After decades of sitting across the table from homeowners, I hear the same four wishes again and again. The good news: you can have all four if you plan for them early.
1. Lower energy bills
For most of my clients, energy efficiency is number one. Energy costs rarely go down, and people are staying in their homes longer. A home designed to use less energy saves money every month for as long as you own it — and it is more comfortable, too: fewer drafts, steadier temperatures, quieter rooms.
2. Healthy indoor air
More homeowners — especially those with allergies or asthma — want to know what they are breathing. Low- or no-VOC paints, finishes and adhesives, good fresh-air ventilation and materials that resist moisture and mold all make a real difference. Decide early how “clean” you want the home to be, because it affects product choices throughout the build.
3. Materials that last
People want materials that look good, hold up and do not need constant maintenance: fiber cement or engineered siding, metal roofing, durable decking and quality windows. Some want local or sustainably sourced products. Every choice has a cost, so we weigh them together during design.
4. Proof that it was done right
Finally, homeowners want to know the house was built the way it was promised. Third-party inspections and verification programs give you — and a future buyer — documented proof. (More on that in my article on third-party verification.)
The common thread? All four are easiest and cheapest to get when they are decided before construction starts.
Planning a new home, remodel or addition? Steve offers a free, no-pressure consultation. Call 928-444-7447 (Arizona) or 509-607-0300 (Washington), email steve@stevesenger.com, or send a message.