Design Guide

What style of house are you looking for?

There are a wide range of styles available in homes, do you prefer a modern look or something more classical? Think about the materials and finishes not only on the outside but the inside of your home as well. Display homes are a great way to see how you can use these features

Take into account the amount of bedrooms and living rooms you think you will need now and in the future. Do you want a terrace for outdoor entertaining or maybe a larger kitchen because you love to cook? It is also important to take into account any landscaping features you will want in the future: barbeque areas, feature gardens, swimming pools, everything about your block is a part of your design.

Do you own any land or are you looking?

We can help you find the right block of land for you, our consultants keep up to date with the latest land releases, prices and have years of experience in finding the right land for our clients.

What is your land like?

It may be flat or have a slope, is it an irregular shape? With the right design these differences can compliment your home.

Do you have a location in mind?

Do you want to build in a new development? If so there may be encumbrances & design guidelines for that area, these are a set of rules to maintain a certain standard of design within a development and are a part of your land contract with the developer. Our consultants are experienced in knowing exactly what is needed in each development and their knowledge is helpful in knowing what is required before you start choosing designs. Our sales consultants will be able to advise you of which designs will suit certain developments, and display homes are a great way of seeing encumbrance approved plans first hand.

 

Tips to Help You Navigate the Home Building Process

“What is my budget?” “Will I have enough storage space?” These are only a few of the questions you may be asking as you begin to think about the home building process. Building a house from the ground up allows you to create the perfect space for your family’s needs—from selecting the floor plan to customizing finishes suited to your lifestyle and taste. Take into consideration these tips to help guide you through the various steps to building a house so you can create a space that is a perfect fit!

Budget for More Than You Expect

Regardless of how carefully you budget for your new construction home, there is always the chance costs may change. Whether it be an element not included in the original estimate provided by the builder or project extensions, costs can be tricky to calculate from the start. For example, your builder may not factor additions like electrical and gas meters or window coverings into an initial figure. Elements such as landscaping or fencing might also be costs not covered by the estimate. Additionally, it is wise to budget for last-minute changes like swapping out any fittings or materials that do not match your expectations. The more room you leave yourself in your budget, the better.

Choose the Right Builder

This is likely one of the most important decisions you will make during your home building process. Make sure any builders you consider are licensed and insured in the state you live in. You will also want to ensure your chosen contractor is a member of the National Association of Home Builders. Browsing a builder’s past work can help you determine whether their designs suit your style. Some home builders may specialize in constructing traditional two-story homes, for example, while others offer expertise in open-concept single-story houses. Reviews are another great resource to consider when searching for a high-quality building partner.

Understand Your Agreement

Carefully read through your builder contract to ensure you understand its contents fully. It is important to know exactly what the construction costs do and do not cover so you are not taken by surprise by any extra lines appearing on the final invoice. Additionally, check to see if the contract includes warranty and insurance information

Have Your Finances in Order

In order to start the home building process, you will need a construction home loan. This type of financing is structured so that the lender will not release all the funds at once. Instead, the lender will determine how much you need for the project and then release the funds in periodic payments, or draws, to the builder. These draws will be paid out after each stage of construction is finished.

 

Tips for Working With a Homebuilder

Many of us aspire to build custom homes. The idea of creating your own living space appeals to many people. What most people do not know is how frustrating, tedious, and time-consuming the process can be. However, there are ways to avoid most issues by working with a licensed home builder. How you communicate your desires and needs with the homebuyer will determine how much you love the final product.

Be Picky When Choosing a Builder

Before you get the ball rolling on your home building project, you need to spend time and due diligence finding the right home builder. You will be working with this person or company regularly for a significant period of time, so you want to find the right fit.

Make Construction Choices Before Breaking Ground

Once you are full-steam ahead with construction, any delays can cost significant amounts of time and money. This means you need to choose your materials, paints, appliances, finishes, textures, landscaping and other custom elements. If you have not made choices early you could also run into a situation where you cannot find the necessary materials in time.

Stay in Regular Contact With Your Builder

Communication is absolutely essential to the building process. When you regularly communicate with your builder you are tuned into the process in a way that more hands-off clients are not. If you have any questions about the process you can simply call, text or email the builder to get more information.

Be Understanding When Delays Happen

Unless you work in the construction field, you have no idea how many different things can go wrong at a job site. There are rain and bad weather delays, code enforcement issues, labor problems, vendor hassles and so many more things that can go wrong when building a home.

 

Your Building Journey

There’s something very special about building a new home. From helping you choose the perfect design through to handing over the keys to your new dream home, we’re proud to be part of the whole journey.

Steps to prepare your building site

We can’t wait to deliver your dream home. In this video we’re going to take you through the key steps needed to turn your raw block of land into a site that is ready for the build of your home to commence.

Choosing your design

After experiencing our display homes or viewing them online our Building and Design Consultants can walk you through designs that align to your lifestyle needs, block of land and budget. Should you like to modify a design they will work with you to achieve the home you desire. We’ll help you find the best home design. Once you have selected your preferred design we’ll then undertake a site inspection, complete soil tests, conduct a land survey. Once complete we’ll meet again to discuss the outcomes, present the quote, generate a Consolidated Tender and outline the next steps.

A little help from the MyChoice Experts

Once you have selected your preferred design and provided a deposit we will start to work with you to create a home that is uniquely yours. Our team of interior stylists will work with you to select your home’s colours, fixtures, features and appliances, all within a central location at one of our MyChoice Design Studios.

Building layer by layer

When all approvals are finalised and we have received Authority to Commence Construction we’ll move to the build phase. Our Construction Team will now order all materials, schedule labour and prepare your site for work to commence. During this exciting period you will see your home progress from excavation and pouring of the slab, through to seeing your home visibly take shape as the frame and roof is installed. Your Construction Supervisor will invite you to visit the site on numerous occasions throughout the build including prior to the installation of linings and the kitchen, we’ll even meet to discuss your ceramic tiling.

 

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BUILDING YOUR DREAM HOME ON A BUDGET

If you want to build a home on a budget, your homebuilder will be your greatest ally. Working with your goals and financial plan, a dedicated builder will develop a personalized plan to maximize your vision. If you are just starting to explore the homebuilding process, start shopping around for an experienced home builder who is committed to great communication and flexible pricing.

Find an Experienced Builder

When a tropical storm makes landfall in southwest Florida, or the summer sun beats down on your home for months on end, you’ll rest easy knowing your trusted your custom home to an experienced builder. Unlike other industries that can skate by faking expertise, for home builders, the proof of workmanship is in the product. Even before you meet with a new builder, take the time to conduct preliminary research online. Do they showcase pictures of completed projects? Are they just starting to build homes or do they have a list of satisfied customers? Most of this information will be available on their website.

Shop Around for Pricing

Since it can be difficult to gauge a competitive price, never settle with the first estimate. Multiple estimates give you a great frame of reference for negotiating the best value for your dollar. Once you gather multiple estimates, take the time to weigh the costs and benefits of each one. Although one builder may give you a better price, it may lack a make or break feature.

Communication is Key

Once you’ve shopped around for a builder, but before you sign on the dotted line, communicate all your needs and concerns with your home builder. Are there any special design features you want to include? Do you have any major pricing concerns or timelines restraining your budget? Get all of your questions answered before the build team breaks ground. If major design changes need to be made after the process begins, it will cost you time and money.

Construction Decisions Save Money

A great builder can save you money, but the price of a home is mostly determined by decisions you make during the planning process. These decisions include factors like construction materials and location. The more you know before the initial consultation, the better prepared you will be to save time and money.

DIY Bathroom Remodel Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

DIY bathroom renovations are not for the faint of heart. “Almost everything in the bathroom has a mechanical rough-in to it, and there are plumbing, space and ventilation issues to consider. Whether you use a professional or are making relatively straightforward DIY tweaks, like replacing a toilet or changing out a vanity for one that’s the same size, it’s good to know what lies ahead.

Money matters

“Most people don’t budget enough money for their project. “The bathroom is second only to the kitchen in costs for renovation.” And it’s not just the drool-worthy products and finishes that add dollars. Be prepared for unforeseen work. “Water can infiltrate behind walls in a shower and tub area for years, causing damage not seen from the finished sides of the walls.

Make a plan

The bathroom has to be functional, so upfront planning is crucial. Here are some things to consider.

Accessibility and safety

Consider vanity and toilet heights and the space around a toilet. While higher fixtures are important for users in wheelchairs, they can make the bathroom more comfortable for many adults. Choose slip-resistant flooring—something textured for traction. A zero-threshold shower will help to avoid tripping. If there are to be handholds or grab bars, you may need blocking in the walls. (Although there are new products that have special anchoring systems so no blocking is necessary.)

Space:

The double sink you covet might not fit. “In a traditional vanity configuration, you don’t want to go under 5 feet. There are some integrated double sinks, but they “tend to be contemporary in design” and may not fit your décor.

Easy maintenance:

White grout will show traffic patterns. Stapperfenne suggests a pewter or medium grey grout. While a marble counter is de rigueur, it also is soft and requires sealing to prevent it from staining.

 

Bathroom Remodel Mistakes (and How You Can Do Better)

Think you’re ready to dive headfirst into that beautiful bathroom remodel? Not so fast… We’ve seen the pictures and horror stories: half-finished bathrooms with no running water, year-old materials already falling apart and worse. Take heed of these pitfalls to make sure your new-look bathroom is finished on time, in style and without the migraines.

Putting carpet anywhere: ANYWHERE. Say no to bathroom carpet. Moisture is going to take its toll on practically any surface, but properly installed natural stone will hold up as well as anything. Even mid-range linoleum will struggle with prolonged puddled water, which is just a reality in a family bathroom. Carpet, though, is a disaster waiting to happen. If you absolutely must have a plush surface to stand on in your bathroom, we recommend a memory foam mat – extra luxurious, easy to replace.

Covering up previous renovations: It’s tempting to merely cover up a previous homeowner’s shoddy DIY job – but not only could this lead to other issues to fix down the line, it could also be dangerous. Trusting another worker’s questionable electrical work, especially around moisture, is asking for trouble. Starting from scratch with your bathroom remodel gives you more peace of mind you’re doing the job right, and can also give you more opportunities to change up the layout for the better. The same goes for plumbing: it may seem straightforward, but one component not completely sealed-off can wreak havoc in your newly spruced-up bathroom. Take care that your plumbing and electrical, in plain sight and behind the scenes, has been properly installed for your new layout and fixtures.

Leaving the layout as–is: If you’re taking the time and money to give your bathroom a new look, you might as well get the layout right! Bathroom designs from homes of all eras have gotten the layout completely wrong, so you may want to have a professional at least suggest some alternatives. Or, try plotting out your current bathroom using a free floor-plan app to toy with new layouts yourself.

 

How Far Do You Want to Go?

The first question to consider is more or less the big picture; that is, what size of project do you have in mind? Bathroom remodels can be grouped into three basic levels. Once you’ve settled on a general strategy, consider the timetable for the bathroom remodeling project and decide if this is something you think you want to go through.

• Surface alterations. At the easy end of the scale, you may like the general layout and size of the bathroom, and the surfaces (walls, ceiling, floor) are sound. The mantra of the surface-level bathroom remodeler is “cover, not replace.” There is no shame at all in wanting to do a surface-level bathroom remodel.
• Gut and replace. With this level of remodeling, you keep the same layout and fixture locations of your old bathroom, but you pretty much gut the space down to the bare walls and floor and install all new plumbing fixtures, vanity, flooring, and lighting. You might also update the wiring somewhat, but nothing major.
• Change the layout. This level can be quite a bit more involved than a makeover or even a fixture replacement because it includes moving fixtures, like the tub/shower, the toilet, or the sink. Layout changes also usually include wiring alterations and full fixture replacement.
• Change the room. Altering the bathroom footprint goes beyond gutting the space or even moving fixtures around. The largest-scale remodels include structural changes, such as moving or removing walls, bumping out an exterior wall, or altering the ceiling or roof. Usually, the goal is to make the bathroom bigger or to convert a common bathroom into a master bath.

 

Avoid Diy Disasters During Bathroom Renovation

Thinking about renovating the bathroom yourself? It doesn’t take much for a seemingly quick plumbing fix or bathroom reno project to become a full-fledged, property-damaging, sometimes disgusting, whole-house disaster!  Yes, sometimes doing it yourself can save money on plumbing repairs and bathroom renovations.

Here are some tips for your bathroom renovation:

Turn off the water!

If you’re installing or repairing any fixture in the bathroom you should turn off your main water line or at least the shut-off valves to that part of the house.  If something goes wrong this will prevent a flood and you’d be surprised at how many homeowners don’t even know where their shut off valves are located in the house.  While they’re frantically searching for them, the water level rises in the bathroom and a river runs down the hall. Learn how to turn off your water supply.

Learn where your pipes are.

Before tackling any bathroom renovation project, you should at least have a basic knowledge of your home’s plumbing system.  It is a complex system of pipes, drains and appliances.  Figure out which walls have pipes in them and where they are coming from and leading to.  Learning the basic concepts of a household plumbing system will come in handy if something goes wrong. Hiring Hilcraft Contracting will ensure that all of the plumbing and building work is done correctly and efficiently.

Be prepared with the right materials and tools.

This is a good reason to call a plumber or general contractor. They are equipped with the expert knowledge and all the tools required for a bathroom remodel and plumbing jobs.  There is nothing worse than getting halfway through a job and having to stop to run to the hardware store to buy a new tool or replace a fixture that wouldn’t fit.  If you’re going to do-it-yourself, your success increases immensely if you’re prepared with a complete toolkit and knowledge of materials. This is another benefit of hiring a reputable general contractor. They will come equipped with the right tools and equipment and know how to use it.

Hire a professional bathroom renovation company

There are some simple bathroom renovation projects that you could easily tackle yourself, though DIY plumbing mistakes are common can result in damage and costly repairs.  Save yourself the mess, stress and unforeseen expense by bringing in the pros.

 

How to keep your bathroom renovation under $10,000

How to keep your bathroom renovation under $10,000

With the average bathroom renovation ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the space and choices in fixtures and finishes, costs can blow out of control. We spoke to an expert to learn how to keep a bathroom renovation under $10,000 without compromising on a quality result.

Keeping to a renovation budget is all about planning. Itemising tasks to be carried out and listing every component and purchase necessary for the build may seem like overkill, but it’s the key to keeping a lid on spending. Fixtures, tiling, plumbing and electricals all should all be allowed for in your planning.

Before the bathroom renovation takes place, make a plan and set a budget. With a renovation budget to stick to, variations that arise along the way can always be compared against a projected cost. Then, weigh your options to balance an efficient use of available time and money.

“For a full bathroom renovation, a rough guide would be to spend 40% your budget on fixtures, 35% on tiling, 20% on plumbing and the last 5% on electricals

Hiring the Right Kitchen Remodeling Designer

Why Hire a Kitchen Designer

Designing a kitchen involves choosing materials and appliances; determining a layout; working through plumbing and electrical configurations; and so much more. A professional kitchen designer can help put all of these pieces together so you get the kitchen of your dreams.

The most important step in a successful kitchen project is selecting the right people to work on the job. Because much kitchen work is structural, it’s essential — for legal and insurance reasons — that the work be performed according to the building codes of your area. And to be sure all work is done appropriately, you’ll want to hire professionals for every aspect of the job in which you are not personally an expert.

For any structural work, you’ll need a licensed architect or design/construction firm. You’ll also want to use licensed contractors and skilled tradespeople, and you may want the specific expertise and creativity of a certified kitchen designer (CKD) or an interior designer with a lot of kitchen design experience. Whomever you hire, you’ll rely on their expertise to guide you through technical issues, and you’ll count on their integrity in working within your budget. What’s more, your experts and their crews will be in your home and around your family for the life of the project. So make sure they really deserve your trust!

 

Find a Certified Kitchen Remodeling Designer

You need to observe the credentials of a kitchen designer before hiring them to redo your kitchen. An accredited kitchen remodeling designer, including an interior decorator, should have passed any tests conducted by an organization like the NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association). With a qualification like this under their belt, the designer is abreast with trends, the latest technology. You can search online for reputed designing companies or individual contractors. The kitchen designer, if requested, ought to be in a position to provide you references for previously completed jobs.

 

Estimate How Much Time it Will Take to Remodel the Kitchen

Kitchen remodeling takes effort and time, as meticulous information need to be taken care of. Before the project begins, you should examine the time frame with your contractor that it is going to take to give your kitchen the appearance it needs. An efficient kitchen remodeler will coordinate with all the contractors necessary to complete the project- like an electrician or appliance firm – well. This will allow them to finish the project in a timely fashion and to remain on schedule. find out more here about kitchen remodelling!

 

You Should Discuss Every Financial Detail of the Renovation

People always fear to remodel their kitchens due to the unbearable costs that may be incurred. Nonetheless, one can realize the worth of the investment made by hiring a professional and skilled designer. A proficient kitchen designer will provide excellent ideas, amenities, and resources that perfectly fit your budget. They will correctly analyze your cooking style, space, frequency in socializing as well as the lighting effects in your kitchen and then advise accordingly.

A skilled kitchen designer will emphasize on proper ventilation and lighting effects of the kitchen. The designer will also look into storage capacity, plumbing, sanitation, appliances, electrical and cabinetry details with excellence. In most cases, a proficient kitchen designer will provide expert suggestion to the customer. He will ascertain that the kitchen will be correctly functional before embarking on the project.

Define Your Requirements

The kitchen belongs to you, and thus you must talk out your mind and give your requirements and thoughts. Also, ensure that the kitchen designer is willing and able to deliver your wants. He should be able to achieve the type of color scheme you need, the relevant amenities required and the floorings you want.

 

Paying for a Kitchen Designer

Fees for a high-end kitchen designer can represent 8% to 10% of your project costs. The lower figure generally applies to more expensive projects—those costing $127,000 or more. The national average for kitchen design services is $12,250, with the minimum range for an independent designer running from $1,500 to $3,000.

FINANCING TIP: If hiring a kitchen designer put you over-budget, you could consider a fixed-rate personal loan to cover the costs, ensuring you get the resources you need to have your project done right. Discover Personal Loans is an appealing lender because they let you apply for an amount you choose up to $35,000 as well as from five repayment options. They also don’t charge any origination or pre-payment fees and there’s no collateral is needed to secure the loan.

Regardless of how your designer charges, be sure you know what services are included in the fee. If all you want is a few ideas and some direction, some designers will offer a consultation at a cost of a few hundred dollars.