Sunset Magazine Idea House

This summer Guerra Construction had the opportunity to work on the Sunset Magazine Idea House with Blu Homes builders. The finished house was featured in the October issue. Architects, builders, and designers all came together to create a beautiful house and Guerra Construction was so proud to be part of this collaborative effort. This year’s Idea House is based on a design by Michelle Kaufman and is called a Breezeway House because of the central living space that serves as a breezeway to an open floor plan.

For Guerra Construction, this was a change from our usual projects. Ordinarily we focus on remodeling and updating current homes as well as upgrading energy systems to be more energy efficient and cost-effective. The Idea House was built from the ground up with thought put into every step of the building process. We had the chance to do it all right from breaking ground on the foundation to the final showing. And this project didn’t disappoint. The modern feel and thoughtful design and construction let’s the house fit in perfectly with the other high-end houses in the Healdsburg neighborhood.

There are many great reasons for considering a modular home. Listed below are a few aspects of modular homes that make them particularly appealing to new homebuyers.

1. Modular homes are built well.

Modular homes hit a boom after World War II when soldiers returned home and wanted to buy a home and start a family. With so much demand many people started looking at alternatives to stick built homes and the pre-fab home exploded onto the market. In fact, modular homes from the 1950s are still in use today! Those homes are smaller and simpler than what is available today because of innovations in the use of cranes that can lift 100 tons. Today the only limitation in size and design comes from the width of the road from factory to site.

Modular homes are built in factories and assembled on-site, and therefore they must adhere to local building codes for the site location. Work in the factory is more streamlined than building on-site and eliminates weather delays, missing materials, and scheduling sub-contractors. All modular homes are inspected in the factory and then again once they are set on site. Modular homes are placed on a permanent foundation and are required to adhere to building standards and codes.

2. Modular homes are beautiful.

Like stick built homes, modular homes have gone through an evolution when it comes to design. Homeowners want affordability as well as beauty and architects and designers have become a permanent part of the planning process.

In the past, modular homes were boxy and standard. The first modular homes were offered by Sears Roebuck out of a catalog after all! But today, the options for design are in line with other home planning processes. In addition to the myriad range of standard modular home options that homeowners can choose from a manufacturer’s portfolio, homeowners can also take advantage of Computer-Assisted-Design (CAD) to create a custom home to your specifications. If you can dream it, they can build it. Keep in mind, however, that custom modular homes can be just as costly as a stick built custom home. The advantages come in the building process and efficiency of the home.

Another option readily available to modular homebuyers is the chance to have a LEED certified home. Because of the closed environment and tightly controlled building process used to manufacture the homes in a factory setting, the process for gaining certification is fairly straightforward.

Need some inspiration? Check out this photo gallery of standard modular home options or this modular home showcased in Dwell magazine.

3. Modular homes are worth the money.

In general, because modular homes are built to the same standard as stick-built homes, the same factors that go into the resale value of a stick built home apply to modular homes. You must consider the location of the lot, the number of bathrooms, and the style and size of your home relative to the other houses in the neighborhood. The good news is that many of those factors are within your control and should be taken into consideration during the planning process. With modular homes you control the orientation of the house, the placement on the lot, and the features of the floor plan. If you plan to add on a garage, a second floor, or an in-law unit in the future, you can plan for that when you design your home. Additionally, since modular homes are often more tightly built and therefore more energy efficient, the lower energy costs of your home can be a positive selling point for potential buyers.

One reassuring quote comes from modulartoday.com “Modular homes follow the same building code of on-site stick built homes. Once a modular home is placed on its permanent foundation it should be almost impossible to distinguish it from an on-site stick built home. That is why it generally will have the same resale value of a stick built home.” 

As with any new home construction, homeowners should find a contractor you can trust that knows the modular home process. Besides just the land issue, plumbing and electrical tie-ins and finish work that must be done with every new home, contractors that work with modular homes must also keep in communication with the homeowner and the manufacturer to make sure there are no surprises when the modules arrive and the set-down goes as smoothly and quickly as possible. Most modular homes can be set onto the foundation anywhere from one day to a week. The process of building your home may be faster, and with the right contractor, a pleasant and painless experience!

If you are considering buying a modular home, check out these 10 Rules for Modular Construction.

For homeowners, modular homes are a green option that’s affordable and energy efficient without sacrificing design and style. The Idea House project represents all the ways modular homes can be very, very right. For a detailed slide show check out my website.

References:

http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=810&genericContentID=169150

http://www.modulartoday.com/modularhomeresale.html

http://www.modulartoday.com/modular-history.html

http://www.bluhomes.com/

Creating an Ideal Master Bedroom Suite

Ah, Master Bedrooms. They symbolize so much of what it means to arrive as a home owner. It is your sanctuary, your retreat from the world, and the room where you spend the most time preparing for and recovering from the day to day grind. Needless to say, it’s an important room. So in these difficult economic times, how can you create a Master Bedroom that satisfies your needs as a homeowner? Like all remodel decisions, the first (and often most difficult) step is deciding what you want. How can you best use your Master Bedroom (or Owner’s Suite as it should more accurately be called) to create the home that works for you? Over the years I’ve seen trends come and go with varying degrees of success. Recently, as more homeowners are choosing to remain in their home and remodel instead of selling and upgrading to a bigger or newer house, Master Bedrooms have become more and more important. For homeowners looking to remodel to make their home more attractive to buyers, a mid-range Master Bedroom addition has a 72% return on investment.

As a licensed contractor I enjoy the design process and spend time with clients up front discussing design ideas and estimates on popular features. To give you a jumping off point, below I’ve described the top trends in Master Bedrooms and ways to remodel your Master Bedroom to make it better.

• Moving the Master Bedroom Downstairs

As I mentioned in my post about universal design, one level living can allow you to stay in your home even if you begin to have limited mobility. A downstairs Master Bedroom keeps the home accessible by eliminating the need to climb stairs or schlep across the house to retrieve something from the bedroom. Even if the top floor of a house becomes closed off because of mobility, having your living quarters on the first floor can allow you to remain in your home. By keeping the Master Bedroom on the same level as the kitchen and front door, it becomes the most convenient room in the house and therefore the most valuable.

Additionally, as children grow older and become teenagers, or move back in as young adults, it may save everyone stress and annoyance to give them the upstairs wing of the house while reserving a quiet tucked away Master Bedroom downstairs away from the hustle and bustle of music, computers, video games etc. In this case, having a long hallway leading to the Master Bedroom offers an additional physical (as well as psychological) barrier.

•  Multi-generational housing

In addition to teenagers and young adult children, some families may also have aging parents moving back in to their home. A Master Bedroom suite can serve as a comfortable “in-law” unit within the house that provides a parent with independence and a sense of private living space. For houses without basements, or households that can’t afford a major remodel of an attic space, a Master Bedroom is a convenient compromise that requires very little renovation for an older parent. Master Bedrooms are usually spacious enough to create a sitting area or small table. Additionally, Master Bedrooms also have a separate bathroom that are large enough to accommodate home health equipment like shower chairs or commode handrails.

Conversely, if there are both teenagers and older parents living in a home, a Master Bedroom could serve as a much needed breathing space for the homeowners to escape. The volatile economy has created an environment where many families are choosing to live together again to save money. Remodeling a Master Bedroom to maximize its use in a multi-generational home can create a living situation where everyone can feel comfortable and enjoy the house.

• Working from home

Master Bedrooms can serve two functions for people working from home. It can serve as the home office, a unit separate from the rest of the house where business is conducted and restricted. Having a private bathroom and sitting area can create the aura of an office suite and allow for increased productivity by being separated from household chores and distractions. With just one entrance, a Master Bedroom home office easily restricts access. Once you close up shop for the day and leave the room, you can rejoin the rest of the house without passing by your phone or desk.

On the flip side, the Master Bedroom can serve as a living space completely separate from your home business. If you have a home office within the main living space or even the garage, it may be comforting to know that the Master Bedroom is a sacred space where business does not enter. It is the sanctuary from which you can escape your work while still remaining at home. For the at-home worker who is never “off”, creating a Master Bedroom sanctuary can help mitigate the boundaries between home and work.

• Maximizing space

The age of conspicuous consumption is over. Gone are the trophy entrance ceilings that wasted heat or the just-for-show spa tubs that were rarely used. Using the space in ways that maximize utility and comfort is the biggest trend, particularly if there is an energy conservation element to accompany it. For example, an adjacent bedroom can be converted into a walk-in closet, larger bath, or both. For homeowners who choose to remodel rather than move, making the most of the space they have, as opposed to keeping up with the Jones’, will maximize comfort as well as utility.


What matters most, as always, is what works best for you and your partner. The Master Bedroom is a space to enjoy and taking time to plan it carefully will pay off in the long run. My favorite kind of Master Bedroom feels like a suite in a private wing of the house. It has a literal and psychological barrier from the rest of the house and creates a feeling that the suite is special and off-limits to the household in general. I also like the separation of sleeping, dressing, and sitting areas. Separating these areas transforms the room into a living space and not just a bedroom. In particular, the sitting area with a media cabinet allows for the room to function as a private space for relaxation.

One caution about design plans … I've seen sites lately that advise homeowners to remove their tub in favor of a larger shower. I personally think this is a big mistake. A home without a tub will lose value, plain and simple. There are times when a bathtub is necessary and a shower is a poor substitute (visiting grandchildren, injuries, washing the mini-blinds). And really, is there anything better after a long day than slipping into a warm tub and soaking your cares away? Remove your tub at your own peril.

Below are links to a couple of fun sites that offer inspiring design ideas for the Master Bedroom:
   

Six Bathroom Design Tips

Master Bedroom Layout and Design Tips

One final thought, if your Master Bedroom does not allow for extensive renovations, you may want to consider an addition. While the return on investment may not be as high as, say, a kitchen remodel, your standard of living can be greatly increased, especially if you don’t plan to move in the next several years. If you are looking to build a Master Bedroom addition the basic design must include: sleeping area, sitting area, walk-in closet, and master bathroom. Below is a general floor plan layout that adds on to the existing house.

Before:

After:

Whatever your reasons may be for rethinking your Master Bedroom, a good contractor can help guide you through the process. Regardless of the trends, you should choose a Master Bedroom based on your needs and desires. After all, they don’t call it the Master Bedroom for nothing.



References:

Builderonline.com, “Upstairs, Downstairs”
http://www.builderonline.com/marketing/upstairs-downstairs.aspx

Builderonline.com, 10 Lifestyle Trends for 2012
http://www.builderonline.com/design/10-lifestyle-trends-to-watch-for-in-2012.aspx

Builderonline.com, “10 Residential Designs You Won’t See in 2011”
http://www.builderonline.com/design/10-design-trends-you-wont-see-in-2011.aspx

Builder online, “Owner’s Suite Master Plan”
http://www.builderonline.com/design/master-plan.aspx

Remodeling.net, “Master Suite Addition”
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2009/costvsvalue/article/mastersuiteaddition.aspx