5 Ways You Can Build Your Home to Become Energy Efficient

BWhen it comes to building a new home, one of the biggest benefits is that you can style it according to your desired features. With that comes the trend of being energy efficient.

Building an energy sufficient home will allow you to enjoy a variety of benefits. Not only will you be able to save on energy costs you can also make your home comfortable during all seasons.

Insulate Your Home

Insulating the ceiling helps minimize the amount of heat that enters your home. There are a variety of insulation options to choose from as the popular choices include using loose fill, wool, glass fiber batts, and reflective foil. The glass fiber batts are eco-friendly as they are made from eighty-percent recycled material. You can also reduce the heat add-on by installing a bird on the rooftop.

Construct Cross Ventilation

The best way to ensure sufficient airflow is to open windows and doors on opposite sides to encourage the flow. High ceilings and wide entry halls will provide more space and room to circulate the air.

Add more Fans

It is always a great idea to install fans to common areas. Not only are they cheaper to stay cool with, they also help save energy.

Instead Energy Efficient Features

When choosing your appliances, go for products with a high WELS rating. A three-star rated shower nozzle only uses around 6 liters of water while regular shower heads can use as much as 25 liters a minute.

Minimize Sun Exposure

While any homeowner wants to have a bright room, the best way to reduce heat from entering the room is to install an exterior shade structure or extended eaves. This will help block out the sun and heating the rooms.

What other options are you planning to make your home energy efficient? Comment below and share your thoughts with us!

5 Questions to Ask Your Builder Before You Hire

When it comes to any professional service, not all providers will give you the results you want. In this guide, we will discuss the important aspects of a great builWhen it comes to renovating or making updates to your home, nothing is more challenging than finding a reliable builder with experience. A reputable builder will help relieve that frustration and turn your second-thoughts into dream home results.

If this is your first time to hire a builder, we’re here to help you ask the right questions to help identify the right builder to hire.

Here are 5 questions to ask your builder before you hire.

Question #1: Are you licensed?

As the first important question to ask, ensure that you are hiring a licensed builder. While this might seem obvious, many people try to opt for the cheapest deal to save money.

Question #2: Do you have insurance?

Ensure that your builder has home coverage before you hire them. This will cover any financial loss in the case of damage or conflict.

Question #3: Who will supervise the construction?

This question alone will help you decide whether to hire the builder or not. The construction supervisor is a must-have onsite as they will ensure that the work is performed at the highest of quality. Be sure to look into their track record and past reviews.

Question #4: Can I see your previous projects?

As a no-brainer, you must be able to check their work to get a better view of their results. This will help you determine if the builder will be able to complete the type of job you want. Check out the quality of the project along with the products used.

Question #5: Can I talk to your previous clients?

Any reputable builder will happily give you good references as previous clients. This will help you gain new feedback about their experience and results of the project. You might be surprised at just what you might find out.

Conclusion

Above all, it is important to remember that building a new space in your home requires both financial and emotional investment. Make sure that you are ready to take the time to check on your builder, their references, workmanship, and credentials.

How to Find the Best Builders for Your Home Needs

When it comes to any professional service, not all providers will give you the results you want. In this guide, we will discuss the important aspects of a great builder.

Whether you are planning to renovation your condo or built extra space in your home, the first step is to hire a reputable builder.

Here’s how to find the best builders for your home needs.

Make a list of Possible Candidates


Once you have all the details you want for your home, you can do your research and scout for potential builders. Contact your local home building association and grab a list of reputable builders in your area.

You can also look at the local real estate section for builders as there will be plenty of ads to read through. Just be sure that you already have an idea of the type of project you want and the prices you expect to pay.

Do Your Research

Once you have a list of potential builders, now’s the time to contact them and ask questions. Visit their recent projects and talk to their previous clients. Ask them if they are happy with their results, if there were any problems, and if they would gladly hire the builder again. Most clients will tell you the honest reviews to help you get a better inside scoop on their service.

When talking to the builders and clients, bring a notebook along to record their notes and information. This will come in handy when you want to make comparisons.

Search for Value and Quality

Shop for new homes to help you get an idea of what you want for your project and space. You can even ask the builder to see their projects and unfurnished homes.

Conclusion

When undergoing a home project, be sure to monitor the quality of features and work of the builder. Feel free to ask plenty of questions and get any many details as possible.