Archive for Custom Remodeling
Custom Building From Concept to Completion
We put together this video loop for the recent Trend Home Garden and Remodeling Show. We hope it captures how building a custom home with Perry Lyons of P.L. Lyons Inc is a true concept to completion journey. Enjoy!
We would love for you to bring in your cocktail napkin sketch, sit in our chairs and watch your dream home come together before your eyes. It doesn’t cost a thing for us to give you a ball park estimate. Of course we never leave it that. We do a full and thorough takeoff and estimate before we begin your custom home building or remodeling project. Contact us today at 502-244-0114, email us at perry [at] pllyons [dot] com or contact us online at any time to set an free initial consultation.
Share on FacebookSelecting a draftsman or architect
When selecting a draftsperson or architect to design my building project, who should I choose?
My experience over the years has varied. We have been involved with architectural firms. individual architects, draftsmen, and drafting firms. All have a place in the market, and many times the project itself dictates the firm or person that should be used.
If you are thinking of working with a building contractor, many times it is wise to get their counsel first.
If you have already decided to work with; lets say a draftsman, look at some plans he has finished in the past. Ask for references. Ask if he does work for builders. Ask those builders how they feel about that particular draftsman.
DO NOT BASE you final decision solely on price. Some draftsmen do not produce a good detailed sets of plans, and it becomes apparent when trying to obtain building permits. It also allows for interpretations in the field, that should be detailed for field crews. Much like a successful business needs a business plan, your building project needs a good set of building plans.
A good quick check is:
Are the beams sized and the dimensions detailed, or does the plan have the notation: “verify in field”, or “builder to verify”,or even notes like “lumber salesman to verify”. Obviously this draftsman does not know what he is doing, or does not want the responsibility of detailing the plans. Do you really want him designing your project?
Contact us to take your home from concept to completion today.
Share on FacebookPlanning and designing a room addition
Do I need a set of house plans to add the room on the rear of our house?
Planning is an integral part of any process, regardless of what it is. House additions and alterations are no different. Before investing in a set of building plans, you need to first see if you can do what you want. There may be restrictions that will not allow you to add the the addition the way you have it set in your mind.
Some restrictions may be utility easements, subdivision regulations, zoning issues, neighborhood association regulations, and many other types of stipulations. The planning phase starts way before building plans (blueprints) are started. You should always know where your house sits on your property which may require a land survey. This will identify any easements or items that may alter the way you design your addition or remodeling project. You can then get your builder to prepare a plot plan that will allow them to advise regulatory agencies of what your general plans are.
At this point you are finally ready to design the building plans. Your builder should direct you to a qualified draftsman/designer or architect to start the building plans. We highly recommend Pete Nusz Home Design for our projects.
The last step in the process is to turn those finished building plans into official “blueprints” so permits can be pulled and actual construction can take place.
Share on FacebookWhen remodeling: Part 2
Here’s another little known fact the “contractor friend” won’t mention. The original builder of your home is absolved of many and maybe all responsibilities/warranties when someone else works in that house. Below is a list of examples that may trigger this situation:
- Carpentry, such as altering of framing or even moving a doorway
- Electrical alterations
- HVAC alterations
- Plumbing alterations
Any carpentry change can have an effect on the structural integrity of the house. Any electrical change will have an effect on the electrical panel and code. Any plumbing change can affect the status for code applications.
In the event these types of changes are made the builder and his sub contractors could no longer be responsible for what they did. Their work has been altered without proper permits after they left. To make matters worse your “contractor friend” has no coverage. Original responsibilities and insurance obligations are no longer in effect.
After my explanations, I got the job, and my clients are very happy as the work is progressing.
They commented “he” was a little cheaper than us, but after questioning him about my information, both they and their “contractor friend” decided he should not do the work.
No matter how small the job seems to you, it has consequences. When considering all the consequences, YOU should always chose to work with a licensed professional. It doesn’t have to be us although we’d love to help.
Share on FacebookWhen remodeling, why do I need a licensed contractor?
Recently I was asked to bid on a basement remodel that required some framing, electrical wiring, plumbing, insulation, drywall, trim carpentry and painting, along with a few other odds and ends.
As we always do, I completed a drawing, followed by an itemized cost estimate based on that drawing. I quoted the job and was asked several questions by the homeowners in regards to the estimate. They asked if they could use my scope of work and plans to have a “contractor friend” quote the job also. I agreed to let them use the plans and scope of work, with the understanding that they would pay for the plans if their friend got the job.
After they met with their “contractor friend” they asked why they needed me, a licensed contractor, to do their work. The “contractor friend” said “he was qualified and did this type of work without a permit all the time”. He has been doing this type of work on the side while he was laid off.
I explained the following: (more…)
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