Category Archives: P&D News

New Home Construction Trends

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Indoor shot of a beautiful pregnant woman working at her modern home office.

P&D Builders LTD. has been in the new home construction business for over 50 years! As a company, we have seen many trends come and go. Trends evolve with time and it is our job to keep up to date with what homebuyers want. A few current trends going on now are as follows:

Geometric Tile

This is a simple solution that will make a big impact. You have to choose the flooring in your new kitchen, so if you go with tile. This is something to greatly consider. Geometric patterns with bold and contrasting color schemes are huge right now. Whether you want to go with a simple black and white, or something more complex, it will add character to your space that is sure to catch the eye of your guests.

Nooks and Built-Ins 

Old homes in the area are known for their nooks and built-ins. Thanks to this new trend in home construction, we are seeing them appear more frequently now. New home construction clients are spending more time incorporating built-in storage benches, window seats and bookshelves into their spaces. This will greatly benefit the resale value of your home making it timeless and highly functional.

Oversize Islands

The formal dining room MIGHT start to fade away in the upcoming years. The space is starting to be replaced by in-home offices or more functional rooms. In order to do without the formal dining rooms, the kitchen needs to be the main place for family meals. The oversized islands are accommodating all the family needs such as dining, homework and entertainment. These larger islands can also hold many of the common kitchen items such as an extra sink, more counter space, a microwave and more.

In-home Offices

The modern workforce is quickly transitioning to the remote work environment. Which has resulted in an increased number of home offices being requested. We are shying away from home offices being an old spare bedroom, instead we are seeing offices incorporated in the original design of the home with built-in bookshelves. If you are looking to build an in-home office, make sure you are thinking about how and when you work. If the office is located in a prime position in the home, this would be great for someone who enjoys noise and is good at multitasking. If you need privacy, one of the upstairs corners of the home might be better. Also consider permanent shelving and how big of a desk you are going to need.

Declutter Your Space Today

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clothes on a hanger

The closets are one of the easiest places in a home for excess stuff to build up. The saying, “out of sight, out of mind” works well for the closet. Don’t wait any longer, declutter your space today! Here are some tips on how to get started.

A little goes along way

Getting rid of closes does not have to be an all-day event. Keep a donation bag or container somewhere in your room. If you are looking for something to wear one day and keep passing the same item that you know you would never wear, throw it in the container. As you are passing items that are worn or do not fit anymore, throw those in the container as well. You will start to notice a difference in no time.

New season = new chances  

We are currently heading into the warmer months, if you did not wear an item this past winter, chances are you will not wear it next winter. It might be time to part ways with it. Throw it in the donation container! This is a great time to get rid of the items that no longer fit you as well.

Out with the old, in with the new

If you just bought 4 new clothing items for summer, get rid of 4 items that are just taking up space. Using this rule of thumb is a perfect way to stop your items from multiplying.

Donate, Donate, Donate  

Instead of just throwing all of your unwanted items away, donate them to your local charity or Goodwill. What may seem like something that can never be used again can mean a lot to another person. If you are not using it, or do not even remember that you have it make sure to give it to someone in need. Also it will benefit the planet but recycling these materials instead of throwing them away!

What are you waiting for? Start today!

P&D Builders Is the Winner of the AEP 2016 Leadership Award

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The AEP Leadership Award is given to one entity annually based on continual involvement and a sincere partner relationship.

“P&D Builders and Mac Roberts have been a force to be reckoned with in the energy efficiency arena since 2011 when they submitted their first completed new build project. Each year they continue to grow their program. They have received numerous awards through our Efficiency Crafted New Homes program and have been an Energy Efficiency Champion, along with a Sustained Excellence Award winner. They have built some of the most efficient homes in our area as based on the Home Energy Rating System or HERS. In addition, all of P&D Builders homes are ENERGY STAR Certified.”

“P&D Builders continues to be an advocate for our Energy Efficiency programs. Their innovative spirit is evident through the homes they craft for the annual BIA Parade of Homes. “We are consistently evaluating our energy efficient home building techniques and are always looking for ways to get better,” states Mac Roberts, president of P&D Builders.”

Expenses to Budget for after you Build a new Construction Home

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Portrait Of Happy Young Couple Sitting On Floor Looking Up While Dreaming Their New Home And Furnishing

You have decided to embark on the exciting journey of building a new construction home! When building a new construction home, it is important to know your budget and what works best for your family at that time. As you take a look at expenses, it is helpful to look beyond your closing date. There are a few post-closing costs that are unique to brand-new homes and some that are familiar to new home owners. If you set aside a little money for the following expenses early, it will help in the long run!

Utilities  

If you are moving into a larger home, then your utilities are likely to increase. If you are moving to a new city, there might be start up service fees to be prepared for. If you are interested in cable, internet or satellite TV, you may have to install some equipment in order to have the services successfully installed.

Furniture

Furniture shopping is very exciting, especially when you have a brand-new home to furnish. Some of the pieces that worked in your last home or apartment might not be as well suited for the new place. Or maybe the new home means more bedrooms to furnish and floors to cover with area rugs. These are things to keep in mind when budgeting for your new home.

Windows

You just moved in and can’t get enough of how much natural lighting your new space has or how large the windows are. You will want to start installing blinds and curtains pretty soon after you move in to allow your family privacy in the new neighborhood. Make sure that is something you are keeping in mind!

Spring Home Maintenance Tips

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House in Baddeck, Nova Scotia

Spring Home Maintenance Tips

Spring is back! After a long Ohio winter, it can be exciting to see the sun shining and the leaves growing back. The outdoors can really take a hit after the winter months, that is why it is important to give the exterior some TLC when the warm weather starts back up. Here are a few maintenance tips to help get your home back in shape.

  1. Examine Roof Shingles. Check out the roof to see if any shingles were lost or damaged during the winter months. If your roof is getting up there in age, it might be time to think about putting money aside for a replacement. The summer sun can be harsh on roof shingles. If there are any that are cracked, buckled or loose it is time to replace them.
  2. Probe the wood trim. Use a screwdriver to probe the wood trim around windows, doors, railings and decks. Make repairs now before the spring rains do more damage to the exposed wood.
  3. Check the Gutters. Check for loose or leaky gutters. Improper drainage can lead to water in the basement or crawl space. Make sure downspouts drain away from the foundation and are clear and free of debris.
  4. Inspect the Concrete. Inspect concrete slabs for signs of cracks or movement. All exterior slabs except pool decks should drain away from the home’s foundation. Fill cracks with a concrete crack filler or silicone caulk. When the weather permits, power-wash and then seal the concrete.
  5. Check outdoor faucets. Make sure hose faucets do not have any freeze damage from winter. Turn on the water to make sure everything is running correctly. This would be a great time to check the garden hose as well.

These are just a few things you can do to make sure everything is running properly so that way you do not run into problems in the summer months. From everyone here at P&D Builders, Happy Spring!

Liven up your Kitchen with These Simple Changes

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Your kitchen is used every single day; it is the heart of your home and also a major selling point. Completely remodeling your kitchen is a great way to keep it up to date but also expensive. If you do not have the budget right now, here are a few cheap changes that can transform the look of your kitchen.

  1. Remove, recycle and refresh. If the doors on your cabinets are old and ugly, take them off and create an open shelving option for your kitchen. This is a great opportunity to update the hardware on your drawers and cabinets. What is worn down in the kitchen can usually be painted or refinished to give it a modern look.
  2. Add more storage. Either declutter your space or add more storage. These options include adding hanging racks, open shelves and cabinet organizers to store the essentials.
  3. Change out lighting. Depending on the age of your kitchen, you will most likely have pendant lighting or fluorescent overhead fixtures. To bring your kitchen into the modern age, consider replacing some of those fixtures with recessed alternatives or LED lighting. Even just replacing the bulbs is cheaper, easy to install and saves energy.
  4. Upgrade your faucet. Do you have an old-fashioned faucet? Is it time for a change? Instead of replacing the entire sink, just changing the faucet can give the kitchen a whole new look. Think about energy-efficient alternatives like low-flow faucets to save you money on your water bill, or adjustable, restaurant-style varieties for the chef in the family.
  5. Hide your counters. Old countertops can suffer through the years. If you have worn countertops but don’t have the budget to replace them. Find creature ways to hide their blemishes. Add decorative cutting boards, hide them under appliances or apply a fresh coat of paint.
  6. Paint your cabinets. Painting or refinishing your cabinets is another inexpensive way to change the look of your space. It is less expensive than buying new ones and at the same time it refreshes the appearance of your entire kitchen. Don’t paint them any weird colors though, and avoid bright hues.
  7. Add a backsplash. Backsplashes can be customized based on the color scheme of your kitchen. It is as easy as buying tiles at a local home improvement store and using caulk and grout to install them in the design or style you want.

All of these are simple, inexpensive changes you can make to your space to give it a much needed makeover.

Landscaping a new Construction Home

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Photo of elegant new design villa with backyard

When you and your family decide to build a new home, it is a blank canvas! There are so many decisions that lie ahead. When all of the decision are made about the exterior and interior of the home, it is time to turn to the outdoors. The great news about starting from scratch when it comes to landscape is it is easy to dig up new beds, weeds aren’t yet established and your landscape can only get better from here! Here are some guidelines to help you get the landscape off to a great start.

Figure out the land

Learn about the land before you waste time and money planting items that might not grow well in some areas. You need to study what areas of land get the most sunlight, what parts of the land have the most fertile, rich, loamy soil. Draw a diagram of your backyard to help you visualize areas with problems and promise! Take this opportunity to find out where any wires and pipes are so that way you don’t accidentally run into them when it is too late.

Remove unwanted existing items

If you don’t want existing trees or plants that are there now anymore, simply get rid of them. If a tree looks weak, you do not want it falling into your living room or onto your car in the years to come. If there are previously plants and bushes that won’t look good with your soon to be garden, take them out. This is your chance to start fresh, you will be able to plant trees and bushes of your own.

Think ahead

What is your ultimate goal for this space? Room for the children to play, ample of good produced in the garden or entertaining your friends? Consider what you want to do with that space now and twenty years down the road. Make sure there is some common ground so all of your hard work does not go to waste. Have the space of your dreams but make sure it will fit into the space of your dreams ten years down the road.

If you have any questions about landscape or want advice from our builders, do not be afraid to ask! We are happy to help every step of the way.

Interior Design Trends in 2017

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Interior design of modern Living room/ home improvement & decoration concept

A new year tends to bring new trends. Interior design trends change often therefore many people find it fun and exciting to hear what is on the forecast for the upcoming year.

Color of the year

Each year Pantone Color Institute  chooses a color that they believe to be the hot color of that year. This year Pantone has identified “greenery” as 2017’s color of the year. The “life-affirming shade” is a slightly muted bright nature tone. Various shades of green are expected to be seen but not limited to furniture, fabric, paint, wallpaper and accent items.

Technology

It is no question that technology is heavily shaping and changing the world around us. You can expect the same thing for interior design this year. In some cases, technology, can be viewed as over the top, like checking the temperature of your refrigerator using an app. Regardless, the new technology is typically viewed as extremely helpful so designers are taking that into consideration. Homeowners should expect to see more easy-to-use technology such as smart door locks and more touch screens.

Marble

Marble has been replaced in the previous years by granite and quartz because it is vulnerable to chipping, staining and fading. Marble is returning to the kitchen in the form of backdrops and counters that are not used frequently. For those that are worried about the durability, quartz companies are making a convincing faux marble.

Velvet

Velvet is making its way back in more ways than one. Not only is fashion bringing it back, interior design is as well. Comfort is looking to push leather to the side on upholstered furniture. The soft weave of velvet in particular is expected to continue gaining ground this year, often in patterns.

Bold Floors

Wood is expected to continue dominating under foot, but designers expect bolder foot treatments, especially in kitchens to make a comeback this year. Bold floors are a way to make more of a statement in different rooms in the upcoming year. Even if it as simple as a darker wood instead of a lighter wood, it will definitely catch the eye of your guests.

As previously mentioned, interior design is always changing and evolving. Here at P&D we like to stay on top of both home building trends and interior design trends to best help our customers.

Things to Consider when Deciding where to buy

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Family Unpacking Boxes In New Home On Moving Day

Deciding where you want to live is the one of the most, if not the most important decision you will have to make when buying or building your home. If you are buying or building a home, chances are that you plan to be there for a while, so many factors will go into this decision.

First you need to think, are you going to start looking in the city, suburbs or far from either of those? Cities are great, everything is easily accessible, and they offer tons of energy. Suburbs offer family-friendly enclaves. And the country can be a breath of fresh air and offers tons of space. It is simply up to you to decide which ones works best for your lifestyle.

Here is a quick checklist as you sort through your options:

Amenities: What is nearby? Are there nearby parks, open spaces, restaurants, shops, a grocery store? How about things in the community like libraries, community centers, work out facilities? The best way to find out is ask locals or get in your car and check it out for yourself!

Schools: This isn’t just for people with children, if you are newly married or want to have kids at some point in your life that is very important to consider. This may be the single most important factor in choosing where you live. What school district you would like to be in can limit your choices of where you want to live. You will need to check out test scores, class size and school rating of different schools in the area that you want to live in. A helpful website to help you find out this information is http://www.greatschools.org/.

Community services: You will want to get a sense of the community and its current affairs. Reading community blogs and local newspapers will clue you in about issues like traffic, safety and development projects.

Transportation: Do you want to drive everywhere? Be able to bike places? Or go completely car free? These are all things to think about. Check out the local transit system and see if you will be able to get everywhere you might want to go, the times and how close the stops are to where you may want to live.

Commute times: If you plan to get to work by car, determine whether you will be driving residential streets or busy arterials. Drive around at all times of the day, not just one weekends when you are looking at houses. Drive your route during rush hour. It would be unfortunate to move and come to find out your 15-minute commute has now turned into an hour commute both ways.

Ease of access: Are things easy to get to? How much time do you want to spend during a day of errands in the car? How long do you want a simple trip to the grocery store to take? Maybe that more expensive house might be worth it when it comes to how close you are to places you will be visiting frequently.

Safety: You can check online stats or drop by a local precinct to ask how a certain neighborhood is. Bottom line is if you feel safe walking around at night or not.

Economic stability: A healthy mix of residential neighborhoods (property taxes) and businesses (sales and payroll taxes) sets the stage for vibrant, well-funded communities. Cities with colleges and government services are most likely to remain stable.

This list is not completely, but it is a good starting point when thinking about where you want to build or buy. At the end of the day, it is about what means the most to you.

New Home Construction Trends

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New residential construction home framing against a blue sky.

When it comes to building a new home, you have a lot of questions to think about, some are larger scale and some are smaller. Trends in the interior design world seem to change by the season or year. When it comes to home construction changes, the changes occur at a slow pace, some trends even lasting decades. Home fashions take a while to build momentum, but they are happening. Here is a look at a few trends in the world of home construction.

Solar roofing

Recent improvements in solar tech have moved solar panels from an expensive niche technology to a reality for many homeowners. One of the main factors that has really made solar panels popular is the amount of support it has received from power companies, state and local governments and eco-conscious investors. The support means leasing options, subsidies and tax breaks for solar customers. If you are redoing or getting a new roof for your home, that is a great time to consider solar panels as well.

Smart Homes

Smart phones, smart cars, it seems everything these days are upping their technology to become smarter for their end users. Every year, companies are rolling out some type of new technology to help people better manage their homes. Many things in the home can now be controlled by an app whether you are in the home or across the country. Some items that can be controlled by your phone include doorbells, portable cameras, two-way speakers, television devices, thermostats and more. Homes are being retrofitted with these devices and it is believed they will come standard in new home construction moving forward.

Barn Doors

Yes, this does pertain to the interior design of the house, it also has to deal with the construction of the home. Most interior barn doors slide on a bar mounted above the frame, which presents a smaller profile for interior thresholds. Because these sliding doors offer a rustic charm while remaining functional, the use cases for barn doors are myriad. From closet doors to room dividers, barn doors are quickly becoming the solution to dozens of interior design dilemmas.

Electric car charging stations

The continued growth of the electric car industry is having a lasting impact on at least one aspect of home building: the garage. As more homeowners make the switch to fully electric cars, charging stations are being a more common fixture in garages. The most expensive stations can be around $3,000 but a small self-installed unit can be as little as $300.

The ever-changing world of technology has greatly impacted home construction. There has been an increased focus on green home and home automation, which these trends do not seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Changes in technology will continue to drive home construction with a renewed focus on flexibility, automation and energy efficiency.