The Builder's Blog

An accessible home is simply a home that is easy to approach and enter.  Once inside, the home is easy to navigate and use with features well within reach.  The common denominator is "easy".

Sounds like a home we would all like to enjoy having.  Well, it's true.  Future home owners are building custom homes or remodeling existing homes to meet the needs of accessibility.  Recently, I have experienced an increased awareness and desire for this type of home building.  It makes a lot of sense.  More than ever, customers are paying close attention to the idea of building it "right" the first time.  Moving from house to house may no longer be an option for families.  So in building a custom home, customers are considering their current needs and future needs.

Accessible homes fill the needs of many people.  My customers' needs range from having special physical issues to those who know that they will face future challanges.  More importantly, I am seeing interest in this type of home from customers with no special needs at present...those that are just interested in an "easier" home.

Accessibility comes in many forms.  It can be as simple as having low threshholds on one entrance and a guest bath on the main floor for visitors with needs.  It can be as complicated as working on every detail of a house to fit specific physical challenges.  Overall, it is a wide variety that seems to best fit a custom build.

When interviewing builders, ask questions about their experience in barrier free homes.  Find out if they understand details, for example, the building specs for a roll-in shower.  I think you will quickly figure out if the builder has the knowlege to competently tackle your project. And it doesn't hurt to ask if the builder or someone else in the company understands some of the real estate and financing options involved in this type of project.

Accessible homes are getting more attention these days.  If you are making a decision to build or remodel, it is definately worth your time to explore the available options with your builder. 

In this builder's opinion, yes and no.  First off, the idea for this blog is a product of all of the massive tornadoes and storms that have been tearing apart communities across the country in the past weeks.  The images that we see each day leave us speechless.  We all sincerely hope and pray for a successful recovery period for everyone effected by the destruction.

Many times in my line of work, I come across individuals who purchase a basement home..."in case of a tornado".  Please don't get me wrong...a basement is a great place to go during potentially violent storms.  But, it isn't really just about getting to the basement.  Your family needs to locate the safest place in the basement.

Getting your family under the porch area in the basement is probably one of the safest things to do.  Or, if custom building a home, you can put in a reinforced "safe-room" for the same purpose.  Too many times, a house can simply collapse down into a basement.  If you are not protected by reinforcement overhead, you can imagine the consequences of such a collapse.

Recently, I have noticed that even the news media is refraining from saying simply..."get to the basement".  The language has changed to "safe spot".  I agree.  Get to the basement if you have one...but also get to the safe spot in that basement.

It is a concern to see customers that are looking for basement homes for storms.  A lot of the times, their intent seems to be to have the family sleep in the basement for the night, so they don't have to move to seek shelter.  This is not quite accurate...sleeping in the basement through a storm is not going to keep you safe.  A basement is not always a guarantee that you everything will be fine!  You have to make the extra effort to limit the potential of being trapped or hurt by a collapse of the home if it happens.

So, again the answer is yes and no.  I encourage those readers who have managed to make it through the recent storms untouched to please take time to review your "safe spot" whether you have a basement or not.  Make sure you are selecting the best location in your home to ride out a potentially violent storm.  If you don't know the safest spot, call your builder.  He or she may have a good opinion about the structural viability of the safe spot you choose. Remember: making a plan now could save your family's lives.

Good question...but it could be a great question by simply changing one word.  How about:  How do I choose a great builder?

Building a house is one of the most challenging yet rewarding projects to undertake.  Don't start off the your search for a builder by settling for "good".  You need to search for a "great" builder to give you the best chance of pulling off a great build.

My advice:  Look closely at a builder's professional memberships, stability, and location.

Check to see how your potential builder is affiliated with professional organizations.  He or she should be in good standing with the National Association of Home Builders at the very least.  This lets you know that he or she has opportunities to connect with the industry on a national and local level.  Also, association with the Better Business Bureau is always very telling about how the builder deals with complaints or issues after a build.  Check for years of activity and the rating.  Let's face it...an A+ rating after 10 years in the BBB says a lot more than an A+ rating after only 2 years.  Also, check to see if the builder supports benevolent groups that you care about.  Many builders support non-profits and social organizations that are philanthropic as well.  As an example, Habitat for Humanity is a great choice for builders.  Any builder working for Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to donating time, skill, and resources in an ongoing effort.  But that is by no means the only opportunity for giving back.

Next, look for stability.  Stability is basically referring to the overall health of the building company.  Ask questions like:  How long has the company been in business?  How long have you personally run the company?  Most builders would not be offended by such questions.  Another subject that gives insight into a builder's stability is their relationships with lenders and banking institutes.  Although it is difficult to flat out address this with a builder, somewhere in your interviewing process, it should become clear that the builder has well established relationships with these types of groups.

Lastly, I believe that location is important.  Where is the builder before, during, and after your build?  Maybe it is important for you to meet a builder at a fancy office location with the state of art...well everything.  But ask yourself this:  If the builder spends all of the time at the office, who does the actual overseeing at the jobsite?  I've said it before and it is worth saying again...make sure you know the difference between a builder who is just a "contact-or" and one who is actually a contractor.  Really think hard about whether your potential choice is going to be willing to meet with you when something doesn't go quite right.  And that time will come!  There is no perfect build...it's how the builder personally handles the good and the bad that matters.  Being at the office won't fix the problems that are happening at the site.

What about testimonials?  Of course, word of mouth is hugely important.  I guess I figure that you would use references before you actually picked your top choices.  But just remember, every build is different.  Just because a friend had a good or bad experience, doesn't mean that the same holds true for you.

You are committing time, money, and resources into this project.  Get to know the builder before you start.  They will probably be on your speed dial or texting favorites, before it is all finished.  Better pick someone who you like to communicate with or it will be the longest project of your life!

It's been about 10 years since Clarksville has seen a Parade of Homes.  So, it seems well past time to get one organized.  I'm happy to announce that the Clarksville Montgomery County Homebuilders Association has revived the Parade of Homes concept.

September 30th - October 3rd, the Scattered Parade of Homes will showcase approximately 14 homes across Montgomery County.  Woodson Construction is pleased to have one of our Cedarmont homes showcased.

We can't officially announce the exact address of the participating homes until the newspaper release on September 26th.  However, I can assure you that I have selected a great floorplan to represent our company.

The details can be found on our site by clicking "Parade Home" on the navigation bar.  It's not too expensive...just $5 and kids are free. 

We hope to see you there!

Recently, I had a customer call the office and ask for assistance with something in their home.  Just to clarify, they have been in their home for quite awhile.  They were out of warranty but not necessarily out of luck.  In fact, calling the original builder (in this case, me) was exactly what they needed to do.

In Tennessee, builders typically provide warranties to their customers which go into effect at closing (unless there was early move-in and the warranty started at that date).   It is simply called a one-year builder's warranty.  Now, this blog is not meant to explain the ins and outs of the warranty, and I am not a lawyer.  I am merely trying to point out that the warranty for workmanship is basically one year.

During that one year, your builder is usually your first call for items that warrant repair, service, or attention.  However, what happens after you are through that first year?  Are you on your own?

I personally encourage customers to call the office if they need assistance with items.  Dishwasher breaks down?  Window broken by a baseball and needs to be replaced?  Hail storm damage your roof?  The builder may not be obligated to pay for these items, but they should be willing to help you connect to the proper vendors or recommend the appropriate sub-contractor.  You should not feel completely alone.  Nor is it necessary to try to handle it all yourself.  Reach out to your original builder and see if they can help with the situation.  It certainly doesn't hurt to ask.

When you purchase a new home, please select your builder wisely.  Yes, they are obligated to be there for you during that first year.  But, I highly recommend that you select a builder based on their ability to actually show up to service the warranty.  And more importantly, build with someone who you can build a relationship with past the warranty.  I always say that the builder - customer relationship is just as important as the home itself.

PS.  It's mighty hot out there right now, folks.  Watch out for heat related problems that can arise both for your house and yourself.  Even we don't work on the roof at lunchtime!  Work smart and drink lots of water.