BUILDING & REMODELING INSIGHTS
A DIVISION OF DESIGN BASICS, LLC
Inspired Design
Her Home’s Home of the Year Beyond Three
Bedrooms
Rub-A-Dub-Dub
Get Rid of The Tub? www.HerHome.com
Your Vision Our Expertise an e pl signer m o e h d ith he d. lly, w u tell t hange a c i o y c p Ty ations, ant uw r o e t y l t a wha ent! iffer d e s ar plan k e wor hom ou u’re y , h out o yo oac ppr ners, s guring o a sig ry t tive o fi ora our de mes t r libra oals, b a l u o of ur g col it co our ith one when an from ing yo nd h t i l w n sa p ow W ut ctly our ow dify a ds. Kn rtunitie red, b e r i e d o y e o e n sid on tm pp not to bes pecific new o ve con me! s t o a how t your ugges not h new h s y e me l even ou ma in your l ’ y y we nities enjo y e l l am ld rea wou
photo by David Sacks
Tailored specifically for you | Fast turnaround | Very reasonable prices Visit www.DesignBasics.com or call (800) 947-7526
contents
This issue features FINALLY ABOUT ME
3 Your Home, Your Personality 4 Celebrating Maggie
TRENDING
5 Rub-A-Dub-Dub, Get Rid of
9
photo courtesy Hunter Fan
That Tub?
5
photo courtesy American Standard
WOMAN-CENTRIC PRODUCTS 9 Maggie’s Most Wanted
I WISH I HAD THOUGHT ABOUT..
12 More Space in the Kitchen... Damage Control
INSPIRED DESIGN
13 Her Home’s Home of the Year
HOME DESIGN
21 Beyond 3 Bedrooms 22 Cutting Laundry Time in Half 23 Maggie Home Plans!
AND IN THIS ISSUE..
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photo courtesy Heritage Homes
17 What’s Your Cost Per Square Foot?
THIS IS NEW.
One magazine in four personality-specific versions!
This issue celebrates “Maggie” We’ve never done this before. Which makes it risky, but the reward is so gratifying! At a home show, the personality basis created so much buzz and interest that women waited in lines that would rival a blockbuster movie premier! Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but in three days more than 600 women lined up at that booth to discover their “new home personality.” KA-BOOM! For the past several years we have written about the four primary personalities our research identified are most common among women home buyers. Those four named personas live differently, and show different preferences in home design, products for the home and decorating style. We call it “Finally About Me” and if you’re not yet familiar with the concept, log on to HerHome.com, take three minutes to take the quiz and discover which persona you’re closest to! Your home should be a reflection of who you are and how you live in a home – a “cookie-cutter” option rarely works. It’s a big challenge to address all four personalities in a single magazine. “Elises” are readers; “Margos” prefer bulleted text; “Claires” relate well to informational graphics and “Maggies” like lots of pictures. Of course, sometimes a picture is worth 1000 words…and there’s times
A DIVISION OF DESIGN BASICS LLC
when pictures don’t do an idea justice. So what you have in front of you is one of the four versions of this Her Home Magazine. The topics and content are similar among all four versions, but the way the information is presented – text,
CHIEF EDITOR/CFO
Janie Murnane
ASSOCIATE EDITOR/BRANDING
Michele Anderson-Weaver GRAPHIC ARTS
Yen Gutowski SENIOR DESIGNER
Carl Cuozzo PLAN ALTERATIONS
Tricia Baker
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Paul Foresman Janie Murnane
graphics and photos – differs with each of the personalities! We hope you enjoy this unique magazine, with its discussions about tubless bathrooms, must-have products and cutting laundry time in half. Then there’s another first, Her Home’s Home of the Year. As the home’s builder Tyrone Leslie commented, “Part of what made this home so successful is that it incorporates so many ideas that are attainable for the average buyer.” Finally, if you’ve been comparing contractors on a cost-persquare foot basis, you’ll want to check out “What’s Your Cost Per Square Foot?” beginning on page 17. I’m a “Claire” and that persona describes me to a “T”. What about you? Have you taken the quiz? Do you “see yourself” in the results? I would love to hear back from you and hear what you discovered when you identified the persona you’re closest to!
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DESIGN BASICS PUBLISHING
CH I E F E X ECU T I V E OF F I CE R
Myles Sherman CH I E F OP E RAT I NG OF F I CE R
Patrick Carmichael PRESIDENT
Kathryn Dick A S SOC I AT E P U B L I S H E R
Paul Foresman VP RECORDS MANAGEMENT/DATA INTEGRITY
Greg Dodge
cover photo by Ryan McVay
PUBLISHED BY: Design Basics LLC 11112 John Galt Blvd., Omaha, NE 68137 www.DesignBasics.com | Info@DesignBasics.com phone: (800) 947-7526
Text and Design © 2012 by Design Basics LLC
CHIEF EDITOR
editor@HerHome.com
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the publisher. ISSN: 1553-6424 PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.
Finally about
Me!
fireplace photos courtsey of Lennox Hearth Products
Which word would you most likely use to describe your ideal home: “haven,” “showcase,” “unique,” or “carefree”? You see, the words we use reveal a lot about how we see ourselves and are a reflection of our personalities. In the same way, our personalities are reflected in our homes. After all, there are few places on Earth where you have as much freedom to be yourself than in your home! The neighborhood you choose…the home design you fall in love with…products and finishes you select for your home…even personal items you love to display...all of these reflect your personality. Many aspects of our lives are “learned”, but personality is a gift we were born with. And personality influences only grow stronger with age. Even though Her Home Magazine is published from “her” perspective, all women don’t want to be thought of (or treated) the same. That truth inspired the woman-centric team at Design Basics to go deeper with their research into women’s preferences in the home, its design and products used, to look for personality-based influences. The research suggested four primary personas, and they were given names: Margo, Elise, Claire and Maggie. A fun, interactive quiz (“Finally About Me!”) was developed to help women identify which of the four personas were closest to her personality. While no one is “purely” or “exclusively” one of the personas (to varying degrees, everyone is a blend of the different personas), quiz results identify the primary personality. It’s simply uncanny how knowing your personality helps you understand your preferences in home design and product choices. The quiz, which takes about 3 minutes, will likely save you hours by helping focus on your priorities and avoid wasting your time on things you’re probably not interested in. These four fireplaces are representative of the four Finally About Me personalities. Can you match the fireplace style with the corresponding personna? (Answers on page 21)
For more regarding the quiz and all four personalities, visit HerHome.com. www.HerHome.com
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• Casual • Work/life balance • Function over form
• Spontaneous
• Project/activity-driven • Free-spirited
Celebrating photo courtsey of Merillat
aggie is casual and carefree. She doesn’t take life too seriously, and she’s comfortable “in her own skin.” Not too traditional and not too contemporary, Maggie favors naturals – not surprising, since she also tends to be environmentally-conscious.
Maggie lives to enjoy life and experience all that life has to offer! She’s open to trying new things, whether that’s parasailing or a new product for her home. Maggie tends to parent the same way, encouraging her children to give everything a try. And those things her kids get involved in, Maggie does too. If her girls are in scouting, she’ll be a leader. If her son’s playing soccer, she’ll help with the coaching. When you’re invited to Maggie’s house Friday after work, know that it’s going to 4
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be FUN! It may be a movie night (Maggies have a difficult time seeing themselves in a new home until they understand where the big screen TV will go); bunko, a pink poker night, or a scrapbooking party— girls’ night out at Maggie’s place is about having a good time!
be passionately involved in her pursuits. Which leads to busyness and overcommitment, so Maggie is interested in anything that’s easy to care for because it gives her back a little more time for what’s really important. “Maintenance-free” is mentally freeing!
Of course, all of those interests may mean specialized storage needs for Maggie. Too often overlooked, storage for sporting gear, luggage, hobbies and crafts, etc. helps manage her life. More than merely interested, Maggie tends to
Flexibility rules in Maggie’s life, and it’s evidenced in her home. Dual purpose rooms (den/guest room), easily re-configured spaces and places to leave “projects-in-progress” undisturbed are prized amenities in a Maggie home.
Rub A Dub-Dub,
Get Rid of That Tub?
Often times the main focal point, bathroom design may hinge on bathtub selection. photo courtesy of Kohler Co.
uch was a response from New York Sales Professional Jim Cotungo in a recent Linked InŽ discussion on whether or not to build master bathrooms with a tub plus separate shower or get rid of the tub in favor of oversized spa-type showers. Please understand, we’re discussing homes with two or more bathrooms and there is always a tub in another bathroom.
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right:
Bye-bye boring bathtubs! Aquatic’s serenity 13 tub is bathroom inspiration. photo courtesy of Aquatic far right (top):
The transforming power of a “high design” bathroom anchored by Kohler’s Tresham Suite. photo courtesy of Kohler Co. far right (bottom):
Sleek and easy-care frameless shower doors look great in this bathroom design with island shower. photo courtesy of American Standard
Many women we spoke with said the master suite bathtub is something they don’t need, use or even want. They’re too busy!
Personally, as a working mom, I don’t have the time to soak in a tub – and I have a Jacuzzi tub in my master bath that I wish were not there. –Kerri Durkee, owner of Functional Home Designs who specializes in home staging and redesign.
SIZE MATTERS A larger tub takes nearly 100 gallons to fill. With a 50/50 mix of hot water, there might not be any hot water left!
I’m starting to enjoy small baths in hotels a lot more. They fill up quicker and stay warm longer! And I don’t feel so guilty about all the water I am wasting at the expense of my children and others’ children as well. Shame on me for that big tub in my master bath. I really regret it. –Trish Holder, Publisher of Greenspiration Home (www.greenspirationhome.com).
SEX MATTERS About 1/3 of the women we talked with desired a tub in the master bathroom If the bathroom also had a large shower. Women who enjoy a tub bath didn’t want to share the kids’ tub due to size and privacy issues. Men, generally, had little interest in a bathtub for themselves, though some wanted one for their wives. 6
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AGE AND ACCESSIBILITY Many younger buyers were willing to explore tubless options, others simply wouldn’t purchase a home that didn’t have a tub in the owner’s bath. Plenty of active seniors want and expect a tub in the master bath, saying they wouldn’t give up their long, hot soaks! Still, most people identified that the threat of falling can make stepping into a tub dangerous. Preferred were larger showers with no “curb” which also had a seat, overhead shower head and a handheld shower. HYGIENE Is soaking in a tub of dirty water and soap scum offensive? One individual said she felt she would need to shower off after taking a bath!
When women I talk with realize jetted tubs are simply recirculating the same water with their hair and dead skin cells, they quickly lose interest in a whirlpool tub. –Scott Smith, General Manager at Rooftight Homes in Fall River, Nova Scotia.
Women can develop infections due to soaking in bubble bath or other products that can cause irritation. –Janie Murnane, Publisher of Her Home.
AESTHETIC APPEALS Designers strive to create an inspiring focal point in the bathroom and it’s often the tub. The tub itself, its surround, the faucet and lighting may all be visual treats. A big window over the tub bathes the entire room in daylight. Then there’s the soothing feeling of the water…the scent of soaps and fragrant candles… a bathtub is really a fun, multi-sensory experience! In your dream bathroom, if there’s a tub, how does it make you feel? Oversized showers offer a new level of luxury, from fanciful lighting to body sprays and special showerheads pre-set with your preferred temperature and spray patterns. Make sure you can just run one showerhead when you prefer. www.HerHome.com
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UPKEEP “We’re tired of dusting the tub!” was an oftmentioned regret. Larger jetted and deep soaking tubs are even more difficult to clean. Cleaning is also at the forefront of the surging popularity of doorless walk-in showers—there’s no door to clean! COST Deleting a fancy tub may save $1,000s (including installation costs) to be used elsewhere in the home. In addition to a nicer shower, eliminating the tub may afford space for a private toilet area, added linen storage, coffee bar or separate vanities. RESALE Some Realtors felt no tub in the master bathroom would hurt resale, others said buyers were shying away from homes that didn’t have an oversize shower, regardless of the presence of a tub. Younger buyers planning on moving again were more concerned about resale, viewing the master bath tub as an investment. In effect, they weren’t building the home for themselves, but for the next buyer of that home! Affluent buyers and older individuals were less concerned about resale,
If I like it, someone else will, too,” and “If it’s popular in new homes, it will be popular in resale homes, too.
above:
Kohler calls it their “luxury performance showering package”. You’ll call it waaay cool! photo courtesy of Kohler Co.
below:
Embracing a classic look with a modern edge, American Standard’s BerwickTM Collection faucets and sprays are an invigorating start to the day! photo courtesy of American Standard
Remodelers and home stagers agreed—if the seller’s budget allowed—taking the tub out of the master bath and installing a big shower was a sure way to get the home sold!
Ultimately, the best decision on including a tub in your owner’s suite comes down to your preferences and your beliefs. Thanks to everyone who joined our exploration into tubless owner’s bathrooms! Today’s trend is towards large showers, but tub baths have stood the test of time. We offer one last piece of advice—avoid future remorse. If you’ll regret not having a tub in the owner’s bath, then insist upon a tub. And if you’ll regret devoting that extra space and expense to a tub, forgo the tub. After all, it’s your money! 8
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GREEN
Wouldn’t it be great if more people recycled? But the concern always comes up regarding where to keep the recyclables? Maybe you haven’t ever given that much thought, but a pull-out in the kitchen base cabinets is sure convenient! Since most recyclables need to be rinsed out, a recycling center close to the kitchen sink makes sense! Photo courtesy Armstrong Cabinets, www.armstrong.com
A LITTLE LESS DUSTING
Love ceiling fans for air movement and cooling? Hate dusting those fans (particularly fans that are hard to reach?) The Hunter Fan Company has introduced Dust ArmorTM, a blade coating that repels dust build up on the blades. That’s great technology—technology that simplifies our lives! Ceiling fan dust bunnies are one less thing to think about with Hunter Fans unique Dust Armor coating. Photo courtesy HunterFan, www.HunterFan.com
CONVENIENCE
Hot curling irons…tangled electrical cords…no electrical outlet available…what’s a girl to do? Pojjo to the rescue with their Vanity Valet Pullout. Keep your hair appliances organized and eliminate cord clutter! You can even attach a power strip to the base and have all appliances ready for immediate use. Pojjo VVP appliance pullout requires only 9” width and 18” depth in your vanity. Photo courtesy Pojjo, www.Pojjo.com
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CHARGE IT!
Between tablets and cell phones, how many AC power adaptors do you have plugged in? Did you realize just leaving them plugged in drains $15-$20 of electricity per adaptor annually? Eliminate the clutter of AC Adapters that stick out & take up space in your home or office with FastMac’s AC power outlets with built-in USB charging ports. Eliminate tangled cords and bulky power adaptors with these USB power outlets! Photo courtesy FastMac, www.FastMac.com
FLEXIBILITY
You want a craft room. You need an occasional bedroom. If that scenario describes you, you really need to look at today’s wall beds (also known as “Murphy Beds”) which simply fold up and out of the way when not in use. Innovative new wall bed designs are not only beautiful, many provide welcome additional storage too! A truly flexible hobby/craft room, with the addition of a wall bed which tilts up and out of the way when not in use! Photo courtesy Murphy Bed Lifestyles by Closet Factory, www.MurphyBedLifestyles.com
DAYLIGHT 10
LOW MAINTENANCE
Fade-resistant, splinter-free, soap and water clean-up and longer lasting…today’s advanced composite decking is mentally freeing compared to traditional cedar or treated lumber. If you love spending time on your deck—not working on your deck—you’ll be glad you chose composite decking! Maintaining wood decks is mentally burdensome. Composite decking is a decision you won’t regret! Photo courtesy TREX, www.Trex.com
TIME-SAVING
“Being the most environmentally-conscious, Maggie appreciates the added light for her activities as well as the energy efficiency of skylights. And opening skylights can vent trapped hot air directly outside, reducing the need to run the air conditioner.”—Tim Miller, President of Velux America.
As much as you or your mate may savor a soothing shower, foggy bathroom mirrors can make the whole getting-ready-for-the-day experience stressful. Clear Mirror makes electric mirror defoggers that you adhere to the back side of your mirrors keeping them fog-free, even in a steamy bathroom!
Natural light is wonderful when getting ready for the day!
De-stress your morning with a fog-free bathroom mirror!
Photo courtesy VeluxUSA, www.VeluxUSA.com
Photo courtesy Clearmirror, www.Clearmirror.com
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CREATIVE
Flooring doesn’t have to be boring. For the artist in your soul, Flor offers an incredible array of carpet squares for you to custom create your own runner, rug or let your imagination run wild across an entire room! Using FLORdot adhesives Flor carpet squares are connected together and not to your floor—wonderful if you like changing the look of your flooring! Photo courtesy Flor, www.Flor.com
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Helping buyers make wise, informed decisions regarding their homes and the products that go into those homes.
I HAD THOUGHT ABOUT... Creating More Space in the Kitchen When we moved into our new home, we thought we knew we had “made it” because we now had a dishwasher! Our previous home, smaller and older, had a very modest kitchen and no room for such a luxury. If space in your kitchen is at a premium, consider one of the “under sink” dishwashers. GE offers dishwashers designed to be installed under the sink, with a special tub to allow for sink plumbing. Some models can also be installed beneath a cooktop! Learn more at www.geappliances.com
Damage Control
Whether you are tired of damage to doors, trim, or walls, you can do better than traditional door stops. Perfect Products’ DoorSaver II replaces one of your door’s hinge pins and controls how far the door swings open. An added benefit—you’ll never again run the vacuum cleaner (or your toe!) into those low, wall-mounted door stops! Learn more at www.doorsaver.com
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Her Home’s Home of the Year
above: The Idea Home’s free-flowing floorplan is wonderful for get-togethers. above and right: Pets are part of your family, too, and the Idea Home’s Pet Center was one of the most popular ideas!
An Idea Whose Time Has Come
written by Paul Foresman photos courtesy of Heritage Homes
utstanding!” That’s how builder Tyrone Leslie of Heritage Homes in Fargo, North Dakota, described public reaction to the company’s “Idea Home” debuting in their local Parade of Homes. According to Leslie, “This ‘Georgetown’ was our most remarkable Parade Home in years!”—impressive, since many of their recent Parade Homes cost twice as much. Leslie continued, “Part of what made the home so successful is that it incorporates so many thoughtful ideas that are attainable for the average buyer. We focused on livability throughout the home, and opened people’s eyes to truly affordable amenities they had never seen or even imagined. I knew we had a winner when I started hearing comments like ‘Oh, you guys have thought of everything!’” Got pets? Flexible living was showcased via a pet center designed in the Idea Home’s rear foyer, complete with raised doggie shower to avoid bending over while washing the dog! Built-in cabinetry, to the left of the
shower, offers a roll-out pet food storage bin and a floor-level drawer hides the food and water dish that pops out when needed. Gardeners and other hobbyists touring the home identified additional uses for the pet shower. How would you use the flex space near the front: home office, music or hobby room? Interior walls and a door can be added or deleted based on privacy needs. Another flex favorite was the travel center in the home’s master suite closet. Where do your store and pack your suitcase? Leslie commented, “The travel center really hit home with Parade visitors! It eliminates the annoyance of constantly running into the luggage when getting ready for your trip, which is also a great stress reliever.” Love to entertain? Then you’ll appreciate the open layout! At the heart of the socializing space is the island with eating bar and sink conveniently located for all. And what would good times be without food? Hence, the baking center! The angled island plays visually with the fireplace opposite it. Because people are naturally drawn to sunny spaces, 14
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far left:
The Travel Center ensures the suitcase is always convenient and means a dirty suitcase need never meet your clean bedspread! left:
The Baking Center – for the gourmet cook and grandkids’ creations! below:
Wake up and smell the...The master suite’s coffee bar, thoughtfully located between the bedroom and bathroom. right:
A half-wall creates separate his and her vanity space and also smoothes the transition when one vanity is higher for added comfort when used by taller individuals.
the family room presents a wall of windows plus there are windows on either side of the glass patio doors. Everyone appreciated the location of the powder bath—in that it does not share a wall with entertaining areas—providing desirable privacy. Feeling stressed lately? Heritage Homes’ Idea Home focused on de-stressing. Like a rear foyer when coming into the home from the garage rather than walking into a laundry room with piles of laundry to be washed (and the smell!)
Livability at a Glance entertaining
de-stressing
flexible living
storage
43013-54Y: Heritage Homes Georgetown is based on Design Basics “Moss Bluff” plan, tailored to their specific market preferences. plan
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The kitchen island doubles a the home’s command center. Note how the dishwasher is separated from the sink so you can stand in front of the sink and still have the dishwasher door open. No wasted space. The Idea Home’s toe-kick kitchen drawers pop out with a gentle nudge from your toe
wall outlets (see Maggie’s Most-Wanted, page 10.)
Then just a few short steps and you’re in the kitchen, minimizing carrying heavy grocery sacks. The Georgetown’s laundry room was moved to the second floor—no more lugging laundry baskets up and down stairs! For peace and quiet, those laundry room walls were insulated and a quiet, beltdrive garage door opener was included. Wake up to the aroma of your favorite coffee brewing in the master suite coffee bar, situated just outside the owner’s bathroom! In that bathroom, there’s a large, relaxing shower and a private water closet complete with Heritage Homes’ “toilet buddy”—in-wall storage for extra toilet paper, hygiene products and magazines. Even the shared upstairs bathroom is a stress-busting design, with two sinks separated from the toilet and tub area, reducing schedule conflicts. Clutter…what clutter? Storing and organization are also priorities in Heritage Homes’ Georgetown. Coming in from the garage there’s a big walk-in closet (bulk paper goods, vacuum cleaner, coats.) There’s also a drop zone, liberating the kitchen from clutter. In that kitchen there’s lots of cabinet storage, including soft touch drawers under the base cabinets for shallow items such as pie plates, 16
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We’ve also revamped the entire process to take it from stressful to delightful. –Tyrone Leslie, Heritage Homes
cutting boards and cookie sheets! Then there’s the upstairs storage—oh my! Bedroom closets large enough to swallow not only the clothes but games and other assorted little treasures…two walk-ins for the owner’s suite…and big linen closets. According to Leslie, “The closets were a big deal with visitors to our Parade home. We’ve never designed a home with too much closet space, but this one might come close!” Right now, do you have an AC adaptor for recharging your cell phone or tablet plugged in, but it’s not in use? Technology was another hot button with people touring the Idea Home. At the drop zone, Heritage Homes provided a recharging center with combination AC and USB
Then there’s Heritage’s “home automation package,” controlled from a smart phone or tablet. Cameras in a nursery and at the front door provide peace of mind. Remote monitoring of heating and cooling, lighting and security systems can help take the worry out of traveling. “What a great idea!” was heard throughout the Idea Home. At $349,000 including an added third car garage stall, the 2,612 square foot Georgetown was not the biggest home in the Parade, nor was it the most expensive. Yet this was the home everyone was talking about, including comments like “Why don’t all builders build homes like this?” According to Leslie, the answer’s rather simple. “We embraced a woman-centric approach in our home building company and teamed up with Design Basics. The feedback we’ve received, mostly from women, inspired us to design our homes differently and gave us a new appreciation for products included in our homes as well as options we suggest. We’ve also revamped how we work with our clients to take the entire process from stressful to delightful. Our customer satisfaction survey scores have soared!” Remarkable!
WHAT’S YOUR COST per square foot?
“What’s your cost per square foot?”
Asking most home builders, is a little like asking a mechanic what it’s going to cost to fix the engine in your car before he’s had a chance to look it over. Without knowing more, a price is just a shot in the dark. Do you have a bad spark plug wire or does the entire motor need to be rebuilt?
WHY DO BUYERS ASK BUILDERS ABOUT THE COST PER SQUARE FOOT? Everybody uses it.
Real estate agents, mortgage loan officers, appraisers…they all report the home’s square footage and a price for the home. The entire existing home market uses this square footage price for establishing home values and listing prices. But be wary of real estate agents who compare all new and resale listings by their cost per square foot. Is a used Toyota Prius worth as much as a brand new Prius? source Chevrolet.com
It’s easy.
Easy to calculate – simply divide the price by the square footage. Easy to understand. Easy to use (as one way to compare homes). And it’s easily accessible – real estate websites publish this information.
Chevrolet Corvette $17.02/lb Mazda Miata $9.59/lb
Can you afford what you want?
Are the design, amenities and products shown in new homes within your budget?
You want to get a fair deal.
Because there are so many variables, cost per square foot seems like a fair way to ensure you’re not getting ripped off. But can be a rip-off tool itself when used in a misleading way by an unscrupulous builder.
source Mazdausa.com
You’re a bargain shopper.
But you wouldn’t buy a new convertible on the basis of its “cost per pound.” Buying a home on its cost per square foot would be just as silly. www.HerHome.com
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$16 1.4 6/s q. f t.
10 Things you need to know before comparing new homes and their cost per square foot $7 1.7 3/s q. ft.
. . ft /sq 3 3 7. $10
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What’s included in the price?
Methods used…differ
An all-brick home may be hundreds of square feet bigger than the same home with siding! Was the second-story area of a 2-story high entry foyer included? It’s heated space but it isn’t “walkable” square footage. Such differences can dramatically impact the home’s reported square footage and thus its cost per square foot!
Builder A includes and hardwood flooring, Builder B figures carpet. Builder C includes full sod and a generous landscaping allowance, Builder D’s price only includes grass seed. Was a concrete driveway included? Don’t laugh! Such factors don’t affect the size of your home but affect the cost per square foot.
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Land costs Did the cost per square foot quoted include the home site? A $25,000 lot represents $12.50 per square foot for a 2,000 square foot home, but $30 per square foot if built on a $60,000 lot! Subdivision covenants (i.e., full masonry front elevations) and community amenities such as walking trails and parks all have costs which are passed along to each homebuyer as higher lot prices.
The materials / products used differs by builder
What square footage was the price based on? Basements? Attics? What if, due to a sloping ceiling, you can only stand up in a small portion of that attic? What about porches, a deck, patio or the garage? If the garage space doesn’t increase a home’s square footage, why not build a 4-car garage? A silly exaggeration, but any cost per square foot comparison is meaningless if the square footage of these areas is counted differently by various builders.
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Your price includes granite countertops! But which granite, the $40 per sq. ft. or the $100 per sq. ft granite? Are the included hardwood floors 3/4” or the cheaper 3/8” thickness? Seeing on a builder’s specifications sheet that granite countertops and hardwood floors are included is insufficient for comparing different builders’ cost per square foot prices.
plan 9175
first floor second flo
1387 sq. ft. Cost/ 471 sq. total finis ft. @ $ sq. ft. hed 300,000 1858 sq . ft. $1 garage 61.46 porches 509 sq. ft . attic 185 sq. ft . 243 sq. total un ft. der roof 2795 sq . ft. $1 baseme 07.33 nt adds 1387 sq . ft. total sq. ft. 4182 sq . ft. $ 7 1.73 or
Quality workmanship isn’t cheap
In order to quote a lower cost, a builder can opt to hire the low-bid carpenter, plumber or drywaller on your home. The value of caring craftsmen shows up when you have annoying air leaks around your new windows, doors that close by themselves or poor water pressure in your master bathroom.
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The type of home you build impacts cost
By stacking its two levels, a two-story home will have a smaller foundation and smaller roof than a one-story home of similar finished square footage.
Your choices…
Because of expensive cabinetry, countertops, faucets, tile floors, appliances and plumbing fixtures, your kitchen selections alone could increase your home’s overall cost by $10-20 per square foot! Also increasing cost without increasing square footage are: fireplaces, lighting, window treatments, and even paint—many builders charge $100 or more each time you change paint colors.
The total size of the home
Costs such as permits, government fees and utility hook-ups are constant regardless of the size of home. Smaller homes still have a kitchen sink, dishwasher, range, refrigerator, and microwave— just like larger houses. Therefore, smaller homes are generally more expensive per square foot.
Cost is driven by design
Since sophisticated rooflines and dramatic entryways don’t increase a home’s square footage, such homes cost more per square foot. Homes with higher ceilings or artful ceiling details cost more per square foot than homes with standard, 8-foot high flat ceilings. Carpet comes in 12’-wide rolls, so designing a room 12’-8” wide is more expensive due to the added labor costs for cutting and seaming the carpet and increased material waste. Pre-drawn home plans might cost $1,000, or about $.50 per square foot for a 2,000 square foot home, while custom-drawn plans typically range from $2-$10 or more per square foot. www.HerHome.com
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Moving Forward..
We hear horror stories of builders who will quote a low price per square foot and then pound the buyer with extras after the job is started. Contact your builder’s references! Have you thought about the cost per square foot of your new home warranty? Warranty policies vary by builder!
Every homebuilder can give you a detailed and accurate cost per square foot “Production” builders, repeatedly building the same portfolio of plans, developing entire neighborhoods and offering less personalization can most quickly quote you a price per square foot. With fixed standards, their economies of scale typically enable them to offer the lowest cost per square foot. Semi-custom builders offer a wider variety of home designs, building sites, personalization and finish selections for your home. Initially they may quote you a broad price range, such as “$100 to $200 per square foot depending on what you want” reflecting many of the variables addressed. As you make decisions, the ultimate price per square foot comes clearer into focus. A custom home builder may never build the same home twice. She doesn’t have historical data for that specific home to look back on as a starting point. Knowing that custom home buyers often have specific products and amenities in mind, understand she can’t give you an accurate cost per square foot up front.
Do you really want the cheapest? Even if it was possible to get fairly comparable cost per square foot info from multiple builders, are you going to automatically take the lowest price? How do you suppose the builder with the lowest price per square foot was able to do it? When it comes building or even remodeling a home, like with most of life’s major purchases, you get what you pay for. So...if you choose to, use preliminary cost per square foot numbers to help you know if you’re “in the ballpark” budget-wise. But understand it’s just not a good way to compare builders and their homes. 20
www.HerHome.com
BEYOND bedrooms
There’s no denying – homes with two master suites are “hot”.
the Hester | plan 29344-54Y 1720 total sq. ft.
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t might amaze you to find out just how many committed, happy couples choose not to share the same bedroom. It could be conflicting schedules, medical conditions or simply snoring, but the need for getting a good night’s sleep is paramount to a good life. Then there’s in-laws, siblings moving in, or just renting out a bedroom suite. But there’s no denying – homes with two master suites are “hot”. Design Basics’ “Hester” plan shows two secondary bedrooms well-separated from the master bedroom, both served by a hall bathroom. Without changing the footprint, it’s possible to build this home with a second master bedroom, second master bath and walk-in closet, plus a powder bath, shown as the “Sadie” plan. (Yes, the dual owner’s-suite version does utilize storage space from the original design’s garage, but if doing this conversion as a remodel, the contractor will build that closet floor accordingly.)
(Fireplace answers left to right: Maggie, Margo, Elise, Claire)
the Sadie | plan 29353-54Y 1774 total sq. ft.
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To order building plans, call 800-947-7526 or visit www.HerHome.com
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the Silver Creek | plan 42028-54Y
ired of waiting for the dryer to finish so you can get the next load in? Want to free up time for more important things? Occasionally run into a laundry “emergency” where your daughter needs to wash her work clothes, but another load is in the washer?
1863 main level sq. ft. | 613 upper level sq. ft. | 2476 total sq. ft.
Cu ing
Laundry Time in Half
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How about two laundry pairs in one laundry room! Many dryer cycles take a lot longer than wash cycles. Trish, a single Mom who happens to be a “Maggie”, told us, “Even though there are just 3 people in our household, I never seem to have time to keep up on the laundry.” Trish’s solution? A laundry room with 2 dryers. In smaller laundry rooms, the only solution may be two stacking washer/dryer sets. A larger laundry room can accommodate dual side by side laundry pairs.
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Who wouldn’t enjoy the extra free time of having the laundry done quickly? Women described having two washers and dryers with comments like “It’s the only way to keep up!” A guy commented, “Brilliant! My wife wants to know when she will get her second pair!” Her Home publisher Janie Murnane added, “The more the laundry has to be separated, the more this idea makes sense to me.” Two laundry pairs use no more water, gas or electricity. And with many utility companies switching to smart meters which track time of power consumption, two laundry pairs offer you the option of getting the laundry done during off-peak times!
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optional basement stair location
To order building plans, call 800-947-7526 or visit www.HerHome.com
alternate layout for two laundry pairs
the McGuire | plan 50029-54Y
the Winslet | plan 42076-54Y
1502 total sq. ft.
1426 main level sq. ft. | 586 upper level sq. ft. 2012 total sq. ft.
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optional bonus room adds 239 sq. ft.
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32 40 optional bonus room adds 438 sq. ft.
1. 50030-54Y Claire Version 1590 total sq. ft.
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1. 42078-54Y Claire Version 2335 total sq. ft.
2. 50027-54Y Margo Version 1512 total sq. ft.
2. 42075-54Y Margo Version 2215 total sq. ft.
3. 50028-54Y Elise Version 1552 total sq. ft.
3. 42077-54Y Elise Version 2043 total sq. ft.
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To order building plans, call 800-947-7526 or visit www.HerHome.com
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the Crocket | plan 50032-54Y
the Phoebe | plan 42068-54Y
1470 total sq. ft.
1086 main level sq. ft. | 1291 upper level sq. ft. 2377 total sq. ft.
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1. 50034-54Y Claire Version 1765 total sq. ft.
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1. 42069-54Y Claire Version 2329 total sq. ft.
2. 50031-54Y Margo Version 1733 total sq. ft.
2. 42070-54Y Margo Version 2119 total sq. ft.
3. 50033-54Y Elise Version 1462 total sq. ft.
3. 42071-54Y Elise Version 2294 total sq. ft.
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To order building plans, call 800-947-7526 or visit www.HerHome.com
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THEN
NOW VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
CAMERA
ONLINE HOME PLAN SEARCHES
Square footage...number of bedrooms...width...traditional online home plan searches simply filter down the number of plans to look at. Logical, but it does little to help you identify the perfect home.
Livability Search is different. In addition to the traditional search criteria, select how important each of the Livability aspects (entertaining, de-stressing, storing and flexible living) are to you! It’s fun, intuitive, and more quickly helps you identify the home of your dreams!
Exclusively at DesignBasics.com