Master Plan Homes Inc. Blog

Garage, Laundry, & Room Over Addition

2010-10-23T11:07:00.006-04:00

This fall we are taking our custom home building experience and applying it to a custom addition project. Our first step was to draw the homeowner's plan of a garage, laundry room, finished room over garage, and bathroom.
Then, with the proper building permits, insurance, and licensing, we were ready to begin the actual construction effort. Footings first...

Next up, masonry and slab work.

Then framing...

To be continued...

Special Project

2009-09-11T09:38:00.008-04:00

I have heard from a few of you about the "picture clue" in my last blog post. Thanks to the Facebook readers as well. Matt Lucas of 31-W Insulation knew what was going on because he was a contributor on this project. Again, here was the picture clue:

What was going on here? One guess was that we were finishing a basement. Actually, this special project consisted of a framed first level on a raised slab and a 2,000+ square foot finished modular home placed on top of that. The picture shows where we cut into the floor of the home to create space for a staircase down to the newly framed first level!

We had the first level precisely framed with extra support on the perimeter and other loading bearing areas so that the modular home could be set on top in three adjoining sections by a crane. The project is almost complete and here are several pictures that show the sequence of events.

The brick columns and arches really dress up the front of this home. The upper porch columns, railing, and steps to the ground level will again change the look from the road. I'll post more pictures when the project is complete!

This is one of those special projects that reminds me of how unique a custom home can be. I don't think there is another one like it. And most importantly, its just the way the homeowners want it!

Summer 2009 Update

2009-07-07T21:42:00.004-04:00

It has been quite a while since I have posted. 2009 is proving to be a very interesting year in the custom home building business. We are currently working on two custom home projects with a few others on the radar.

The biggest hurdle I am seeing for many people wanting to build a custom home is in the area of lending. If you're paying with cash as some are (and they are getting some good deals) then lending is not an issue. For those that are looking for a construction-to-permanent loan, we are seeing banks that used to require 5% down now requiring 25% down. And some are requiring that a person's existing home be sold before a construction loan can be opened - and for good reason as we've learned in the past several months.

So, this post is primarily to let anyone that is reading know that Master Plan Homes is still building custom homes and we're looking forward to what the rest of 2009 holds.

Here is a picture clue of one of the projects we're working on right now. Its a first for us...

Any guesses?

Interior Trim Work - Part 2

2009-01-12T21:02:00.004-05:00

Some additional pictures of an elaborate trim package being installed in one of our custom homes...

Interior Trim Work

2008-11-30T20:13:00.004-05:00

Interior trim work is often one of the areas in custom home building where the custom attributes really come to life. From baseboards to crown molding to door/window casings to mantles to built-in bookcases to cubbies to coffered ceilings etc. The possibilities, combinations, and material choices are countless.

Pictures of trim work in a magazine or a friend's house can be used as a starting point of what you're looking for. The trim carpenter can then draw ideas right on the wall for a custom design that suits your preferences.

Wainscotting can be used in rooms that you want dressed up.

It truly is amazing how trim work can transform a room - and even a ceiling!

Custom interior trim work is also a great way to maximize the space you have to work with.

We have worked with several trim carpenters in the Columbia and Lexington areas. Some of them truly can be artists... That is one of the great things about a custom home: you get to choose what makes it unique and yours. And this is certainly true in the area of interior trim work.

Home Plans and the Home Planning Process

2008-11-12T16:14:00.005-05:00

While the spring and summer are usually the busiest time of year for new homes to get started, the fall and winter are a great time to start the home planning process. Many people are overwhelmed with the number of choices that go into a new home and the array of possibilities for their custom home plans. The more preparation you do on the front end, the easier the process can be.

Your lot may provide multiple layout options. Perhaps you can make the most of a sloped lot by planning for a basement home. This works very well on sloped lake lots to increase views to the water. Then there are various styles to consider: craftsman, ranch, traditional, colonial, cottage, courtyard, etc. I am drawing house plans and would be glad to work with you to create your own custom home plan. My plans include elevations, floor plans, roof plan, foundation plan, electrical plan, and even 3-dimensional views and renderings. We can also save time by sending revisions out as PDF files for your review. This allows me to not only work with locals of the Columbia and Lexington SC areas, but also with individuals in other cities and states. Drop me a line if you want additional information.

For a smooth construction process, we encourage homeowners to make as many building selections as they can before construction even begins. This includes everything from brick & mortar choices all the way to towel bars in the bathrooms and everything in between. You might be surprised at just how many selections are available and some of them take time to make a decision on. Do these early and the actual construction process will feel more stress free.

Also, if you're considering going green, the best time to make that decision is before you ever break ground or get home plans. As a Certified Green Professional, I can help educate you on what makes a home and the home construction process green.

So if 2009 is going to be the year of your new home, consider beginning the planning process before 2008 ends. Of course I would prefer that you also consider Master Plan Homes for your house plans and/or as your builder of choice. But whichever route you choose, I'd still be happy to talk with you about it.

Green Day at the Parade

2008-10-31T10:00:00.007-04:00

October 29th was Green Day at the Greater Columbia Parade of Homes at Saluda River Club. There were two presentations with Green Council Chairman Mark Bostic and program verifier Joseph Gilmore. I attended the first presentation before volunteering at the parade's ticket gate.

Mark shared how the NAHB's green program is comprised of seven areas based on a points system. Then Joe spent a good bit of time on the areas of energy efficiency and indoor air quality. Topics included radiant barrier roof sheathing, foam insulation, insulating the roof on an attic instead of the attic's floor, using low-VOC paints & carpets, Energy Star lighting & appliances, tankless hot water heaters, blower-door testing, etc.

Five of the six homes in the parade are seeking green certification under the locally adopted green program. If you are considering building a new home and would like to know more about what it takes to be "green", let me know and I'll be glad to share what I've learned about it this year.

2008 Parade of Homes

2008-10-17T11:31:00.006-04:00

Last night I had the opportunity of attending the Preview Party of the Parade of Homes at the Saluda River Club presented by the local HBA. The parade officially opens tomorrow and runs through November 2. There are six fully-furnished and decorated homes open for tours. As usual in a parade of homes, there were some "over the top" features including a water closet with its own tv and a dedicated massage room.

The Parade is a great place to get ideas on home layouts, built-in features, interior design, landscaping, etc. I was looking for more green building materials and practices (since 5 of the 6 homes were obtaining the local Green Council's certification) but they didn't appear to be blatantly spelled out. In a way, its a good thing for people to see that green built homes don't have to look odd or futuristic. However, I think it would have also been good to highlight what makes the homes green. To give the Parade credit, they are hosting a "Green Day at the Parade" on October 29 where they will be presenting the green features of the homes.

I hope you get the chance to attend the Parade of Homes this year. And feel free to share your comments about it here if you'd like. I'll be at the ticket gate on October 29 from 2:30 to 7:00pm so maybe I'll see you there!

Are Columbia and Lexington banks still lending for new construction?

2008-10-08T16:48:00.006-04:00

In light of the current national and global economic issues, there seems to be some confusion out there about whether or not banks are still lending money. To find an answer to this question for the Columbia and Lexington SC areas, I decided to ask my friend and associate Todd Mitcham at BB&T Mortgage. I found his response refreshing and contrary to much of what we're hearing in the media or on the national level. So I'd like to share what Todd said here:

"We are still lending money the same as we always have. On construction loans we still do 95% loans and we still base the value off of the appraised value and not the cost (so if it appraises for more than the cost as it often does we give the client "free" equity). So, nothing has
changed.

The problem is that I've got no one asking for any loans. It is not that we aren't loaning - it is that no one is borrowing. However, I wonder if no one is borrowing because they think we are not loaning."

And I am wondering the same thing. But if you've read this, you now know that there are banking institutions right here in the Columbia and Lexington SC area that are lending money for qualified borrowers. Todd Mitcham of BB&T Mortgage is one that I would recommend. He has been in the mortgage lending business since 1992 and he has provided great service to many of our custom home clients. Todd can be reached at 803-251-1404 or by email.

Salim Khalil, CGP

2008-10-01T16:00:00.003-04:00

SALIM I. KHALIL AWARDED

CERTIFIED GREEN PROFESSIONAL (CGP) DESIGNATION

Lexington SC, October 1, 2008 - Salim I. Khalil of Master Plan Homes Inc. recently became one of the select group of professional builders nationwide who have earned the Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation, identifying him as someone with knowledge of the best strategies for incorporating green building principals into homes.

The CGP program is administered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) University of Housing and sponsored locally by the Greater Columbia Home Builders Association.

The CGP curriculum incorporates training by leading building industry practitioners and academics on a range of topics, including strategies for incorporating green-building principles into homes using cost-effective methods of construction, and how green homes provide buyers with lower maintenance and good indoor air quality. Techniques are also discussed for competitively differentiating your home products with increased indoor environmental quality as well as energy and resource efficiency.

First Time Home Buyer $7,500 Tax Credit

2008-09-30T08:31:00.006-04:00

On July 26, 2008 Congress passed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. A few days later President Bush signed it into law. One provision of this law includes a $7,500 tax "credit" to first time home buyers. This credit is good on homes purchased between April 9, 2008 and June 1, 2009.

$7,500

A few details about the law:

The law defines "first time home buyer" as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.

Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

The tax credit works like an interest-free loan and must be repaid over a 15-year term or when they sell the house, if there is sufficient capital gain from the sale.

The credit is refundable so it can be claimed even if the taxpayer has little or no federal income tax liability to offset.

After examining the details of this "credit", I feel that it's really nothing more than an interest free loan of $7,500 on a 15 year term. The only way you wouldn't be paying back the full $7,500 is if you sold the house within the 15 year term and did not have enough capital gains on it. At this point, the loan is forgiven.

For additional details, visit the Federal Housing Tax Credit web site

Thanks For Stopping By

2008-09-20T10:00:00.007-04:00

We get several visitors that stop by, or stumble upon, the Master Plan Homes Inc blog each day. Jon and I recently sent out a letter inviting several more to check things out. If you're here b/c of that letter, welcome! Thanks for taking a look and feel free to leave a comment. And if you have a new home construction related topic that you'd like to hear more about on this blog, email me.

On the right side of this blog you'll find a slideshow gallery of our pictures, a few useful links, this blog's archive, and a number of key word tags for this blog.

Here are a few of my favorite posts:

In The Field

Selecting a Lot to Build your Home

Picture It

Thanks again for stopping by. Bookmark this page and come back again!

.

US Financial Crisis?

2008-09-19T10:32:00.004-04:00

I've emailed a few friends today about this week's roller coaster ride known as Wall Street. It's been crazy to watch as large financial institutions have gone belly up and the government has stepped in with attempts at saving it. Meanwhile the media has been in a frenzy and has informed us that the sky is in fact falling. But just look at how the DOW has performed this week and you'll see it's actually trading higher than when the week began (as of 10:40am on Friday).

And do you think the current economy's condition has affected getting a mortgage here in the Columbia/Lexington area? Well, from what I'm hearing, not by a great extent. Some of their qualifications are a little tighter but if you are in a stable job with a good credit score you should be fine. I can refer you to someone locally if you'd like more information.

Custom Spec in Park Ridge, Columbia NE

2008-08-27T15:48:00.005-04:00

After about four and a half months, we are almost complete on a "custom spec" home we are building in the Park Ridge subdivision of Northeast Columbia. Park Ridge is located at Hope Road off of Polo Road and this house is at 245 Polo Hill Road.

This two story house is 2,752 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. Two bedrooms are down stairs and two are up. The finished room over the garage could be a 5th bedroom. The home features hardwoods in main living areas, tile in baths and laundry room, granite tops in the kitchen and baths, pot filler over stove, wood-stained cabinets, stainless steel appliances, gas log fireplace, custom tile shower and surround of jacuzzi tub in master bath, irrigation & sod on the front, side, and rear of the home, etc.

If you or someone you know would be interested in purchasing this home, contact Don Keever at 803-319-1818.

Green Building for Building Professionals

2008-07-21T07:30:00.009-04:00

A few months ago I mentioned that I attended a green home seminar at the Home & Garden Show. Last week I was able to further my green building education by attending the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) University "Green Building for Building Professionals".

The course was offered here in Columbia through our local Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia and was attended by both local and out-of-state professionals in the home building industry.

The instructor for the course was Tom Stephani of Custom Construction Concepts Inc. of Crystal Lake, IL.

The main topics of the course included building science principles, site development and design, building envelope and durability, resource efficiency, energy efficiency, water efficiency, indoor air quality, remodeling considerations, effective operation and homeowner education, & marketing and selling green. Each of these topics was discussed in detail. Here are a few highlights I noted:

The "whole house" approach means every system must be considered in relation to every other system in a house to build an efficient, more comfortable, safer, and more sustainable home.

Energy efficiency is one of the biggest components of green homes under the NAHB Green Home Building Guidelines. A third-party review plan is required during construction to verify design and compliance of the energy efficiency guidelines.

The typical household spends over $1,500 per year on energy bills. ENERGY STAR appliances can help homeowners save up to 30%.

And speaking of ENERGY STAR, a few stats:

ENERGY STAR clothes washers use 50% less energy
ENERGY STAR does not label clothes dryers because most dryers use similar amounts of energy.
ENERGY STAR refrigerators use at least 20% less energy than required by current federal standards and 40% less energy than conventional models sold in 2001.
ENERGY STAR freezers use at least 20% less energy than required by current federal standards.
ENERGY STAR dishwashers use 25% less energy

Hosted by the Green Building Council of the Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia, the Green Building course provided me with another level of compentence within this growing field of the building industry.

You can contact me at 803-260-7546 or by email to find out more about green building in the Columbia & Lexington areas of South Carolina.

In Home Intercoms

2008-07-10T17:40:00.000-04:00

In home intercom systems have come along way. There are many varieties on the market with varied bells & whistles. No longer does the main station in the kitchen or master bedroom have to be over powering on the wall. Along with the improvements in technology, the price of in home intercom systems has also lowered over the years.

As is usually the case, a great time to wire for components such as an intercom is during new construction while all the walls are open and accessible. We have had the Greyfox (now OnQ/Legrand) intercom system installed in several of our houses. This system, like many today, uses Cat5 wiring from a structured wiring panel to each room that will have an intercom station. The room stations themselves are only the size of a two-switch panel. The main station is the size of a three-switch panel. These small sizes and the traditional looking face plates allow the intercom to blend well on the wall along with your other electrical switches.

One of the best features of this intercom system is the monitor which allows any room station to be monitored from the rest of the house. This is great for a baby's room, when someone is sick in bed, or even for an elderly person that is not easily mobile.

House Plan Design & Drawing

2008-06-16T07:47:00.002-04:00

While things were slow for us earlier in the year, I took the opportunity to learn something new, something I've had an interest in for years - drawing house plans.

My goal was to become proficient enough to be able to design efficient house plans similiar to those provided by other local draftsmen. I have no intention of becoming an architect so if you need one I'd likely point you to our friend Pete at von ahn design. Thus far I've succeeded in my goal as I have drawn several plans, one of which I teamed with an engineer on and we are currently building. Another custom house plan which I drew for a client is on the schedule to begin construction in a matter of weeks.

Learning how to draw working house plans came pretty quickly for me for two reasons. First, I am drawing with a Computer Aided Design (CAD) software called SoftPlan. I was formerly a computer programmer and applications developer so I have a fair amount of computer-related experience working for me. Second, as a licensed builder, I get to see houses constructed in real life on our job sites. This gives me the insight to know of certain things that work well and others that don't at all. Not everything that is drawn on paper will work in the real world.

All this being said, everytime I work on a house plan I am learning new things. The learning never stops in the business of home design and construction. I think that's one thing that makes it fun... If you need your own house plan drawn, let me know and I'll be glad to assist you.

Picture It

2008-05-18T22:27:00.009-04:00

This may be the best (and quickest) way to show what we've been up to lately...

If any of these look like things you're interested in, let us know. Give me a call at 803-260-7546 or send me an email.

Where we build

2008-04-25T17:14:00.007-04:00

We often get asked where all we build. The short answer is the "Greater Columbia" area.

Our current projects are in Blythewood, Northeast Columbia, Lexington, and Lake Murray (Lexington side). In the past we've also worked in other areas of Columbia, Lake Murray (Chapin side), and even Saluda.

When we are building in neighborhoods, we try to be mindful of the current residents. One way this is done is with silt fencing. Silt fences are used to prevent erosion and runoff from a property. They help our lot and any adjoining lots. Silt fences also help create a visual barrier for our trade contractors and suppliers to keep them on our lot.

When allowed, we post Master Plan Homes Inc. signage on the property along with the building permit so our suppliers, trade contractors, and inspectors can easily identify the lot.

.

Lighting Allowances

2008-04-17T09:18:00.010-04:00

What is a good lighting allowance?

The answer varies... The size of the house obviously makes a difference. Probably what makes the most difference is the finish and personal taste. Finishes include brass, chrome, oil-rubbed bronze, satin, black, white, etc.

Depending on the size of the home, fixture finish, and your personal tastes, typical lighting allowances can range between $1000 and $6000 or more.

The best way to see if the lighting allowance you've budgeted for is suitable, is to go somewhere like The Lite House. Take your house plans or a list of the rooms in your house and pick out your light fixtures to see what the total cost comes to. This could be done before you even break ground on the house. By doing it early in the process, you'll increase your comfort level with your lighting allowance or be prepared to adjust it.

Ceiling fans are one area of the lighting allowance that can add up quickly. Besides the different styles, there are different size motors, varying blade lengths, and a variety of light kits to choose from.

Outdoor lighting can create curb appeal and improve security.

Also, don't forget to account for bulbs, smoke detectors, door bell buttons & chimes, and recessed can bulbs & trims. There is even a selection of choices in these areas as well.

One way to save money on your lighting is to visit one of the "tent sales" at The Lite House. I called them this week to find out the dates of the next tent sale. It will be May 15-17 at the Bush River Road location.

If we can help you design and build a house to put all these lights in, let us know!

Getting Busy

2008-04-11T14:48:00.006-04:00

This is my first post for the month of April. The main reason for that is things are starting to get busy again. Over the last two weeks we've had some good new activity:

Signed two contracts for investor speculation homes
Started the design/drawing process for a home we'll build on Lake Murray this year
Bid on a client's home addition and garage
Bid on another client's garage and room over
Met an associate at their lot to discuss building their custom home

In addition to these new activities, the custom home we're building in Lexington right now is going very smoothly. In just 8 weeks we've completed the footings, crawlspace foundation, exterior veneer, framing, roofing, doors & windows, electric rough-in, plumbing rough-in, HVAC rough-in, and the drywall. All that and we had 4+ rain days that slowed us down! At this pace, the house will be done in a total of 4 months. We told the client it would take 5 to 6 months. That feels good!

You hear people talking about lower interest rates being an incentive for people to build or add-on... You also hear that many construction material prices are down... And with a supposedly "slow" housing market, you hear there are trade contractors competing with their prices... We aren't just hearing these things, we are seeing it as a reality with the recent flurry of activity in our business at Master Plan Homes Inc.

If you're on the fence about building a new home, give us a call or email and we'll talk about the possibilities.

In The Field

2008-03-31T09:51:00.009-04:00

As Jon says, "we like to divide and conquer". But there are times when we will work side-by-side for the benefit of putting two sets of eyes on a project. For us, this usually happens at project proposal meetings, site location meetings, construction rough-in walk thrus, final walk thrus, etc. We feel this is a benefit of working with two licensed residential builders.

Last week we had the opportunity of investigating a lot for someone. This is often a great time to ask questions in preparation for breaking ground. Selecting a lot and envisioning your house on that lot can be a difficult task, but it's one that we like to participate in.

We are Jonathan (Jon) Foster and Salim (Slim) Khalil. We build in Lexington & Richland Counties. We are Master Plan Homes Inc.

How long does it take to build?

2008-03-21T14:40:00.005-04:00

A question that we often get asked: "How long will it take to build my house?" The answer depends on several factors:

Size of the home (both heated and non-heated areas)
Type of site work required (clearing, grading, digging basement, etc.)
Amount of detailed features in the home
Weather
Availability of materials

The majority of the homes we have been building take less than 5 months to as many as 10 months. This slideshow makes it look incredibly quick!

At Master Plan Homes Inc, Jon and I are licensed residential builders that want to build our homes in a timely manner without sacrificing the integrity of the job.

Building Your Home Green

2008-03-17T09:46:00.011-04:00

Today is St. Patrick's Day, a day that is synonymous with green. We wear green today to avoid being pinched for some reason... St. Patrick himself used a green three-leaved shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish of his time.

What does that have to do with building a green home? Nothing. But I had to mention it considering today is St. Patrick's Day.

I did go to the "Build Your New Home Green" seminar this past Friday at the Home & Garden Show. This seminar was presented by Michael Strong of Brothers Strong, Inc. and GreenHaus Builders, Inc. from Houston, Texas. He is a Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR), Graduate Master Builder (GMB), and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS).

The two gentlemen seated behind him in this picture are Mark Bostic of Square One Design Service and Joseph Gilmore of Gilmore Consulting Services.

During this seminar, Mr. Strong facilitated a conversation about how green home construction is defined. At the meeting were homeowners interested in building green, homeowners interested in remodeling green, and a couple of builders including myself. Topics included site placement, reducing landfill waste during construction, radiant barrier sheathing, insulation, more efficient hvac systems, dual flush toilets, non-potable rainwater systems, tankless water heaters, buying material within a 500 mile radius to reduce greenhouse gases, low-VOC paint, solar energy, etc.

Mr. Strong pointed out that the system in place in Houston is very similiar to the Build Green Greater Columbia system. The program is based on the NAHB Green Home Guidelines which uses a checklist with points assigned to different areas. Some homes can be "greener" than others so there is a Bronze, Silver, and Gold designation based on the total number of points. Strong also pointed out that homeowners in Houston realize building green could cost them more upfront, but they will also save on utility bills for the life of the home - not to mention they will be making a more positive impact on their environment.

Green homes are becoming more talked about - and they are being built right here in South Carolina. Just yesterday, Megan Sexton of The State paper wrote an article titled "A Green Dream" about a new green home in the Lowcountry. This home is the first green home built by HGTV and it achieved a Gold certification. Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert, even created a Dilbert strip just for the Green Home!

You can learn all about this Green Home on HGTV's Green Home web site. A one hour special on the home will also be aired on HGTV at these times:

• March 23, 2008 9:00 PM ET/PT
• March 24, 2008 1:00 AM ET/PT
• April 04, 2008 10:00 AM ET/PT
• April 06, 2008 5:00 PM ET/PT
• April 22, 2008 10:00 AM ET/PT
• May 04, 2008 5:00 PM ET/PT

We'll keep learning more about green home construction and we'll be ready to build a green home for you when you're ready.

What is PUPS?

2008-03-11T13:52:00.004-04:00

Who is it you're supposed to call before you dig? The answer: PUPS - Palmetto Utility Protection Service.

By calling 811, the PUPS system will then notify the participating utility companies and municipalities which service your location. They will come out to stake or mark your property at any buried utilities. And the service is free!

According to the PUPS website: "The South Carolina STATE LAW requires that excavators give a 72-Hour notice, (3 working days excluding weekends and holidays), for the locators to get out to mark the area. After a ticket has been processed, you will know when you are legally free to proceed with the digging work and which utilities in the area P.U.P.S. will be notifying for you. Any utilities that P.U.P.S. does not notify, you will be responsible for notifying directly. The Utility Companies ask that you leave a 2 1/2 feet margin on each side of a marked utility line. Also note that your request is good for 15 working days after it has been processed by our system."

Utility markings are color-coded as follows:

RED - Electric Power Lines, Cables, Conduit and Lightning Cables
YELLOW - Gas, Oil, Steam, Petroleum, or Gaseous Materials
ORANGE - Communication, Alarm, or Signal Lines, Cables or Conduit
BLUE - Water, Irrigation, and Slurry Lines
GREEN - Sewers and Drain Lines
PINK - Temporary Survey Markings
WHITE - Proposed Excavations

In addition to the 811 number, PUPS can be notified toll-free at (888) 721-7877 or with a web ticket on the PUPS website.