New Home Construction 101 April 20, 2021/ Are you considering building a custom home in Greensboro? Before you get started, it will be helpful to learn some of the common terms used by builders to discuss home building plans. This will help you to feel more prepared and know what to expect from consultations with potential builders. Plot plan: This diagram shows the lot and where the home will be situated on the property. Foundation: The first stage in home building is digging and placing the foundation, which is the base for the house. Superstructure: The outer walls, roof, doors, and windows of a home. First Fix: Internal walls, stairs, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC are added. Second Fix: Fixtures go in for the kitchen and bathrooms. Light switches and outlets are installed. Decoration: This stage includes painting, flooring, tile, light fixture installation, and everything that is cosmetic. Walk-through: When the builder has completed the home, the homeowner will do a walk-through and point out anything that needs to be addressed. Punch List: The list of items found during the walk-through go on the punch list. When the punch list has been completed, the home is complete. Blueprints: The construction plans for the home on paper. These are what the builder uses as a guide to build the home. HERS Index: Home Energy Rating Standard. This is the total energy efficiency rating for your home. R&K Custom Homes Makes Building a Custom Home Look Easy If all these terms seem overwhelming to you, don’t worry. If you’re looking to build a custom home in Greensboro, R&K Custom Homes can make the process easy to understand. There’s no mystery and no confusion. You’ll be fully informed every step of way as your custom home is designed, constructed, for you using the highest standards of construction. Call (336) 643-3503 or get in touch today to schedule your free consultation. Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Lot March 10, 2021/ In many cases, the journey toward building a dream home starts with buying the perfect lot. Finding the right lot for your new home can be a time-consuming and challenging process, but it’s certainly worth it in the end. This article will offer some basic tips on how to purchase an ideal lot for your upcoming homebuilding project. R&K Custom Homes is one of the leading homebuilders Greensboro has to offer. If you expect your home to live up to the highest of quality standards, R&K Custom Homes is the right partner for the job. It All Starts With – You Guessed It – Location There is one thing, and one thing only, that you will not be able to change about your new home after it is constructed – the location. Once your house is built, it’s too late to rethink the location. With that finality in mind, most of your time at the start of this project should be spent thinking about where you want to live. Before you even start looking at available lots, identify a few areas where you would be happy to live. With those spots picked out, you can then start to dial in your search on properties that are available. Identifying target areas from the start is going to make the lot search much easier, and it will save you time in the long run. The Practical Side It’s fun to think about the big picture of where you want to live and what you want your life to look like when this project is over. But, as all homebuilders in Greensboro know, there are plenty of practical matters to be handled before your dream is a reality. Some of the many important points to consider are as follows – You will need to look into the current zoning status of the land to make sure it meets your needs for the project. The land itself. Work with a builder to evaluate the land and determine how suitable it is for a homesite. Other rules. Beyond zoning, you might be looking at land that is governed by an HOA, environmental restrictions, etc. The smart approach to this process is to work with a custom home builder right from the start to make sure you don’t overlook any important issues when scouting lots and making your final decision. Get Started Right Away It can be a lengthy process to go from searching for a piece of land to actually moving into your new home. So, get started on your lot search right away to start the clock and get closer to making this project a reality. You don’t want to feel like you are rushing into any purchase, especially one as important as buying a lot to build on, so starting as soon as possible is going to relieve some of that time pressure. And if you choose to work with the team at R&K Custom Homes, you will have one the most experienced homebuilders in the area working right alongside you every step of the way. Designing Your Own “Primary Bedroom” January 12, 2021/ The term “primary bedroom” is being used in place of “master bedroom” in some house listings and home designs. It still refers to the main or largest bedroom in the home and is often more of a suite with an attached bathroom. Many home builders in Greensboro have been incorporating some new trends in bedroom design and are expanding the traditional concept of a “master bedroom.” If you’re in the planning phase of building a custom home, here are some of the latest features and ideas for you to discuss with your custom home builder. Kitchenette One of the most popular additions to the primary bedroom is a small kitchen area for a coffee pot, mini fridge, microwave, sink, and bar. You won’t even have to leave your bedroom for an evening snack, a nightcap, or an early morning coffee. In the era of COVID and one member of a household having to quarantine this could be extremely useful. Outdoor Access With many primary bedrooms being placed on the main level of homes, outdoor access directly from the bedroom is more common. Consider french doors or a sliding door that opens out onto a patio, perhaps leading to a pool or jacuzzi. Dual Bedrooms Some couples are choosing to sleep in their own beds in separate bedrooms. In one study it was determined that approximately 25% of married couples sleep separately. These bedrooms are often adjoining with a jack and jill bathroom between them. Many people sleep better in their own space without having their sleep disturbed by the movements and sounds (such as snoring) of their spouse. Office Space A separate area for an office in the primary bedroom is a common feature, especially now that many people work from home. The office can be an alcove or even a separate room off of the primary bedroom. Even if you plan to include a home office elsewhere in your layout, it can be handy to have a second office area for both spouses to have somewhere to work in peace and quiet. Sitting Area Bedrooms aren’t just for sleeping and getting dressed. Many primary bedrooms are being designed with sitting areas for reading, sipping coffee, eating, or watching TV. Include space for a table and a few comfortable chairs or a loveseat for when you wish to spend time in your room without having to sit on the bed. Luxury Closets Walk-in closets may have been the buzz word of the 90s and early 2000s, but even closets have evolved to greater proportions. His and hers walk-in closets can be convenient so that both spouses have their own storage space. Closets the size of small rooms with organizational features make it possible to accommodate his and her clothing, shoes, and accessories in one place. Include seating for dressing and putting on shoes. The main point: no one has ever wished for a smaller closet. Bathroom Features Primary ensuite bathrooms have evolved into luxurious spa havens to unwind after a long day. Consider including any of these bathroom features in your bathroom design: Large soaking tub with jets. Steam shower with multiple shower heads. Heated floors. Towel warmers. Ample storage. Automatic faucets. Design the Primary Bedroom of Your Dreams with R&K Custom Homes If you’re looking for home builders in Greensboro who can give you a truly customized experience, R&K Custom Homes brings your ideas to life. Whatever you want in your home from size to style to features, R&K Custom Homes can make it happen. Call (336) 643-3503 or get in touch to schedule a free consultation. What Are the Advantages of Hiring a Custom Home Builder? November 29, 2020/ Are you in the market for a new home? Have you given some thought to the idea of building a custom home? There are many advantages to hiring a custom homebuilder to design and construct your home. Custom homebuilders create original homes that are unique to each buyer. No two homes are exactly alike. The homeowner tells the builder what they want in a home, and the homebuilder builds a home that meets their specific needs and desires. Not sure if building a custom home is right for you? Consider the advantages. Own a Truly Unique Home Do you want a cookie cutter home that looks similar but slightly different than the other homes on your street? Or do you want a truly original home that stands out from the rest? If you want a home that makes a statement and portrays the collective personality of your family, hire a custom homebuilder. Custom homebuilders listen to what you need and want in a home and create an original design just for you. You could order a spec home from a short list of styles and get to make a few decisions regarding paint colors and flooring materials. Or you could work with a custom builder and have the ability to build a home in your style that incorporates all of the features and design elements you’ve always wanted in a home. A custom builder is the difference between your dream home and a pretty good home. Have Your Choice of Homesites Does the lot your home will be built on matter to you as much as the home itself? If you have a certain piece of land or a particular type of home site in mind, custom homebuilders are usually willing to build wherever you want. Whether you’ve inherited family land or bought a plot somewhere with a beautiful view, a custom builder can design and build you a home that works with the land. Wooded site, partially wooded, sloping, flat, great view, lake view, etc., you have the choice where your dream home will be built. Just make sure to find a home builder who has experience building on the type of lot you want. A Myriad of Options Do you like to have a lot of choices when it comes to your home? When you build a custom home, you can choose any materials, colors, features, textures, lighting, and layout that you want. There are virtually no limitations to what you can do with your home. Interior design elements, exterior style and landscaping, every piece that goes into your home can be your exact choice. Do you feel overwhelmed when there are too many choices? Explain this feeling to your builder. Custom builders are experts at home design and decor, so if you need suggestions, they are ready to make recommendations. Not sure which tile to choose in the bathroom? Not sure if the kitchen backsplash will work with the countertops? No problem. Your builder can show you examples of homes they have built with different color and design elements so that you can see them in use and decide what you like. Quality Materials and Craftsmanship When you choose a reputable builder, you can ensure that the materials and the craftsmanship will be good quality. A builder who has established a good reputation in the community has earned that reputation through hard work and excellent results. For a builder to keep their good reputation, they know they must continue to deliver quality homes for every customer. What are the Advantages of Hiring R&K Custom Homes? R&K Custom Homes builds with the highest quality craftsmanship and materials. The homes we build are held to the highest standards in the industry. R&K builds homes in the most highly desired, up and coming neighborhoods in Greensboro and the surrounding area. When you work with R&K Custom Homes, the final product is a truly original home that doesn’t even compare to the other homes you’ve seen before. This home will be truly yours, down to every last detail. Now is the time to build the home of your dreams. Call (336) 643-3505 to schedule a consultation. The Experts at R and K look forward to working with you to build your dream home. The Benefits of Xeriscaping October 9, 2020/ Water conservation is part of living a green lifestyle, and one of the best ways to reduce your home’s water usage is through strategic landscaping. Xeriscaping is the concept of landscape planning that requires very little or no irrigation. This is especially common and popular in dry desert climates, but it is gaining popularity across climate zones. If you’re brainstorming landscaping ideas for your new home, Xeriscaping is a possibility worth considering. Some Custom home builders across the nation are seeing this alternative being used by many homeowners because of the myriad of benefits it offers. It might not be the hot thing among Greensboro, Summerfield and OakRidge Homebuilders, but that might just be a matter of time. Conserve Water The biggest benefit to xeriscaping is that it conserves water. The plants, bushes, and other vegetation don’t need to be watered. There’s no need for an expensive sprinkler system or for any other deliberate watering of the greenery. Lower your Water Bill Watering your lawn less, or not at all, will noticeably lower your water bill in addition to the environmental benefit it offers. Less Lawn Maintenance Are you tired of the hassle of yard work? Even if you don’t do it yourself, you’re paying someone to come and take care of your lawn, bushes, and trees with noisy and polluting lawn tools. With xeriscaping you can stop wasting time and money on the continuous manicuring of your yard. Stop Fighting Nature Are you tired of fighting to get grass to grow in places where it just won’t? In some areas the climate and soil are not fit to support certain types of grass and plants. Stop fighting nature and use plants that are meant to grow where you live with nothing more than the natural amount of rain and sun. Customize Your Landscaping with R&K Custom Homes If you’re looking for custom home builders that will understand your desire to include xeriscaping, R&K Custom Homes can give you an incredible home and work with you to see that you get a low maintenance, water conserving yard that will complement your beautiful home. Not only will you save water, but you’ll save yourself the time and hassle of endless yard work. Call (336) 643-3503 today or get in touch to schedule a free consultation. Building a Home with a Wellness Space September 24, 2020/ These days, more than ever, there is a specific focus on wellness. With physical and mental illness at an all-time high, everyone needs a place to relax and unwind. Create a wellness space in your home that provides you with a place to focus on your own health and well-being. It could look like a yoga studio, a library, an art studio, a music room, or some other type of space that allows you to be yourself and enjoy doing something you love apart from the obligations of daily life. When you’re designing your custom home, be sure to incorporate a wellness room into your plans. It can be an entire room in your home, a separate building on your property or even just a special nook carved out of a larger room. Here are some ideas for building a wellness space from one of the most experienced Greensboro home builders. A Wellness Space is Not a Home Gym First and foremost, don’t confuse a wellness room with a home gym. They are not one in the same. You may want to incorporate a home gym into your custom home, but your wellness room should be a separate room or area. The idea is for you to relax and enjoy the space. Your wellness room should be a space for you to get away from the obligations and stresses of life without having to leave your home. If that’s what a gym workout does for you, then that’s great. But it does not need to be the sole purpose of your wellness room. Decide How You Want to Use the Space It may help to know how you plan to use your wellness space before you incorporate it into your custom home plans. If you’ll be playing music at a high volume or dabbling in a loud hobby, you may want to consider a location that is away from bedrooms and main living areas. This is when a separate building on your property could be a good choice. If you’re planning on having a quiet reading or meditation space, consider locating your wellness room away from the main areas of the house where there tends to be a lot of activity. The size of the room will also depend on the intended purpose for the space, as well as any built-in features such as storage or plumbing. Consider How Lighting Will Affect the Room Lighting, whether natural or artificial, has a large impact on the mood of a room. You may want to incorporate lots of natural light for a reading room or art studio, but not so much if you’re a photographer in need of a darkroom. Artificial lighting is also important in your wellness room. Soft lighting will create a relaxing atmosphere and bright lighting will provide the necessary illumination for some purposes. Consider a combination of different lighting schemes and incorporate dimming switches so that the amount of light is adjustable to match the current activity. Add Your Own Flare to the Decor Make the wellness space truly your own when it comes to the decor. Use colors that you love, textures and materials that are comfortable, and artwork that inspires you. Add some personal touches that reflect your unique style so that the room truly feels like your own. Use calming colors and patterns that will help you feel relaxed. Include furniture pieces that are stylish and comfortable. Remember, you may be the only one who sees this space, so the only person to worry about pleasing is yourself. Design the Wellness Space of Your Dreams with R&K Custom Homes If you’ve decided that a wellness room is a must-have feature in your new custom home, you need a Greensboro home builder who can create a space you will love. R&K Custom Homes builds luxury homes in Greensboro and the surrounding area in some of the most highly desired neighborhoods. An R&K home is truly custom-designed to include all of the features you want in your own personal style. 5 Tips on How to Choose a Trustworthy Custom Home Builder August 31, 2020/ Building a home is a project that will result in something that will be a significant part of your life for decades, if not longer. When you are building a home, a place where you and your family plan to spend your lives – you want the absolute best. In order to get the best homes, though, you need the best home builder. Homebuilders in Greensboro are numerous so you want to have a process to select “The One” for you. That is the builder that is able to achieve exactly what you want for you and your family. Below are five tips for selecting a trustworthy custom home builder. 5 Tips for Choosing a Builder, According to Homebuilders in Greensboro The following tips are the top 5 tips for finding home builders in Greensboro and beyond: 1. Do Your Research If you are reading this article, then you are already following the first tip given that is commonly sited: Read and learn about the topic and those you may employ to build your home. Everyone has access to a plethora of information at our fingertips. One of the easiest and most important things you can do is look up a prospective builder and find what others have to say about them. Read reviews, and if you have to, make some calls. You don’t want to cut corners when it comes to knowing who will be building your home. One thing to be aware of though, is that many of the online directories are paid listing services and where a home builder is listed or how prominent their write-up is, might not have to do with their quality, but rather, has to do with how much that they have paid the service. This is true across many industries so be aware of the source of the information that you get online. 2. Find a Builder That Understands Your Needs Designing a home is an art, and sometimes artists can get a bit passionate about their work. Ensure that the home builder you are working with understands your visions and has a successful history of completing similar projects in the past. At the same time, being open to collaboration can often end with a better result than either party expected. A builder who understands your needs will be better able to adjust and collaborate in ways that work with your vision. And although you might be very confident in a particular adjustment to a floor plan or home layout, your homebuilder has likely been through this dozens and dozens of times per year and if the builder is advising against something, it’s probably worth it to seriously consider his or her advice. 3. Find a Builder That Communicates When choosing a builder, find one who is open about the process and can provide you with a clear timeline and estimate. A good builder will be transparent about everything they do and should happily answer any questions you have regarding materials, employees, sub-contractors building philosophy, and methods. These questions also give you an opportunity to talk more broadly with your prospective home builder and see how well you are able to communicate together. 4. Know What You Want It can be really difficult to figure out if a builder fits your needs if even you are not clear on what your own needs are. Sometimes taking the time to figure out what you want before contacting a builder will diminish the frustration for all those involved in the process. By laser-focusing in on exactly what you want, you and your builder can start the project in confidence. 5. Find a Builder You Like For your sake and theirs, find a builder you can enjoy being around. The feelings will likely be mutual, and you don’t want someone building the home that dislikes you, plus the whole process will simply flow better if the rapport is easy and enjoyable. Start Planning Your Dream Home Today Call the premier custom home builder in Greensboro today at (336) 643-3503 or contact us to schedule a free consultation. Ideas for Getting the Most from your “Bonus Room” August 24, 2020/ The “bonus room” has become a staple of modern homes. Whether it’s the extra space over the garage, a finished basement, or even a den off the main level of your home, this room can be used for many different purposes. The key is to find a use for the room that is in line with your lifestyle. Custom home builders in Greensboro can design your bonus room with your intended purpose in mind to ensure you’ll get the most out of it. Home Office/Homework Room If you or your spouse work from home, a home office is a necessity. A bonus room can make an ideal home office, as long as you consider the location. If you need the office to be quiet and private, make sure it can be closed off from the rest of the house when necessary and don’t put it right next to the kitchen or living room. The office can also double as a homework room for the kids. Home Gym /Yoga Studio Dedication to fitness and a healthy lifestyle is much easier if you have a designated space for exercise. High ceilings give you plenty of room to move and natural light helps you feel more energized. Incorporate different types of equipment for the varied workout styles you and other members of your family prefer. Create a Zen space for yoga, Pilates, or martial arts. Include machines and weights for the lifters and treadmills for cardio. Don’t forget technology, such as a TV and audio equipment. Climate control is also important, so HVAC and ceiling fans are a wise addition. Music Room/Art Studio Does your family participate in the arts? Having a dedicated music room or art studio can give some members of the family a place to use their talents. Consider soundproofing if the intended use is a music room. You could even include a recording studio. An art studio may need a sink for cleaning up and plenty of storage for supplies. Flooring should be durable, moisture-resistant, and easy to clean. Game Room Are games a big part of your family dynamic? A game room may be the best use of your bonus room. From pool and foosball tables to a big screen TV and video game systems, your game room can be a place for family fun or for the kids to hang out with their friends. Include a small kitchenette with a refrigerator for drinks and snacks, a microwave, and a sink for clean-up. Spare Bedroom You never know when you might have guests, and a spare bedroom can come in handy for those times. If you want to be able to use the space on the regular when you don’t have guests, you could incorporate a fold-out couch or a murphy bed so that the space can be made into a bedroom at a moment’s notice. Get the Most from your “Bonus Room” with R & K Custom Home Builders in Greensboro When building a custom home, your “bonus room” can be designed around the intended purpose for the room, with built-in features and specially selected materials. R & K Custom Homes has decades of experience designing homes around the homeowner’s interests so that the home is truly customized. Call the premier custom home builder in Greensboro today at (336) 643-3503 or contact us to schedule a free consultation. The Best Décor for your Home Office August 18, 2020/ A home office may not have been a priority for homeowners in the past, but with the recent pandemic, it has become more important than ever. You may even find that you need more than one home office to accommodate everyone who is now working from home. Even as many employees return to the office, the increase in work from home ability may change the workforce forever. Homebuilders in Greensboro are seeing an increased focus on home offices, and with that comes the need for home office décor ideas. Consider these options for designing an ideal home office as part of your custom home plans. Lighting Should Be Stylish and Functional Lights can not only illuminate your home office, but also add style. Your office should be a place that inspires your sense of focus and motivation. Office lighting should be bright to help you feel awake and make it possible to see what you’re working on, but it should also be easy on the eyes. Choose bulbs that provide a soft glow. Include different types of light fixtures throughout the room and dimmable lights so that you can achieve the ideal level of brightness at any time of the day. Natural light can be both a help and a hindrance, so include plenty of windows with adjustable treatments to let in the right amount of light without causing a glare on computer screens. Wallpaper Adds Texture and Depth Patterned walls are back and easier than ever with new removable wallpaper. It goes on like contact paper and easily peels off again when you’re ready for a change. The right design can make your home office seem more spacious and vibrant to enhance your work at home experience. The wallpaper you choose can set the color pallet for the whole room, making it easy to choose other decorative pieces in complementary colors. Make Your Office More Engaging with Mirrors and Wall Décor Give yourself (and any office guests) something to look at besides 4 plain walls. Incorporate inspirational art and messages that help keep you motivated when focus is a struggle. Keep the walls of your office from feeling like they’re closing in by adding decorative mirrors to broaden the space. Clocks are a timeless office staple that can be both artistic and useful. Office Furniture Should Be Purposeful Choose furniture that makes sense for your line of work. Do you need additional seating besides your desk chair? Do you sometimes work better stretched out in a comfortable chair with your feet up? Will you need storage for files or bookshelves for reading material? Does your job require a drafting table, easel, or other specialty equipment? Your furniture should be functional but also reflect your own decorative style so that your office is a place you want to be. Design the Best Home Office with R & K Custom Homes House builders in Greensboro can design each room in your home to be just the way you want it, including your home office. R & K Custom Homes will create a home office you’ll love so you can work from home with style and ease. Call the premier custom home builder in Greensboro today at (336) 643-3503 or contact us to schedule a free consultation. When Should You Build Your Home? February 15, 2020/ Are you planning to build a new home? If so, you may be wondering what time of year is the best time to start. The honest answer is that there is not an ideal season for new residential construction. Each season has its own pros and cons. Here are some things Greensboro homebuilders take into consideration when it comes to choosing when to build. Building in the Spring Pros: The ground has had time to thaw. The temperature is getting warmer, but not too hot yet. There is plenty of time to complete the project before winter comes around again. Cons: Rainy weather, which is common in spring, can delay work. The project will likely last into the summer when the weather is very hot. Spring is a busy time in the home improvement and construction field so the price of materials may be higher. Building in the Summer Pros: Weather is pretty consistent, with the exception of some stray thunderstorms. There are longer daylight hours for builders who prefer longer workdays and your project may be completed faster. Starting early enough in the summer usually allows plenty of time for the home to be completed before winter. Cons: Temperatures and humidity can be high, meaning the heat index could make it harder to work outside. Summer is peak construction season so the price of materials is at an all-year high. Severe thunderstorms could delay work and high winds could damage a construction project that is in progress but not complete enough to be secure. Building in the Fall Pros: Weather is typically ideal, with temperatures cooling down and low levels of rain. The ground is not yet frozen as the coldest temperatures have not yet set in. There’s time to get the outer walls and roof in place before winter weather when inside work can be the focus. Cons: Starting in the fall doesn’t always leave enough time to complete the home before winter. If the weather does happen to be very rainy, it can delay progress so that the basic structure is not yet complete before winter. An early winter storm could delay progress. Building in the Winter Pros: The cost of materials comes way down as it is the off-season for construction. Your builder is less likely to be busy with other projects so more time can be devoted to yours. If you live in the Greensboro area, a mild weather climate area, the weather might actually be more bearable during the winter. Cons: If the weather is cold enough the ground could freeze making digging a foundation and pouring concrete more difficult. A winter storm could delay progress. The holidays could also delay progress. The Final Decision is Between You and Your Greensboro Homebuilder There are about the same number of pros and cons for each time of year when it comes to building a new custom home. The final decision may come down to when your builder is available, the projected building timeframe for your home, and other personal factors such as your needs and your personal considerations. The best option is to consult with your builder. Schedule a free consultation with Greensboro homebuilder R&K Custom Homes by calling (336) 643-3503 or request an appointment. Page 1 of 11 1 2 3 › » CATEGORIES Custom Home Builder LOCATION HOURS Monday 8:00am - 5:00pm Tuesday 8:00am - 5:00pm Wednesday 8:00am - 5:00pm Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm Saturday by appointment After hours by appointment CONTACT US R & K Custom Homes 7498 Shadow Creek Dr Summerfield, NC 27358 Rich Dumas - President Phone: (336) 643-3503 office Phone: (336) 382-0728 cell Email: Office@RandKCustomHomes.net ©Copyright 2021 R & K Custom Homes • Privacy • Terms • Sitemap