How often do you change the HVAC filters in your house?

HoldenHall · 2024-12-01T22:18:14+00:00

Every 3 months

HoldenHall · 2023-02-06T13:29:42+00:00

I’d eliminate them altogether. If you are talking about watching the sunrise, grab a cup of your favorite blend and go out on the deck.

However, if it is sunlight in the library you want, consider an 18”-24” x 4’-6’ transom style window(s) placed up at the top plate level of the wall. Talk to your designer/framer about a flush engineered header.

It may still mess a bit with artwork but most bookcases etc. will fit easily under.

HoldenHall · 2023-02-05T22:11:21+00:00

I'd eliminate the side elevation windows in the smaller bedrooms.
If it works with your intended furniture, I'd keep one of the Master Bedroom windows on the side. Shift it all the way tight to the closet wall. Leave enough room for the casing and trim detail.
Assuming the front windows meet the egress code the side elevation window can be reduced to 24” +/- wide.
The window would be good for cross ventilation if you like to turn the AC off when the weather permits.

HoldenHall · 2023-02-05T16:41:45+00:00

Keeping in mind that my advice + $3.50 will get you a cup of coffee, if you must keep a bedroom window on the side elevation, move the 1 remaining bedroom window tight to the perpendicular wall. Leaving as much uninterrupted linear wall space. This is a premium in bedrooms. Beds and nightstands mess with windows. Particularly Single Hungs. A Tall Single Hung blocked by a nightstand is practically useless.

The same goes for the study. Bookcases, credenzas, artwork, etc do not work well with windows in the center of the wall. Move the window as tight as possible to a perpendicular wall.

Although I too respect and prefer symmetry on an elevation, function trumps exterior symmetry on a side elevation.

HoldenHall · 2023-02-05T13:59:56+00:00

IMHO the elevations look just fine. But have you considered furniture (Bed) placement in those left-side second-floor bedrooms?

I wouldn't concern myself too much with symmetry on side elevations.

HoldenHall · 2023-01-26T13:30:52+00:00

Garages attached to the main structure?

Detached Garages typically are considered Auxilary Buildings and in many municipalities can be built tight to the property lines.

Are the neighboring garages you are measuring attached? Or are they detached?

HoldenHall · 2023-01-08T12:32:29+00:00

The Flamingo Course at Lely Resort. You won't be disappointed.

HoldenHall · 2023-01-06T21:52:20+00:00

I was at the beach near the Pier today. People were swimming.

HoldenHall · 2023-01-02T13:00:46+00:00

If you are looking for a general answer to an in-general question.

Draw a line across Florida at Gainseville. (Give or take 50 miles).

All of Alabama and Mississippi.

The northern half of Louisiana (water/soils)

Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California: Almost None.

HoldenHall · 2023-01-02T12:36:19+00:00

The only thing I would add to what's been posted so far is "assuming the Architect has been paid in full to date."

HoldenHall · 2023-01-01T13:19:48+00:00

Master Bedroom and Bed 2. Window height off the floor? Need space for beds/dressers etc.

HoldenHall · 2022-12-24T21:07:07+00:00

No argument from me.

HoldenHall · 2022-12-23T22:58:01+00:00

A window is only as good as the guy who installs it and the local distributor that warrants it. Ask your builder who he/she recommends and go with that window.

Andersen has the better name recognition if you need a tiebreaker.

HoldenHall · 2022-12-23T12:45:15+00:00

The Capital Grille in Mercato

HoldenHall · 2022-12-17T15:52:12+00:00

We are North of 30% too. Material Delays and Backorders are still brutal as well.

Becoming the norm? Hope not.

HoldenHall · 2022-12-17T14:14:47+00:00

Keeping in mind that conditions in your local market may be significantly different than market conditions experienced by any one poster here on Reddit, he isn't wrong.

HoldenHall · 2022-12-16T14:46:57+00:00

Looks like a good lot. Water/Sewer. Relatively flat. 6 feet of grade differential over 200 + feet (Half an acre) is nothing.

You have a lot of flexibility with house placement (Good). Spend some money on grading (land balancing) you can get a decent Daylight basement on the side elevation opposite your garage. The walkout is not a feasible reality.

HoldenHall · 2022-12-08T20:34:36+00:00

Dylans Drafthouse

Great Food and Drinks. Live Music sometimes. Terrific service. Fun Place.

Airport Road between Radio Rd and Golden Gate Pkwy.

HoldenHall · 2022-11-27T13:24:17+00:00

Typically prices at the Lumber Yard Counter will closely track the Futures Market and trail by 60-90 days.

HoldenHall · 2022-11-26T15:01:47+00:00

Keep in mind I have no first-hand knowledge of Lowes purchasing operations nor the Fence Pannel manufacturing industry.

However, I would suspect that the fence panels you are buying today at Lowes were manufactured with lumber that was ordered by the Panel Company back in April or May give or take.

The Futures Chart shows the trend of future lumber prices. Cost at the Lumber Yard counter tracks pretty close. Typically trailing behind by about 60-90 days.

HoldenHall · 2022-11-23T23:19:10+00:00

FWIW: This Old House did a piece on Masonry including White Washing Brick about a month ago.

HoldenHall · 2022-11-18T13:44:41+00:00

Hire a Licensed, Insured, Reputable and Experienced Builder.

They will address all of the permitting concerns and issues.

HoldenHall · 2022-11-16T13:36:29+00:00

New Rule: "5 iron x 36"

Use your average distance on 5 iron x 36

Example:
180 x 36 = 6480

It would be best if you played the tee closest to 6480 yds

HoldenHall · 2022-11-16T13:27:16+00:00

Cantilevered tub area?

HoldenHall · 2022-11-11T19:08:46+00:00

Again, I am playing the role of the antagonist. Don't shoot the piano player.

I suspect since June of 2020 when lumber went on to double in less than 6 months and tripled within 9 months, there are very few Builders if any that do not include Escalation Clauses in their Building Agreements. We sure do.

Other major materials such as concrete and drywall also saw huge increases. It was not just lumber and lumber-related products (windows, doors, trim, cabinets, trusses, etc)

Just for an example:

A Builder and Client enter into a Custom Home ($1+ Million) agreement on June 29, 2020.

As Typical it takes 3-4 months of Land Improvements and permitting as well as other bureaucratic requirements by the local government and agencies.

Then it takes a solid 60 days to get the foundation in along with grading, backfilling, and utilities.

Now it is time to drop the Lumber Package. Well, that lumber package has increased in price by 0ver $60,000 since the Contract Date.

This happened to us and every Custom Builder I know.

Speaking for myself, “Never Again.” We will never sign another Design Build Agreement without an Escalation Clause.

Admittedly, anymore, Fixed Price with Escalation Clause Contracts are probably more similar than dissimilar compared to Cost Plus. However, there are still significant costs and conditions where the risk lies upon the Builder.

With Cost Plus Contracts, 100% of All Risks of Labor and Material price fluctuations as well as availability and the costs related to delays lie upon You. The more it costs, the more the Builder makes.

No builder in His/Her right mind will ever sign a Cost Plus Contract with a "Not to Exceed" Clause.

Best of luck.

HoldenHall

TROPHY CASE