5 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Floor Plan

Anyone who is a homeowner can tell you that choosing a home is one of the most exciting times in your life. From selecting a location to taking into account the local school district, it is a major decision with many factors to consider. But, the most important aspect is whether or not you’re comfortable in your surroundings. The right floor plans can factor in how you experience your home. Of course, you want a floor plan that is suitable and with that comes many considerations such as size, shape and location of rooms, to name a few.

To help you pick the best floor plan, Custom Smart Homes reviews five floor plan tips homeowners should keep in mind.

1. Determine what size home suits your family

When choosing a floor plan, you should first start with how much space will fit your family's lifestyle. How many bedrooms and bathroom will you need? Is there easy access to the kitchen from the front door? Do you want a hangout room for hosting guests? You want each room to have enough space so that it's suitable.

2. Choose a floor plan based on your own design style

Are you more traditional or more modern in regards to style? This is your home, so understandably you want a floor plan that reflects your style. Think of your furnishings and how you plan to decorate your home as this can impact your floor plan.

3. Will you need to use existing or buy new furniture?

When choosing a floor plan, keep in mind the furniture that you will need for each room. This is important because you want to make sure that the furniture will fit comfortably in the desired rooms. You also want to avoid placing over-sized furniture in rooms that will make them feel smaller than they are. You may be able to use existing furniture or have to buy new furniture.

4. Have a budget before selecting a floor plan

A floor plan can be a fairly large purchase, so before you look at a floor plan, you should become familiar with the costs associated. You can speak to a contractor to help you determine costs and you can narrow down the floor plan that fits within your budget.

5. Speak to a real estate agent or design professional for advice

Although you may know what floor plan you want, you should speak to a real estate agent or design professional for their feedback. They can offer advice and consider factors that you may have overlooked.

4 Questions to Ask When Considering a Home Addition

Although you like your home, do you feel like there's just not enough space? Maybe there's no guest room, no playroom, or just no room for everyone to have their own room. While you made the best of what you already have, it's probably time for an addition. If an addition is doable with your home's structure and site, it's a reasonable and affordable solution. But, there are a number of things to be considered when adding a home addition.

As a family owned and operated business established by Lizzio Development Group which receives many positive reviews, we're here to help guide you in the home addition process. Below are four questions to ask yourself when considering an addition:

1. What type of addition do you want?

You have an array of additions to choose from, which will depend upon the use of the room. Types of additions include a bump out, sun room, conservatory, bedroom, and a garage, to name a few of the most common. Also, think long-term and if the added space will ultimately serve a purpose. You don't want to pay for an addition only for it not to be used.

2. Do you have space?

Once you know the type of addition you want, take a look and determine if you have the available space for it. Depending on the type of addition, the space size may vary. For example, adding a bedroom may require more space than a sun room. Also, consider the best area of your home to place the addition. You want to be able to easily access the room and not have it be an inconvenience. 

3. Will it match your home?

Anytime you add an addition to your home, you want to make sure that your addition design blends well with your home's original structure and style. For example, if your home is made of vinyl, you will need to find that material to use for your addition. You don't want to use material that won't complement your home.

4. Will it increase the value of your home?

While many believe that a home addition will increase the value of the home, that's not always true. A well-planned and well-executed addition will certainly increase your home's value, but a poorly planned and executed one will not only have a zero impact on the value of your home, but it will result in a loss of money. You will wind up paying money for an addition that ultimately hurts the value of your home. Therefore, it may be in your best interest to speak to a realtor first to ensure that the addition is really worth it.

Comparing Methods of Construction

Here at Custom Smart Homes, we specialize in the modular construction of your new home. However, we are aware that there are other methods out there so here is a comparison of the options available to custom home buyers. As always, if you have any questions or concerns at any time during your thought process or as you choose the option for you, please contact us. We look forward to assisting you during this exciting time!

A custom home can be built in one of two fashions, our preferred method of modular or the more traditional stick method. There are some major differences between the two that can be highlighted by looking at some major thinking points.

The Natural Factors

It is no secret that Mother Nature possesses a fury like nothing else. While the weather here in Eastern Tennessee is usually calm, it can get a little rocky at times. When considering your method of new home construction, it is important to keep Mother Nature and her possible effects on your plans in mind.

A traditional stick built home is built right on your property. While this may seem like a good idea, it can be a bit troublesome when you consider the weather. Being as these properties are constructed in the elements they are certainly open to anything that may happen. Weather may also force your builder to change their timeline, meaning you may also have to change your moving timeline.

On the other hand, a modular structure is not built on site. Rather it is built in our climate controlled factory allowing us to work through any weather conditions. Being built inside also protects the structure from any debris that may be kicked up during a storm.

Selling In the Future

Selling a traditional stick built home is something that can be handled either by the owner, or ideally by a real estate agent looking to get the most out of the property.

However, if you plan to sell your manufactured home, there are a few things you are going to want to check. The most important of which is, if you have leased the property the home is on because you live in a community, make sure that the home can stay where it is.

At Custom Smart Homes, we look forward to creating dreams for each of you. As you make your construction choice, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.

3 Great Reasons to Buy a Modular Home

When it's time for you to buy a new home, you have several options. You could get a condo or townhome, a pre-owned house, or you could find a new development that's being constructed and get a brand new home. But there's another option that you might not have thought about before.  

Modular homes are gaining popularity. These are not the same thing as a motor home, trailer or a double-wide; they’re exactly what they sound like -- homes built in modules and then put together once each part is finished. They're a great option to consider for your next home and here are a few reasons why:

You get your home built very quickly

Buying from a builder in a lot could leave you without a home for several months. If you're selling your current home and have a limited amount of time to wait for a new one, this could be a problem for you.

Modular homes are built in factories using an assembly line style manufacturing technique, which allows the companies to get the job done very quickly. You don't have to wait around for subcontractors who won't show up, you don't have to worry about weather halting construction, and night-time work is even a possibility.

Your entire home can be built in just a couple weeks, after which it will take another couple of weeks to set the structure up on your plot. You could be in your new home in as little as a month.

It can be less expensive

Generally, a modular home builder can buy all the necessary materials in bulk, which can save them a lot of money. That savings is passed on to the home buyer. In addition, because the homes are built in a factory, there is far less waste and loss, which also keeps costs down. Labor can often be less expensive, too.

The best financial reason to opt for a modular home is that they come at a fixed price. There won't be any surprises or price increases when your house is done. That can sometimes be a real concern when you're dealing with an average builder -- they run out of materials and require more money to continue.

It is worth noting that modular homes won't always be cheaper, but in general the value can be higher.

You'll get a high quality home

A lot of new homes, especially in large, new developments, are built not just inexpensively but cheaply. Have you ever driven past a new lot and wondered how homes that big could be sold for so little? It's because they use cheap labor, cheap materials, and cheap construction.

Modular homes are built with precision by necessity, so that everything fits perfectly and lasts for a lifetime. The right builder won't skimp on the materials, either.

There are many builders, Custom Smart Homes for example, that take pride in constructing quality modular homes. Find one or a few in your area and do some research. Get to know them and pick the best one. You may find that a modular home is exactly what you've been looking for!

Three Common Design Mistakes People Make When Planning Their Home

Custom Smart Homes takes home building seriously, that’s why we have so many satisfied customers.  People choose to work with our company for a variety of reasons.  Some want to live in brand new green homes, and others choose us because they heard good things about our services.  It isn’t uncommon for some people to choose Custom Smart Homes because they want to own a modular home.  Since modular homes come in a variety of pre-designed floor plans, our customers know that they won’t get any nasty surprises after construction is over.  Planning and designing a home isn’t easy, and it isn’t uncommon for people who are new to it to make a mistake.  When you’re planning your dream home, make sure you don’t make any of these common design mistakes.

Too much storage

You’ve always dreamed of having a spacious walk-in closet and a two door garage, but depending on the size of the rest of your home you may end up regretting your wish for extra storage space.  Your plot of land may seem large, but once you tack on extra storage space to your floor plan that plot is going to get much smaller.  Your big closets, basement, and garage will eat into space in your home, and your other rooms may have to lose some square feet in order to fit it all.  

Sealing windows

In a state where air conditioners are considered a necessity and not a luxury, it can be easy to take fresh air and air circulation for granted.  Some people choose to have certain windows permanently sealed so that they can avoid robbery attempts.  If you’re truly concerned about safety look into getting a home security system instead of sealing up your home.  Sealed windows pose a significant safety hazard, especially in case of a house fire or a need to evacuate quickly.  

“Specialty” Rooms

There are countless home owners that envision having a sewing room, a home office, a game room, or a workout room, but sometimes those visions don’t turn out the way they want them to.  Unless you’re an avid worker, exerciser, or gamer, you really don’t need an extra room solely devoted to that activity.  It’s more likely for your game room to turn into a storage center for boxes and other possessions than it is to become an actual game room.  Instead of designing a room to server one purpose, leave it open for other possible ideas.

Three Tips For Improving Your Customer Service

When you run a business your customers can make or break you, so it’s crucial for entrepreneurs to try to keep their clients as happy as possible.  There are some people that are just natural people pleasers, and having the urge to make others happy can be a valuable skill for every businessman.  Custom Smart Homes builds homes, but our customer service advice can be applied to any industry.   Wanting to make others happy is an admirable trait, but sometimes it can be easier said than done.  There’s nothing more difficult than trying to stay calm when you’re dealing with an angry and agitated customer, but if you remember to keep a few things in mind you won’t have a problem keeping your cool.

Find common ground

Have you ever heard of the concept of implicit egotism?  In layman’s terms, it’s a psychological concept that states that people generally like other people more if they have something in common.  If you can find a way to relate to your unhappy customer, your empathy can common traits can help you keep a customer.  If you have an unhappy customer that has a family, mention that you understand as a parent and family member how important it is for them to have exemplary products and services.  

Use positive language

“It’s not what you said, it’s the way that you said it.”

How many times have you heard that phrase during a disagreement?  The tone of our voice and our choice of words can profoundly affect how people react to us, so make sure that you keep things positive when you’re dealing with angry customers.  Avoid using words like “don’t”, “can’t”, “won’t”, and other words that have negative connotations.  Instead of saying that you can’t ship a certain product until the end of month, explain to the customer that the soonest that you’ll have the product will be by the end of the month, and that you’d be happy to place an order for them. 

Don’t rush

You obviously want to resolve the customer’s probably as quickly as possible, but if you rush to find a solution your customer may feel like you’re just trying to get them out of your hair.  Never assume that you know exactly what the problem is, even if they mentioned it to you before.  Always let them say whatever they need to say, and respond to their words accordingly.  Also don’t make the mistake of dealing with an upset customer when you’re busy with other tasks.  Even simply taking a call when you’re talking to them can seem disrespectful.

Home Design 101: Three Mistakes People Make When They Plan Their Home

The one thing people love about working with Custom Smart Homes is the fact that they get to design their own modular home.  Nationwide Homes has plenty of floor plans and layouts to choose from, but many people choose to get creative and add their own special features to their home.  We’ve built plenty of homes over the years, and we’ve seen home owners make the same mistakes over and over again.  When you’re designing your new dream home, try to avoid making these design mistakes.

Under estimating the amount of dining room space

The dining room has faded out of popularity in favor of kitchens and eating away from the kitchen table, but plenty of home owners envision having dinner parties in their fabulous new dining rooms.  A lot of people under estimate the amount of space they’re going to need in their dining room.  Think about it: you’ll need room for a long table, chairs, and guests, and all of them need to fit comfortable in the room.  There’s nothing worse than sitting elbow to elbow at a tightly packed table, so do your best to make your dining room as spacious as possible.

Forgetting about cabinet space

When you’re planning your kitchen make sure you have enough cabinets for cookware, glasses, dishes, appliances, and food.  When most people design their kitchen they think about where they want to put major appliance, and not about how they’re going to store their essential kitchen items.  Home builders and interior designers gush about having ample counter space, but if you want to have a functional and good looking kitchen you’re going to need a lot of cabinets for storage. 

Making a home too big

You’ve always envisioned that your dream home would be spacious, but having too much space can backfire on you.  Having space for the sake of space isn’t the most cost effective way to design a home.  You’re essentially going to be paying thousands of dollars for space you’ll never use.  You’ll also have the added problem of trying to maintain a large home.  Imagine spending time mowing a large lawn you never step on, and removing layers of dust from rooms you don’t spend time in.  Plan your home carefully and think about how you’re going to use each square foot.