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By KCB_Admin 21 Aug, 2018
BUILDER: Pete Stefani FIRM: King’s Court Builders, Inc. ​ Performance issues with engineered wood siding and lack of manufacturer support led this custom-home builder to search for a new siding material. With its collection of siding, trim and soffit in various styles, textures and colors, James Hardie gives builders the diversity they need to accurately capture any design. Pete Stefani takes pride in having built and closed more than 1,100 homes in Chicago’s western suburbs since 1986. “It means so much to me that we build houses which people call their homes. More than a job, it’s a passion,” explains Stefani. “You really appreciate how the long-term reliability of the products you use will translate into the long-term satisfaction of the families that move in.” When starting out in the business, he used engineered wood as a cedar siding substitute. However, product failure within a couple years of installation led to unhappy homeowners. Due to a lack of manufacturer support, Stefani had to replace the engineered wood siding at his own expense. So, for the last decade he’s switched to building homes with stronger, more reliable James Hardie® fiber cement siding. “We’re much happier with the long-term results,” says Stefani. Beautiful James Hardie® ColorPlus® Technology products can be installed year-round, while delivering superior color consistency and performance for many years to come.​ Engineered wood siding still acts like wood To this day, Stefani sees problems with engineered wood products, “they move on the wall more than you’d like. In this climate, we go from warm, humid summers to cold, arid winters and that’s ripe for expansion and contraction in wood products. It can get to the point where the engineered wood bows off the wall because of two pieces expanding against each other.” Another downside is the manufacturer’s recommended 3/16-inch gap between boards to accommodate expected swelling. Homeowners complain when they inspect their newly installed siding. Stefani notes, “Those gaps don’t make a real good impression and they don’t build confidence with the homeowner." James Hardie’s products and support give us a competitive edge When Stefani first met with the James Hardie rep, he sensed a real commitment. Through the years, the company has exceeded his expectations. He is especially impressed with how James Hardie continuously looks to innovate. “Everything they do is top-notch, from their products to the marketing materials to the support they give us,” Stefani raves. “The James Hardie siding lays on the wall really nice, and we know it’s going to stay that way. I’m thrilled with it and so are my homeowners. The Hardie name gives us instant reliability and credibility as being a top-quality builder. And their ColorPlus® Technology has raised the bar in siding products. It’s more consistent and more durable than other siding finishes.” One of the most pleasant surprises for Stefani has been the support from their James Hardie technical representative. The representative visits every one of Stefani’s project sites to make sure the crews are properly trained and to answer any questions. “In my three decades of experience, no other manufacturer supports their product with service like that.” This helps Stefani avoid the callbacks that followed his engineered wood siding jobs. And Stefani plans to return the favor. “I won’t even consider using a different fiber cement company or engineered wood product company because of everything that James Hardie has done to cement our relationship.”
By KCB_Admin 11 Jul, 2016
Not a week goes by that King’s Court Builders isn’t asked the common question, “What is your price per square foot?” While we wish we could offer a quick number to aid new home buyers in their decision making process, a straight forward number would be similar to comparing apples to oranges or possibly a Hyundai to a BMW. Unfortunately, it’s a difficult question to answer and one we try our best to explain. There are many variables that explain why the price per square foot isn’t a reasonable way to compare builders or measure the cost or value of a new home. First, there is no standard to distinguish what is included with the square feet of a home. Our figures include only finished areas, but never the basement—even if it is finished. Also, we only count actual floor space, not the dimensions of the exterior of the home then multiply it by two. This method provides a more accurate living space number and avoids calculating any areas with two-story ceilings twice. The garage or any exterior surfaces, such as a deck or patio, are also excluded in the measurement. While this is our method of calculation, other builders may do something entirely different. Therefore, comparing the price per square foot can be deceiving and extremely inaccurate. You’re comparing homes, but not the same home—by any means. Let’s also take into consideration that some designs or floor plans are simply more expensive. For example, a bathroom is usually less square footage (sf) than a bedroom but is more expensive because of the plumbing and fixtures required. Another example is a ranch home, where there is a larger foundation as well as a larger roof, is much more expensive than a two-story home where rooms are stacked on top of each other. For comparison, after deducting the cost of land our Marlowe ranch is $155/sf, while our Camden two-story is $132/sf. That’s a difference of $23/sf for Monarch features. If you look at the difference with Elite features our Marlowe ranch is $197/sf, while our Camden two-story is $167/sf which is a difference of $30/sf. Speaking of features, what is actually included when you compare the price per square foot…? Is landscaping included? If so, is it just sod and parkway trees or is the builder including other plantings? Will you have a concrete or asphalt driveway? What type of flooring is included and in what areas? Does the builder use custom or box cabinets? Cabinets are another large expense. Basically, you need to identify the builder’s standard features and determine what you will be paying for, above the quoted price per square foot, to have the home you desire. In the end, you want to know that you are getting the best home for your hard earned dollars. But, how do you do this? Set a budget, just leave a little flexibility for those “must haves”, then compare the features you want, not the price per square foot. The end result will be a high-quality custom built home within your budget—just the way you want it!
By KCB_Admin 09 Jun, 2016
If you’re in the new home construction process, the consideration for a deck or patio is probably on your mind. You might be wondering which options would be best for you and which will provide the best overall value to your home. This article helps identify the pros and cons of each and can help you determine which outdoor living space would suite you the best. Each option will offer a great area to gather with family and friends, grill out or just relax in the warm weather months. Here are some of the differences. The Appearance Difference Patios are the outdoor space built directly on the ground. This area might be connected to the house or constructed in a separate area of the yard. The patios can be constructed of various materials depending on the style desired and the budget. These include concrete, brick, stone, tile, pavers or other materials. In most cases, patios do not have rail systems but rather an open look. Today, many patio spaces include fire pits, built in barbecues and even sitting areas. On the other hand, decks are typically made of wood or vinyl and are usually not placed directly on the ground but rather use a support system to elevate the space. Also, decking systems are usually enclosed by a railing system, possibly a pergola or trellis and offer an overview of the backyard. Cost Comparison As with anything, cost can play a great roll in your patio vs. deck decision. Studies show that the average cost of a midrange composite deck can run around $15,000 or around $10,400 for a wood deck. Decks usually range about $33 per square foot while patios, on the other hand, are about $15 per square foot for brick and around $12 for concrete patio. However, the actual cost will depend on a variety of factors, such as: Materials used Location (on the ground, without support) Size of the deck or patio Additional features (railings, seating, built in barbecue) Ground level (patios require flat land or will need to level the foundation) Home Value Decks or patios offer a good return on investment when it’s time to sell your home. The average RIO for a new deck is about 75% and around 30-60% for a patio. Best Choice The decision really comes down to which one best suits your needs for the additional cost. Patios, many times, work well when you’d like to incorporate the landscape or pool into the overall design. And if you’d like a separate place away from the home, patios are more conducive. However, those wanting a grand view of the property would want to consider a deck for its elevation options. Decks also work well for those with drop offs or unleveled backyards. Whichever your selection, both offer a great ROI and an excellent outdoor entertaining or relaxation space. And, if both are appealing and budget is not a concern, incorporating both options can truly enhance your home value and overall backyard beauty.
By KCB_Admin 29 Apr, 2016
Want to learn what’s trending in new home building designs in 2016? We hope these 7 ideas will help inspire you during your new home buying journey! Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets . Mixing various color tones throughout the kitchen is still in, but with combinations like painted white (or other tones) sections of cabinets along with darker stained sections. We’re seeing a lot of perimeter cabinets in one color and island or butler’s pantry in a different color. Social Kitchens . The trending “social kitchen” design focuses on creating a central spot in the home that is used for both cooking and entertaining purposes. Open space into the family room, large islands for a prep station and seating, as well as butler pantries to utilize when entertaining are all very popular. Soft, Muted Color Palettes . Charcoal, gray and even neutral pastels like pale blue, pale green-gray and tinted whites are being used throughout our homes. Metal Dominates . One of the latest trends is metallic finishes, including copper, brass and bronze. While primarily used in small doses, kitchens now use metal as an aesthetic choice for faucets, pendant lights, cabinet pulls and even replacing the wood range hood with metal. Heated Floors . In this region heated floors are frequently being added in master bathrooms. Statement Mirrors . To add character to a bathroom, statement mirrors are replacing standard plate-glass mirrors. Large wood-framed mirrors, ornate vintage styles or modern backlit designs are creating a unique look. Well-Lit Cabinetry . Extensive cabinet lighting is a trend to watch with low-voltage light strips to accent pieces below upper cabinets for a bright work area, in the toe space at the bottom of cabinets creating a “floating vanity”, above cabinets, inside cabinets and below counter top overhangs. The new style also provides better mood-setting options.
By KCB_Admin 18 Mar, 2016
One important way to maximize the value of your new home and its energy efficiency is to use spray foam insulation. Spray foam is a far superior insulation material, surpasses building code requirements and provides new homeowners with long-term benefits, including: Increased Energy Efficiency : Air leaks can waste energy and drive up utility costs. Spray foam is both an insulant, air sealant, and air barrier to fill gaps and prevent leaks in many areas of the house. Enhanced Indoor Environment : Sealing a home’s air leaks helps prevent drafts from windows, doors, attics and floor boards for better temperature control. Spray foam can also help prevent moisture or humidity problems that often lead to mold and mildew problems—contributing to allergens and pollutants. Money Saving : Spray foam insulation will substantially lower your energy bills for the lifetime of your home and increase the resale value. Noise Reduction : Finally, spray foam acts as a sound barrier to help reduce exterior noises.
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