Oakland County Custom Home Builders – Mazza Building Company
If you are searching for top rated Oakland County Custom Home Builders, contact Mazza Building Company at (248) 625-3305
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5 Great Advantages of a New Custom Home –
Energy efficiency: Custom built homes can allow for updated technologies for energy efficiency. Better windows, better insulation options, passive solar and more, all contribute to the long-term benefits of having a custom built home. Energy efficiency is a standard in most custom built home but you can take your new home construction even further by incorporating energy-saving technologies like solar panels, too.
Custom Appliances: Being able to add the appliances and features in the house that you want can help you save more money in the long run. Picking out the appliances and customizing them to fit your needs for your family is a huge benefit to building a new custom home. Buying a previously existing home may cost you more money when you factor in that walls, wiring, drains, or pipes may need to change to accommodate your updated and energy efficient appliances.
Privacy: Building your custom home to your specifications can be built to maximize the amount of privacy that you need. Your custom home builder and architect can help you figure out which orientation is the most beneficial for achieving the results you want for the privacy that you need. They can also help you come up with creative ways to maximize natural light and views while still maintaining a private layout for your home. Purchasing an existing home may not yield as much privacy as you’d expect.
Saving money: When you consider that purchasing an existing home is usually several years old, it may cost you more money when you’re constantly needing to fix, update or upgrade certain items and parts of your home. According to New Home Source, “in September 2014, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported that the median price of a new home was $259,000, while the median price of an existing home was $210,300.
Sentimental Value: The ability to build the home of your dreams from the dirt up is the major benefit of new custom home construction. From everything down to the wiring to the materials used in the construction of the home have all been incorporated for a reason – the emotional value of having a custom built home is insurmountable. Creating your custom home to fit your family, your needs, your lifestyle are all really great reasons to invest in the property for your custom home.
For expert Oakland County Custom Home Builders, call Mazza Building Company at (248) 625-3305 today for a free consultation.
For an experienced and trusted Clarkston MI Home Builder, please contact Mazza Building & Development Company at (248) 625-3305 to schedule a consultation today! Follow Us on Facebook or click here to see photos of our work.
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Today’s families come in all shapes and sizes, and whether a buyer only needs room for their bicycles or Costco size storage space, it is important to find the right layout for their custom home. Every family should have a well-designed layout to fit their needs. But how can a buyer know when they have enough space, or if they need more? Here are a couple of unique living situations, and some solutions that fit their specific needs. –
The Couple Buying a Home for the First Time
For the urban couple that wants to be close to town, it might be a good idea to choose a layout for a narrow urban lot. This demographic is generally less concerned about having guests and more concerned with functionality, and lighting. With a narrow layout, a couple can have enough closet space for their possessions, and even room for working from home or children. This couple is looking for a home with a computer nook and walk-in closet near the garage entrance that makes it easy to hang up your coat and plug in your phone. Storage shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for this smart design. Car ownership isn’t always a big priority for Millennials. So they should be able to get away with a one-car garage in their custom home and they can stack stories when possible. Foundations and roofs are minimized this way, which saves the couple money. –
The Family With Lots of Kids
A family with lots of kids has a specific list of priorities: abundant parking, lots of space and organization. They’ll need space for everything from backpacks in the mudroom, coats in the closet, and groceries in the pantry. The kitchen’s island/snack counter provides a natural place to hang out, and can be an important feature as a place for the family to come together and eat. For the family with lots of kids, how the rooms in the house connect is important. For instance, bringing in groceries from the garage should be easy, with the huge pantry close at hand. –
The Family That Needs Guest Space
Whether the buyer is taking care of an elderly parent, is planning on finding two friends looking to share a home, or is simply looking for an extra-comfortable accommodation for guest, they probably want a layout with lots of space and rooms. Making room for an in-law or guest includes more than an extra guest room. They’ll need a spacious laundry room, pantry and more space for the bedrooms. The main priority for those that need guest space is the width and height of the house. Hallways take up quite a bit of space, but it can worth adding a couple of hallways to have the privacy of a guest bedroom at one end of the house, and the master bedroom at the other. Those that need guest space are less concerned with the sleek, dramatic design that a first time buyer would care about, and more concerned with having their guests sleep comfortably in their custom home. –
The Child-free Couple
The childless couple expects outstanding details that a family with children might not care about or be able to afford. This couple probably wants added luxuries such as an adjacent bathroom or an equally great guest suite or handy home office. What’s most important for this couple is the spacious master suite. (Especially if it shows off a large shower and separate tub!) They’ll expect more expensive finishes in the home, and custom features like an open island kitchen that makes it easy to interact with friends when they come over. –
When building a custom home with Mazza Building & Development, we will find a layout that fit your family’s needs. We’re dedicated to customer service, and we will create a custom home that matches your unique personality and style. If you are looking for a top rated Clarkston MI Home Builder, please call us today at (248) 625-3305 today!
Michigan Custom Home Builders – Mazza Building & Development Company
If you are in need of top rated Michigan Custom Home Builders, please contact Mazza Building & Development Company at (248) 652-3305 today. Click here to Follow Us on Facebook or see photos of our custom homes!
Customized Homes
Perfection is almost impossible to achieve in almost every field. In the field of Construction, you will have to hire the best contractor to make your construction experience a pleasant one. Moreover, a good Contractor when contracted will instruct his employees about where exactly they will work and what kind of work they need to put on it. Hiring a Custom Home Builder will ensure that your home is built according to your particular requirements. Good builders are always conscious about their clients and see their best interest at heart and give them the best results.
Knowledge With Expertise
An Experienced Custom Home Builder will be your first call. Having worked on many projects like yours, they have the knowledge and expertise needed to build your dream home. They choose all materials to match the style and budget you chose; they also convert your ideas into drawings and then build your dream home from scratch. There are no limitations when working with a custom home builder. They use their creativity, expertise, and experience to handle the project in the best possible manner and deliver the best results in a timely manner. A custom home builder will be able to guide you through the whole process while supplying years of industry knowledge.
Cost and Time Saving
Whether you are planning to build a new home from scratch or remodeling your existing home, you would want it to be affordable and easy to build. There are many ways to achieve that goal. One way is by hiring a custom home builder. They are going to use only cost-effective and high-quality building materials that will make sure that you get some great pricing. Additionally, they will offer you some great ideas for building a new home that will help save you precious time.
Relationships with Reliable Sub-Contractors
It is important to work with reliable sub-contractors, who have a strong desire to create a great building project. You need an experienced home builder, who will quickly and easily find and qualify the right subcontractor for you. You need information about each subcontractor. This includes reputation, skill, experience, and costs. You need to know that all these factors are known to you well before you choose a specific subcontractor to work with.
Single Point of Contact
A single point of contact ensures that your home renovation project will be completed successfully. When one person is leading the entire project, from the design phase through completion, communication, as well as efficient planning and scheduling can all fall into place. From the kitchen to the bathroom, and everything in between, your custom builder will be your single point of contact. They’ll work with you to design a project that brings your vision to life. You’ll walk away with a comfortable, inspiring space all your own.
For experienced and trusted Michigan Custom Home Builders located in Clarkston MI, call Mazza Building & Development Company at (248) 652-3305 for more information.
Are you looking for a custom home builder in Rochester, Michigan and surrounding areas? If so, call the top rated Rochester, Michigan home builder – Mazza Building & Development Company (248) 625-3305 today!
For many homebuyers, the allure of selecting land and building a new home is compelling – and understandably so.
Many buyers have a vision of their dream home that includes the land their home will rest on, as well as the design and construction of their ideal home.
When you speak to homeowners who’ve had the opportunity to build on their lot, most will tell you that selecting a favorite piece of land and then designing and building a home that fully leverages the unique topography and views of the lot is a deeply rewarding experience.
Given that, it’s not surprising that people often start their new home journey with a piece of land they’re considering buying. If you’re such a homebuyer, step one – ideally, before you purchase land – should be a careful assessment of the feasibility and cost to build on that parcel of land.
Many people are attracted to undeveloped and remote areas – and such land can be beautiful. If you have your eye on ridge-top land with commanding views located far from power lines, you and a building professional with expertise in build on your lot homes should give thought to the feasibility and the cost of creating what builders refer to as a buildable lot.
Break Ground Without Breaking the Bank.
To the untrained eye, a lot or parcel of land may appear to be easily buildable, but prove not to be. More than one land lover has learned the hard way that ignorance can be expensive, but knowledge is power.
Especially if you’re in the market for land in remote or less-developed areas, it’s wise to consult an experienced builder with local knowledge and strong build-on-your-lot expertise. Inviting a builder to become a part of your land search process can help you avoid more difficult lots and save you money – both on the purchase price of the property and by helping you better understand, in advance, the cost to turn land into a buildable lot.
According to experts at David Weekley Homes, it can be surprising (and not readily apparent to a homebuyer) how much additional site work may be required to make a particular lot buildable. David Weekley Homes builds in 18 cities nationally. As the recipient of awards that include The National Builder of the Year, America’s Best Builder, and the National Housing Quality Award, their expertise overall and in building on your lot is strong.
It’s Also Wise to Consider The Lot Carefully, Even in More Developed Areas.
If you’re considering buying an improved lot in an existing new home community, you can probably skip past issues of access to electricity, natural gas, water and sewer connections – since those will likely be in place. However, even in this case, some homework done with an experienced builder will also pay off.
For example, one site may require a foundation for your home supported by below-ground piers. Another site may require extensive excavation work, which can run into thousands of dollars. And there are other considerations as well, including a complete understanding of the easements, zoning laws, property line restrictions, and architecture guidelines and review processes.
The good news? Many build-on-your-lot buyers find few issues to resolve with a prospective lot, but doing your homework in advance is nonetheless wise. So, now you have a great lot or piece of land that fits your needs and budget. What comes next?
Designing a Home That Works Well on Your Lot.
Many build on your lot firms have extensive libraries of floorplans; one of these existing plans may be ideal for your taste, budget and the land you select. In other cases, you may want to modify an existing home plan to better reflect the unique character of your lot – to take advantage of views, work around mature trees you seek to retain, or perhaps to benefit from passive solar heat gain.
While many homebuyers find that an existing home plan or a modified version of a plan will work well for their needs and lot, other buyers may wish to invest in a custom home plan drawn from scratch, to more fully reflect their design goals for their home and the unique topography of their land.
It’s All Worth It.
Living where you want, on land you may have dreamed about for years, has become an essential part of the American dream. In a culture that values individuality and self-expression, more people are opting to buy their land first, and then building a custom or semi-custom home.
By hiring a builder with a strong build on your lot program, homebuyers can save money as well as the hassle of hiring their own architect and general contractor. Build on your lot builders will assist you with site evaluations, floorplans, permits, coordination, construction, and in some cases, even financing.
Ready for the next step? Take advantage of the build on your lot search option here on NewHomeSource.com. With far more builders and new homes than any other website, you’ve found the world’s largest new home resource.
source: newhomesource.com
If you would like to hire a professional home builder in Rochester, Michigan or nearby areas, call the expert Rochester, Michigan custom home builders at Mazza Building & Development Company (248) 625-3305 today!
If you are looking for the right Custom Home Builder in West Bloomfield, Michigan or surrounding areas, look no further! Mazza Building & Development Company provides top quality and experienced Custom Home Building in West Bloomfield, Michigan and nearby cities.
Why Hire a Custom Home Builder?
Instead of managing the building of your new home, you may consider hiring a home builder. The purpose of build-my-own-home.com is to serve as a consumer awareness web site for you, whether you are your own home builder or end up hiring one. We give advice for looking over the work of others, knowing what to expect, and understanding what you see during the building process. All these are essential, regardless of whether you or someone else serves as the home builder. Here are some tips to help you make the builder decision.
Why would I want to pay a custom home builder to manage the building of my home, instead of doing it myself?
You might decide that you don’t have the experience or time to adequately manage the pricing, legwork for approvals and permits, buying materials, hiring subcontractors, keeping the house and job site clean, and scheduling for your new home building project. A lot of time and money are involved in building a house, and a good home builder earns his pay.
Finding subcontractors, or “subs,” who are honest and dependable, and who strive to do excellent work, can be a most difficult task. When we started building houses, we spent a lot of time researching subs through friends and supply houses. We also snooped around job sites of goodhome builders who had the best reputations, to see which subs they used. That really helped us to identify good quality subs.
Good subs may also be picky or cautious about working for homeowners, especially if they have plenty of work. Several of our subs have told us stories about working on new houses for homeowners who were managing the project themselves, that turned out to be really tough due to indecision, poor coordination between trades, lack of scheduling, and slow payment. Some avoid working for homeowners, and will only work for licensed builders who are “in the business.”
The question of hiring a home builder is all up to you, as to what you want to do, and what you believe you can do on your own. source: build-my-own-home.com
Are you looking for an experienced Custom Home Builder in West Bloomfield, Michigan or nearby areas? If so, call the expert West Bloomfield MI Custom Home Builders at Mazza Building & Development Company (248) 625-3305 to get started on your dream home!
If you are looking for a unique and professional custom home developer in Oxford MI and surrounding areas, please contact the experienced team at Mazza Building & Development Company (248) 352-3305.
New custom home development has seen consistent growth in the last three years and sales of new homes are expected to increase by about 16 percent, or 580,000 homes, in 2014, according to Kiplinger’s Economic Outlooks. And as more homes are built, new architecture trends will begin to appear slowly.
Building is not an industry where big changes happen really fast,” said Amy Albert, editor of Custom Home Online. ”Things happen over time.
Still, Albert named five home-design elements she expects to see more often in 2014:
1. Tranquility
More homeowners are seeing their homes as a place to get away from it all and relax, especially in certain rooms particularly the bathroom. The spa bathroom is really big as a result of more people traveling to nice hotels, Albert said. In 2014, we’re likely to see bathrooms with walk-in showers, roomy bathtubs and tranquil designs become a big trend for homeowners.
2. Mission Control
In the past the kitchen was often built at the back of the house, attached to the garage, and away from high traffic areas, but that tradition is changing. In 2014 we’ll see the kitchen as the focal point of the house, often placed in the center of an open floor plan, especially as more homeowners start to use their kitchen space as a multitasking room, or as Albert calls it, mission control. By having the kitchen centered and open, parents can help children with homework, talk or pay bills all while making meals.
3. Traditional Design
While midcentury modern design is thriving? and will continue to do so in 2014, more homeowners are looking at traditional home styles, Albert said. For example, Craftsman homes with large porches, front columns and detailed gables will make a comeback in 2014. Queen Anne-style homes with asymmetrical facades and detailed gables may also see a resurgence. However, attention to detail will be important as homeowners look for exact replicas of the original styles.
4. Passive Homes
More U.S.-based architects are expected to include passive-house elements in their 2014 designs. Originally a European design, a passive house is built to work with the climate. For example, its roof may be pitched to make use of wind power, or it could have large windows installed to attract sunlight that heats the home. A passive-house design can slash energy consumption by up to 90 percent, according to Passive House Institute U.S.
5. Flex Rooms
Between the recession and the growing number of senior citizens in the United States, more households are becoming multigenerational. That change is leading to a developing trend in home building flex rooms. Typically bedrooms, flex rooms are designed to give more privacy to larger families and usually include a separate space such as a reading area or study off the main bedroom area. These rooms may also be built with a change in mind. Many flex spaces include a private entrance, which could later become a rental unit,? Albert said. source: realtor.com
For more information about custom home development in Oxford MI and nearby areas, call the custom home experts at Mazza Building & Development Company (248) 625-3305 today!
If you are interested in a custom home in Rochester MI and surrounding areas, please contact the experienced team at Mazza Building & Development Company (248) 625-3306 today!
The Latest Trends in Home Construction and Renovations:
NATURAL SELECTIONS Step away from the super-dark, hand-scraped floors for a second. Consider engineered woods with a lighter, more natural finish. Our experts say that white, gray, and washed-wood finishes are making a comeback. Think about bleached, limed, or fumed woods with matte finishes or sealed-only floors. Don’t count out engineered products. They aren’t necessarily cheaper, but you can achieve a more exotic look. You might also consider porcelain tiles. Porcelanosa’s Parker line boasts a “wood” look. Stone floors are also showing up in unexpected places, like master bedrooms.Fun Fact: To get the look of steel windows, your contractor can match wood on the inside of the window to the color of the outside of the window. Steel versus wood could be a $50,000 difference in price!CLEAN LINES, MORE OPEN SPACESOpen floor plans—like this one from Sharif & Munir—are happening even in traditional homes.Our experts say that, on the whole, new construction is going more contemporary. This doesn’t mean that everyone is moving into glorious, Rachofsky-like glass houses. But on the whole, houses have cleaner lines with less focus on turrets and more use of Austin stone and standing-seam roofs. Europhiles, relax. The Mediterranean isn’t going anywhere—this is Italy Dallas, after all.
Even those who choose to stay with more traditional exteriors are going with modern, open concepts on the inside. That means fewer hallways and tiny, wasted rooms. Open floor plans afford more useable space — the kitchen that opens to the den and possibly dining areas. An abundance of glass and lift-and-slide doors, designed to open and disappear, bring the outdoors in. Again, efficiency is key. Homeowners are better understanding that 100 percent of their spaces should be completely usable.
Powder rooms are the perfect places to try out that bold wallpaper that you’re too afraid to try anyplace else.
TAKE SOME RISKS
Even the most risk-averse person should have some fun when building their dream home. Maybe you’re not ready to wallpaper all the ceilings. Fine. But get on board with the glass and metal trends and employ both on your staircase. In fact, why not create a fabulous, floating staircase? Too contemporary? Consider patterned woods, intricate wood designs, or an iron-and-steel combination. (On a side note, you might only need to do one staircase. It seems fewer new homes have two sets of stairs because they take up so much square footage.)
The powder bath is also a great place to try a bold wallpaper, daring paint color, or outrageous tile and hardware. There’s nothing better than stepping into an unexpected and divine powder bath. But what if you hate it? That’s a drag, but it’s not the end of the world. “It’s such a small space, so it’s not significant to change it. That’s why it’s a good place to take chances,” Michael Munir says.
FORMAL REFORMED
There has been a lot of talk about how the formal living and dining rooms have been eradicated from new homes, but that’s simply not true. The rooms still exist; they function differently. The formal living room is now more of a “parlor” or an “away room,” as in, “I have to get away from the televisions that seem to have shown up in every flipping room, including outdoor spaces, in this house.” Many people choose to make it multi-functional — it could be a library and a bar area. It could open to the patio and be more of a party room. The point is, it doesn’t disappear from the floor plan. It just becomes something that you’ll actually use for more than fancy-but-uncomfortable furniture storage.
Likewise, the designated dining room still exists, but it’s more open and casual. It could be the serving space for even more casual parties. Add bookcases, and, it, too could become a library.
KITCHEN CONVERSATION
We’ve all heard it: Kitchens (and baths) sell homes. Kitchens are the heart of the home. Grandma’s kitchen: Tasters welcome. We get it! Kitchens are important. But they’re also expensive. Jennifer Fordham of Poggenpohl Dallas says she tries to educate her clients from the beginning about what things cost and parse their needs. “I have to tell them that they don’t need drawers in every single inch of the kitchen,” she says. “You have to think about the odd-shaped things that won’t fit in a drawer.” She also says ventilation is key—folks come in the showroom and ask if there’s any way around having it at all. “They think it’s ugly, but you need it, if only to pass code,” she says with a laugh.
We’ve come to expect stainless steel and granite in high-end kitchens, but maybe it’s time to expand your horizons. “Granite used to be a premium, but now it’s everywhere,” Michael Munir says. “Most apartments have granite now.” Consider engineered stone and other countertop options.
As for stainless steel, it’s still a thing. But like granite, it’s pretty standard stuff. You might want to take a chance on some of the new designs that Miele is producing — basically glassed appliances in all black, white, or chocolate. Think how fantastic they’ll look with the tasteful Ann Sacks tile and Waterworks plumbing fixtures you’ve so carefully chosen.
For cabinets, think about some of the lighter woods or more natural-colored walnuts, or go bold with some matte lacquers. Fordham says white kitchens are coming back, too.
No matter your tastes, we can all agree that the two most important items in your kitchen will be a Hoshizaki ice maker and the Miele Whole Bean/Ground Coffee System. Sonic ice and caffeine always make everything better.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
People are recognizing that the backyard has long been under-utilized square footage. In the quest to make every inch of property useful and liveable, indoor spaces are opening directly to the backyard or to patios with pizza ovens and fire pits. But the glare of the spotlight comes at a cost: Backyards are expensive. That outdoor kitchen may cost more than the kitchen inside your dream house. That photo you found on Houzz of the backyard with the swimming pool, lush landscaping, elaborate lighting, and pristine pizza oven could add up to $250,000. So budget accordingly.
As you create your at-home resort, consider stone flooring or interesting concrete finishes. Glenn Bonick says elements like raw or rusted steels are being used for retainers as well as decorative touches mixed with ipe woods for decks. It’s 200 degrees in the summer, so pools will always be a thing here, but many folks are going smaller.
THE NEW MEDIA
As previously mentioned, every single room in the modern home boasts a television, so unless your family insists on a theater setting for viewings of Phineas and Ferb, the media room may be wasted, isolated space. People want a room that’s more accessible and useful, so it’s become more of a playroom for the kids and/or an adult game room. Obviously, the large television(s) remains, but the need for theater seating has subsided. If you incorporate a media room, put it on the ground floor. Builders say that second- or third-floor media rooms tend not to get used. source: dmmagazine.com
For more information about having the home of your dreams, call the Rochester MI custom home building experts at Mazza Building & Development Company (248) 625-3305.
Are you looking for a custom home builder in Rochester Hills, Michigan? Hire the expert team at Mazza Building & Development Company to complete the custom home of your dreams in Rochester Hills, MI. Call (248) 625-3305 today
Take Steps In the Building Process to Plan for Tomorrow’s Technologies
One of the joys of building your own home is taking full advantage of exciting technologies that are widely available today but that were unimaginable just a few years ago.Your new home can be a very entertaining space with ultra-high definition video, interactive gaming, 90-inch flat-screen TVs and more. And it can offer the latest in home automation. Everything from lighting, home security, climate control and more can now be controlled remotely from your iPhone, for example. Many of these options weren’t available just five years ago, so the obvious questions are: 1. Where are we headed next?
2. And how do I future-proof my new home, so it will work well with technologies that haven’t even been invented yet?Clearly, we’re not going to become any less dependent on (or addicted to) technology. The pace of change and innovation will only accelerate. While you may not be able to fully imagine the next big thing (unless you’re the next Steve Jobs) you can pre-wire a new home in flexible and robust ways.Ensuring that conduit and wiring (think of it as plumbing) for data and video is in place when you build a home is by far the most effective way to plan for the future. It will always be more expensive to upgrade a house for technology once the walls are put up. Building a strong infrastructure now for data will pay off in countless ways over the many years you’ll live in your new home.“I’ve never heard anyone say, ‘Man, I just pulled too many wires in this house,’” says David Pedigo, senior director of learning and emerging technology for CEDIA, the Consumer Electronics Design and Installation Association. “We’re starting to get to point where builders, architects and interior designers understand that it does take proper planning and consideration. If you’re going to incorporate a digital experience, do it at the front.”The abundance of wireless components on the market may make it seem like pre-wiring a house is a waste of time and money. Not so.
Wireless works great for some applications, such as printers, but it “just really doesn’t work very well with high-definition and ultra-high definition video and speakers,” Pedigo says. “Video bandwidth is accelerating at a much faster pace than wireless capabilities. And speakers will always need wires. There are wireless speakers, but they still require a power source.”
Chris Pearson, president of high-end home theater provider Service Tech in Austin, Texas, agrees.
“You need to hard-wire the data connections to all the electronics,” Pearson says. “Gaming systems are interactive, tying in families. People are Skyping. There is a ridiculous amount of content available. A lot of the apps you might want on a TV might not be 100 percent effective on a wireless network. Imagine a highway with no lane dividers. It’s just chaos.”
Beyond the need to pre-wire a house for current and future technology needs, architects and designers are recognizing the need to ask their clients about their entertainment choices.
At one time, a video game only provided exercise to your thumbs. Now, there are Wii and Kinect systems that have players jumping, ducking and dancing around the room. That means more open space in front of the unit.
Then there are the TVs.
“If you don’t plan for big TVs, you’re up a creek,” says Tony Crasi, a custom home builder and architect in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and a past chair of CEDIA’s custom home builder committee. “If there’s a fireplace, it has to be offset or you put the TV on top of the mantle. If you don’t wire for it, forget it.”
While entertainment applications might be the most exciting area of home technology innovation, home automation is another area that’s expanding rapidly, now that the iPhone or Android smart phone in your pocket lets you handle everything from securing a dinner reservation to making a bank deposit.
“In the next couple of years, people will expect automated lighting control, heating and security,” Pedigo says. We’re getting to the point that the cost will make it significantly more accessible. So many people have smart phones now. They don’t have to buy a separate device to control each system. They’re walking around with a $600 controller in their hand.”
Crasi says his customers are seeking a lot of home automation applications, particularly in the area of lighting and audio controls. What he sees becoming widespread next is climate control, done remotely from a smart phone or tablet.
In fact, it’s already happening. Nest is a digital thermostat created by former Apple executive Tony Fadell, known as the “father of the iPod.”
Designed to help reduce power bills, Nest “learns” how and when you use energy – when you make breakfast, take showers, head out the door for work or school and when you go to bed. As Nest learns these patterns, it makes automatic adjustments to maximize energy efficiency. It will even send you an e-mail reminder to change your furnace and air conditioning filters. Your home can be monitored and adjustments made remotely from a number of platforms – including, of course, iPad and iPhone.
AT&T recently announced its plans to roll out Digital Life. This Web-based system lets users do everything – from changing the thermostat to unlocking a door for a service technician – from a laptop, tablet or smart phone anywhere in the world. (Well, now they’ve got our attention. Who hasn’t wasted a day sitting around waiting for the cable guy to show up?)
And soon, homeowners can expect their appliances and HVAC systems to send alerts when they need maintenance or repair, Crasi says.
Home automation can also help aging or disabled homeowners via motion sensors that turn on lights as they go down a hallway, reminders to take medication, or alerts to a family member that a loved one has fallen.
“At our last CEDIA meeting, we started to see commercials about turning lights on from your phone from 100 miles away,” Crasi says. “There’s some cool stuff coming, practical stuff. That’s what I really believe is coming.”
And that’s just what the professionals are talking about now. It’s hard to imagine what might be the next innovation. Whatever it is, it’s going to need wires, Pedigo says. The best place to put those is inside the walls when your home is being built.
“The only one way to future proof a home is to pull conduit to certain parts of the home,” he says. “That way, if a new technology comes out in three to five years, you’re ready for it. I’ve taught that for a decade, and no one has ever challenged me. It’s a lot cheaper to pull the wire now than go back after the fact and reinstall it.”
source: newhomesource.com
Mazza Building & Development Company is dedicated to providing its’ customers with the highest level of service and performance when providing a custom built home in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Call (248) 625-3305 today for more information.
Are you looking for an expert home builder in Bloomfield Hills MI? If so, contact the top rated Bloomfield Hills MI home builder – Mazza Building & Development Company. Call (248) 625-3305 today for more information.
Preparing Your Home For Winter
You’re ready. You’ve got hats, gloves, hand warmers, hot chocolate and a thick jacket. You’re prepared for winter, but is your home ready to brace the cold? A long cold season is just up ahead, and it’s a good time to make sure you’ve got your winter checklist covered before the cold rolls in. Here are some items that should be on your winter checklist.
1. Clean Your Gutters
Since clogged gutters aren’t something you look at every day, you may easily overlook this important maintenance task. Cluttered gutters don’t drain properly – this can cause damage to your backyard landscaping and to the drainage system itself.
A gutter filled with undrained water can freeze, and the added weight can cause it to pull away from your home – it may even fall off altogether!
It is a good idea to do the outdoor work before it gets too cold, and before a little task turns into a big problem. It’s a good idea to break out a ladder, put on a pair of gloves, and get down into the crevices of your gutters. With a little luck, you can complete this task in less than an hour.
2. Tune Up the Heater
You’ll thank me later. It’s a good idea to have a technician inspect your furnace or heat pump before winter comes. It is important to be sure the heating system is clean and that it works properly. The inspection should cost around $80-$100, and at the very least, the technician can change the filter in your boiler, which adds a year of life onto your boiler.
3. Repair Roof Damage
Hail and windstorms can loosen shingles and expose your roof to damage during winter weather. Whats worse, if your area had a hailstorm, your roof may have damage that you cannot see. Thus, it is important to have your roof evaluated by a qualified roof inspector, and if necessary, contact your insurance for assistance in repairing a damaged roof.
4. Plant (and Transplant) Your Flowerbed
Many people may not realize that now is a good time to plant. Bulb plants like tulips or irises need to be planted ahead of time and will stay safe underground until spring. Planting and transplanting now will give them a little leg up, so those plants will be ready in the spring.
5. Plan Ahead for Snow
It might seem simple, but if you need to buy a new snow shovel, now is the right time. Don’t wait until the first snowfall to get a new shovel. For those Rochester snow days, buy board games for when you’re stuck inside the house because of an ice storm. source: luxeestateslifestyles.com
Looking for a custom home builder in Clarkston MI or surrounding areas? If so, please call Mazza Building & Development Company at (248) 625-3305 today!
1. Where to Save Money and Where to Splurge
In home construction, some things can be changed, and some parts of home construction are permanent. For instance, if you decide that you don’t like carpet in the living room, wood floors can be installed later. However, intricate features like a fireplace or or a built-in storage unit should be considered before building. Clarkston home owners shouldn’t skimp on structural components or doors and windows — for the safety and security of your home, you’ll want to purchase the best you can afford in these areas.
2. Avoid Unnecessary Changes
Take care of the glamour later. Things like stainless steel appliances and hot tubs shouldn’t be traded for quality construction. Your builder will be knowledgeable about home plans and how to make custom houses, and they can make suggestions about what to put in your dream home. Of course, it is also good to be aware of how your custom home design fits in with your budget.
3. Building Materials
Buy low-maintenance building materials — vinyl siding and metal roofing, for example. Even if they are somewhat more expensive at installation, they will pay for themselves in the long run as you won’t have to repair, replace, or repaint.
4. The Style of the Home
The cost of building a custom home in Clarkston MI will vary depending on what kind of design you come up with. The more expensive things you add, the more the house will be. However, there are some basic materials that all houses use that can be included to make up a rough estimate. Brick or stone siding will cost more than the vinyl siding on a cookie-cutter house. Things like architectural details, and high ceilings can make a room feel larger, and are worth the extra dough for many homeowners.
5. The Added Extras
Do I really want walnut cabinetry and a built-in entertainment center? The answer might be yes. For a family that spends a lot of time watching television, a built-in entertainment center might be well worth the cost. (It beats tripping over stray wires.) Feel free to ask your builder to look over the plan before making any final decisions. source: ezinearticles.com
Thinking about building the home of your dreams in Clarkston, Michigan? Mazza Building & Development Company can assist you and turn your dream home into a reality. Please call (248) 625-3305 for more information today!
Mazza Building & Development Company has experience in building custom homes in Birmingham, Michigan and surrounding areas. If you are thinking about building a custom home, call (248) 625-3305!
When building a custom home, a highly detailed blueprint can have many variations. These plans show the layout of each floor of the house, but in addition to your customizations, a detailed blueprint can seem overwhelming. In order to organize your thoughts when buying a custom home, here is a list of some things you’ll need to have in your home design. A typical design includes:
1. Garage Plans
Of course, it is important to house the number of vehicles in the household, but today’s garages do much more than keep the car out of the rain. For a homeowner that want’s a tool bench or workshop in their garage, make sure to customize extra room for a work space into your design.
2. Deck Plans
A deck might look confusing on a blueprint, but many homes have a corresponding deck plan complete with deck framing and deck elevations. If you’re planning to choose a lakefront home plan, a deck would be a great addition that would allow you to take advantage of the breezy and beautiful wilderness that surrounds you. Decks are also perfect for entertaining house guests. Whether your home is holiday central, or you just enjoy having some intimate friends over on a Friday night.
3. Outdoor Project Plans
We might not all be able to afford a gazebo in our backyard, but it is important to think about a landscape plan to complement your new home. While a comprehensive landscape blueprint might not be necessary, using a zone map with clear instructions can help organize what you want your new lawn to look like.
4. Foundation and Basement Plans
Don’t forget about the basement. Usual blueprints will include a foundation layout including concrete walls, posts and notes. Of the home has a basement, it will also be shown.
5. Detailed House Plans
Detailed house plans are essential to building a custom home. Large-scale views of a custom home or cutaways of the foundation may show important changes in floor, ceiling, or roof heights. These sections show exactly how various parts of the house fit together and are valuable during construction. source: http://mydigimag.rrd.com/
Mazza Building & Development Company has experience in building custom homes in Rochester, Michigan and surrounding areas. If you are thinking about building a custom home, call (248) 625-3305!
Couples pay a lot of attention to the kitchen when they build a new home, and they do this for a good reason. Designing a functional kitchen involves a number of key decisions that affect day-to-day activities. The kitchen is a the hub for families, where kids do homework and entertaining takes place. The modern kitchen has to play a number of roles, balancing functionality within the design. The bottom line? Kitchens are important. To connect the practicality that your kitchen needs with the style it must have, keep these factors in mind:
1. Smaller Spaces
Smart compact layouts are replacing copious square footage. Kitchens continue to be the heart of the home, and homeowners want open areas with strong ties to adjoining rooms. But with smaller square footage, it can be challenging to create a spacious kitchen. Most kitchens fall under a few common layouts. There’s the L-shape kitchen, with one long and one short row of counters; the U-shape kitchen, which runs in the shape of a “u”; and a G-shape kitchen, which is a U- or L-shaped kitchen with an opening for a breakfast nook or family room; and the galley kitchen, which is basically two rows of counters with an aisle running through it. In many of these kitchens, depending on the square footage, homeowners can opt to include an island. To get the most kitchen space, home buyers should think about which layout they want, and how to add kitchen amenities like cabinets, counters etc.
2. Quality of Building Material
Since the kitchen is an important room, it is vital to choose the best materials for a kitchen. When selecting kitchen cabinets, look for quality. This is not the place to be overly consumed with trying to save money. Well-made cabinets will provide lasting pleasure and functionality for decades. Drawers (as opposed to cabinets with doors) are more useful and efficient even compared to cabinets with pullout drawers. In addition, choose hard surface, durable, and high quality counter tops. There are a variety of colors and selections available. Granite is an ideal counter surface for the most important room in the house.
3. Layout
The ideal kitchen—and the plan most kitchens follow—is the triangle path cooks make between the fridge, stove and sink when prepping meals. Professional kitchen designers and builders follow this rule of thumb: There should be less than 23 feet running from the oven, sink and fridge, with counters next to each component.
With expert guidance from the professionals at Mazza Building & Development, you can design a fabulous kitchen. We’ve been helping homeowners in and around Rochester, Michigan with quality custom-built homes, and we can walk you through the process of building a custom home, from selecting a home plan to choosing light fixtures for your kitchen.
Mazza Building & Development Company has experience in building custom homes in West Bloomfield, Michigan and surrounding areas. If you are thinking about building a custom home, call (248) 625-3305!
We hear it all the time: going green, being eco-friendly, and doing our part to save the environment, but how does being eco-friendly relate to home building? You don’t have to build a house with a bamboo roof to “go green.” There are plenty of ways to go green when building a home, and here are some ways to cut costs, and our part in saving the environment.
Why Build an Eco-Friendly Home?
Green buildings use less energy, water, create less waste, and are generally healthier than standard buildings. Environmentally friendly building designs often reflect the surrounding environment and natural resources, and utilize renewable building materials. Contractors of green buildings incorporate techniques that use resources more efficiently during the entire building cycle—construction, renovation, operation, and maintenance —than builders of conventional structures. In short, green buildings minimize human impact on the environment, while also slashing energy costs for homeowners. Green homes generally:
Reduce operating costs
Improve indoor air quality
Cut down on energy consumption
Sustainable homes start with excellent green design and green architecture. Careful site selection is important to minimize environmental damage. For example, placing a structure in an area that allows it to take advantage of cool breezes and sunlight can reduce energy use and expenses. A good home developer will be able to help point you pick a site and discuss the advantages of an eco-friendly home.
How to Build an Environmentally Friendly Home
For those home buyers that want an eco-friendly home in If you are thinking about building a custom home, call (248) 625-3305!, Michigan, Mazza Building and Development can help. Usually, the cost of constructing green buildings is 15-20% more than that of regular structures, but they help save nearly 30% more energy and can save you up to 50% in water consumption annually. Good developers will be aware of ways to help reduce costs. For instance, wet areas in the house, such as kitchen and bathroom, should be close to each other to reduce plumbing and consumption of hot water. Diminishing the cost of your West Bloomfield home while also cutting energy costs is a top priority for us. source: http://www.infoplease.com/, http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/
If you are thinking about building a custom home in West Bloomfield, MI, call (248) 625-3305!
Are you looking for an expert home builder in Rochester, MI? If so, contact the Mazza Building & Development Company, your best choice for custom home building in Rochester, MI. Call (248) 625-3305 today for more information!
For custom home buyers, building a unique home design is a top priority. Building a custom home means living comfortably within your own creative vision and, for some people, recreating a common home design is just not interesting. But the question remains, just how do I make my house unique?
A custom home buyer doesn’t need to install a giant chandelier to make their house unique. It’s all in the design, and for those that want a unique home here are a couple of ways to do it.
Show the Structural Design
Rather than concealing the nature of the home, Modern style wants the viewer to see the inner-workings and the true nature of the project. More often than not, the raw building materials such as wood and brick are visible to showcase the simplicity of the home. Nothing is hidden or altered to look like something else. Buyers that want a unique modern home might consider including elements in their home such as exposed beams, open floor plans, and structural elements that are exposed to the viewer.
Open Up the Space
Adding a curved window into a living can make it seem luxurious and innovative. However, adding an angular addition to the home will change the whole dynamic of the room. To make it unique, add a natural element such as a couple of indoor plants or maybe even an indoor herb garden in the kitchen for a personal flare.
Make Some Added Extras
An easy way to make a home unique is to add some small and relatively inexpensive personal touch onto your custom home. Some small home design changes like adding a built-in doghouse or even just adding a storage space under the stairs can make your home seem unique, and keep your guests talking.
Mazza Building & Development Company has experience in building custom homes in Clarkston, Michigan and surrounding areas. If you are thinking about building a custom home, call (248) 625-3305!
When building a custom home, the first question on every home buyer’s mind is “what will it cost?” However, the bottom line is that how much your home costs will be greatly influenced by what exactly you want in your home, how you want your home to look and the types of finishes that you want to have. So where should you spend your money when building a custom home?
The Kitchen:
While a significant chunk of money goes into the kitchen, it is worth paying extra for amenities. When it comes to certain interior features, many buyers are willing to spend thousands of dollars above the price of the home to have them included. According to a USA today survey done in 2013, 55% of those who bought a home without a granite counter top said they would pay extra for it. Moreover, 69% of survey participants said they would spend more on a new home if it had new kitchen appliances. According to the results of the survey, it is worth it in the long run to spend a little extra for kitchen amenities.
However, for those on a tight budget, it might not be possible to install granite counters. For those that are short on money, it can be a good idea to cut costs on the finishes or trim in the home. Fixtures like faucets can always be replaced later and this can be an area to cut costs when building. When working a budget, it might be necessary to give up some of your wants to fulfill your needs.
The Family Room:
Oversize, don’t undersize, your family room. Families tend to gather and spend time in the family room. If you were to oversize any room, make this room a little larger than you think you need. For those that can’t afford a spacious family room, adding lighting to a family room can make it look larger. Here, it might be a good idea to skip buying hardwood floors and add a little extra square footage in the home.
The Master Bath:
This room is the owner’s retreat, a place to relax and unwind. Upgrading your master bath’s size and finishes will be an important feature and provide a good investment return. For those on a tight budget, bigger bathroom tiles might be an easy way to add some wiggle room into the budget. Larger tiles create a luxury look with less maintenance.
Room Size:
Make sure your rooms are large enough to meet your needs. It’s very expensive to come back later and add twelve or eighteen inches to a room because you’ve just realized it’s to small. If you’re on a limited budget, it’s better to hold of on some of the finishes than cut down the size of your rooms. Finishes can be added later, and the cost may only be slightly higher than if you installed them during the initial construction process.
Design Service:
Working with a builder is an essential part of building a custom home. What you will pay the builder to build your house will be agreed upon between you and the builder and be something that you are both comfortable with and believe is fair. When hiring a builder, you should know exactly what the builder is earning and what is being done to earn that money. With Mazza Building & Development, not only will you enjoy an unique home, but you’ll save time and money . sources: www.usatoday.com/, bbbuilders.com
Mazza Building built the custom home of our dreams in Clarkston MI! Not only did they exceed our expectations but they finished ahead of scheduled. I am over the moon happy. Thanks so much!
Top quality builders! I love my custom built home and get compliments on it all the time. The owner Eugene takes great care if you and his team is prompt and professional.
We hired Mazza Building to create us our “dream home”. The results were stunning and we don’t want to ever move out of this house because it’s absolutely perfect. Can’t thank their team enough!!
Was very happy I hired Mazza Building Company to design and build our custom dream home. It was built with the highest level of detail, great communication, and it turned out fabulous. We love our new home!
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