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ANN ARBOR (WWJ) The green design, building and remodeling company Meadowlark Builders will conduct tours of a new custom home under construction in Ann Arbor Saturday and Sunday, April 12 and 13.

For the next installment of Meadowlarks Behind The Drywall Tour series, a home on Harvard Place in Ann Arbor will be opened up for viewing. Attendees will be able to get a rare glimpse of the technology and building techniques that go into constructing a resource-efficient home on a difficult, hillside lot before the drywall is placed on the walls.

This home is situated in a serene setting in the midst of the campus hustle and bustle in Ann Arbor, said Meadowlark co-founder and president Doug Selby. It will be an oasis when it is finished, but this small, narrow lot on a steep hill has presented many design and construction challenges. The design process was very lengthy and extremely collaborative among architect Hopkins Burns, builder and homeowner. Our clients had a vision the challenge was to take their vision and come up with something that would be feasible given the restraints dictated by the lot. I think that we have achieved our goal.

The lot was the site of a home designed by renowned Ann Arbor architect George Brigham. Unfortunately, the home had fallen into disrepair and had been torn down by the previous owners. The new owners had the foresight to salvage many building materials from the demolition that will be recycled back into the new home. The combination of resource-efficient design and construction methods, combined with state-of-the-art technology, is resulting in a home that will be as green as its stunning surroundings.

Attendees will be taken through the home via a guided tour that lasts about an hour. The event is free; however, pre-registration is required by visiting http://www.behindthedrywall.com or by calling (734) 332-1500.

The Behind The Drywall Tour series was started in 2007 to provide the public with a hands-on chance to visit and view the latest in green building techniques and design behind the drywall of homes. Most people dont get a chance to see these features because the majority of the green technology is put in place before the drywall is placed on the walls and ceiling. This popular tour series has been selling out since its inception.

More at http://www.HomeWithMeadowlark.com or http://www.behindthedrywall.com.

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Get A Glimpse Of A High Tech Home In Next Behind The Drywall Tour

Only 19 residential building permits were issued in Bismarck-Mandan in February but home builders predict once warm weather comes, new homes will too.

Last years short summer and this bad winter have led to pent up demand, said Dot Frank, executive officer for the Bismarck-Mandan Home Builders Association.

Now that its starting to warm up building will likely pick up, she said. Were not anticipating build out to be any less.

The association will have 30 to 43 homes in its Spring Parade of Homes, Frank said.

Last year, 50 residential building permits were issued in the Bismarck-Mandan area in January and February compared to 24 in the same time period this year.

Home sales were about even with last year, with 200 single family homes sold in January and February this year and 186 sold during the same time period last year. The average sale price was $237,475 this year and $207,978 last year.

The hindrance of cold weather and a deep frost line has kept new building permit application low as foundations cant be dug in the frozern ground. Frank said many builders have been using ground heaters to allow them to pour concrete.

Its looking like it will be another busy year, said Drew Knutson of Knutson Homes Inc.

Knutson said many of his customers wait until warmer weather to contact him about building a house, so he has not submitted paperwork for permits yet.

My phone just started ringing, he said.

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Homebuilders expect building to heat up with the weather

Submitted Florida Lifestyle Homes' construction workers have begun the concrete block and cement second-story of this six-bedroom custom home in the Moorings neighborhood in Naples.

When Florida Lifestyle Homes creates a custom home, it starts with the clients vision of the perfect home. But building a true custom home requires not only the vision of the client but the construction expertise to make the dream home a reality. That often means meeting unusual challenges.

As a Southwest Florida custom homebuilder for more than 20 years, weve had broad personal experience meeting our customers needs, said Bill Ennen, president and founder of Florida Lifestyle Homes. Weve built homes on sites with size limitations, and weve built homes that met extreme design requirements. Now we are building a custom home in the Moorings with some unique challenges.

The Moorings home designed for Ernie and Bonnie Gralia reflects the owners wishes for a spacious design with an open floor plan. The two-story home includes six bedrooms, six full baths, two half-baths, and a three-car garage with 4,747 square feet of living area and 6,063 total square feet. But the home also includes features not common in Southwest Florida. Gralia requested that the two-story home be built entirely of concrete block and cement.

Traditionally in this area, the second-story walls of a home are wood, Ennen said. In this case, the walls and the second floor are concrete block and cement and that involved meeting a few challenges.

The construction required additional structural support to hold up the second-story floor as well as equipment to lift 4-by-30-foot slabs of cement and swing them into place. The process, he noted, is also labor intensive, and required core drilling to accommodate pipes, wiring and duct work for the homes mechanical systems. It required a special design to create a tray ceiling on the first floor, with a solid cement second floor.

Gralia, who is a commercial contractor with offices based outside of Springfield, Mass., said he and his wife interviewed several builders before selecting Florida Lifestyle Homes to meet the challenges of their new home.

Im in the building business myself, Gralia said. Before selecting a builder, we visited Quail West, toured the models, and we talked to several builders. We liked Bill (Ennen) and his staff. We liked the fact that it wasnt a huge operation, so you were dealing with the principals in the business.

Bonnie found a floor plan in a magazine that she liked, Gralia said, but it was only a rough design. The structural and interior details were completed working with the design staff at Florida Lifestyle Homes.

There are many other projects that reflect the professional capabilities and flexibility of Florida Lifestyle Homes, said Ron Vandenack, director of sales for Florida Lifestyle Homes. Our newest model at Quail West, the Antigua, is a showcase of dramatic design and elegant finishes.

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Florida Lifestyle Homes of Fort Myers creates true custom homes

After a two year absence, Morrison Homes is back on top at the Calgary Home Builders Assocation Awards.

The sales and marketing, or Sam Awards, were handed out Saturday night at the Telus Convention Centre and Morrison Homes won top honours as Builder of the Year. The company dominated the category from 2001 to 2010, before relinquishing the honours first to Jayman MasterBuilt and then Calbridge Homes.

Some of the other major awards given out included Empire Custom Homes, winning Builder of Merit for excellence by a small volume builder.

The Jayman Group won Multi-family Builder of the Year kudos.

Renovator of the Year honours went to Albi Renova Limited which was a finalist in five categories.

In total, 57 SAM awards were presented Saturday. The complete list of winners is available here.

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Morrison Homes recaptures Home Builders Association most prestigous award

Almost everyone who starts a home improvement project asks themselves the same question. It is smarter to a hire a contractor or do the work yourself?

Customers and vendors at the Black Hills Home Builders Association Home Show on Saturday said it's a trick question. The right answer depends on each person's priorities, goals and abilities.

Casey Bonsall, owner of the Cedar N More Cabinet Shop, said the Home Show had about a 50-50 split between the do-it-yourself crowd and those who prefer to hire a professional.

Bonsall said he prefers to install his handmade cabinets himself to make sure the job is done properly. Most people who buy cabinets from him also have him install them, though some people prefer to buy the lumber and make their own furnishings from it.

"I'm not opposed to letting somebody do it by themselves," he said. "But some people don't have the time or the talent to do it alone."

People who buy custom-made work might be better served having the craftsman install it, but for generalized projects, doing it yourself can save you a few bucks.

Adrian Rouse, 30, and his wife, Jennifer Rouse, were browsing the Home Show Saturday looking for ideas to spruce up their new home in Rapid City.

The couple bought their first house in November and were interested in finding a landscaping project, Jennifer Rouse, 31, said.

The Rouses said they were intrigued by the outdoor fireplace displays, since they looked great and don't require an expert to assemble.

Adrian Rouse said he plans to do all his own landscaping work to save some money.

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Home Show a haven for do-it-yourselfers and contractors alike

Spring in Tucson means its time for the Southern Arizona Home Builders Associations Spring Home & Patio Show, which starts at 10 a.m. today at the Tucson Convention Center downtown.

The TCC is turned into a giant showroom where more than 300 exhibitors set up for the weekend to show customers what they have to offer.

The home show, in its 43rd year, gives consumers the opportunity to learn about home improvement trends, outdoor living and to get remodeling ideas. It includes presentations, classes and seminars, pet adoptions and interactive activities for children.

This years show features photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, sponsored by Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Attendees will also have the chance to win tickets to see a Rod Stewart concert in Las Vegas and a custom set of golf clubs from Superior Golf Products.

Among other highlights this year are live broadcasts from Rosie on the House; a Re-Used Materials Becoming Art or RUMBA competition; and interior design and landscape architecture vignettes designed by students of Southwest University of Visual Arts.

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SAHBA's Spring Home & Patio Show starts today at Tucson Convention Center

With warmer weather on the way, people are looking to get started on home remodeling and improvement projects.

While many will look online for ideas and materials, around 8,000 people will be touching, inspecting and asking questions about all things home-related at the Black Hills Home Builders Association Home Show, which opens at noon today at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

(The home show) is important in our technological world where people are used to ordering off the Internet and dont always know what theyre getting, said Jeff Lage, home show chairman. You can meet with people who can tell you whats good or whats bad.

Whats good is brick, according to Kevin Aker, sales manager at Hebron Brick & Block Supply in Rapid City.

Aker said brick is making a comeback. And a new product Hebron is offering makes it easier to work with. The thin brick, called Authentic Americana, is lighter than traditional brick.

Its a tumbled brick that is supposed to look rustic and old, Aker said. Its a natural clay brick. Its not fake. Its just that the face is cut off.

That means it can be used anywhere, inside or outside.

Any room: kitchen, bathroom, bar, back splash, fireplace fire pit or patio, Aker said. If you want brick but cant support the weight, you can use the thin brick.

The Hebron booth will be one of about 400 at this weekend's home show, where contractors, vendors, suppliers and manufacturers will offer information, services and home goods.

This will be Jim Tolleys 16th year at the home show. The president and janitor of J&D Woodworks in Black Hawk will show off a massive cedar bar that took about 150 hours to build and was just finished this week.

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Home show offers more personal service

Edwards Smith Custom Home Builders
Edwards Smith, a luxury home builder in North Idaho, showcases some of their custom homes built in beautiful Coeur d #39;Alene, Idaho in this video. Our team is ...

By: Edwards Smith Construction LLC

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Edwards Smith Custom Home Builders - Video

Surrey, B.C. (PRWEB) March 26, 2014

BC Greenhouse Builders, leading North American custom greenhouse manufacturer of hobby, commercial and estate greenhouses announced today that there has been increased interest in the home-attached greenhouse market.

Currently, one in five of our requests are prospects looking to expand their usable square footage but in an economical way, says Angela Drake Marketing Director from BC Greenhouses. The benefit of a home-attached greenhouse is not only easy access to water and power but it often adds solar heat gain to your home.

While the rule of thumb favors a straight southern exposure, it is best to remember that since you must protect greenhouses six to seven months a year with shade cloth to cut out excessive light with such an exposure, east or west can be desirable.

When you look at the costs of adding an extension to your home versus a greenhouse, our product is typically about 30-40% less, says Drake. We have many different styles and slopes to match the existing building and people have been really interested in talking about their available yard space and looking at options.

BC Greenhouse Builders is one of the few custom greenhouse manufacturers that are able to remove a gable end and attach to an existing building and maintain the necessary wind and snow loads.

"Gable-attached greenhouses are great for entryways or breezeways to other buildings especially in colder climates," says Drake. "For those dreaming of added living space, we hear from our customers that the greenhouse ends up being the most loved space in their home."

For more information on home-attached greenhouses, check out the BC Greenhouse Builders website.

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BC Greenhouse Builders Boosted by Emerging Trend of Home-attached Greenhouses

MICHIGAN CITY Homeowners, contractors and home maintenance companies from across the region converged at Blue Chip Casino over the weekend for the Builders Association of La Porte County (BALC) annual Home Show Expo.

Held Saturday and Sunday in the Stardust Event Center, more than 40 vendors attended the event, which is targeted at homeowners and anyone interested in building, maintaining or remodeling their home.

Our mission is to promote home ownership in the community, said Cindy Dangler, executive officer of the Builders Association of La Porte County.

The purpose of the home show was to invite the general public to speak with experts in a variety of fields regarding their home plans and ideas. Among the several vendors were home builders, landscapers, bath installers, plumbers, roofers, remodelers, furniture retailers, gutter installers and a chimney sweeper.

Lending institutions and title companies also were among those in attendance.

Weve had a very good response, Dangler said of the number in attendance at the expo. All winter long, people have been sitting at home thinking of what they want to remodel.

Jim Pressel, past president of the BALC, attended the home show not only as current treasurer of the Indiana State Builders Association, but also representing his custom home builders company, Pressel Enterprises Inc.

On display, Pressel showed guests pictures of homes he has built, ranging from $200,000 to more than $2 million in price. The purpose was to let his customers know that, regardless of the price of the home, the same quality goes into each project and each customer deserves the same amount of respect.

Being in the home business for more than 20 years, Pressel said the biggest change he has seen in the industry is technology and the thought process that goes into designing a home.

Twenty years ago, building a home meant four walls, he said. Now we think about making the homes more expandable, greener, more sustainable those are our major concerns.

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Remodeling on the mind