Online Custom Home Builder Reviews
Ask the Builder: Q: How does liability insurance protect homeowners? A: General [...]
Benefits Of Hiring An Experienced Custom Home Builder
Home Builder Digest recognized Merlin in the top 20 “Best Custom Builders [...]
The Importance of Good Project Managers for a Custom Home Project
Building Success 101 Q: How busy are you? A: Most people understand [...]
First Impressions about a Custom Home Builder
Building Success 101 Q: What if you have a deadline? A: Some [...]
Merlin Ranks Among the Top 3 Custom Home Builders in Las Vegas
Merlin is proud to be considered among the Top 3 Custom Home [...]
Custom Home Price Reality Check
Consulting with a builder before drawing the plans will save expense and headaches. Most custom builders have had clients show up at their office with a set of finished plans that, in reality, will cost 25% to 30% more than the clients’ target budget. Fortunately, this problem is easily avoided. Working with the builder on a pre-budget can eliminate unpleasant surprises and help the clients get the home they want at a price they can manage.
The Problem with Competitive Bidding
Some big obstacles stand in the way of the three-bid advice. Folk wisdom, online articles, and basic instincts advise homeowners to solicit bids from several qualified contractors. But three major obstacles get in the way of making those bids realistic and useful: the need for detailed plans and job specifications, the need for comparable bidders, and the need to structure the bids for easy comparisons. Getting all three right is rare.
Custom Homes Built for Las Vegas Climate
Creating a durable and efficient Las Vegas home is no job for amateurs. In 1985 Las Vegas was home to 562,280 Southern Nevadans. In that ancient time—30 years ago—someone with basic construction knowledge could build a serviceable home. No more. Today, the combination of contemporary building materials and code-mandated construction practices have made homes more complex with less margin for error.
Why Custom Home Builders Must Be Learners
Continuing education is no longer optional. What do today’s best builders have in common? Although the answer includes many items, there’s a common thread running through each of them: a commitment to ongoing learning. The know-how needed to build high-performance, durable homes is evolving faster than ever. That’s why top builders commit to continuing education in a variety of disciplines, including architecture, engineering, law, materials science, and management.