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The High-Performance Custom Home

October 8th, 2014|Newsletter, Tips and Tools for Building Your Custom Home|

Many of our buyers are less interested in “green” construction than they are in homes that offer health, comfort, and low ownership costs. The Merlin Custom Home Builders Team has been building homes with the “green” concept in mind for 25 years. From the early days when we recommended additional insulation, better performing windows and tighter homes, Merlin Custom Home Builders’s homes were and are built for generations of families. Both Steve and Bart are Certified Green Builders by the NAHB. Robert Brown (our estimator) has completed the 40 hour HERS training course. Merlin Custom Home Builders installed Southern Nevada’s first two large custom energy saving “gas fired chillers”, set up numerous solar systems throughout the valley and built two homes completely off the grid. Merlin Custom Home Builders appreciates that “green” is different for each of our custom homes and works with our homeowners, presenting options, associated costs and, when possible, payback timelines.

The Homeowner’s Role in the Custom Home Building Process

September 2nd, 2014|Newsletter, Tips and Tools for Building Your Custom Home|

Homebuilding has changed significantly over the last hundred years, especially since the 1950s, when the housing industry boomed after World War II. Building a home in a classic, hands-on way is far from standard practice these days, as home construction has evolved from a trade or craft to a systematized process with many moving parts.

Can I Hire My Own Painter for my Custom Home?

August 5th, 2014|Commonly Asked Questions, Newsletter, Tips and Tools for Building Your Custom Home|

Or buy my own carpet... Builders get these questions a lot. Here’s why a Yes answer is seldom in the homeowners’ best interest. It’s not unusual for new-home clients to ask their builder to use a trade contractor with whom the clients (but not the builder) have an established relationship, or to let them buy their own plumbing fixtures or other items. Most builders won’t agree to this. Sticking to familiar subcontractors is a policy that’s in the best interest of the builder and the homeowners. The reasons have to do with the business relationships between builders, suppliers, and subcontractors.

The New Home Office

July 1st, 2014|Newsletter, Tips and Tools for Building Your Custom Home|

Life and work styles are evolving. Make sure the home office is up to date. It’s not news that home offices have become mainstream. According to a recent Forbes study, one in five Americans work from home, and that number continues to rise. Technology has made working from home efficient and convenient. The home office now appears in homes of every type, size, style and price range.

Home Theater in Custom Homes

June 3rd, 2014|Newsletter, Tips and Tools for Building Your Custom Home|

Thoughtful planning will help homeowners get the most from this popular amenity. Home theaters were all the rage ten years ago. These rooms were designed for passively watching TV and movies, and were acoustically separated from the rest of the house. While some homeowners still want home theaters, most now opt for a media room that doubles as a game room. Getting the most from these spaces requires careful planning.

Effective Communication: Key to a Successful Custom Home Building Process

May 6th, 2014|How to Choose a Custom Home Builder, Newsletter|

Communication is important in all relationships, and your relationship with your builder is no exception. Effective communication between client and builder will reduce concerns and stress before, during, and after the building process. Here are some tips for keeping the lines of communication open at key points.

The Role of the Custom Home Builder

April 1st, 2014|How to Choose a Custom Home Builder, Newsletter|

A lot of people don’t understand the sheer complexity of the builder’s job and the systems required to build a house from scratch. Many analogies have been used to describe the professional builder: the conductor of an orchestra, the captain of a ship, even a general executing a military campaign. The point is that the builder is the one who must coordinate the innumerable players and products needed to transform a set of two-dimensional drawings into a finished home. The builder has to make sure that everything happens just when it’s supposed to, and that the end result is exactly what the clients envisioned.

How to Check References on Custom Home Builders

March 4th, 2014|How to Choose a Custom Home Builder, Newsletter|

Strategies for getting the most from this important step The vast majority of builders are happy to provide prospective clients with a list of people for whom they have recently built homes. They encourage prospective clients to call these references and ask about their experience and level of satisfaction.

How long will building a custom home take?

February 18th, 2014|Commonly Asked Questions, Newsletter, Tips and Tools for Building Your Custom Home|

Builders hear this question a lot. The answer, as with most such questions, is “It depends.” But on what? People who haven’t built before often have an unrealistic concept of how long it can take to plan, budget, and build a home. Many variables can affect the timetable. Three that stand out are design, permitting, and site work.

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