Semi-Custom Home Modifications
Rebecca
6 years ago
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Rebecca
6 years agoMark Bischak, Architect
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Eichler Custom or Southwestern Semi-Custom? (money is an object)
Comments (7)Hi Mayberry, Maybe you could do something with a central courtyard/atrium area? It isn't too hard to design something yourself with the really nice software programs available these days. I spent a lot of time thinking through the layout and flow of the house, and drawing up various versions til DH and i were both happy before we bid it out.. If you can do this part, you have saved the architect a tremendous amount of time since so much time is spent listening and interpreting what the clients want, then doing changes when the clients change their minds. The architect we hired had a lag in business, so he actually was less expensive than some building designers. He helped us draw up the plans to code and coordinated with the mechanical and civil engineers to draw their portions to get the plans through the city approval process. The city did ask us for a few modifications which the architect took care of. The architect also makes himself available on a per hour basis should we need to consult him during the construction. So far, we have consulted him only once for a couple of hours to clarify some items, which he didn't charge us for. We still aren't finished building yet, hopefully this summer.. HTH!...See MoreCustom vs semi custom
Comments (9)jrldh wrothe, "...Given how uniform the true custom homes that people post here on this forum look, I'd say that it's a waste of money to go true custom..." Actually, the majority of the homes posted here are stock plans from the Internet or from builder's tracts or plan books. And they are often very similar, since builders go to the same trade shows, look at other builder's houses (especially those that sell) and replicate them. Many of the homeowners who post their "own" plans here, freely acknowledge that they have visited open houses and their friend's homes and "borrowed" what they have found appealing. None of these homes are "custom" or "architect-designed"--they are "borrowed" and "replicated" homes. It doesn't matter if someone adds some stone to the outside or swaps carpet for hardwood on the inside. Taking the misuse of terminology further, many posters write that the take their preliminary drawings to "an architect" to have their plans "drawn up". Architects do not "draw up" someone else's plans. In many states, they are prevented by law from doing so. Looking at the final plans, and their frequent lack of imagination (and often lack of resolution), it's clear that it really was a drafter who was responsible, not an experienced architect. In some cases, after questioning, the poster will acknowledge the author of the final plan was the drafter at the local lumberyard. So even the term "architect" is often misused here. To experienced observers, this is almost always immediatedly clear. To others, however, it may never be understood. So we can use and value "custom" and "architect-designed" based on our own personal preferences and value systems, but as the Bard said so well, "a rose by any other name is still a rose". It's just that they may not always smell so sweet!...See MoreDifferences: Custom vs. Semi Custom/Stock Cabinets?
Comments (11)We got the same type of quote for our kitchen. There is a $10K difference between custom and semi-custom. This was for an apples to apples comparison: same hinges, same thickness of plywood in bases, same number of drawers, same drawer slides. I think we'll go with the semi-custom. Stock cabinets come in sizes that are multiples of 3", 9", 12", 15"...60", etc. When your kitchen has an inch or two space, they have matching spacers that fill in those spaces and look like extensions on the cabinets. The factor I'm concerned about it the color of the stain. Most semi/custom stock will stain certain colors with or without glazes. If you want a certain stain color, they may not be as flexible as your custom cabinet guy. Another factor in durability is how long the shelf run is and how thick it is. Without good support, a long run will sag in the short term; a thinner shelf sags sooner. I will probably order a door from each before I make my decision. I ordered one door awhile back; when it got here, I realized the cherry wood the cabinet company was using wasn't top quality. A great installer with an eye for detail is what makes ordinary cabinets shine. My son just had a bottom of the line series installed. We had them put plywood in the bottom of the sink base instead of particle board. They look high end because they go to the ceiling, there is a nice crown molding up there, and he doesn't have low end knobs. They are just a builder grade cabinet with a dark stain over birch. They won't last as long, but he doesn't need them to. My builder cabinets I have now are 20yo and are just starting to show their wear. The funny thing is that my sister who is married to a contractor and have built their own houses with custom cabinets thought I had a custom job. No, I just had an installer who takes pride in his work, cabinets that went up to the ceiling, and plywood panels installed on unfinished sides. I guess my conclusion is that I'd go with the customized in-stock cabinets and save the $$$....See MoreHelp with Custom vs Semi Custom
Comments (8)Kraftmaid offers reduced depth and increased depth as a construction modification, your KM desinger at HD just isn't plugging that into the design (or the cost). Do not rely on a big box designer to know what he/she is talking about. Some do know (I know a few of them) how to design a good kitchen but many don't. When dealing with a big box designer, you need to vet your own design. If you're looking at Kraftmaid, go to a stand-alone Kraftmaid or Merillat dealership (Merillat Masterpiece is made in the same factory as Kraftmaid, offers the same styles and finishes, often with the same name). Talk to the designer there if there's not an independent kitchen designer in your area. It's the installation that makes or breaks a kitchen, new construction or remodel. A cabinet dealership can't mess up on too many installations without word getting out and business falling off. The designers at my showroom have been with us for 20 and 25 years respectively. They both participate in yearly continuing education and are very familiar with the products we sell. It has to do with experience and knowing the cabinet line just as much as it does having design degrees, like our designers do....See MoreNajeebah
6 years agoRebecca
6 years agoCDR Design, LLC
6 years agoPatricia Colwell Consulting
6 years agodpkeith
6 years agochispa
6 years agograpefruit1_ar
6 years agoDenita
6 years agoJAN MOYER
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoUser
6 years agoCDR Design, LLC
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoJAN MOYER
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoRebecca
6 years agoRebecca
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
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