Spring is the season when construction projects begin in full force, and a time when many people are touring newly built homes in our community which may include viewing and evaluating new floor plans, trends and options available as well as the latest appliances and systems on the market for the upcoming year. Have you ever wanted to build the house of your dreams but had no idea where to begin? Would you like to have a greater understanding of the entire process before committing? Does it look like a big, scary project full of variables that add up to one major, cringe-worthy intimidation factor? Chances are you are in the majority. While there are plenty of horror stories about taking on this type of endeavor, the truth is that there are qualified and experienced professionals in Omaha who can advise you and help you navigate through both the financial and construction aspects of Building Your Dream Home. These companies take pride in bringing your unique vision to life, and can assist you from the very first planning meeting all the way up to the minute your moving truck pulls in the driveway and beyond. Even though building a home isn’t for everyone, there are distinct advantages and benefits to making this life-changing decision and we want you to know about them before you dismiss this as something that isn’t feasible!
Utilizing Local Home Builders
Chad Herbolsheimer, Regional Vice President for Oakwood Homes, offers the following advice for those who are considering building a new home:
“Building a new home can feel like an overwhelming experience. While there are so many different things to consider; location, school district, access to amenities, distance to work, finding the right lot and builder, the decisions seem endless. Finding the right builder can make the entire process feel not only more enjoyable but also more comforting. The right builder can help maneuver and guide you through all the decisions ahead. We are here to help support homebuyers during major decision-making, as well as financing and customizing their home. This makes the process of picking out everything from the initial floor plan design to the floors themselves more exciting and rewarding. Because we want homeowners to participate and feel involved in every stage of their homebuilding, we also invite homebuyers to come walk their construction site as often as they like.
For future homeowners who are weighing their options when deciding whether to build or buy, Herbolsheimer advises, “There are so many great benefits to building a new home vs. buying an existing one. One of the most impactful benefits is the energy efficiency of a new home. The energy efficiency of a home affects the comfort and livability of the home, and it also has a drastic impact on the monthly utility bills. The more energy efficient the home is the more money that remains in the homeowner’s pocket.
Oakwood Homes builds every home to our High Performance Guarantee standards. This is a promise that every home is built to the highest level of quality and is tested by an independent third party to ensureour high standards are met in every home. Our standard features go into every home to increase the comfort and savings for our homeowners. Some of these include 2×6 exterior constructed walls, 95% efficient furnace, and Energy Star North rated windows.
When building a new home you are getting not only a more efficient home, but you are also building the home of your dreams, not settling for the selections of the homeowners who came before you. Building a new home allows you to custom design a floor plan tailored to meet the needs of your family, and many existing homes today don’t offer the open floor plans that homeowners desire. Furthermore, not only are they looking for more open floor plans, but also for more flexible and smart living options. People want less formal dining areas and more informal entertaining space. They want modern kitchens and spa-like bathrooms. Also, neighborhoods that feel like communities with clubhouses and top-rated schools are in high demand.
We, at Oakwood, are not focused on solely building ‘dream homes’, but instead providing luxury at every level and creating an unforgettable buying experience. We want homeowners to feel engaged and proactive during their new home’s construction. Knowing that Oakwood Homes has a passion for enriching education and infrastructure in our communities sets homeowner’s minds at ease. We simply want to create luxury homes that are accessible and customizable at every budget—for homebuyers in every stage of life.”
Energy Efficiency Solutions
A major benefit to building a new home is the increased energy efficiency resulting from a number of aspects that can be easily incorporated. Troy Spady of Complete Comfort says, “It’s important when building a home that consideration is made to stay comfortable in the entire home, not just on one floor. We make sure that proper zoning is set up within the duct system using zone dampers that open and close airflow to certain parts or floors of the house. These work in conjunction with multiple thermostats that are set up throughout the zone areas in the house. This way, basements are warm in the winter and top floors stay cool in the summer. With customers looking for ways to build more energy efficient homes, considering a WaterFurnace geothermal system that uses the free, renewable energy found in your yard is a must. Between the 30% tax credit, reduced energy usage, and the even, consistent comfort that these systems provide, we are seeing a strong increase in the number of customers who are installing geothermal heat pumps. We encourage anyone who is considering building a new home to look long and hard at geothermal energy. One geothermal unit provides heating, central air conditioning, and supplemental domestic hot water for your entire home. It is an environmentally friendly, energy efficient and cost effective way to heat and cool. It is also extremely safe because natural gas or propane isn’t required to operate these systems. There’s no combustion, flames, or fumes and no chance of carbon monoxide poisoning. I also recommend talking to other people who have installed geothermal, either in their new homes or by replacing their conventional systems. In a first-hand account of their experience you’ll likely hear them say that they can’t imagine having anything other than a geothermal system in their home. We have a long list of satisfied geothermal customers who would be happy to share their ‘geo’ story too!”
Another way to increase energy efficiency is to incorporate controls for your new home’s systems, which can be included in the building plans. Pat Killeen, owner of sister companies Engineered Controls and Control Depot, explains, “It’s no secret that heating and cooling account for the bulk of a home’s energy usage; depending on the size of a home, it can easily average over $1,000 annually. Switching from a manual to a programmable thermostat is one simple way to save as much as $180 a year. The most basic programmable thermostat can be self-installed in an hour and comes with preset temperature settings for different times of the day. Many of Honeywell’s latest models offer greater control, easier programming, sophisticated displays and color options, and even offer Wi-Fi communication via the Internet. What if you’re on your way to a long vacation and you suddenly realize you forgot to turn down your home’s thermostat? If your home is equipped with a Wi-Fi communication thermostat from Honeywell, you can tap into the system through a personalized web portal anywhere there’s Internet access—simply log in to check on your HVAC’s performance and make adjustments on the fly. Today’s sophisticated home automation systems allow you to change security, video and thermostat settings from your smartphone, tablet and PC. In addition, you can control the lighting, music, window treatment motors, and a wide range of other home technology products. When it comes to providing cutting edge residential technology for homeowners, Honeywell has a new service called Total Connect (TC) that should make a dramatic positive impact on home control technology. Honeywell’s Total Connect will allow the homeowner to remotely monitor and control their home (or business) at any time and from anywhere. With Total Connect, you can take advantage of all the amazing benefits next-generation digital technology has to offer – including enhanced communication and the ability to stay connected to your home and business from anywhere in the world. The state-of-the-art security, lighting and HVAC controllers provide you with an affordable way to control your security system, video cameras and heating and air conditioning needs all in one simple-to-use system. End-users can receive alerts via emails, view live video and control and access their security system, control lighting and lock and unlock doors remotely and more. The simplicity and comfort that Honeywell’s new wireless Prestige IAQ HVAC system provides offers a full-suite of wireless enabled accessories that help to meet homeowners’ comfort and security needs. Items such as universal predictive delta T alerts and diagnostics, water sensor alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and filtration alarms are just a few of the added benefits of owning such a home automation system. The system also provides customizable reminders for humidifier pad or UV lamp replacement.
With Total Connect, you have the ability to customize system and alert settings, download free mobile apps and more at the Total Connect Comfort web portal. Home and business owners can program security and HVAC schedules, view and change heating and cooling system parameters including indoor temperature and humidity setting, view outdoor temperature and humidity, receive diagnostic parameters, receive alarm emails and more. They can also perform these functions wherever they are with Honeywell Total Connect Remote Services. A built-in web server lets users control their systems anywhere in their homes on smartphones, tablets, web-enabled TVs or any compatible wireless mobile device anywhere in the world.
Honeywell also recently introduced its latest connected home innovation – the Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control. The new voice technology allows consumers to simply say, ‘Hello, thermostat,’ to activate and control their home’s temperature. A first-of-its-kind consumer device, the Wi-Fi Prestige Smart Thermostat with Voice Control utilizes advanced far-field voice-control technology, which breaks through the ambient noise of a busy household and recognizes commands such as ‘make it four degrees warmer’ or ‘make it much cooler’ — even from across the room. Upon installation, the thermostat immediately recognizes the homeowner’s voice and adjusts the temperature setting based on their request. This is the first cloud-based voice controlled solution that will get smarter over time, adding more commands based on its interactions with homeowners.”
Another crucial component that should be carefully considered when building your new dream home, and which can also affect its energy efficiency, is the role of your roof and attic space. Derek Liebert, President of Attic Solutions, explains that their services are the most cost effective during the new build process. He says, “Our most complete treatment is the fully integrated thermodynamic system, appropriately named the HomeFIT system, for which Attic Solutions combines concepts from roofing, insulating and ventilating to supercharge your attic, enabling your home to effectively manage the heat and moisture that, when trapped, causes many of our home problems here in the Midwest. Our specialized focus has enabled us to identify the root cause of many common, preventable problems and to perfect practical solutions that work before, or even after, you build your home.”
Liebert and his team often see problems with trapped heat and moisture in attics. Over time, this leads to condensation, frost and sometimes mold in the attic as well as excessive heat in the summer and ice dams in the winter. This can also reduce the R-Value for your insulation, which is the measure of an insulation sample’s ability to reduce the rate of heat flow and how this changes under different test conditions. Attic Solutions designs systems to help your home manage this heat and moisture, making it even more efficient, comfortable and less susceptible to premature wear and tear on things like air conditioners, asphalt shingles, roof decking, and many other parts of the home. Additionally, Attic Solutions employs home scientists who consult with both homeowners and contractors to ensure these critical components are properly tied in with the rest of your home. They will work with your builder during construction to oversee the process and ensure that everything from the eaves and above is fully integrated and balanced.
Financing The Project
A major part of building and moving into your dream home is determining how much you can afford and where to obtain financing. From construction loan to mortgage loan, Premier Bank handles it all making it truly a one-stop shop.
Todd Clevenger, EVP of Premier Bank advises to pick a lender that is well-versed in the construction process. “The construction process to build your dream home is a process that needs to be followed carefully and with great attention to detail,” said Clevenger. “It is imperative that consumers choose a financial institution that is experienced in handling construction loans.” Whenever a home is being built, the financial institution works closely with the builder – providing checks & balances throughout the process.
For example, a builder will submit a funds request (or also called a draw) to the bank for the foundation and framing of a home. Premier Bank, in turn, will send an inspector out to the construction site, assess and verify that the framing & foundation has been completed. Once verified, it will be the bank’s job to notify the customer that the request has been made and verified. Then the customer will sign off on the advance from the construction loan to be paid. In addition to the physical verification, Premier Bank requires title updates on the home throughout the entire process. This ensures that no liens have been filed by any contractors along the way.
While construction loans can be carried by the owner of the home being built, there is also an option for the builder to carry the loan and handle all details of the build. The same refined process of inspections and verifications would occur, however without the detailed involvement of the consumer.
The other piece of the puzzle in determining how much of a dream home you can afford is the final mortgage financing. “At Premier Bank, we not only provide an extensive construction loan option, but we also offer mortgage financing after the home is built,” says Andy Herold, Mortgage Lender for Premier Bank. Once the home is built and the construction loan is complete, the mortgage department steps in and handles the rest of the process making building your dream home all the more seamless. Upon the completion of the construction, the mortgage will basically refinance the construction loan and the customer only has to visit one local location to handle the entire process. “Both the construction side and the mortgage side, work closely together from start to finish,” said Herold.
Planning for Exterior Features
The first major exterior consideration that must be made when building a new home is finding out exactly where your property lines lie. Land Survey Inc. works with homeowners and contractors to make sure this information is accurate and provided before plans are made. Toni Montana, owner of Land Survey Inc., says, “Land surveying plays a huge role in residential construction. If you don’t know where the property corners are, you cannot proceed with building a home, garage, etc. as this information really is the foundation for the project. It is also very important to know the zoning requirements so you don’t go past what the city and county require. Additionally, in utilizing a total-station and cutting-edge equipment we are able to cut down the time it takes to get you this information and it increases the precision of the data considerably. My team at Land Survey Inc. will walk you through every requirement needed and also provide the essential ground work. Building a home or being your own General Contractor can sound attractive, but you can easily end up spending more and may run into unnecessary delays. Working with someone who knows the process will save you a lot of money and headaches. We provide a great deal of hands-on information for property owners, and it makes us happy to assure our clients that everything is on track.”
Landscape design is also something that is best considered during the planning process. Mark Aupperle of AUP Landscape provides several things you should be thinking about when building a new home:
• For your front yard, what image do you have in mind? This will assist with incorporating features that provide curb appeal and will also determine design details and quality.
• Consider planting trees and foundation plants, accent planting, constructing retaining walls and addressing slopes in the planning phase of the project and give them first priority. I recommend that all other landscaping be done in phases. My best advice is to budget a certain amount each year and stick to it. Planting trees first, and in the right places, is important. Trees will need to grow upwards of ten years to mature into your desired look, and root growth should be taken into account when planting a tree close to any structures on the property.
• Outdoor entertaining areas are in high demand, and there are always new things on the market that can be incorporated. When deciding what features are best for your backyard, ask yourself how much time you plan to spend in this area. Will you entertain? If so, how many people?
• Think long term—5-10 years ahead—and consider what you want your yard to look like. Instead of just getting something easy in, or spending a lot of money on a bunch of big stuff, plan to improve your landscaping gradually and only do the basics mentioned above right away unless your project budget provides a sizeable allowance for landscaping. This way, if your tastes change when you get settled into your new home, you can easily adapt your plan and you will have more of a focus instead of your attention being pulled in so many directions during the building phase.
Choosing Interior Features
Building a house isn’t just about construction of the house itself; there are many decisions that go into personalizing both exterior and interior features.
One of the most important interior features to plan for is the flooring throughout your new home. Richard Wise, owner of Floor Coverings International, advises, “Definitely pick flooring that fits your lifestyle. For example, solid hardwoods are beautiful but if you have large dogs an engineered hardwood may be a better option. Carpet is warm and absorbs a lot of household noise but may not hold up well over the long term if you have kids running in and out. We are currently doing a lot of carpet and hardwood laminate floor because it is a more cost effective option compared to a solid hardwood or tile floor. We also have a new fused bamboo decking material that is well suited for outside decks as it is extremely durable and very attractive.
There is a wide variety of quality in floors of all kinds, so it is important to understand that there is a difference between cheap flooring and inexpensive flooring. That being said, don’t cut corners just to save money. In the long run it will cost you more money to replace lower quality items and you will likely have to do so in the first five years of ownership. For a little more cost up front you will end up with a floor that will last much longer and hold up better. Furthermore, take your time and visit a lot of model homes or open houses to get ideas of the look and finish you would like to achieve, in addition to spending time with a flooring expert doing a little research. We have a mobile showroom that we bring to the customer at their convenience, which allows the customer to match their floor to their furnishings or paint colors. Floor Coverings International will help answer any questions a homeowner may have on flooring and can custom design a floor that is both beautiful and fits your budget.”
If you have a vision of beautiful tile or stone work in your new home, Silversun Industries can bring it to life. Matthew McKenna, owner of Silversun Industries, advises, “We can assist in design, selection and installation of tile, stone and mosaic products for your home. These features are perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, floors, fireplaces, and can be customized for anywhere else you would like to put them.” McKenna offers the following advice for the home building process:
• Choose a contractor who is insured, provides a warranty for their work, and has a portfolio of work to share with you.
• If they don’t look professional, their quality of work probably isn’t either.
• Go over the design in detail with your contractor. Trust their expert opinion. Design selections can look different in your home versus the showroom, if you are not using a professional.
• Expect the unexpected. Remodels can uncover issues and extra repair due to age or neglect.
• Get an estimate of the work and verify all charges are included. Ask hypothetical questions, such as what would cause the estimate to be more assuming only this work was done?
• Ask the contractor what QUALITY and AWESOME work looks like to them. Does this match your expectations?
• Prepaying for a portion of the work upfront is not uncommon. Only agree to pay for the materials, not the labor, until the work is done.
• Set and agree upon a time frame to complete the job. If it is going to disrupt your life, you need to know and plan. This should be exciting, not STRESSFUL.
He adds, “Building the home of your dreams is that, a dream. The process should not be a nightmare. Do your homework, go with your gut, and get references. Don’t skimp and try to save money on the cheapest price or lowest bid. Quality can cost a bit more and contractors are not ALL the same. You’re hiring someone to execute a design for your home and their work will be showcased and viewed every day. Go with quality and you will not be disappointed.”
A sunroom is definitely at the top of the list of things that would be a part of any dream home. If you have not been in a sunroom, all you have to do is spend a little time in one to really understand how amazing they truly are. The main selling point, among many, is that you can be exposed to nature no matter what the temperature or weather is like outside. It is quite a luxury to have the option to “feel” like you are outside while you enjoy the comforts of being inside. Aside from an extra space that you and your family will surely enjoy, a sunroom is also a very desirable feature as a selling point and adds a significant amount of value to your home. A sunroom will give you years of relaxation and satisfaction, and can easily be incorporated in the planning phase of building your dream home.
Building a home is likely to be one of the most major investments you will make in your lifetime, and that is not to be taken lightly. As this is a collaborative venture, make sure you have the best Omaha has to offer on your team in order to turn the vision of your dream home into reality.