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January 29, 2008
Systems-built Houses
It's hard to find information about systems-built houses. For one thing, it's not the catchiest term in the world, and it's not common outside the construction industry. If a homeowner wants information about a house other than stick-built, he's likely to search for "manufactured house," ending up with a lot of info about what used to be called trailers.
I know this because the first time I tried to find information about "pre-fabricated" houses on the Internet, that's exactly what I got: lots and lots of photos of double-wides. When I changed the search term to "modular house," however, I had much better luck.
While "pre-fabricated" houses have had a bad reputation over the years, maybe it's time to take another look at them. Today's systems-built houses cover the gamut from starter homes to mansions. It's very hard to tell that they essentially were built in a factory miles from the site on which they now sit.
And manufacturers of modular houses are quick to point out that their products have to be better than a stick-built home. After all, it has to withstand a journey on a flatbed trailer from factory to homesite. (The thought of trying to move my house gives me a chill. As some of you regular readers know, it was built to code. In other words, it's the lousiest house the builder could legally produce.)
I've about decided that, in the unlikely event I ever build a house, it will be modular. I follow the reasoning of the manufacturers; it makes sense to me that the houses would be stronger structurally.
But I haven't discussed the topic with any builders. So what's your take on the quality of modular houses? Do they live up to the standards their manufacturers tout? Or are they closer to funny-shaped double-wides? I'm looking forward to hearing from you pros. You're the people who really can spot quality construction. Throw in your two-cents worth.
Posted by Marjie O'Connor, HGTVPro.com Staff at 3:16 PM | Comments (22)
January 21, 2008
Tools We Can't Live Without
Everybody in the construction business has some favorite tools that they'd hate to give up. And with the advent of electronic communication, the list of favorite tools has expanded to include such things as cell phones, BlackBerries and laptops. For many contractors, a cell phone is their main business line.
Since I don't build stuff, I can't list my favorite tools for the jobsite. However, I think that if anyone tried to take away my computer, I'd be likely to turn quite vicious. Computers certainly revolutionized media -- and just about everything else. I think that at some point in the distant future, the microchip will be recognized as one of civilization's great inventions -- right up there with the discovery of fire and the wheel. And the printing press, which was named the most important invention of the last 2,000 years. (Think about it. Where we be without books, manuals, etc.?)
But when I get busy on home-improvement projects, I reach for my cordless drill a lot. It took me a while to find one that was smaller and lighter than my husband's -- one I can use with one hand. I'm hearing more about manufacturers coming out with other tools for female users, and I'm looking forward to seeing some of them next month at the International Builder's Show.
What's the one tool you'd hate to give up? Or the top two or three? And why do you find them so essential to your job? I'll be interested to see how the list shakes out.
Posted by Marjie O'Connor, HGTVPro.com Staff at 4:57 PM | Comments (1)
January 11, 2008
How Important is Quality to Home Buyers?
I got a thought-provoking comment on one of my blogs from a while back. While the comment doesn't relate directly to the topic of that blog, it raises a valid point -- one that I've heard before. The comment comes from Lou Marlin:
"I have remodeled all my life, built homes from the ground up, and designed several for friends and family. My son and I decided to use my knowledge and his to become contractors. We built our first house, which is on the market now. What I found out is people don't necessarily want good; they want cheap. We built this house with the best materials, and the way you would want one if it was for yourself. Well, that didn't impress anyone. They want cheap, not good. It has a nice lot with mature trees all around the property but cheap stands out! I have learned a lesson from this house."
I hate hearing stories like Lou's. Here at HGTVPro.com, we're very big on quality issues, such as best practices and green building. We have about how to convince people that quality is in their own best interests and that quality really doesn't cost more in the long run. (To read some of them, click here and here.)
But, of course, the final decision lies with the customers. One builder told me that people would rather have stylish granite countertops than the most energy-efficient options he offered, even though he explained that in the long run, a high-efficiency HVAC would more than pay for itself. No wonder Lou and other quality-minded builders are frustrated!
I know from personal experience, too, that a lack of quality can be a big problem for homeowners. I live in a production-built house that would have benefited enormously from a few relatively inexpensive changes: deeper overhangs, more efficient HVAC, more insulation, and thicker subfloors are just a few that come to mind. (And no, I didn't lose those because the builder decided to upgrade elsewhere. I'm still stuck with very cheap laminate countertops and vinyl flooring. Typical McMansion: big house, lousy quality.)
What's your experience as a builder? In this demanding market, are prospective buyers looking for better quality? Or do they want a bargain price on a house that may look good but won't perform well? Just how much lipstick can you put on a pig before it becomes attractive?
And if you're a homeowner, what are your thoughts about this? Would you be willing to pay for quality construction instead of square footage? Would you look for energy efficiency instead of Brazilian cherry floors?
And most important, do you think there is a way to get quality and affordability in the same package? I suspect there is; I just wonder if anyone else believes it.
Posted by Marjie O'Connor, HGTVPro.com Staff at 4:13 PM | Comments (12)
January 7, 2008
What's Hot and What's Not
One of the things I like the most about the start of a new year is the flurry of predictions about what we can expect in the next 12 months. For the second year now, HGTVPro.com has published Realtor Mark Nash's take on trends that will continue, as well as those that have just about run their course.
A lot of Nash's trends are familiar: outdoor spaces that live like indoor rooms; energy efficiency; and destination bathrooms that go far beyond the old "necessary rooms." But a couple of items really caught my eye.
One was the increasingly popular pet shower. Now, I have friends who had one built in their new home, but their dogs are Newfoundlands, which can weigh more than 150 lb. -- definitely too big for the laundry-room sink! I had no idea, though, that so many people want doggie showers in their homes.
Another surprise appearance on the list was floating homes. We're not talking houseboats here; these are full-sized houses that sit on stationary barges. While researching this kind of house, I came across one that has 2,500 square feet on two stories -- and a big hot tub on one of its decks. Floating houses seem to be particularly popular in the Pacific Northwest. (Remember Tom Hanks' digs in Sleepless in Seattle?) And no lawn to mow!
What about you? What trends do you see coming along? Are your customers looking for particular features? Have you lost any sales because you didn't have some unusual feature in your house? With the new-construction market still gasping, what special touches are you using to help convince buyers that your house is the house for them? And have you seen or heard anything about other trends that seem to be on the horizon?
Let me know. As I said, I love this stuff!
Posted by Marjie O'Connor, HGTVPro.com Staff at 5:11 PM | Comments (3)
