custom home. It is often tacked on at the end of the process, but it should actually be part of the initial planning phase. The landscaping you want for your home may have an impact on the structural design of your home and where it will be situated on the property. Don’t just tack it on as an afterthought. 

If you plan to build a custom home in Greensboro and landscaping is a priority for you, keep that in mind when you’re choosing a home site. R&K Custom Homes can help you find a home site that will work for both your home and landscaping plans. Call (336) 362-5225 today to schedule a free consultation. 

Myth Busting: 5 Home Building Issues in the Winter

Building in WinterHave you heard that it’s a bad idea to build a home in the winter? It’s actually a common myth. In fact, there are 5 myths in particular that are often believed, but not true about building a house during the winter months. One of the best home builders in Greensboro, R&K Custom Homes, wants to dispel these myths, not just to gain your business during the slow season, but to prevent you from postponing your plans for no reason, and perhaps even to save you some money. Don’t believe everything you hear. Trust the experts. 

Myth#1: It Costs More the Build in the Winter

This one is definitely a myth. While there may be some aspects of building in the winter that cost more, there are other aspects of building in the winter that cost less. Construction expenses may arise, but materials are priced much lower in the winter, which could actually save you more money overall. 

Myth#2: Labor Quality Suffers

This one doesn’t really make sense. Building during the extreme heat of summer is much more oppressing and potentially harmful to builders than the winter weather. Most builders would actually prefer to build in colder weather. Winters in Greensboro tend to be pretty mild anyway.

Myth#3: Lumber Gets Damaged by the Cold

This one is understandable, yet still false. The cold dry weather does affect lumber, which is why it is specially treated during the winter to account for the difference in weather. Framing will not be damaged and the wood will not lose its shape just because it is exposed to the cold. If anything, the wood that is treated for winter will be less affected by the cold weather in future winters, even though it won’t be directly exposed. 

Myth#4: Concrete Poured in Winter is Weak

For concrete to properly set in the cold, calcium chloride is added to it. The myth is that this additive makes the concrete weaker in the future. This has been proven false by years and years of solid concrete foundations, driveways, and walkways that were poured during the winter and have stood the test of time. Even concrete experts will tell you that there is no difference in strength. 

Myth#5: The Ground is too Frozen to Dig the Foundation

This is especially untrue here in Greensboro, NC where the ground rarely gets cold for extended periods of time. Even so, in colder climates where the ground does freeze, there is strong enough machinery to dig in anyway. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Start Building your Custom Home with Homebuilders in Greensboro

One advantage of building in the winter is that some homebuilders in Greensboro are more readily available to build your home than they would be in the spring or fall. R&K Custom Homes can only handle so many new home projects each year. Get yours planned out with your newly acquired knowledge of homebuilding. Call (336) 362-5225 today to schedule a free consultation with R&K Custom Homes.