From The Blog

Photo: Landsofcolorado.com

The first time you step onto a plot of vacant land, you’ll probably begin to envision your new home immediately: where you’ll put the kitchen, how the master suite will be oriented to take advantage of the views and how much you’ll enjoy sunset cocktails on the deck. It’s a wonderful moment. Soak it in.

That first inspiring moment ~ with dreams of what will be ~ is not the time to bust out the calculator and measuring tape. But before you sign on the dotted line, give your builder a call.

With Black Canyon Builders, a site visit is a no-commitment opportunity to assess not only if your land can accommodate the type of home you want, but also if that property will pose any obvious challenges to your budget and design preferences. The results may even help in your negotiations with the sellers. (Clearly, no guarantees.)

If you’re already the proud owner of the land, then the tone of the site visit will focus not so much on identifying the pros and cons, but rather to finding solutions. Here are a few things we will consider together:

Logistics:

• What type of home would you like? If you’re planning a timber frame home we can keep the construction disturbance to a minimum footprint.
• Access: will we need to build roads or initiate major excavation?
• How will the access issues impact construction timing?
• Does the location provide any notable challenges for delivery trucks, semis or local suppliers?
• Are there any impediments to site selection on the property (like boulders, seasonal waterways, etc.)?

Lifestyle Preferences:

• How will the exposure impact passive heating or even an official residential solar system?
• How can we orient the house to maximize views and energy efficiency?
• Are there any natural features that may enhance or hinder the inclusion of a feature you’ve prioritized (large deck overlooking a cliff, flat space for kids to play, etc.)

Next Steps:

As soon as we’ve assessed the property, we can get started right away on design. If you’re building a timber frame home, Woodhouse will provide a design agreement and get the process underway. (We can also coordinate your architect with the Woodhouse architect.) In the former example, Woodhouse will prepare the conceptual drawings (floorplan and elevations), ¼-inch scale drawings and construction drawings. Once all plans are approved, I will get rolling on the permitting process and you will be one-step closer to your new home. For more information, click here.

Keep an eye out for the next step in the BCB blog series on building your home: the finances of design.

Thanks,

Jared

970.903.9577