| May
2007
Authentic News
Construction on the Village Park Townhomes, a private gated community
of 25 beautiful townhomes located at 1041 Blanco Road in Boerne,
will begin in May. For more information please visit: www.villageparkboerne.com.
Builder News
Master bathrooms are getting larger and more luxurious according
to a survey conducted by the American Institute of Architects. The
master bathroom is increasingly becoming more than a place to dart
in and out of before work. Today’s buyers want a spa-like
experience, a retreat, a place to relax and unwind. Some of the
most popular requests are heated tile floors, towel warmers, televisions,
and coffee bars with mini refrigerators, even wine chillers. The
demand for whirlpool tubs, a longtime standard for upscale bathrooms,
has decreased as homeowners have found the tubs use too much hot
water, take too much time to fill, and are a nuisance to clean.
Instead they are opting to get their water massage standing up in
large walk-behind showers with multiple shower heads, and seats
for relaxing, or in showers with steam generators.
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Authentic
Custom Homes, Inc.
908 South Main Street
Boerne, TX 78006
Phone: 830-816-7100
Fax: 830-816-7101
Email: info@achomes.com
Website: www.achomes.com |
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How do I select the right design/build firm for me?
In our
last newsletter we talked about the benefits of using a design/build
firm, a company that handles both the design and construction of
your home. Selecting the right firm for you can be a daunting task.
Almost every builder claims to have a design service of some type,
be it in-house staff or a relationship with an outside firm, but
what is the right option for you? Here are some questions you can
ask to help move you toward the right decision.
What
is most important to you? If you are like most people,
you want a home that is attractive, well designed, reasonably
priced and feels like home. But dig deeper. Is it the style of
a home, the unique custom details, a great kitchen, outdoor living
spaces? Is it the building experience, having a responsive builder,
quality of construction, price, warranty?
All
of these things are important but have different levels of importance
to each individual. Talk to your potential design/build companies,
find out how they run their businesses and ask them to walk you
through the entire design/build process, look at their homes,
ask for referrals. What you want is to find a company that does
business in a professional manner that gives you a high level
of comfort.
Does
the company owner have a background in building or in design?
In home building, as in most businesses, the company culture is
set by the owner(s). Knowing the background of the owners can
give you some sense of where the company’s strengths are
likely to be.
Designers
tend to be more focused on functionality, look, and feel. Builders
tend to be more focused on practicality, price, and quality. Both
should be focused on service. Pick a company that is good at the
things that are most important to you.
Keep
in mind that good design is typically harder to come by than good
construction. It is easier for a design oriented firm to integrate
quality building practices into their business than it is for
a builder oriented firm to integrate good, professional design.
Is
the design handled in house or by an outside design firm?
Companies that outsource their designs are not design/build firms.
This doesn’t mean that they won’t do a good job, but
you are likely to loose some of the benefits of a true design/build
company.
How
long has the company been in business as a design/build firm?
Try to find a company whose designs and homes have stood the test
of time. Many companies have been successful during the boom times
of the past ten years but what about during the tough times? How
do their older homes look? Do they hold up well? Do they hold
their value? Are the company’s designs timeless or do they
follow the latest fads?
A company that has been in business for more than 10 years is
likely doing many things right. They have had time to make mistakes
and learn from them, create efficient systems, refine their processes
and build strong relationships with suppliers and craftsmen. They
also are more likely to be around to warrant the work that they
do. Make sure you don’t deprive yourself of the benefits
of their struggles and the value of their experience.
Authentic
Custom Homes has been designing and building homes in the Texas
Hill Country for over 25 years. To find out more about the Authentic
design/build experience please contact either Kurt Walker or Harry
Craig at our firm. We look forward to hearing from you. Until then…
Warmest Regards,
 
Israel Pena, President |
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