Options Analysis

July 2006 Special Advertising Section

We all know that the options are endless when you are building a home. Price, function, design, and convenience are just some of the factors that play into the choices we make. When considering more permanent fixtures—solid things like fireplaces, ceilings, built-in storage, and windows—it pays to weigh what’s out there.

“This is almost a full-time job, all the decisions that need to be made,” says Shane Walgamuth, owner of Shane Homes in Minneapolis. “Homeowners tend to get overwhelmed and say [to builders] ‘You take care of it.’”

It can, however, be done. With proper planning and well-educated research, paring down alternatives can be fun and painless. One key piece of advice? Think before you do anything. Don Nelson, president and owner of American Classic Homes in Stillwater, has watched one too many clients jump the gun and end up paying in the end—one client chose laminate counters for a kitchen only to turn around nine months later and redo them all in granite. “People always have more wants than budget,” Nelson says.  If there’s something you really want in your home but don’t quite have the budget for it at building time, Nelson recommends waiting to install it, as long as the feature is easy to add at a later time.

In other words, know what you want before executing. But what should you keep in mind when narrowing down the field? “Buyers will always keep price in mind and should keep price in mind,” says Bob Appert of K. Hovnanian Homes in Lake Elmo. “[But] what should be considered is the overall value the feature provides, not simply price alone. Quality, durability, and life of the product should also be a significant part of the decision.”

It also helps if homeowners take note of what they have and visualize how they want things to ultimately evolve. Visiting showrooms and models can help solidify plans. “Coming into a fully decorated model [home], we can show them what options they have,” says Paul Donnay, president of Donnay Homes in Maple Grove. “From [what they see], they can upgrade from there.”

Let the decision-making begin.

Ceilings
“Choices in ceilings are growing, and [they’ve traditionally been] kind of overlooked,” says David Frosch, owner of Kootenia Homes in Woodbury. “Two decades ago we went from eight feet to nine feet, and now we’re at ten to eleven feet.”

Whether adding drama or intimacy to a room, ceilings are essential. Heights range anywhere from a standard eight feet to a lofty twenty feet, and different looks can be achieved with vaults, racetracks, textures, and other details. “The thing to think about here is how dramatic and open you want your home to feel,” Appert says. Try incorporating different styles throughout a home for varied effects. Tray vaults, reminiscent of a wedding cake or stacked boxes that add height to a room, for example, create varying levels in the ceiling. Coffers, a series of recessed wood panels, give a rich, warm, sophisticated look and are normally found in libraries or dens. Try round or domed ceilings for an airy, cathedral-like feeling, or wooden beams for a rustic, Old World feel.

Windows
From wood and vinyl, to single-hung, double-hung, and casement, there’s more to windows than panes, sills, and shutters. And it’s best to go with the best. “For a lot of more permanent things, [like windows], I make the decisions for homeowners,” says Frosch, who uses Pella and Andersen nearly exclusively (both companies will service their products) and rarely agrees to another brand. “Price is down the line. Function is number one.”

Make sure to take into account basic maintenance requirements. Wooden windows are common, but call for more upkeep than their vinyl counterparts, so determine first how much time you’re willing to spend on them. Also make sure to take into account features like air-filtration ratings, pre-finished interiors and exteriors, and energy efficiency. “There’s nothing worse than bad windows,” Nelson says. “We encourage people to get the best windows they can.”

Built-Ins and Hidden Storage
When it comes to built-in storage and cabinetry in tailor-made homes, one size does not fit all. Custom cabinets and shelving units are built to fit any size and space, while pre-finished cabinetry is more commonly selected for areas where size and function don’t vary. “I try to understand how my clients live and how they use their space,” says Walgamuth, who recommends wood for more formal settings and laminate or enamel for back-of-the-house, utilitarian locations.

While oak used to be the hands-down material of choice, other woods like birch, maple, cherry, and alder now lead the charge for built-in bookcases, benches, and lockers—all of which build character. “The first items to be considered for storage are the individuals’ wants and needs,” Appert says. “There are many different ways you can accomplish a pure storage need. Hidden storage is the best way to achieve this; however, built-ins become part of your home like a treasured heirloom, which you [pass] on to the next family that lives there.”

To help that heirloom be relevant when the time comes to hand it over, steer clear of glaring material fads—you don’t want another avocado-green appliance situation down the road—and stick to neutrals. And if deciding on your storage takes a bit longer than planned, no worries. It is possible to hold off until after the home is built to install the final product. “If you can provide the space for them in the design,” Nelson says, “cabinets and built-ins are easy to do later.”

Wiring & Technology
It’s a technological world now, and homes reflect it. Pricing, of course, depends on the extent of the technology; those with dens rivaling the bridge of the starship Enterprise will obviously pay a bit more than the average homeowner. From choosing between wireless and structured wiring, to planning a major home theater system, there are plenty of options to play with. “Buyers should spend the money upfront on the items that will allow for flexibility and expandability in the future,” Appert says. “Since the options are endless, you want to be sure you select pre-wiring options, since it becomes difficult and expensive to install [wiring] after the home is built.”

Technological features like lighting are also becoming increasingly experimental. Walgamuth says he has had clients who prefer complex programmable lighting systems and those who are content with the old-fashioned flip-of-a-switch. Different approaches, such as low-voltage lighting inside a home (to highlight a piece of art, for example), add a creative touch.

Fireplaces
Walking into a home with a fireplace seems to instantly put everyone at ease. Although wood-burning fireplaces are quaint and attractive, gas versions are significantly cleaner and easier to maintain. They have also come a long way as far as aesthetics and function. “Gas fireplaces are looking more real all the time,” Appert says.

A gas adaptation is basically an insert with a glass front, but it’s the exterior that sets the tone. “It’s what you put around it that makes the look you want,” says Walgamuth, who tells his clients to go big with gas fireplaces so they look more realistic and less of an afterthought. Choose from granite, tile, stone, wood, and pre-cast concrete, which is catching on with homeowners who want a more ornate style. When it comes to installation, do your homework—venting and other functional details differ according to type. “[Research] codes if considering wood versus gas,” Appert says. “Many municipalities have varying codes when it comes to fireplaces.”

Bottom Line
While the decision-making process can be daunting, it’s worth the extra time, care, and money to make the right choices for your lifestyle. Many professionals will eschew more budget-conscious choices—Formica, for instance—in favor of more expensive yet hardier options—granite, for example, which can cost eight to ten times more.

“Cutting corners is not an option for us when it comes to evaluating time,” Appert says. “If you cut corners, there is a high probability you are sacrificing quality. There are ways to achieve your desired result without cutting corners.”

An expert team can be your ticket to those options, and with a good crew behind you, the choices can become not quite so endless.

“Get someone to help you,” Frosch says. “You can’t do it on your own.”