Builders - What to Anticipate in Home Construction in the Second Half of 2021

Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

They say the only constant is change. And over the last year and a half, in the building industry, we’ve known this to be true. Some builders locked in prices for their clients, so that even as prices rise and fall, the price quoted to the client remains the same. Others have absorbed some costs, passed some costs on, or are somewhere in the middle. It’s important to remember we are all in this together–no matter how we are dealing with these unprecedented times.

A few months ago, we wrote a blog, Construction Lumber - Demand, Pricing and Reducing Use. While costs for most products are still high, we are starting to see some changes. However, lumber demand and prices aren’t the only issues affecting builders here in central Ohio.

So, what are we to expect in the building industry for the rest of 2021?

Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

Shortage of workers
As home construction companies, we understand this all too well. We are all searching for skilled construction trade workers. Some of us are well staffed, but many of us are searching for qualified employees. And with that, the pool of available workers lowers and we all compete for the same people. The direct result of fewer employees–it takes us longer to get homes built, which affects our timelines and our ability to take on new projects.

Projects Are Moving Forward
This article from Cleveland Building & Construction shares the significant number of projects underway around Ohio. Columbus is leading the way with many massive projects occurring now. And the housing market continues to show no signs of slowing down. While we are still in a housing shortage, more homes were built last year than any year since 2006, says this article from The Columbus Dispatch.

According to this article from Columbus Underground,  we do have the fastest selling housing market! With homes selling quickly, many people are planning on building new homes. How has this affected your build timelines?  

Image by sawaeng wonglakorn from Pixabay

Lumber and Other Supplies
Lumber prices and supply has had a significant impact on builders here in Columbus. We are seeing positive changes as lumber prices are beginning to come down-slowly. Sawmills are beginning to increase production and people are returning to work (therefore not doing as many home renos and DIY projects). NAHB has been instrumental in working with the government to boost domestic lumber production, try to bring prices down and the get Canadian lumber supply lines back open, but it’s been an uphill battle so far. But as this article from NPR points out, it could take weeks or months for price reductions to take effect and prices probably won’t fall to pre-pandemic levels. But there is hope!  

Iron, copper and steel tariffs are still expensive, and we know builders are trying to find ways to utilize less of it and find other ways to build homes using other products. This article from Construction Dive explains the ripple effect of these price increases. Steel for home construction (which includes studs, ductwork, beams, and some light fixtures), copper, vinyl siding, concrete, and gypsum, all continue to suffer from supply chain issues. This has continued to drive up the price, as well as the time to get supplies to the job site. Builders are looking at the use of insulating concrete forms, instead of wood framing. Structural insulated panels and steel frame construction are other framing methods utilized by some builders, hoping to keep costs down. But as we know, there are times when only iron and steel will do. 

Supply changes are impacted worldwide, so many items are in short supply for home construction. You might get a home almost completed and then not be able to outfit it with kitchen appliances, windows, or other materials.

This article, from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce paints a rather dire picture (while giving us some hope), but we recognize we are luckier than most in Columbus. But if you have clients that do not understand what is happening, this might be worth having them read.  

The challenge? Creating viable timelines, costs (what you pass on and what you absorb), waiting for prices to go down, finding skilled workers, and keeping your clients happy! What is working for you? What can we all learn from one another?

In Other News:

2019 BIA Parade of Homes, SIerra Custom Homes

BIA Parade of Homes
In case you haven’t heard, it is back! Are you participating or just going to see what others have been up to this year? There is still time for your home to be featured as an on-line Virtual entry. Click here!

At RDS, our designers are here and ready to help you create the home construction design your clients are asking for. Give us a call and let’s work together!

Welcome Our New Administrative Manager, Tammy Howard

Beginning May 17th, 2021, we turned a new chapter here at RDS with a new Administrative Manager. Tammy has started this job with a bang and has quickly become part of the team. As she is the first person you will see when you walk through our doors, we thought you would like the opportunity to get to know her a bit, in her own words. We know you’re going to really like her, just like we do!

How would you describe your job and what you do?
As the Administrative Manager, I am in charge of accounts payable and receivable, ordering, invoicing, answering phones, greeting clients, preparing reports for meetings, payroll, HR functions for the office, as well as filing and other general office duties.

Where else have you worked?
I have had a storied career. I’ve worked at Allied Universal Security Services, Capital City Awning, University of Cincinnati in the Department of Plastic Surgery, and Nuance Transcription Services. When dinosaurs roamed the Earth, I worked at various doctor’s offices.

What colleges did you attend and what training have you received?
I attended Baker Junior College after high school. Most of my training has been on-the-job training.

How would your friends describe your personality or character?
I laugh hard and love harder! I am open, friendly, and funny. As I love to say, “I don’t know how to act my age. I’ve never been this age before!”

What is your favorite quote?
“Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never get out of it alive.” ~ Elbert Hubbard 

What are a few interesting facts we should know about you?
In my early 20s, I saved a man using the CPR training I learned in 7th grade. I love taking rides with my boyfriend, Pete, and finding little out-of-the-way restaurants. I’m also a singer and have always wanted to compete on America’s Got Talent. I am writing my first novel, as well. My most noteworthy achievement to date? The day I became a mother!

What makes you amazing at your job?
I am a people person who loves to make people feel good about themselves. I excel at paying great attention to detail, a major benefit for my job!

We are so excited to have Tammy join us here at Residential Designed Solutions. Stop in and say hi to her!

Happy Retirement, Barb Marquis!

An ad in the local newspaper 18 years ago led to one of our greatest joys – hiring Barb Marquis as our administrative manager here at RDS. We are so very happy that Barb has been a part of our family at RDS for so long. While we are sad to see her go, we are thrilled she is able to retire and start the next chapter of her life.

Barb made everyone feel welcome from the first moment they stepped foot into our office. Her friendly smile, cheery attitude, hugs, sense of humor, laughter, and upbeat attitude has been a major part of our office, for us and our clients.

Barb’s years of experience in finance and administration, as well as her ability to keep us on track and answer any questions she received from clients, or us, made her a key member of our staff. She handled everything required of her with poise, adeptness and a positive attitude.

Barb plans to travel with her husband, Larry, visit friends and her 5 children and many grandchildren, and take care of her mom. We know she will be busy visiting with everyone, but we hope she takes some time for herself, as well.  

We wish Barb the very best and thank her for being such an integral part of RDS. Barb, you will be missed!

A Big Welcome to Erik English, Project Development

Erik English joined our RDS team on April 7, 2021. With 20 years of experience in the field, we were thrilled when he answered the call for a job! He is a true team player and has acclimated quickly into our team. Erik is doing amazing work. As he is someone you might work with, we thought you would like the opportunity to get to know him a bit, in his own words. We know you’re going to really like him, just like we do!

How would you describe your job and what you do?
I transform initial conceptual designs and basic project information into Design Development Documents and/or detailed Construction Documents of a project.

What is one of your noteworthy achievements?
I have a Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Design in Architecture, from Miami University.  

How would your friends describe your personality or character?
My friends would describe me as responsible and easygoing with a good sense of humor.

What are two interesting facts about you?
I have a substantial vinyl record collection. Every day is made better by music! I love to hike and spend time outdoors.  

What is your favorite slogan?
Keep on keeping on!

What makes you amazing at your job?
I enjoy incorporating creative thinking and problem solving into my design process. I find it easy to work alongside a professional team to produce quality projects.

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We are so excited to have Erik join us here at Residential Designed Solutions. We know you’ll be impressed with his work!

A Contemporary Farmhouse

From conceptual design sketches to a finished home — It’s always fun to see progress on projects we’ve had the pleasure of working on. This project with a Contemporary English Country feel is located outside of Lebanon, Ohio and is being built by Jimenez-Haid Custom Homes. We’ve had the opportunity to visit the site multiple times and see all the progress that’s been made. Scroll down for the inside scoop on this project!

Foyer

Study
Photo courtesy of Jimenez Haid Custom Builders

First Floor Conceptual Sketch

It might not look like, but this home is a ranch! A one story home with a full finished basement.

Stair Detail

The open concept great room, kitchen, and dining areas were thought out very carefully. The space is warm and welcoming, and while it’s a large space, it doesn’t feel expansive.

First Floor Bath with Exterior Access from Pool

Family Foyer

The family foyer offers ample storage for just about anything you can think of. There is also a full bath off of the family foyer that includes exterior access - no more dripping through the house to shower off after spending some time in the pool!

The Owner’s closet and bath are great! The closet maximizes every inch of available storage space, with pull handles to access out of season clothing or just clothes you wear less often. The bath has options for everyone - a large soaking tub and a large walk-in shower! And daylight pours in from the large window in the closet and the small windows above the mirrors and vanity really bringing the space to life.

Inside, looking out to the Porch
Photo courtesy of Jimenez Haid Custom Builders

Covered Porch
Photo courtesy of Jimenez Haid Custom Builders

The home sits on a beautiful piece of property with views for miles. We have a feeling this porch will be a very popular place to relax in the coming months.

Photo courtesy of Jimenez Haid Custom Builders

Do you have a project we could help with? We would love to talk with you about becoming a part of your team. Reach out today to start the conversation.

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Designed by: Residential Designed Solutions

Builder: Jimenez-Haid Custom Builders

Meet Steven - Production Detail

We are proud of our team members at Residential Designed Solutions! Steven is one of our newest hires and we’re thrilled to watch his professional growth and have him as part of the team.

Welcome to RDS, Steven!

Name: Steven Winters

How would you describe your job and what you do?
I assist project managers in creating construction documents by using SoftPlan and AutoCAD.

When did you begin working at Residential Designed Solutions?
I started in February of 2021.

How would your friends describe your personality or character?
They would probably say that I’m helpful, nice, easy to get along with, and genuinely a good friend.

What are two interesting facts about you?
I’ve enjoyed modern residential architecture since I was a kid. And I enjoy woodworking and playing video games in my spare time.

What is your favorite quote?
”Architecture starts when you carefully put two bricks together. There it begins. - Mies van der Rohe
”No design is possible until the materials with which you design are completely understood.” - Mies van der Rohe

What colleges did you attend and what training have you received?
I have a Bachelors of Science in Architecture from The Ohio State University Knowlton School of Architecture.

What makes you amazing at your job?
Understanding how the physical building is assembled can aid in the translation from a digital model to completely built structure.

Outdoor Living for 2021: Create Your Oasis

We certainly view our homes differently than we did over a year ago, don’t we? And one emerging trend involves our outdoor spaces. What used to be, for some of us, just a place to barbecue, a small patio and space for the kids to play, doesn’t work anymore. We are searching for sustainable lifestyles for now and the future. We’ve spent more time at home and are ready to elevate our outdoors to become an oasis for our family and friends. A place to relax, unwind, entertain, and enjoy.

NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association) released their annual Design Trends survey. Members completed a survey and within that survey is a 65% increased interest in outdoor living projects. Our RDS designers agree with this, as we are creating designs for all kinds of structures and changes to homes to include optimized space for outdoor living.

According to Houzz, 4 out of 5 homeowners are making changes to help them enjoy their homes more, with outdoor projects at the top of the list.

STRUCTURES TO BUILD

Structures for year-round living, as well as increased time to spend outdoor in the summer are an important piece of the outdoor living puzzle. This trend isn’t going away anytime soon. What structure would work for you? What are your needs?

Pergolas

• Provide shade as well as filtered light

• Affordable

• Built quickly

• Space for dining and lounging

Patios/decks

• Indoor/outdoor living with doors opening from the family room to the patio or deck

• Extends living from the home

• Enhances time outdoors

• Creates an outdoor “room”

• Creates a micro space for working, Zoom calls and school work

• Provides shade and escapes weather elements if covered

According to Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs Value 2020 Report:

In central Ohio a composite deck addition with a cost of $18,839-$20,000 will provide an ROI of 64% - 67% and a wood deck addition with a cost of $13,222-$14,647 will provide an ROI of 66%-76%. That’s a solid return on your investment!

Sunrooms (three or four season rooms)

Always popular, sunrooms can provide year round living, depending on the windows chosen, insulation, and heat. Connect it to a patio or deck with sliding doors or accordion-type fold-and-stack doors and you have indoor/outdoor access.

• Create rooms within rooms – cozy nooks, kids’ play area, dining, and entertaining areas

• Extends the footprint of your home

• Adds function, square footage and value

Outdoor Kitchens

Eating at home is still the norm, so why not take it outside? From creating a built-in grill area to a kitchen with all of the bells and whistles, you can cook outdoors every night.

• Cook and entertain without going in the home

• Include a refrigerator, sink, counter space, kegerator, wine storage, pizza oven and grill

• Choose weather-resistant counters, cabinets and appliances to enjoy year-round cooking

• Al fresco dining – what could be better?

Accessory Dwelling Units

We are seeing them pop up wherever local codes will allow. Serving many functions, creating one that can serve you through the years might be a smart plan.

Their uses are many:

• Extra living for elderly parents

• Temporary home for older kids

• Office/Study area

• Extra income through rental

• Gym

• Meditation room

There are many items to consider as part of your outdoor living experience and several items are the most requested when we are designing outdoor living areas.

• Fireplaces, firepits and fire tables

• Shade fixtures (shade sails and umbrellas), if there is not a permanent structure

• Privacy

• Water features to create white noise as well as create a Zen feeling

• Space for heat lamps, lighting, tables and furniture groupings

• Increased landscaping

• Outdoor connectivity with outlets and WIFI

• Outdoor furniture that feels as good as it looks

• Activity areas for the family–pools, trampolines, gardens, and space for games

This graphic from a survey conducted for the International Casual Furnishings Association and American Home Furnishings Alliance demonstrates how we are prioritizing our outdoor living needs and wants. 

Before summer comes and goes, what are your needs for your backyard? Give us a call today. Our designers at Residential Designed Solutions can help you create your outdoor sanctuary!

The Importance of Design on the Final Cost of a Home

At Residential Designed Solutions, we create new home designs daily for our clients and builders. And at the onset, cost is always a topic of discussion. What our clients want and what they can afford can be at opposite ends of the spectrum. Tantamount to the construction costs, the design has a vital impact to the final cost of the home. Through thoughtful design planning and understanding how our designs affect the final cost of a home, we are able to work with the builder or contractor to provide our clients with a home they will love for years to come.

A new home’s design plan is the single-most powerful tool in achieving cost-effectiveness. When building a home, optimizing the design can directly impact the final cost. The clients ultimately make the decisions, but as designers it is our due diligence to offer options to help them manage costs to keep them at within the budget they are comfortable with. Personalized, custom designs might inflate final costs, while using pre-designed home plans with modifications to meet our clients’ needs will come in at a lower cost. Whether a client is building a million-dollar home or needs to rein in costs, the decisions made by the design team will affect the cost of a home.

What Design Decisions Affect the Cost?

Learning What the Client Wants:
A large cost factor is the time and energy spent meeting with the clients and understanding their end goals as well as their wants and needs. Designers should plan well, work efficiently, minimize changes to the design and provide detailed descriptions and plans along the way. The goal is to listen, listen, listen. Listening and then asking pointed questions can eliminate costly design changes later in the process.

Materials:
A working knowledge of materials and their costs is needed when creating home designs.

Built by Jimenez Haid Custom Homes

Built by Timbercrest Custom Homes

The type of exterior finishes chosen impacts the final cost in big ways. When we meet with clients, we spend a good deal of time discussing exterior finishes and the costs. Many times, we can create solutions that allow our clients to splurge in other areas, while achieving the look they want for the exterior. Selecting well made prefabricated products or reclaimed materials in some areas as part of the design can create room options for finer materials and products in other areas. Using locally sourced materials should always be at the forefront of decisions when possible to save money and support the local community.  

Architectural Choices:
It’s important to ask clients to anticipate the optimal size home they want to live in and how they will plan to use the various spaces within the home. Understanding space usage and lifestyle helps us as designers to know where to splurge and where to keep costs to a minimum.

Modestly sized owner’s bedroom with ensuite. Remodel by Timbercrest Custom Homes

• An open floor plan can keep costs down and create the “look” clients desire, but if it is too large or open, extra support beams will increase costs.

• The simplicity of a design does not negate quality or overall design, but it can decrease cost.

• Utilize negative spaces by creating storage, a nook or a desk area. Recessed space may create visual appeal, but is it needed?

• Use cost-effective technological building materials and optimized building systems like smart shutters, solar panels and tubes, and advanced framing techniques to create affordable options.

• Efficient floor plans with room sizes based on the product sizes for flooring, drywall, etc. can affect the design and build costs. Where can plumbing be installed above each other or close together to cut down on costs? Can we use more green building options? Are doors standard size and are they only used as necessary? The same goes for windows–use standard size openings to minimize waste and position them to gain the most sunlight and ventilation.

• Design rooms with optimal orientation to take advantage of flow and function.

Location:
If a new home lot is on undulated land, against a hill, near a river or creek, heavily wooded, or full of poor soil, design of the home and its ultimate cost could be affected through additional foundation work, engineering costs, or specific site requirements. A client may only see the babbling brook, mature trees, or a gentle slope and not understand how those factors will impact the design and budget. A designer has to make the best use of the site and disturb it as little as possible.

In addition, the cost of the lot itself may affect the design. Where a client chooses to build and the budget for the build means an architect or designer’s plans are impacted by available costs.

The planning between designer, contractor, and builder requires open communication, similar goals and outcomes, and proper techniques. Working as a team allows RDS to keep the clients on track from conceptual design to final construction documents. No matter the client or the size and scope of the build, the design of the home is a direct reflection of the cost.

Choosing a designer that works within all parameters, respects the budget, offers options, and understands the build process is who you want to build your clients’ homes. Our designers at Residential Designed Solutions provide clients with the best techniques, the best designs, and the best solutions. Let us know how we can help today.

Project Sneak Peek!

It’s always fun to see projects we’ve designed go from conceptual sketches to a hole in the ground to a finished home. This project with an English Country feel is in The Reserve at Tartan Fields and is being built by Jimenez-Haid Custom Homes. We’ve had the opportunity to visit the site multiple times and see all the progress that’s been made.

First Floor

Second Floor

We take the readability of our plans seriously. We know that it can get messy in the field, but our plans need to withstand it all and still be easy to read and understand. We found this set in the kitchen/dining room space at this project. Wrinkled, but readable!

Wrinkled, but readable!

The second story landing and study area is open to the foyer below. The designer added a curved detail for added visual interest from both the first and second floors.

Sunroom

This house sits on a lot that has golf course views in both directions, but the best views are from the sunroom (shown above). The outdoor living space with covered porch offers the homeowners a more private place to enjoy the fresh air, due in part to the existing landscaping.

Do you have a project we could help with? We would love to talk with you about becoming a part of your team. Reach out today to start the conversation.

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Designed by: Residential Designed Solutions

Builder: Jimenez-Haid Custom Builders

Construction Lumber: Demand, Pricing, and Reducing Use

Most homes can’t be built without lumber. And as designers, we create house plans utilizing wood. As we well know, lumber prices continue to rise. From mid-April to mid-September 2020, the cost of framing lumber grew by 170% (link). What is causing this increase and what effects are we feeling in the industry? Is there anything we can do as designers and builders to make better, more cost-effective decisions when using lumber in construction?

Lumber Prices are High – Why?

• Demand continues to grow even as supply continues to be difficult to get. There is world-wide construction growth, which impacts prices all over, especially here in the U.S.

• The pandemic has had a direct correlation to soaring prices. More homes are being built, decks are being added, and businesses are pivoting to create more outdoor spaces and dining options.

• Shutdowns, increased safety protocols slowing production, recent wildfires, and increased demands for timber in industries other than construction are all adding to the shortage and price increases.

• Canadian lumber has not been exported as much as in recent years, due in part to the U.S. raising import duties.
  

The Effect on Housing Costs

• Buyers are paying more for mortgage costs, but it appears they are ready and willing to do that.

• With the high demand for new construction, builders continue to build for the foreseeable future. As the pandemic recedes, lumber prices should lower over time as they ramp up production again.

• Some builders are having to back out of construction projects due to the rising cost of lumber.

• The enhanced lumber costs will be passed on to the consumer when purchasing or building a new home.

• Some builders are renegotiating contracts they have with buyers to account for the raised lumber costs and find savings in other aspects of the home.

• The demand has shifted to the mid-range home market, meaning there is far less margin for error.

How to Reduce the Amount of Lumber You Use:

Thoughtful design can help control costs. Here at RDS, we are cognizant of the bottom line when designing your home. We know we can’t get away from using wood in most aspects of the build, but there are ways to reduce the amount of lumber purchased. With the cost of lumber at an all-time high, the following ideas may be worth consideration.

• Build walls using advanced framing methods.

  • It’s cost-effective, structurally sound and uses resources more efficiently. Reducing the amount of lumber used and helping boost energy efficiency with more insulation is a framing technique that could help with the overall cost of materials and labor.

  • The changes involve walls with a 2x6 frame at 24-inch centers with single top plates, no jack studs, two stud corners, no cripples and single or no headers. Using less lumber and fewer pieces creates less expensive construction costs.

  • Since the framing is farther apart, the ease for plumbers and electricians to do their installations is also a benefit. Cavities are deeper, wider and fewer.

  • Advanced framing may be something you’ve dabbled with or use on every build, but we find utilizing this in our designs is appreciated by the builders for whom we create designs. For more detailed information, we suggest reading this Advanced Framing article from Mill Creek Lumber.

Image from https://www.apawood.org/advanced-framing

Image from https://www.apawood.org/advanced-framing

• Utilize more metal framing or other alternative materials.

• Check your lumber shipment before installing. An easy way to cut costs by double-checking that you received what you ordered.

• Consider using engineered or manufactured wood to provide you with a more consistent lumber, which may lower labor costs.

• Using our designers at RDS can be a great help. We will work with you to design homes with a more open floor plan and reduce the number of interior walls, reduce the number of corners on exterior walls, envision homes with creative uses of space-both vertical and lateral, or create gorgeous, yet simply designed homes with less complex framing.

All of our Certified Professional Building Designers at Residential Designed Solutions are adept at creating plans and visions to work with any budget you or your clients need. As a home designer, we know that while the design of the final home is the goal, final costs are just as important. We are here when you need a new home designer. Call us at 614.430.0027 to discuss your home construction build.