Considerations For Young Families When Building A Home

You and your young family are growing and eager to build a home that will last for the next years of growing. It’s an exciting time! Thinking about what kind of home you and your family will need in the coming years can seem impossible. We’ve put together a list of aspects in a home every growing family should consider when building a new home.

Layout

It’s easy to just go with standard layouts when you’re building your first home but think beyond the average home architecture. Imagine yourself actually living in the house. What is most important to you? For example, many couples with young children want to clearly monitor children indoors and outdoors. This usually means an open floor plan and window and door access to exterior spaces. Imagine yourself in each room, and envision your ideal visibility level. Another aspect to consider is the placement of the bedrooms. Do you want all the bedrooms on the same floor? This is usually the case for couples with younger children. Even if you have no kids today, you’ll want to plan for the future. If you expect a larger family in the future, talk to your builder about adding a fourth or fifth bedroom. A three-bedroom home can become crowded very quickly with the birth of children.

School District

Another topic of conversation for young families building a new home is the school district they will be living in. Be sure to do some research before purchasing a lot. Many parents are surprised to learn that the school district they think they’re in isn’t accurate. Many school districts are zoned in unusual ways. Just because your home address is in a particular city doesn’t mean your children will be attending that city’s most well-known school district. Definitely do your homework and research the districts reputation along with the commute to those schools are like.

Home Value

Lastly, it’s important to evaluate your budget before building. You don’t want to pour all your money into a spacious home and then not have enough to support your future family. But at the same time, you want to invest in spaces and upgrades that add value, such as a modern kitchen or a master bathroom with luxurious amenities. Think hard about the long-term savings and value. Although it might add a bit to your mortgage payments, it could be worth the costs later on when you have the space you need to grow.

If you are ready to start building a home or need some help in choosing the right location and floor plan for your home, give us a call at 740-201-8079 or fill out an online form. We’re here to help with all your home building needs!

Spring Cleaning Tips

Spring is here and so is spring cleaning time! If you’ve been putting it off or don’t know where to start, we’ve come up with some helpful tips to get you motivated!

Make a Schedule and Stick to it!

Creating a schedule and allocating dates and times will help you strategically tackle each room. Start with the rooms you’ve been putting off or need the most work. Determining certain areas of your home you want to clean up will help keep you motivated and focused.

Get Rid of Things You Don’t Use

If you’re planning to host get-togethers this spring or summer, it’s a good idea to declutter some areas of your home that have built up over the past months. Set aside some time to organize closets, organize your office, or go through your pantry to get rid of expired items. Being organized and knowing where things are will lower your stress level and freshen up your home.

Don’t Forget About the Windows and Walls

It’s easy to think of floors and counters getting wiped down, but spring cleaning is a great time to pay special attention to windows and walls. Wipe down window sills and blinds to clean off the dust that has accumulated over the winter.

Don’t Forget Your Air Filter!

Replacing furnace and HVAC filters is one of the most important and overlooked parts of spring cleaning. With spring comes allergies. Replacing your air filter can reduce the number of allergens in your home and help everyone breathe easier.

 

Meeting With Your Custom Home Builder For the First Time

After weeks of research, you’ve finally narrowed down your list of potential home builders. The next step is to meet with the builders you’ve chosen. The builder you choose will become your partner for the next year or so and it is important to pick someone you trust. It all starts with the first meeting. It’s a good idea to do some research before you get to the meeting, so you know what you’re looking for, and you can tell your builder your vision. To make it a little easier on you, here’s a list of 3 things you should bring with you to that initial meeting with your builder:

Pros and Cons of Your Current Home

Since you’re not a builder, it can be difficult to put into words exactly what you’re looking for. Before meeting with us, put some thought into what you like and don’t like about your current home. It gives us some room to come up with a few different solutions to fit your needs. From there, you can pick the option you like the most, and that best fits into your budget.

Determine Your Budget

The first thing any builder is going to want to know is how much you’ll be spending. It’s important to have your budget all figured out before you even go into that meeting. At P&D Builders, we help you make all future decisions based on the budget you’re working with, so it’s important that you know exactly how much you can spend by the time you meet with us.

Floor Plans and Exterior Ideas

If you have ideas about potential floorplans, or if you found your ideal floorplan online, definitely bring it to that first meeting. This will help us have a better idea of what you’re looking for, and we’ll be able to tell you if the floorplan you want fits into the budget you have. In addition, if you have pictures representing the type of exterior architecture you’d like to incorporate into your new home, it’s a good idea to bring those in too. We have some available floor plans from previous builds on our website so you can check out all that we can do. The more information you have, the easier it will be for us to give you an estimate on your dream home.

If you’re looking for a builder for your dream home, make sure to get in touch with P&D Builders. We would love to sit down with you and answer any questions you may have. Give us a call at 740-201-8079, or contact us online today!

 

Essential Entertaining Features For Your Custom Home

For most people, owning a home is their biggest investment. A custom home build allows comfort and flexibility for your new property. With a luxury home builder like P&D Builders, you can enjoy unique features that will not only complement your lifestyle but will also keep your friends and family entertained when they visit. Below are some essential features to consider adding to your custom home that will make any weekend get together a truly memorable experience.

Open Concept Kitchen

The kitchen could be considered one of the most important parts of your home. It’s one of the main spaces where your guests gather during parties and get togethers. As part of the home design and blueprint process, you should pay special attention to the kitchen and how you want this space to function. As part of your new custom home build, consider having a kitchen with an open concept design. The open concept refers to having a larger kitchen with open spaces where people can easily congregate. For the best possible entertaining space, you should consider installing a large kitchen island where people can socialize and eat. Larger islands are great for entertaining your guests because they can easily seat multiple people at a time while still having plenty of counter space for food and drinks.

Fire Pit

Another area worth considering for entertaining in your custom home is outdoor space. A permanent stone fire pit can turn a cool summer night into an outdoor party. Gas fire pits offer a clean and efficient way of enjoying your outdoor space without having to deal with firewood and open flames. Adding a focal area with plenty of seating space allows for all of your guests to enjoy the warmth and bond over smores and laughter.

Outdoor Kitchen

One thing is likely certain when you’re entertaining, there will be food. An outdoor kitchen space is one of the best features you can add to make cooking for parties much easier. This feature will make your cookouts and happy hours much easier to prepare. You can also enjoy an additional cooking capacity by combining both the indoor and outdoor kitchen spaces for large gatherings. That way, cooking for your guests will not leave you isolated from the party.

For more inspiration when building your new custom home, be sure to check out our photo gallery. If you’re interested in meeting with P&D Builders to get started on your dream home, contact us today!

Choosing Paint Colors For An Open Concept Design

There are all sorts of rules and best practices when it comes to designing the interior of your new custom built home. You want it to be a place where you enjoy spending time and have all the elements need for your family. Another important part of the interior design process is choosing paint colors you love. If you’re looking to highlight the open concept for your new home, here are a few tips for choosing the best paint colors for your space.

Choose Light Colors

Open concept spaces are popular for many reasons. One of them is the design’s open and spacious feel. Painting the walls a dark shade of any color will only reduce the feeling of openness. This doesn’t mean you have to pick plain colors like white or beige, just lighter tones. Save the more striking and vibrant colors for the fireplace wall or an accent wall filled with shelving or artwork.

Experiment With Lighter and Darker Colors in Different Rooms

The same bluish-gray color that looks great in the kitchen area might appear dim and gloomy in a room where there are trees outside the windows or where the sunlight changes throughout the day. Try experimenting with a lighter or darker shade of the same color in corners of your open concept space, and see how the samples look at different times of day and in varying light.

Stick To Monochromatic Colors

Along with experimenting with lighter and darker shades of the same color, approach your whole open concept paint scheme in a monochromatic way. If you absolutely love the way beige walls warm up the living area, use that color and incorporate a very faint tint of the color mixed with white on the ceiling, a light shade on the walls, and a darker shade or tone of the beige mixed with some gray, black, or another dark color for shelving, the kitchen island, or an accent wall. Keep similar shades and tones in your furniture, rugs, and accessories. This will give the room some visual depth.

At P&D Builders, we provide interior design and decorating services at no extra costs. Ultimately, you are the final decision maker when it comes to choosing aspects like paint color for your new home. But, if you need some extra help or a second opinion, we’re here to help! To learn more about us or to get started on building your dream home, get in touch with us!

 

Designing a Custom Home For Retirees and Empty Nesters

If you’re retired or planning to retire or your kids have left the nest, you may be thinking about making some changes to your current living situation. Welcome to the next chapter of your life! After years of focusing on the needs of your children whether that be the location to school and work or the size of our home in general. It’s the perfect time to downsize from your current house and build a custom home suited to your changing needs and lifestyle. Here’s a peek at what empty nesters and retirees are looking for in their dream home and the changes they are making.

First Floor Living

According to the National Association of Home Builders, 64 percent of baby boomers favor single-level living. Homebuyers ages 55 and up are looking for open plans with the master bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room on the main floor. With fewer steps to climb, older adults prevent falls and harm to their joints. At P&D Builders, we can help design aspects of your home to ensure you are comfortable and able to move around easily. We can design an entryway that is easily accessible for wheelchairs, add wheelchair compatible bathing features, and much more to add safety to your new custom home.

Opting For Luxury Upgrades

One benefit of building a home when you’re older is you have more life experience and know what you like. Empty nesters might be willing to downsize square footage, but they want everything else upsized. For example, older adults want new homes with high-end features: hardwood floors, a high grade of carpet, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, walk-in showers, and custom cabinetry. P&D provides professional interior design and decorating services at no additional charge. This service assures that our clients will be afforded professional decorating consultation, as well as a much broader array of product offering and options from which to choose.

Low Maintenance Living

Downsizing families love the problem-free aspect of new construction after years of making costly repairs to their older homes. They want a newly built home with a warranty for added peace of mind. Building beautiful, well-crafted homes at reasonable prices is only part of the story. At P&D Builders, service before, during and after the sale is vital to ensuring total customer satisfaction. Although we are very proud that our homes require very little warranty service, when situations do arise, you can rest assured that our full time warranty manager is there to promptly service your needs. At P&D Builders, we make exceptional service a foundation upon which we build our company. In addition, each and every P&D home is certified through an independent inspection service to assure that your home meets, and most often exceeds, Energy Star certification standards. Statically our homes lead the industry in energy efficiency.

At P&D Builders, you will find an entire team of dedicated professionals with years of combined education and experience, each a specialist in their area of expertise. With this knowledge, P&D Builders creates original homes with personal attention. Retired life is what you make of it. Foremost, it’s a fantastic opportunity for expansion and adventure. At P&D Builders, we can help you design a home that’s right for all of the adventures of your retirement years. Get started by contacting us today!

 

Creating A Master Bathroom Retreat in Your Custom Home

Designing your master bathroom in your new custom home is about creating a place to relax and unwind. A master suite that gives the feeling of serenity, restfulness, restoration, can be your own version of a personal luxury spa. Here are some options for creating your own special master suite retreat with a luxurious master bathroom.

Choosing A Tub

The design and placement of the tub is the first thing that grabs your attention when you walk into a master bathroom. Deep roman tubs come in a variety of sizes and can hold more water compared to traditional tubs. It’s important to consider how you will be using the tub when deciding what size to get. If you’re a fan of soaking, you may want to have a shorter tub so you don’t slide down in it. A tub with jets can have therapeutic benefits similar to ones you would have in a hot tub. There are a wide variety of faucets and tub filler spouts to consider based on your personal taste and preference, including waterfall spouts to create a relaxing sound of running water.

Choosing A Shower

A common feature in many custom homes is a walk in shower. There are many custom options when designing your dream shower. If you are a spa regular and enjoy a sauna, you may want to consider a steam shower. Another upgrade homeowners often request is a shower with full body sprays. Multiple shower heads add another favorable experience to a master bath space, making it possible for two people to shower at once. Bench seating in the shower is a recent trend in custom master bathroom designs.

Consider Two Vanities

Having two vanities provides a separate space for two people in a master bathroom. Each person can arrange and use their vanity as they please. Having a functional layout is important to consider. Typically, women will need more space and electrical outlets than men will. In addition to functionality, this is where style can play a part in the design of your master bathroom. This is another element to consider putting a lot of thought into. The finishes that you select can dramatically change the look and experience of your master bath.

If you’re in the market for a new home and want to create a master bedroom suite that will help you unwind after a long day, contact P&D Home Builders to start building your dream home!

 

Keeping Your Budget in Line While Building A Custom Home

If you’ve been planning your dream home for years, it’s an exciting time when you decide it’s time to build it. With that being said, it’s important to keep your budget in line and plan ahead of time. If you’re building your dream home and want to be sure you stick to your budget, here are some tips:

Visit Houses for Inspiration

Tour as many homes as possible to get a clear view of what you like, and what you don’t. Most homes for sale have an open house. Contact the listing agent of a home to schedule a tour to gain some inspiration. Make sure to tour homes you like, and fit your style. While you’re just gathering insights, it won’t hurt to see if there are some different design or features in other homes that could fit your new dream home.

Stick To Your Budget

Once you know what you’re looking for in your custom home, it’s time to set a budget. There are some techniques for setting a home building budget, but the biggest thing to remember is to be realistic. Building a new home is a big endeavor, and you want to be certain that you can complete your home on time and within budget. At P&D Builders, we help you set a budget based on the wants and needs in your new home. It’s important to have a clear view of your finances and timeline during this process.

Separate Wants and Needs

If there are certain things your dream home has to have, make a list. Maybe you’ve had a small kitchen with little storage for so long you can’t possibly imagine living in another home with a small kitchen. Maybe you have four kids and need them all to have their own rooms. Whatever they are, make sure the aspects your custom home truly needs are clear and easy to identify. Then, make the things on that list your first priority when you’re considering budget, and let everything else come later. Some of your wants like an inground pool or an outdoor kitchen can be put on hold for the time being, but those needs you separate out should stay the same.

If you’re ready to make your dream home come true, give P&D Builders a call. We’re here to help make your dream home happen. To take a look at some of our past projects, visit our gallery. For more information on building a home with us, give us a call at 740-201-8079 or contact us online today.

 

Preparing For The Holidays After Moving Into A New Custom Built Home

As wonderful as the holidays can be, there’s no doubt they can be hectic too. In the constant rush to get everything, it’s easy to lose sight of the important things like spending time with loved ones. Not to mention maintaining your mental and physical health, especially if the holiday seasons fall into a time when you’re moving into a new home.

At P&D Builders, we know the holidays and home building process can be stressful. We want the first holiday in your new home to be a fun and relaxing one. Below are a few ways to make both your new home and the holidays feel more enjoyable.

Add Festive Decorations to Main Spaces

There are few things people enjoy more than decorating their home for the holidays. Of course, putting up and taking down holiday decorations can be a hassle especially if you’re still trying to get all your belongings organized. If the thought of decorating every room of your new home dampens your festive mood, focus on the main areas that guests will see. For example, the front porch, entryway, family room, kitchen, and bathrooms are perfect places to display your holiday style. Do a quick declutter of the main spaces. This will let your decorations take center stage while organizing things for after the holidays. Next, it’s time to decorate. But do yourself a favor and keep it simple. You will be happy in January when you have less to put into storage.

Organize Your Entry

The holidays are a time for celebration. And if this is your first holiday in your custom home, you are probably eager to host parties and meals. You finally have the perfect place for holiday entertaining. When guests enter your new home this holiday season, the entryway makes an important first impression. Your cheery holiday decorations lining your foyer will set the holiday tone for the rest of your home. Be sure to have space where guests can hang coats and take off snowy boots so mud and water are not tracked throughout the rest of your new home.

With the holidays come with guests staying in your home from out of town. This can be a stressful process if you don’t plan ahead for your guests or your bedrooms aren’t all the way unpacked or situated yet.

Here are some helpful tips to make your guests feel welcome:

  • Tidy up the guest bedroom with fresh linens.
  • Be sure they have access to extra towels, toiletries, pillows, and cozy blankets.
  • Create a mini necessities station with lotion, a reading light, water bottles, and snacks.
  • Include a small note with the household’s Wi-Fi network and password.
  • Supply an empty dresser so guests don’t have to live out of their suitcase.

In conclusion, the holidays can be stressful. But when you build a custom home, you can have the holidays without the hassle because your home is built for your lifestyle. So whether you’re entertaining guests in your home, hosting friends and family for an extended stay, or looking for a little downtime to recharge your batteries, these tips will make your new home and the holidays easier. Whatever your holiday season entails, P&D Builders can accommodate your needs all year long!

 

Keeping Your Home Warm and Energy Efficient This Winter

With Christmas just around the corner, winter is starting to settle into Central Ohio. Those chilly nights and morning frosts tell us it’s probably time to start getting the home ready for the winter weather. While many of us would like to just keep turning the thermostat up until we’re comfortable, that’s not always the most practical, or environmentally friendly solution. If you’re worried about maintaining an energy efficient home this winter, below are a few ideas to consider that will conserve energy costs, while still keeping your home nice and warm.

Let Sunlight in During the Day

Sunlight is a great natural heat source in the winter. If you’re looking to heat your home more efficiently this winter, be sure to let in as much sunlight during the day as you can. Keep curtains open, especially during the afternoon when the sun is at its peak. A little sunlight can go a long way towards a more efficiently heated custom home.

Close Curtains at Night

In the same aspect, after you’ve let all that warm sunshine in during the day, keep it within your home by closing your curtains before the sun goes down. Curtains act as another barrier of insulation between your home and your windows, and some curtains are even made specifically to keep warm air in, and cool air out.

Shut Doors to Unused Rooms

If you’re really hoping to keep your home warm efficiently this winter, then think about shutting off certain rooms you may not use all that often. If there’s an office or study that’s only used occasionally, you can shut the door and close the heating vent that goes to that room, essentially minimizing the square footage of your home that your heater has to warm up. This means a warmer home and less work for your furnace.

At P&D Custom Home Builders, we build homes that suit your needs, your style, and your choices. If energy efficiency is important to you, we can help. Check out some of our previously built custom homes, and get in touch if you’d like to chat about what your dream home could look like.