DESIGN BLOG
Builders - What to Anticipate in Home Construction in the Second Half of 2021
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
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!
Happy Retirement, Barb Marquis!
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.
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!
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!
Meet Steven - Production Detail
We’re proud of our team members of at Residential Designed Solutions! Steven is one of our newest hires and we’re thrilled to watch him grow professionally and to have him as part of the team.
Outdoor Living for 2021: Create Your Oasis
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.
The Importance of Design on the Final Cost of a Home
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.
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 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.
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%. 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?