Brick by Brick

What's in a Name

2011-02-23T10:27:00.000-08:00

As the old Shakespearean quote goes, "What's in a Name?". Corporations pay millions upon millions for the naming rights on professional sports stadiums, buildings, amphitheaters, etc. Here's a couple of new ones. DreamWorks Animation recently paid an undisclosed amount to Zoo Atlanta for the naming rights for their youngest panda bear. No, I'm not kidding. Also, the City of Chicago has plans to sell the naming rights to the city's bus routes and train routes. Wow! Obviously, a lot goes into a name.

I remember when I was a young boy, probably 5 or 6 years old, my sister and I had a disagreement over a wooden toy box. I said it was mine and she insisted it was hers. So what's a little boy to do? I'll tell you. Take a permanent black marker and write your name (to the best of you ability) right on the side. FYI, that toy box now resides in my 5 year old's bedroom. Again, a lot goes into a name.

Nearly 9 years ago, when I first had the idea to start my own custom home building business, one of the first items on my list of things to complete was to finalize a company name. I knew the name of my company would stick with me forever. My first thought was to name it something catchy and trendy. Then I thought about the obvious...Quality Builders, Inc., Carolina Builders, Inc., etc. Then I began to think about my name and what it meant to me personally. I thought about my last name and how much it meant to me and my family, my uncles, aunts, and cousins. And then I thought about my full name...Brad D. Cummings...and the obvious meaning that it has to me personally. I knew that if I attached my name to my product, it better be among the very best products capable of being produced. I knew that it would place a lot of pressure on me, but I knew that it was the right thing to do. From the very beginning, I have always been proud to place my job signs in front of my projects and to attach my name to my work.

So, "What's in a Name"? For me it's simple. It's pride, reputation, it's family.

Another New Year

2011-02-03T10:57:00.000-08:00

I love to reflect. I enjoy looking back, evaluating, appreciating, remember. On December 31st 2009, I wrote about the interesting year that had just past. Not knowing what adventures 2010 may hold, I remained optimistic, hopeful, and most importantly faithful. We did not know for certain what the home building landscape would look like, but we know it had to be better than 2009, right? As I look back at 2010 (now 34 days into 2011, I should have written this a few weeks ago) I realize it had much in common with 2009. Business was comparatively slow, yet it had some great moments. We received our Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation, our first designation from the National Association of Home Builders. Something we are very proud to hold. Speaking of proud, we also won two...yes TWO... North Carolina Home Builders Association STARS Awards. Now that was quite an evening. Entering into the categories for Best Single Family Home below $250,000.00 and between $250,000 and $500,000.00 we were pleased two win BOTH! It was a privilege and an honor to be recognized as one of the best among our peers. So while 2010 had it's challenges, as every year shall have, there were certainly experiences that were great, and it is those experiences that will motivate us during 2011.

Apples to Apples

2010-08-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

Just this morning, I met with a client at his new home to discuss pricing for a rather large asphalt driveway. We had a company to visit the site yesterday and another to meet on site this morning. Both were very professional and their reputation as being quality subcontractors preceded them. My client was willing to work with either one, depending on their price and specifications for our project.

Company A priced the work at $10,800.00 while Company B priced out at $9,100.00. My client's first reaction was "Wow, that's a $1,700.00 difference. That will go along way in doing some other things we'd like to do". Well, as they say in the NFL after a second look at a close play, "upon further review" we found that there wasn't actually a $1,700.00 (or 18%) difference in the prices. Company A had estimated more asphalt, more stone, and more grading than Company B, thus bringing his price inline with his competitor. His price appeared to be higher, but when all things were considered and we compared "Apples to Apples", his price was very fair.

Once in a while, when we price a custom home for a prospective client, we are told we are a little higher than the competing contractor. Occasionally we are never given a second look. The client looks at the prices and says, "well, he's to high, so I guess we'll go with the cheapest". The largest purchase and investment they will ever make and just like that, they make a decision. It truly amazes me that some folks compare prices between grocery stores sales papers more closely than they compare prices for their new home. They'll drive across town to save a nickel a gallon on gas, but will not ask the important questions that need to be asked of their general contractor.

Folks, I urge you, if you are thinking about building a new home (whether you partner with us or not), please review the specifications closely. Ask questions...a lot of questions. Review allowances closely. Compare windows, doors, insulation R values, shingle types, brand names, SEER ratings, etc. Don't assume each builder is including the same materials and allowances.

We hope you will take the time to do your homework and due diligence. If there is anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to call. You are under no obligation with us. We will do all we can to honestly help you evaluate prices and specifications from multiple builders. If you're like us, you appreciate value. Value is not necessarily the cheapest, but value is defined as "a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged". Be sure you are getting what you paid for, or more importantly, what you expect and deserve.

I Love the Smell of Polyurethane in the Morning!

2010-07-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

This morning I ventured out to a custom home of ours to begin the final cleaning. It was early, the job site was quite and still. As I opened the front door to be the first one to enter the house after the hardwood floors were finished, I realized something. I love the smell of Polyurethane in the morning! It's the sign of a nearly complete house. At that point all is complete except the final cleaning and final paint touch-ups. The hardwoods are sparkling, shining, slick, and spotless. Just the way you want your clients to receive the house when they take occupancy.

Green Building

2010-06-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

After recently completing a Green Building course offered by the National Association of Home Builders, we were pleased to learn a couple of things.

Green Building, or building a Certified Green Home, does not have to be complicated. We have found that many of the things that we already do on our custom homes would receive points towards a green certification. Therefore we only need to add a few minor things to our custom specifications in order to become certified green.

Building Green Certified Homes does not have to be costly. Many of the items that we already include in our specification (or could add) do not add a great deal to the cost of the project and those that do, the cost could easily be recouped in a very reasonable time frame.

Green Building is in demand. We have found that once educated, many of our clients are open to Green Building options. Especially when they find they can be very cost effective. Example: We recently had a client to add a foam "flash" insulation barrier. Once the up front cost were weighed against the long term gain, the investment made sense.

What questions do you have regarding Green Certified Homes? Is this something you would be interested in doing? If so, please contact us with any questions you may have. We'd be happy to discuss our thoughts and ideas with you.

A New Year

2009-12-31T12:45:00.000-08:00

Wow. That was tough. 2009 proved to be a difficult year for most of us in the home building industry. Some went bankrupt. Some took full time jobs. Some retired. Others, like myself, hung on and did the best we could. We were extremely fortunate. BLESSED to be more accurate. Our faith and trust in God has allowed us to endure without panic or fear. We certainly had an off year in comparison to years past. But as I’ve told many who have asked about the state of our business, “It could be better…but it could be a whole lot worse”. We weren’t knocking down doors with an over abundance of work, but we definitely were not closing our doors either. Last summer, North Carolina Home Builders Association President Frank Wiesner spoke before the Harnett County HBA. He reminded us all that we should feel fortunate. Just as in life, we should cherish every small victory in business. We should thank God daily for being able to turn on the office lights each morning. That attitude has continued to resonate with me heading into the end of a difficult year.

With the difficulties we have faced in the past year, we have taken it upon ourselves to simplify our lives in business and at home. We hope to be leaner and stronger heading into 2010. While recently reading some writings of Henry David Thoreau, I was reminded of the importance of simplicity. Ralph Waldo Emerson said of Thoreau, “He chose to be rich by making his wants few and supplying them himself”. We should not measure our success in business (or life) with numbers. We should revisit what makes us rich. What are our wants and how can we simplify them? Most of us need to change our priorities. Be more content with what we have been given. Thoreau himself put it best: “In short, I am convinced, both by faith and experience, that to maintain one’s self on this earth is not a hardship but a pastime, if we will live simply and wisely.”

In this new year…Live simply. Live wisely. Be thankful. May the New Year provide you with hope, comfort, and anticipation.

It's a Great Time to Build...Really!

2009-11-17T12:14:00.000-08:00

I know you hear it all the time. "Prices have never been this low!", or "Deal of a lifetime!". We have all heard the sales pitches. But right now, I can honestly say, it is a great time to build a new home. If you are in the market to build, what have you been waiting for?

Low rates? The national average for 15 and 30 year rates are still at historical lows (www.bankrate.com). And contrary to what you may be hearing, banks are lending.

Low prices? New construction prices are down. With a drop in material and labor prices, our average price per square foot for a new home has fallen over the past few years. Not to mention, builders are anxious to sign new deals. Therefore, most have dropped their markup and reduced company overhead in an effort to get new clients under contract.

Tax credits? As most of you probably know, Congress recently extended the Home Buyer Tax Credit (http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/). Not only did they extend the previous tax credit, but they included a very important additional credit for qualified repeat buyers for up to $6,500.00. And yes, the credits can be used to construct a new home.

So now you know. It actually is a great time to build a new home. For more information on our custom design-build options or to set up your no obligation design or construction consultation, please visit our website at www.cummingsconstruction.com or call us at 910.814.3232.

Fall Market

2009-07-23T10:18:00.000-07:00

With the construction market currently showing some signs of improvement, many are left wondering what the fall and winter seasons may hold for us home builders. Historically we start to see a seasonal slow down as winter approaches and showings start to dwindle as folks start to board up for winter. I wouldn't expect this year be any different.

There are some signs of optimism. Signs there may be a light at the end of the tunnel, albeit still a ways down the tracks. Interest rates remain at historical lows, sales numbers are starting to rise, oil remains in check and material and labor cost continue to remain low. However, there is still some fear and uncertainty that remains. I estimate that it may take the remainder of this year and the first few months of 2010 before we begin to completely remove ourselves from this slow environment. There are still bad loans that need to show themselves and be taken care of. There are still plenty of folks looking for jobs, looking for security. There is still inventory that needs to be weeded out.

These are not bad things. Unfortunately, these are just cycles in the market that must come to pass. We have made it through over 18 months of this recession. Many believe this recession began in December of 2007. I feel comfortable in saying the worst is behind us. The next few months should continue to show signs of improvement. Unemployment should begin to level out and inventories will begin to shrink. I am encouraged and believe 2010 will be a strong year. We should see prices stabilize and begin to rise.