Old barn, near Telluride with Mt. Wilson in background. Courtesy: http://mtns.nathan-hale.com
I took a week off from posting, following the Parade of Homes. In that week, the leaves around Durango have jumped into fall, in earnest. Our prolonged monsoon season has passed and we’re back to dry, clear days. As though I needed a reminder of why I love living here, the drive to Silverton ~ popping with autumn color ~ is the visual cue to acknowledge how lucky we are.
Back to the Parade of Homes. Huge thanks to all who came out. I estimate that nearly 500 people participated! Thank you, also, to the Home Builders Association of Southwest Colorado for organizing the weekend. An event like this demonstrates the high level of community interest in design, architecture and quality building. I sincerely hope that everyone planning a project came away with some inspiration.
In addition to leaf-peeping and taking advantage of the waning daylight hours, fall is the ideal time to begin planning your 2012 building projects. Here’s why (read through the end for the biggie):
- Availability: Winter is a slower time for most contractors in SW Colorado. Meetings will be easier to set and interior projects will be easier to schedule. Black Canyon Builders often takes on interior remodeling projects in the winter, when the relative flexibility of sub-contractors and other resources results in quicker turnaround times.
- Time: With a spring start date, early planning gives ample time to line out permits and design details. An extended planning phase can mitigate some of the inevitable stressors homeowners experience.
- Real Estate: Spring is the most popular time to buy (read: most expensive), which means that fall can sometimes be a great time to pick up a lot.
- Save money: If you’re planning to build a timber frame, set the plans in motion this fall. Woodhouse will institute a normal rate increase as of January 1, 2012. While the increase isn’t huge (a few percentage points), it makes sense to take advantage of the lower prices in 2011. A non-refundable deposit secures the lower rate, and we can arrange for the timber frame package to arrive when the snow melts in spring 2012.
Never hesitate to give me a call with any questions (970.903.9577).
Thanks!
Jared
