From Lincoln Log Houses to Real Log Homes

Many people dream of owning a log home whether they want to live deep in the country or stick out with great curb appeal in the city. Because of this dream, the log home industry has been increasing production by 15% over the last ten years.

What are some of the things you should consider before building a log home?

• Log homes cost at least 20% more than a traditional home.
• Log homes are 30-40% more than a traditional home.
• Log homes sell much quicker.
• Log homes are more challenging to build than normal homes.

Since log homes cost more to build, it is important to consider these costs when planning and designing your home. We have compiled a list of things to keep in mind as you design your dream log home:

• Keep the exterior of the structure as simple as possible. Each corner will add additional cost to your building project so something like a rectangle, “L,” or “T,” shape will work best.
• Select an A-Frame roof or something similar.
• Consider building the front of your home with log and the rest of your home in the traditional manner.
• Plan for your plumbing to be on the interior walls because carving out space on the exterior (or the log) is not recommended. We don’t want frozen pipes come winter!

The list of additional decisions homeowners have to make when considering a log home is endless. You can have the feeling of a log home without an actual log structure by adding log accents to a traditional home.

Nobody knows what it is about log homes that make them so comfortable and calm; however, these homes offer a sense of peace. If a log home is your dream, contact UBuildIt today and one of our consultants will help make your dream a reality.

Best Practices for Staying Organized as a Project Manager

Being your own project manager can be a daunting idea especially without any experience in the construction field; however, with the help of UBuildIt and these simple organization tips, everything will work out in the end.

Keeping yourself organized and prepared for questions will save you a lot of time, money, and frustration.

Keep Everything in One Place: We recommend purchasing a notebook with pockets to keep all paperwork, ideas, notes, and lists in one place. Always keep it with you so you can track phone calls, take notes, and jot down questions when they arise.

Important Things to Keep in your Notebook:

• Lists such as:
  • Things to Do
  • Telephone Log showing who called, when they called, and what was discussed
  • List of all subcontractors and suppliers including their best contact number and availability.
• General Notes
• Copies of all bids
• Copy of all specifications
• Change Order Notifications

Keep a copy of all blueprints: Always keep these with you and bring them to the job site when you visit.

Keep a file of Financial Documents: If you are using a construction loan, it is imperative that you remain organized and keep a copy of your original budget along with copies of all draw sheets. Eventually, your lender will ask for this information.

Track your Actual Expense versus Projected Budget: Sometimes your construction loan documents will be all that is required of you; however, sometimes additional information is requested. If you keep everything in one place, you will be prepared at the end.

Keep a Construction Calendar: Keeping track of when subcontractors will be on site will help with scheduling additional people and knowing when to order materials. People have been most successful at this step when they purchase various colored pens and a calendar (you can print one online that way you won’t waste half a year worth of paper). Use a different pen for each subcontractor and another for your appointments with your UBuildIt Consultant.

Communicate Regularly: This tip may seem obvious; however, people often forget how important communication is in a project of this size. Remember to be in contact with your consultant, suppliers, and subcontractors to ensure there are no mistakes made in your orders, schedule, or project in general.

Being your own Project Manager is not easy; however, taking control of your project with the help of UBuildIt’s experienced staff, you will come out of the tunnel with your dream home.

Which UBuildIt Program is Right for You?

You have made the decision, made lists of ideas, and researched your options… Now what? If you are looking to either build a house or remodel your home as well as maintain control of your project, avoid contractor pressure, save money, and enjoy consulting with someone who has your best interest in mind, UBuildIt is the right solution. So, how do you choose which of our programs is the right one for your project?

UBuildIt-Custom Home

This program is a great option for someone looking to build a brand new custom home that has no idea where to begin. Many of our clients who select this option have not even purchased land yet, which is ideal anyway because our extraordinary consultants can help with that too.

UBuildIt prides itself on offering a two-fold saving advantage. The first savings will come from choosing to build your dream home instead of buying it. We have been able to recreate homes for clients at retail price when their dream house was sold before they could purchase it. Take that extra savings and install a swimming pool, upgrade your appliances, or take a family vacation. The second half of the savings deal comes from choosing UBuildIt to help you build your home. Our program and services consistently save clients up to 25% over what they would spend with a contractor.

Save money. Stay in control. Choose UBuildIt.

UBuildIt Plus

This option takes the administrative duties of building a home out of your hands and places it into ours. You will maintain control and always have the final decision; however, the amount of time you will have to invest in your project using this program is significantly less.

UBuildIt Plus handles the planning and construction phases slightly different than the custom option. Your consultant will collect your ideas and perform a lot of the research for you rather than guiding you through the planning stage. Then during construction, we will make hiring recommendations and we will guide scheduling and material orders. This program significantly decreases the time investment on your part.

UBuildIt-Remodel

Anybody looking to remodel their home should consider this program. Remodeling can be a good idea for those looking to update their home for the housing market, expand for a growing family, or simply to make your home into your dream home. Remodeling can be quite the project because even though you are not starting from the ground up, remodels still require permits, subcontractors, and construction knowledge. This program offers the suppliers, subcontractors, and an expert consultant to guide you through this process.

We offer the UBuildit Class package which allows you to keep the reins and do most of the legwork in the planning stage and construction stage with our help. We also offer the UBuildit Plus package for remodels. It is essentially the same as what was discussed above.

Three Common Questions Answered about UBuildIt

Deciding to build a new custom home or remodel your current living space is a big step. Questions are bound to arise about whether or not this is the right decision at the right time, how much will it cost, and even where to start? UBuildIt is more than just a company striving for success, it is a service centered on ensuring that clients receive the home of their dreams. Our consulting services are designed around customer experience; therefore, our main objective is to create a “team mentality,” where we work together to find the best solutions for each project.

Do not worry! We understand that this is a daunting process and the questions are probably making their way into your mind quicker than you can comprehend them. Let us put your mind at ease with these answers to commonly asked questions.

• Do I have time to use UBuildIt rather than hiring a general contractor?

Any construction project will require a certain amount of time from the homeowner whether they have hired UBuildIt or a general contractor. Generally, UBuildIt clients spend an average of 6-8 hours per week with administrative duties. This amount of time fluctuates throughout the process. From our experience, this amount of time will also be required of you if you hire a general contractor.

If you select the UBuildIt Plus package, your time will shrink from 6-8 hours per week to 1-3 hours per week. During this time you will do a general overview of your construction project, control your checkbook, and communicate with your UBuildIt Consultant. Your consultant will be able to handle daily scheduling and you will remain completely in control of what is happening.

• Does UBuildIt really cost less than a builder?

A general contractor typically quotes between 10-15% of the total cost of the project plus a 15-25% markup that they bury within their construction labor and material cost. With UBuildIt, every dollar that leaves your bank account is spent on your project with no hidden fees or markups. UBuildIt clients purchase construction materials at wholesale price and pay a set labor price as well.

Your consultant will establish a flat-fixed consulting fee up front that will be paid in progress to consult your project. The fee typically averages between 8-10% of wholesale for new construction projects and for remodels between 10-15%. Remember, these are with no markups and no hidden fees on labor or materials.

UBuildIt clients normally spend 20-30% less on their projects than people who hire a general contractor.

• How do I control a construction project when I do not know anything about building?

With UBuildIt’s consulting services, you will not be required to pick up a hammer, draw a blueprint, or operate heavy machinery. Our experienced consultants take your ideas and turn them into plans before finally translating them into a logistical schedule. All you have to do is decide what you want in your home, the style of your home, and what materials you prefer. With our expertise throughout your home-building journey, you will have a customized plan that specifies what to expect along the way.

Take the plunge! Call your local UBuildIt office today to schedule a one-on-one meeting. Come prepared with questions, ideas, and an open mind.

Tip #5- Partner with UBuildIt!

Tip #5- Partner with UBuildIt!

Now that you have designed your home (or remodel) from the ground up, it will be hard to pass the reins to someone with a mild understanding of your vision, right? With UBuildIt, the reins will remain in your hands throughout the entire process. UBuildIt gives you control over your entire planning and design process. Take advantage of the experience your consultant has.

With our company, you will be able to connect with qualified and competitive plan resources and professionals. With our help, your simple sketches will turn into a beautiful home. Your consultant will sit down with you and determine your budget and your financing options. They will evaluate your property, suggest any changes to your pre-planning, then they will assist you in specifying your material choices and establish realistic project costs.

With UBuildIt, you will experience the utmost best in customer service. Our consultants will use their expertise to ensure your project is completely correct, on time, and within budget. Your consultant will be there 24/7 to alleviate fear, stifle strife, and will aid in bringing your vision to life.

Only you can decide what is right for you in your dream home. Taking the time to plan ahead, define your style, determine your budget to balance your goals, and directing your design professional are 4 beginning steps to making your dream home a reality; however, with UBuildIt, you will not be alone in this daunting process. Contact our office today!

Tip #3: Determine Your Budget to Balance Your Goals

Now that you have defined your space and style, let us talk about the most powerful thing in the planning process: money!

Money is often the center of many projects. How much can you spend? What kind of budget won’t break the bank? How can you get the most bang for your buck? These are the types of questions you may be asking yourself as you plan your dream home. “Plan ahead and shop around” is the advice most people will give you, but what does that mean?

Consider your Financial Strategy:

• Is this a stepping stone home? A short-term starter home?
• Will you live in this home through your retirement?

Calculate your Monthly Budget:

• Consider more than just the mortgage payments; such as the insurance, property tax, possible HOA fees, lawn care, utilities, etc.
• What about escrow and a rainy day fund? Don’t max out your budget with routine costs and be unable to afford emergencies.

Control your Project Spending:

• Plan your budget and stick with it. We are not encouraging you to compromise, but to be steadfast with your budget/plan.

With UBuildIt, you will have a consultant assigned to assist you during each step of the building process. This person is experienced in shopping around for the best deals and ensuring that there is not any wolves in sheep’s closing trying to take advantage of you. Contact our local office today to discuss your options!

Tip #2 for Designing a Perfect Home for Your Family

Now that you have determined your space and determined what type of home you wish to build, it is time to define your style. Style is more than an amazing design and beautiful décor, it is what defines the personality of your family. It is essential to think about the company you keep and your family’s various needs such as their hobbies, workspace requirements, and storage space.

#1 Complement your Family’s Lifestyle

• Where would you like to live? Within the city’s various neighborhoods or in a country setting?
• Is your focus on a formal home with plenty of tiny details or a casual and comfortable home?
• Do you need a craft room, an office, a space that doubles as a library? What additional or unique spaces would you like your home to include for your family?

#2 Let Life Happen

• Do you host parties often? Are they formal or informal?
• What do your children do on rainy days? Do you need space for indoor recreation?
• Do you need an office space for someone who works from home?
• Do you have overnight guests often?

#3 Never Ask “Where Should I Put This?” Again

• Prepare your space by considering workspace and hobbies.
• What about storage?
• Do you need your storage to be easily accessible?

Tip #1 for Designing a Perfect Home for Your Family

Many building or remodeling projects end up behind schedule and over budget because of skipped steps in the planning/designing process. Many people fail to recognize the challenges of building a home or remodeling their current home. Where do you start? How do you decide what you should include in your budget?

UBuildIt will offer you control in planning your home. We recommend starting with planning your space. Once you lock in your floor plan, the rest falls into place. Follow this easy guide to get started and don’t forget to ask your consultant about our Dream Home or Dream Remodeling Planning Guide to aid your process.

#1: Define your space

Some people would recommend looking at home plan books and collecting pictures of things you like; however, we advise against this approach because while it will show you what you want, it will not necessarily show you what you need.

Start with these questions:

• Where are you now?
  • What works about your current space? Are there things that function well? Which rooms are perfect? Why?
  • What does not work about the space? What space goes unused? What things are missing that you believe you need?
  • What do you think about the size of each room? Are they too big or too small? Measure comfortable spaces to have a starting point.
• Who will live in your home?
  • Hold a family meeting to discuss what kind of space is important to everybody. Do your children need an extra bathroom to get ready in? Space to play or have friends over?
  • Does anybody desire more storage or larger closets?
  • If you are building a two story home and plan to retire there, should the master suite and laundry room be on the main floor?

Track your habits:

• Watch how your family interacts with your home over the next ten days.
  • What rooms do they spend the most time in?
  • Where do you need traffic lights to keep things in order in the mornings?
  • Are there rooms that should be next to each other or rooms that should not be side-by-side?

Universal Design Concept

Is your home ready for you as you grow?

Modern medicine continues to improve; therefore, the average lifespan is increasing as the years go by. When we are young, it is hard to consider long-term ideas that include easy modification for our bodies as we age; however, UBuildIt has adopted a “Universal Design” strategy to remind home owners and builders to consider longevity when they design, build, or remodel their home.

Why should you consider the Universal Design Concept when designing your home?

Longevity: Since you are investing all your finances, energy, and time into creating the home of your dreams with our custom home design plan, it is safe to assume you plan to stay in this home for a while. Even if you do not plan to retire from this home, you will definitely age within this space. What happens if you develop arthritis in your wrists and are unable to twist the door knobs? What if you are wheelchair bound and are unable to fit your chair down your hallways? Talk to your UBuildIt consultant about planning for the future when you are designing your home. Making these minor adjustments to your plans now will save you thousands in remodel costs later.

Unforeseen Injury or Illness: Plan for the worst case scenario. We all plan to remain healthy and mobile throughout our lives; however, sometimes things happen. Will your home be prepared for these things or will you have to spend more money later making necessary adjustments?

Examples of Universal Design Features:
• Larger bathrooms
• Adjustable shelving
• Open knee space under all sinks
• Slip-safe flooring
• Step-free entrance

What is a Custom Home?

When you step into a new industry, there are often acronyms and phrases that are not commonly used. The home construction industry is no different. So you hear us constantly referring to building a custom home, but what does that mean?

Let’s investigate some terms that you may hear often as you begin planning your dream home:

Production Built: This type of home is designed by an architect and a builder then built several times. You see this type of build in a traditional neighborhood when you may notice that all the homes are shaped similar and their color schemes match. If you buy this type of home, you will have little to no say in any design elements unless you purchase it early enough in the building process. This type of home is not individualized to the needs and desires of your family; however, it is important to note that a production built home can offer savings since the same design is used multiple times.

Semi-Custom Built: This home is somewhere between a custom built home and a production built home.  Generally, the builder will either have several stock designs which you can customize to your own liking. Add a room, change the layout, or add additional storage space in the garage—these types of features would be up to you. Since you will be making decisions that are unique to you, this type of home would be more expensive than a traditional production built home.

Custom Home: A custom home is one in which you will work with an architect to design a house that is one-of-a-kind. Throughout the stages of design, you will have the ability to select room sizes, layout, type of fixtures, and the flooring. A custom home usually has a slightly higher price tag because it has never been built before and the designs are unique to your taste.

Designing your own home allows you to create your dream home. You will have the opportunity to be a responsible member of your environmental community by choosing Green Building techniques. You can also design your home with longevity in mind so that it will be prepared to accommodate your needs as you grow.

Although building your own custom home may sound a bit daunting, UBuildIt makes your experience a relative breeze. Our expert staff will assist you in the development of a budget and schedule, while giving you peace of mind in knowing that each part of the production process is being fulfilled in the most efficient way possible.