We’re heading back to the annual International Builders Show in Orlando Florida. Yes, somebody has to go to Florida in February, so we drew the short straw. We’re one of the Louisville Builders taking one for the team.

This show has been an almost annual event the last few years. We attend this show in part because I serve on the local HBAL Board of Directors, the HBAK Executive Board, and in part because even us older builders like to keep up with our industry. As we’re using Twitter, Facebook, and blogging, we have to keep up with all the latest products and trends in our industry.

Every year, we come back with new ideas and updates on the pros and cons of green building and developing, new regulations making home building more difficult, the state of the housing market, and the latest product enhancements that affect our customers. Those are all very good reasons to make the annual trip.

This year’s NAHB International Builders Show is February 8-11. Normally, this would be a perfect time for builders to take in a conference, although this year we actually have two, possibly three custom homes we’re starting in January and early February. We’re also finishing up a dental office addition for our friends over at A Winning Smile Dental Center in Okolona. If you’re looking for a Louisville Dentist, they are expanding and accepting new patients. We won’t complain about the activity, or the break to sharpen our saw.

P.S. If I can get my new iPhone 4 working before the trip, I will be live tweeting, shooting videos, and blogging about the show like in years past. Stay tuned for more.

Christmastime is here! Can you believe this year is almost over? Every December we pause to reflect on the passing year—areas where we succeeded and areas where we can improve.

We also like to take this opportunity to let our employees and our clients know how much we appreciate them. The people we work with really are the life of the business, and we have the best. We are grateful for the loyalty of both our employees and our clients, and we look forward to continuing to build those relationships as we enter the New Year.

Hopefully the excitement of the holiday season will linger awhile as we enjoy time with family and friends over the next couple of weeks. 2012 holds the promise of a happy and successful business year ahead.

From everyone at PL Lyons, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

So you’re getting ready to anchor down for winter. NFL football is in midstream, college bowl season is coming up, and basketball—well it’s just starting. You have old man winter moving in for the next 3-4 months and you’re thinking, “Man I’d like to have a cozy basement to take it all in.” If you’re the lady of the house, you might be thinking craft room, homeschool room, or kids play area. If you’re the man of the house, you’re thinking man cave. Did we mention that we provide marriage counseling along with custom building and remodeling Either way, finishing a basement is a great and affordable way to add space and functionality to your existing home.

It’s not too late to get the jump-start on a basement remodel. Can you have it done by Christmas? Well, no, but you might be able to have it done for that Super Bowl party you’ve always wanted to have. Or how about March Madness?

We just finished up several basement finishes this fall. We have some testimonials, some videos, and some after pictures to share in the coming weeks.

We completed one basement remodel in Jtown, a basement finish in Oldham County, and a basement remodel in Eastwood. Although building custom homes has always been our strong suit, we often go back and finish basements for our custom building clients. Oddly enough, none of these recent projects were from custom home clients.

Whether we’ve built for you in the past and it’s time to finish that basement, or you’re just looking for a Louisville basement remodeler, we can help.

We price a basement finish just like we price a new custom home—with precision. This way you know what you’re getting and know your budget from day one.

Call us to get the conversation started today at 244-0114. Or, as always, use our online form to schedule an initial conversation.

Take some time this week to count your blessings.
Take some time and relate with your family and friends.
Take some time and be thankful for your freedoms.

Guys get your share of football.
Ladies get your share of shopping.
Everyone get your share of good eats.

Enjoy the change in seasons. Some people never get to see a leaf fall, a snow flake, a bloom in spring, or a sunny July day.

If you spend any of your time off working on that honey-do list, you might find last week’s post helpful about winterizing your house.

Happy Thanksgiving!

These three homes were all built in the Fox Run subdivision in Eastern Jefferson County. We build to suit your needs and have built custom homes and completed custom remodels and additions in a number of prestigious areas and neighborhoods in Louisville including:

• Anchorage
• Lake Forest
• Douglas Hills
• Plainview
• in Briar Hill Estates
• Beckly Woods
• Hunters Point
• Winchester Acres
• Fairway Crossing
• Fox Run
• Glen Lakes

If you’d like to learn more, please contact me today.

It sounds great, doesn’t it? Being able to pay off your mortgage in a fraction of the time by refinancing to a shorter-term loan. In just 15 years, you could own your home outright, build equity faster, and free up thousands of dollars you would otherwise be paying in interest over the course of a 30-year mortgage. The money you save on interest could go toward money for retirement, college, or even a wedding.

But can you afford it? Even though you might be able to afford the higher monthly payment, there are some other things to consider:

• Would you still have enough money left over to save each month? It’s recommended to keep at least six months’ worth of reserved funds in savings at all times. Would you be able to achieve this with a higher monthly mortgage payment?

• Will you go house poor? Think summer vacations, weekend getaways, dining out, shopping, improvements to your home, etc. All of these things you freely enjoy now might not come so easy if your mortgage payment is that much higher.

• Do you have enough job security and feel stable where you are for the next 15 years?

• In the event of an emergency, will you have funds in reserve to pay for unexpected expenses? Aside from the six-month reserve, will you have the extra money to cover unforeseen medical bills and car and house repairs?

The New York Times  wrote an article on the topic with even more things to consider along with a link to a mortgage calculator. Even though rates for 15-year mortgages are great now, don’t rush into a decision until you weighed all your options.

Question:
I am looking at buying a developer-owned lot to build a new home on. The lot is sloped and I will plan on building a half basement. I was talking to a builder three lots from mine and he said that he had to remove excess fill dirt to get to the sub grade to pour foundation. This was an extra cost to the homeowner. Does the developer have to disclose if a lot has been filled in with fill? If not, should I get a soil impaction test prior to buying the lot?

Answer:
Most developers will disclose any information they have concerning lots. However, the detailed construction drawings will show lots that are filled with soil and or debris. The construction drawings may not show rock formations and or subterranean soil problems that may require additional monies for building.

As an individual buying a lot, it is ALWAYS best to have a builder or his engineer inspect a lot before purchasing. They usually can inform you if the lot requires additional costs to build.

It is customary to do the additional requirements ie: rock removal, additional fill for poor soil conditions, hillside construction, etc. on a cost-plus basis, as it is usually more cost effective to the customer to do it that way verses having an engineer test, estimate rock removal and or fill, and then do the required work after he has included his fees. In some cases, an engineer’s report is required.

As a builder, we have purchased lots knowing there was fill on that lot and it would have to be removed for the building process, and we include an allowance or a fixed cost for that work, adding it to the cost of the structure. The same has been done with rock removal. However, we have built on a lot that had sub soil conditions that were not known by the developer or his sales team, and it was deemed the responsibility of the purchaser to either move on with the project or abandon plans. Because of already incurred costs, they moved on with the project.

Here’s a quick, fun video of us at the scramble. This is an annual event. We always announce upcoming scrambles and events on our blog, so be sure to follow along if you’re interested in participating next year.

The second video shows the deck we completed for the homeowners a while back. It’s a Trex product and nicely connects to the sun room.

We’re always excited and honored to work with repeat customers. If you have a custom building or remodeling question or are thinking about starting a project, contact us. We’d love to work with you on your next building or remodeling job.

The building industry—much like any other industry—is constantly changing and improving. If you’re one to keep up with the latest trends in design, decor, and building products, then you probably should be aware of Professional Builder Magazine’s list of the best new products for 2011.

Each year, the editors of Professional Builder and Professional Remodeler check out the newest products, finishes, and systems for residential construction and come up with a list of 101 best new products, then lump them into categories such as outdoor living, kitchen and bath, structural, and more. Read more about how the editors choose the winners here.

Here are some of the products that caught our eye this year:

• Kohler’s ultra-lux Numi toilet
• Blanco Solon Compost System
• Sterling Lawson Air Massage bath
• Azek’s In-Deck Storage Kit
• Kolbe Folding Door Systems

View the entire list of winners by category and read more about each product. Want more information about building or remodeling? Then check out our website.