Building a custom home is a big task. And you want to make sure you hire a team you can trust. Choosing a good contractor is one of the most important decisions when it comes to building your custom home in Montrose, CO.
Insurance is important for a contractor
In construction, insurance is very important, and usually required by law. We are fully insured and licensed in Colorado. Insurance is important because it protects both us and you. Licensed contractors also have to follow strict industry standards and regulations. Insurance will cover expenses in the case of an accident. We always strive to keep a clean and safe work site so as to avoid the possibility of any type of accident.
Specialization and areas of expertise
While other contractors may do a little bit of everything, we are committed to and specialize in custom homes in the Montrose area. We are committed to guiding you through the process of building your custom home. We’ll listen to you every step of the way and make your home suit your needs. You can be sure that it’ll come out just the way you wanted.
“Lack of vision”
Many times it is hard for clients and potential buyers to see the potential of a lot that may seem unappealing. Some lots that seem to have issues, such as being too sloped, can actually be great lots. But the whole topography of the lot can change with things such as grading or retaining walls. When you work with us, we can advise you on how we can utilize various lots and make them suit your vision.
Proper permits
Permits are required for many different steps of the building process. Some contractors will insist they can do the work without getting the permits or that doing it this way will save you money. But this goes against local laws and ordinances, and you may be responsible for some hefty fines if caught. Without the proper permits, it also means that inspections won’t take place to ensure everything is safe and up to code. We take care of all the needed permits so your home is up to code.
We are fully insured and licensed to work in Montrose, Colorado. If you are considering building a custom home, contact us to learn more about our services.
Just like any other trend, housing styles become popular and then become outdated. Homes are made for protection, privacy, and are a treasure trove of memories. Some homes are extremely practical while others are an income class trophy, nonetheless, the desire to own one’s own home is a goal nearly every American tries to obtain.
That being said, our homes are an extension of ourselves and we all have different tastes. Home styles today are adaptations of their residential ancestors, with Ranch and Mid-century as the two most common house styles currently being built. Let’s take a look at some of the most common house styles throughout history in the United States:
Bungalow: These houses were built for the working class. They will have different influences based on where they’re built. For example, houses built on the west coast may have more Spanish influences whereas Bungalows constructed on the east coast may have more English influences. As far as basic features, Bungalows are generally built in Craftsman style – they are usually one-and-a-half stories with a low-pitched roof. Dormer windows are common and the overall design is simple
Cape Cod:Some might say that the little green houses in Monopoly resemble a Cape Cod style home; the central chimney location is the first indicator. These homes are prominent on the east coast and were brought to America by early settlers from England in the 1600s. True to the English style, these homes can have natural or pre-stained weathered gray shingles (the natural shingles actually get their look by becoming weathered due to ocean salt in the air).
Colonial: Ultimately, our home is built for protection from the weather. Original homes used whatever materials were nearby including local wood and stone. Colonial homes are one of the oldest styles in America so it makes sense this style has undergone a ton of architectural design changes. This house style is a derivative of the Colonial style. There are many types of Colonial styles including Spanish Colonial, German Colonial, Stone Ender, Georgian Colonial, French Colonial, Federal, Mid-Atlantic Colonial, and Dutch Colonial.
Dutch Colonial: These home-styles are sometimes referred to as “barn roof houses” because of their distinctive gambrel roof. This name actually derives from the Dutch Colonists who settled in parts of New York and New Jersey. Original Dutch Colonial homes have exposed ceiling beams. This style has either one-and-a-half or two stories and at least one chimney.
Log Cabin: Some of the very first homes built in the U.S. were square or rectangular homes made out of logs (if you’ve ever played with Lincoln Logs, you know the style really well). What isn’t commonly known is that this style actually was in use by the Swedes before being brought to America. Log homes are still prevalent but have also been seriously upgraded. A log home isn’t always tree logs, today these home-styles (found predominately in mountainous areas, such as Colorado) are fit for the rich and famous. Log Cabins can be found scattered throughout the woods and make for great campsites, but today these homes are known as Mountain Houses and resemble the stereotypical ski-lodge look.
Ranch: This home-style isn’t your typical farm ranch, but instead is a one-story home with an open floor plan. These homes are usually L-shaped or have an asymmetrical floor plan as well as an attached garage. People who don’t want stairs are more fond of this house-style since it’s all one level (sometimes with a basement). Ranch-style homes were popular from the 1950s to the 1970s and then regained popularity in the ’90s. This style of home is appealing to nearly any age homeowner in design and in price.
Split-Level: This home usually greets you with a set of stairs right as you walk through the main entrance. The bottom level is an open finished basement and the top level is where the kitchen and bedrooms are. Split-Level homes also may have another set of stairs in the inside of the house to yet another level (referred to as Tri-Level).
Victorian: If you love the doll-house look, this house style is for you. Like Colonials, Victorian architecture is now a collaboration of many designs. The height of this house-style in the U.S. was between 1830 and 1901 under the reign of Queen Victoria (United Kingdom). These houses are very ornate mainly due to the boom of mass-production and mass-transit, which made the decorative pieces more affordable. Stained glass was also a common feature during this time. Victorian-style homes are traditionally tall and narrow and include a tower or two. Carved woodwork and high ceilings are also common features within a Victorian-style home.
Like we said previously, your home is an extension of you, and we at Stott Custom Homes understand that. We want to help you build your dream home! With your wish list in hand, we invite you to look at our three design options: Basic Floor Plan, Custom Floor Plan, or the Third-Party Custom Floor Plan. We place emphasis on customer delight and high-quality materials. Our portfolio is available on our website. Contact us today to get started on your dream home!
Many people make the decision to build a custom home, rather than purchasing a home from someone else, and it can be very exciting, but also expensive if you aren’t smart about it. Building a new home is a big investment, both with time and money, make sure you are spending your money and time wisely. If you’ve made the decision to build a custom home, or are considering it in the future, keep in mind these tips.
Have the Details
Before you even start building, make sure all the details are in place! This includes knowing how the floor plan will look, and the design of different rooms. There are many decisions you will have to make when building a brand new home. So, before you start construction, be prepared. You’ll be picking out floor types, colors of tile, the size, the pattern, the wall colors, what cabinets to use, what faucets to use, etc. You’ll want to have all these details planned before building so that you aren’t holding up your contractors because you are stressing over how you want the bathroom to look.
Think About Resale Value
Even if you think you’ll never sell your home, it’s safer to assume you will someday. As much as we’d like to think we can predict our futures, we aren’t always accurate. Of course, it’s your custom home, so build it to fulfill your dreams, but consider future owners and things that may turn people off, therefore lowing the value of your home. If you do ever sell, you want to get as much for it as possible.
Don’t Build too Big
You might look at big beautiful mansions and think you want the same thing, but that might not be what is right for you. You need to think logically about the size, and layout of your new home. What may fit your needs now, may not be right for you in 10 years, or even next year. Your custom home is a big investment, make sure you plan not only for the present but the future as well.
Think About Your Mortgage
Stick to what you can afford. There is always the option to add to your home later. You should always start with a realistic home, and then add on what your budget allows. This doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice all your amenities, but stay reasonable. In other words, don’t go “crazy” picking out a bunch of expensive add-ons that are going to make your mortgage skyrocket if you can do without them.
Check Progress
Occasionally visit the site during construction to check up on things. By doing this, you can make sure your expectations are being met, and talk to someone if they aren’t. If you are unhappy with something, it’s always best to speak up. Otherwise, you may end up paying to fix something when it could have been done the way you wanted it in the first place.
When you’re ready to build your custom home, make sure you hire carefully and use a licensed contractor. If you’re ready to build the home of your dreams, our team is ready to help!
A custom home is a home that has been designed by you and an architect or designer. A custom house is a home that has never been built before. You can borrow elements from existing houses or building plans and the plans can still be considered custom. Because you are involved in the design process, you have a say in what the layout of the house is; which includes the number of bedrooms, baths, where the kitchen is located, and more. Your choice in where to place the rooms of your future home matters and you can put them how you would like to. The architect or designer will help with the layout of your home for functionality and structural integrity, but your desired design has a significant influence on the final decision-making process. You will have to meet the requirements of your local building codes and the laws of physics, but besides that, you will have free reign on the design of your house. You also have the ability to choose the appearance of your future house. Choose which fixtures you would like in your house, the flooring in each room, and even the siding you want to use. A custom home is a home you have helped designed and it meets your idea of what the perfect home should be.
What benefits come with a Custom Home?
Many benefits come with a custom home vs. a spec or tract home. It can sometimes be challenging to find a house in your area that will meet your needs. You may find a house in a neighborhood that you enjoy, but it just isn’t big enough for you and your family. You might want a ‘green’ home that is more energy efficient than current houses on the market. With a custom home, you also have a say in the quality of the materials used in the house. The challenges of finding a home that meets your needs can be removed by choosing a custom house like the ones provided by Stott Custom Homes. Below you can see various advantages to having a custom home built.
Custom is the root of Customizable
A custom house allows you to have full customization of the home that you are purchasing. When you have a custom house built, you don’t always have to create a brand new floor plan. You can use pre-existing plans and then adjust the floor plan to meet your needs or desires. For a custom house built in Montrose Colorado, this can be useful as you can plan to have heated flooring installed and there might already be a house plan drawn up with this type of flooring that can be used. This kind of flexibility can be necessary for someone with a large family. It may be difficult to find a house that has the number of bedrooms that your family needs in the area you prefer. This is where a custom home shines as you are able to choose the number of bedrooms your house will have while choosing its location as well. Speaking of locations, because you are able to select the area of your custom home, you also have the ability to choose your neighbors. No more putting up with that loud neighbor just because your dream home is located near a college campus.
Less Maintenance
Maintenance can be costly if it is unexpected. The seasons in Montrose Colorado will test the elements of your home. When it comes to major maintenance issues, a custom house can have a leg up on the competitors. A custom house is a new house meaning it has new systems. You probably won’t have to worry about bug damage because the home is new enough that the sealing is still excellent. The Western Slope of Colorado can see various changes to the weather. The snow can be cumbersome and can cause damage to roofs that are aging. The roof of a custom home will be reliable and will likely not need to be replaced due to leaking. The rainy season will produce enough rain to cause damage to areas of a home that are not sufficient to protect against it. The heating and cooling systems in your house will be fully functional and chosen by you. This is one significant advantage of a custom built home in Montrose because, as mentioned previously, the weather can be unforgiving and you will want all of your heating and cooling systems to work correctly when the seasons change. With this in mind, there won’t be any need to upgrade any of these systems unless one fails prematurely. This means that when you move into your new home, you likely won’t have to address any significant repairs for quite some time.
Built for today
Due to you designing your house in the present time, you will have the ability to use modern materials and techniques to create your home. Building codes from today are different than they were in the past and your new house will be required to meet these codes. This can be beneficial as many building codes are in place to help with public safety and the safety of you and your family. You could use new technologies to help with heated driveways to make them more efficient and less costly than previous techniques. Using new materials and new technologies will also mean that your new home can be very energy efficient. Utilizing new techniques and materials in insulation can result in a cooler or warmer house reducing the need to use heating or cooling systems often. You can select newer windows that can also help with the temperature efficiency of your home. If you are seeking to have solar panels added to your home, you can appropriately design the layout of your home to meet these needs. If you desire to build a smart house to be able to control devices and appliances from your mobile phone, plan for it and ensure that your home is laid out in a way to accomplish this more directly.
With these advantages, it is easy to see why a custom home can be the perfect home for you. Do you have an idea for a new custom home? Contact Stott Custom Homes to start planning your dream home today!
