DIY Building Kit

Although many clients at least consult with a framer or general contractor - it is not unusual for a client to participate, supervise or even do the basic assembly of the package.  As our framing packages are conventional construction any qualified contractor or framer can easily assist as no special qualifications or experience are required.

Using this garage as a simple illustration, the wall panels are laid out in order and lifted into place:

 

 

For more information go to www.northcoastpackagedhomes.com

What is the difference between a stick-built, panelized, manufactured or modular home?

What is the difference?

Stick-built Homes – The term “stick-built” or “site built” refers to a home that has not been pre-assembled.  Stick built homes take longer to construct than the other options and are normally more expensive to build but they do offer the option of complete customization.

Panelized, Packaged, Pre-cut, Pre-fab or Kit Homes –These terms refer to a “stick built” home constructed of factory-built wall panels with the windows installed and roof trusses which are shipped to the site on trucks and lifted into place.  When finished, a panelized home will be indistinguishable from a “site-built” home but as any custom home they must comply with the local building codes.  But unlike a “site-built” home construction time is greatly reduced and is less expensive to build.

Modular or “Off-frame” Homes – These terms refer to a factory-built house constructed to the HUD Code and the regulation of factories producing these homes is strict.  Modular homes can be single- or multi-sectional and are typically built on a 2 x 10 platform designed to be placed over a crawl space.  Modular homes have completed finishes so the design choices are limited but this is a comparatively quick and less expensive method of construction.

Manufactured or “On-frame” Homes – These terms refer to a house built on a permanent chassis and presently are not built to the HUD Code and do not meet the standards for conventional financing.  These homes are completed in the factory and offer few design options but construction is quick and they are the least expensive method of construction.

Deciding which type of home is better than the other depends on the individual situation:

Transport  - Since all but site-built homes are built to be transported accessibility of the site is critical.  As panelized homes are in smaller bundles unloaded from a larger trailer they are deliverable to all but a few sites but no special license is required as with a manufactured home.

Selling – A panelized home sells and finances as any other custom stick built home.  The State’s manufactured housing board regulates and licenses persons selling manufactured and modular homes. A real estate license is not required to sell a panelized home package, modular or manufactured home not affixed to real estate.

When planning on installing a manufactured or modular home on a property, it may be necessary to see if there are any subdivision covenants or zoning codes that may prevent the presence of a manufactured or modular home on the property.  Additionally, when selling manufactured or modular homes this fact must be disclosed.  A serial number and label is permanently attached to these homes showing compliance with building code standards (modular) and HUD code (manufactured) or both.

Simply put a panelized home package has all of the benefits of a custom site-built home providing higher quality at a lower cost.  It allows the home owner complete freedom in the design of the home and choice of materials and it sells and finances and appreciates in value as a normal house would.  Although the quality of modular and manufactured homes has increased tremendously, one should still consider the long term value when constructing your dream home.

For more information go to www.northcoastpackagedhomes.com

Nugent Art Studio Delivery (& Art!!)

Normally when I write about a delivery - it is because something interesting...........or difficult happened.  This delivery was in the scope of moving a huge truck down a country road, well rather uneventful.  We blocked traffic on the major road, backed down to the job site, did a little accidental tree trimming and then Clint threaded the trusses and longer pieces of lumber through the trees with the gradeall to the site.  In other words pretty normal.  The foundation and sub-floor were done and while the truck was being unloaded for the art studio, the contractor and crew started standing walls.

Sometimes though some sites are a lot of fun and I get to send photos back to the factory of the project under construction............

Oops..............I meant the photo of the art studio.

Then some clients cannot resist surfing the lumber before we get the stickers fully underneath.

But all kidding aside - one of the great pleasures of my job is helping people with a new home or in this case a new art studio.  And sometimes to share a little bit more about those clients.  So when I said that I am helping with an artist's studio - I can share a little more.  In addition to helping to create the labels for Imagery Winery and being a Professor of Art at a local university, I am very confident having seen his surfing skills to suggest he keep his day job!!

To see more images and learn more about Bob please click the link below:

Nugent and Company

AZ

For more information go to www.northcoastpackagedhomes.com

Client Recommendations

So many of my clients share the same goal in their construction projects - building a high quality, energy efficient, safe home economically. It is normally the research to achieve this goal that has them cross my path in the first place. And it is this quality that also has them finding new and/or innovative products that they use in the construction of their homes.

In order to share some of these products I am going to begin to put some of these referrals under "Useful Links." These products will be different than those referred to under "What's Included" which is specific products that are used in the manufacture of your framing package.

Needless to say I recommend that you do your own research on these products but the fact that one of my clients has already given a thumbs up hopefully gives your a head start!

www.brandguardvents.com

WUI approved flame and ember resistant vents - the only one with overlapping baffle protection.

With so many of my clients being in an area that the special Wildland Fire Codes applies to - this site was recommended as a high quality economical vent.

www.dowpowerhouse.com

Solar shingles - need I say more? Not inexpensive but an attractive alternative to getting off the grid.

 

For more information go to www.northcoastpackagedhomes.com

Universal Design

What is Universal Design?

Universal Design is the incorporation of structural and non-structural elements into a residence that are attractive and usable by all persons regardless of age, size and ability.  A home designed using these principles simplifies daily life for residents and guests as needs and physical abilities change.  Incorporating Universal Design features into a residence in the pre-construction stage adds little cost relative to the future cost of retrofitting a residence built with traditional design features.  Done well, Universal design becomes a virtually invisible element that benefits any person occupying or utilizing a residence.

Objective - Insure accessibility to the residence for any person including those with different physical abilities.

• Provide an accessible route of travel from the public sidewalk or street to the primary entrance in the form of a graded path, ramp or driveway to graded path.
• Provide at least one step free entrance into the home.
• Provide a 60' x 60' (5' diameter) clearance at the primary entrance to the home

Objective - Improve overall circulation and allow people, furniture and appliances to move with ease in and out of the home.

• Provide flush thresholds exterior maximum of 1/2 inch beveled, interior maximum 1/4 inch
• Provide 42" wide hallways with 32" clearance doorways on an accessible route

Objective - Reduce bending, straining and twisting when turning on lights, faucets or when reaching for items on shelves.

• Include variable height (28" - 42") work surfaces such as counter tops, sinks and/or cook tops in the kitchen
• 50% of all storage within the home should be less than 54' high
• Provide structural reinforcement within bathroom walls adjacent to toilet, shower and bathtub for future installation of grab bars
• Full bathroom on an accessible route including a minimum 60' x 60' turning area, walk in shower and a clear space for use of the sink
• Include adjustable (36" - 60") rods and shelves within closets
• Install lever style door handles and faucet handles and rocker panel light switches throughout the home
• Install electrical panel with top more than 54" above floor and include a minimum 30" x 48" clear floor space in front of panel
• Install light switches 42" - 48" above the floor, electrical outlets 18" - 24" above the floor and thermostats no more than 48" above the floor.

Objective - Create easy recognition of the junction of floor surfaces and walls to reduce the likelihood of injury.

• Include color contrasts between the following areas: floor surfaces and trims, stair treads and risers, and counter tops and front edges or cabinet faces
• Provide smooth, slip resistant flooring.  if carpeted use low density (less than 1/2 inch high pile) with a firm pad

Objective - Allow residents and visitors complete access to home when changing needs or physical abilities occur.

• Complete single floor living spaces.  Provide entry, kitchen, laundry area, full bath and flex room on primary level of home
• Flex room should be usable as family room, nursery, playroom, home office or bedroom depending on the needs of the residents
• Avoid steps between rooms or areas on the primary floor of the residence

For more information go to www.northcoastpackagedhomes.com

The Difference Between Stick Built and Panelization

To your local building department or your lender, there is no difference between a panelized home and a conventional on site stick built home.


To you the owner, the differences are tremendous.

Higher Quality - Your custom framing package will be factory built with all of the wall panels constructed from dry lumber on a gig so that every corner is 90 degrees.  This  results in a better product than can be built on the ground on the site.

Cost Savings - Typically your framing package will be 10 to 25% less on site framing depending on the location and design.

Pre-Engineered Home Plans - We offer 36 home plans that can be modified to meet your site, needs and local building department requirements.  Fully engineered these drawings are ready to submit for your permit to California standards and the all code corrections are done at no additional charge.  With the current 100% rebate on these plans this can be a savings of many thousands of dollars.

 

Custom Drafting and Engineering - If one of the Pre-Engineered plans does not meet your needs we can assist you will custom drafting and engineering.  Completing hundreds of construction documents each year we not only offer engineering solutions that can save money but also a very high quality product.  It is not unusual for our drawings to go through plan check without a single redline correction.  And documents that our prepared by us receive an additional discount built into the package pricing.

Guaranteed Pricing - Depending on the size of the deposit given pricing can be guaranteed up to six months from the time of the contract to the date of delivery.  This is unparalleled in an industry where price increases occur on a regular basis and bids are only good for 30 days.

Speed of Construction - This photograph was taken 48 hours after the delivery of the framing package.  The framing of a typical home is done in days rather than months.

Guaranteed Materials - You are guaranteed the materials required to assemble your framing package are delivered to your site.  Years of experience insures that all of the materials are shipped with the wall panels and roof trusses to insure assembly.  This saves multiple trips to the store to purchase additional materials.

Local Representation - From advice on land purchase and choosing of the design through the delivery and assembly of your framing package we are there to assist you.  Rain or shine.

For more information go to www.northcoastpackagedhomes.com

Very Busy Spring

Well spring is fully upon us and we have been very busy helping clients get new projects begun, drawn and through their local building departments.

The residence up in Angwin is almost done and I did have a chance to get up there about a month ago and here are some afternoon pictures (which are unfortunately a little dark!)

 

For more information go to www.northcoastpackagedhomes.com