Welcome to our Blog

Stone Creek Building

Building Custom Homes Throughout The Portland, Oregon Area
Read our Blog

12 Exterior Custom Home Trends

These days, outdoor home design is becoming just as popular as indoor home design. We have compiled a list of 12 exterior custom home trends that we want to share with all of you:

  1. Outdoor kitchens-Outdoor cooking is fun, relaxing, and enjoyable. Outdoor cooking can keep the heat outside and reduce utility bills.
  2. Outdoor Living Area(s) – Relaxing outside is a great way for you to relax after work or on weekends. You can add a bar, a lounge area, a grill, or a dining area to your outdoor living space. Or you could create a paradise by adding a swimming pool. There are many options available, depending on what you want.
  3. Outdoor Fireplaces – Enjoy a warm fire with your family and friends outside.
  4. Decorative tiles – Tiles that add life to outdoor designs.
  5. Swimming pools-Design the perfect pool for your outdoor space. You can create your ideal swimming pool by choosing from a variety of shapes, colors, and lighting elements. Outdoor speakers, umbrellas, lounge chairs, and tables can be added to enhance the outdoor swimming pool’s ambiance.
  6. Spas –Plan to add an outdoor spa to your swimming pool or an outdoor spa on its own to complete your outdoor design.
  7. Paver Walkways and Stone- Homeowners are adding stone and/or paver walkways outside their homes as an element of their unique home design.
  8. Light color stone accents –A wall or area with light color stones can add texture and life to your home’s exterior. These accents are very popular in the front and back of custom homes today.
  9. Neutral colors – In 2022, you’ll see warmer and welcoming neutral colors like off-white, cozy colors used outside new construction homes.
  10. Unique Functional Lighting- The outdoor lighting industry evolved to meet the needs of homeowners. There are many options available for lighting up your home’s exterior and walkways. You can also use the pool color-changing lights to change the colors of your pool. Customers are opting for energy-efficient lighting options for their homes.
  11. Black Accents –Black has become the new black for exterior accents. Black accents on the exterior of your home can dramatically improve its aesthetic.
  12. Add Wood Accents to Your Custom Home’s Design – Adding wood accents can increase your home’s curb appeal.

75 Exterior Design Trends You Will Love.

We would love to meet you to design your custom home.

Consultation Free of Charge

2022 Kitchen Remodel Cost Breakdown

One of the best decisions a homeowner can make is to remodel or renovate their kitchen, whether their objective is to raise the value of their home or simply to make it a more enjoyable place to live. A property gains value in many different ways when an outdated kitchen is given new life.

 

Setting a budget early on, being aware of your needs, and being aware of how the money will be spent are essential for getting the most for your money. Prior to going shopping for appliances, tiling, or flooring, be aware of your own needs and remodeling objectives. After that, you can compile a wish list of desired features and start looking for a contractor.

 

Preferred Budget

To assist homeowners in setting an acceptable budget, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) has provided a guideline regarding the worth of a kitchen redesign.

 

There are other factors to take into account when making your budget in addition to how much money you can comfortably spend. In essence, investing excessively in a home repair project can slow down the rate of return on your capital.

 

Budgeting between 15 and 20 percent of your home’s value is advised by the NKBA.

 

For instance:

  • $37,000–$50,000 for a kitchen makeover on a $250,000 house
  • $75,000-$100,000 kitchen makeover budget for a $500,000 property

 

Once you’ve decided on a budget, reduce it by at least 25%. Set aside the additional cash as a safety net to reduce the burden of unforeseen circumstances.

 

Costing Analysis

 

The following is the NKBA’s guide for a typical kitchen remodel:

 

  • Hardware and Cabinetry: 29 percent
  • 17% of installation
  • 14 percent – Appliances and ventilation
  • Kitchen countertops: 10%
  • 7 percent of the flooring
  • 5 percent of lighting
  • 5 percent for the walls and ceilings
  • Design changes: 4%
  • Windows and doors make up 4%.
  • Plumbing and faucets: 4 percent
  • The remainder: 1%

 

Determine your priorities

 

Determine your precise demands and priorities once you have a rough sense of your finances and preferences.

 

  • Is this your permanent residence, or do you have any plans to market it in the near future?
  • Are you performing a straightforward update and refresh, a thorough makeover, or a high-end renovation?
  • What size kitchen do you require?
  • What features of your present kitchen do you like the most?
  • What features of your present kitchen do you not like?
  • What does your kitchen mostly do?
  • You’re a future chef, right? Then you might want to spend money on a butcher-block countertop or an oven and range of professional quality.
  • Do you entertain frequently? Then you could wish to plan an open area with a built-in bar and dimmable lighting.
  • Do your children spend more time in the kitchen doing their homework as you assemble a quick meal? Then perhaps you might put in a built-in desk, washable surfaces, and a sturdy floor.

 

Renovate for Sale

 

You can get a return on your investment in a kitchen makeover of up to 78 percent, according to the Cost vs. Value National Report.

 

Find out from a realtor which improvements will boost the market value for your neighborhood if the residence is only temporary.

 

Installing eco-friendly faucets, lighting, and appliances, for instance, can generally increase the value of your property and the return on your investment.

 

Renovate for Enjoyment and Long-Term Residency

 

If you plan to stay in this house forever, your investment is in your quality of life. Make a space that is specifically you.

 

Contact Stone Creek Building for a free consultation and schedule a meeting with to discuss what you’re looking for over a cup of coffee!

ADUs are Getting a Second Look in Today’s Crowded Housing Market.

Some people are turning to accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, also known as granny flats, in-law quarters, or backyard bungalows, as a solution to the country’s ongoing housing shortage.

These compact, standalone homes are often low-impact and energy-efficient. Where permitted, they can increase housing in an area with less disruption than building new apartment buildings, according to supporters.

 

In today’s competitive housing market, they’re receiving a fresh look. According to economists and real estate agents, the last couple of years have seen a shortage of available properties, and many of them are selling for more than their asking price.

 

ADUs are a trend toward smaller, more cost-effective, and energy-efficient dwellings, according to Sheri Koones, whose new book “Bigger than Tiny, Smaller than Average” (Gibbs-Smith, March 2022) has several examples.

According to Koones, who has written extensively about small homes and sustainable architecture, high ceilings, lots of natural light, built-in furnishings, and open floor layouts may make ADUs feel more livable than their modest footprints might indicate.

Scott Mooney, an architect in the Portland, Oregon, area who developed an ADU with his wife, Lauren Shumaker, a construction engineer, concurs that a little room may actually be a generous living experience.

 

The 624-square-foot residence has been their home for more than four years, where they also keep their dog and toddler. The larger 1950s home that originally stood on the 5,000-square-foot lot was rented out.

 

The key is optimizing outdoor access, with plenty of built-ins, light, and vistas, as well as pocket doors rather than swinging doors. It resembles what you might find in an RV or a bespoke vehicle, said Mooney.

 

A detached garage could be converted into an ADU, or an apartment could be built over an attached garage. It could have a separate entrance and be a component of a basement. If the site is large enough, it might also be a brand-new building; prefab ADUs or designs are available for purchase.

 

While most of the time, these flats can’t be sold independently from a house, they can be used as guest houses or as somewhere for elderly parents or adult children to live. They may be rented out in some regions or, as with the Mooneys, serve as lodging for the owners, who then rent out the primary residence.

Stone Creek Building specializes in constructing a perfect ADU to go with your property. Learn about our building process and check out some of the projects we have done in the past, and if you like what you see, contact us for a free consultation!

5 Reasons to Hire a General Contractor

In this article, we are going to go over five reasons to hire a general contractor to lead your remodeling job and leave it up to the specialists.

1. Time and money are saved.

Home remodeling tasks may be both expensive and time-consuming. Depending on the complexity of the project, you can review estimates from several professionals and choose more cost-effective products and modifications as a budget-conscious homeowner.

When it comes to the availability of the labor and those resources, you won’t have as much wiggle room. General contractors are in charge of project scheduling, ensuring that materials are ordered and jobs are executed as close to the deadline as possible.

General contractors are accustomed to timing work and supply deliveries around the needs of busy subcontractors who are likely working on many projects at the same time. A professional general contractor will keep a slush fund on hand to pay all subcontractors on time as needed. Everyone paid on time means no one leaves the job due to a lack of pay, and your project will go as planned.

2. Delegate project management to the professionals.

In addition to whatever home renovation projects you’ve started, you probably have other work and family obligations. It’s usually advisable to delegate project management to a professional, especially if you’re working on a large, multistage project.

An experienced general contractor is an expert at balancing multiple responsibilities, such as material deliveries and subcontractor recruiting. Even if it means much of your home is covered with drop cloths, this will make it much easier for you to continue your everyday life.

Of course, you’ll be kept up to date on everything at all times. Instead of engaging with all of those numerous workers and suppliers, the general contractor will be your primary point of contact, ensuring that there is no misunderstanding about the state of the project.

3. Take advantage of pre-existing collaborations

An experienced general contractor will have developed good working relationships with a wide range of subcontractors and suppliers. This is fantastic news for you as a homeowner.

For one thing, it signifies that those subcontractors and suppliers are trustworthy, as the general contractor has grown to know and trust them as a result of previous positive encounters with them. In the home renovation market, reputation is key, and everyone prefers to work with people who are recognized for fulfilling their word, from general contractors to suppliers to subcontractors.

These strong bonds may also be beneficial to your bottom line. General contractors can often receive lower pricing on supplies and labor, especially if they know they’ll need more of both in the future. When a general contractor is honest and pleasant to work with, it bodes well for the timely completion of your project.

4. Relax and unwind

A home renovation project isn’t something easy, it comes with a lot of responsibility and liability, and most of it falls on the shoulders of the general contractor. You can trust your general contractor to be licensed and insured, and you can rest assured that everyone they work with will be as well. Accidents on the job site can injure workers and cause property damage; this is why liability insurance is very important for general contractors to have, so in case anything goes bad under their roof, their employees have worker compensation.

Furthermore, an experienced general contractor understands how to adhere to all local codes and will guarantee that the subcontractors do as well. This implies that all required permissions will be obtained and that the projects will pass a future home inspection. Property owners can feel certain that the work is being done professionally and that no shortcuts are being taken that could prove to be costly or even harmful in the future.

5. Get it done right the first time.

When you complete a DIY home renovation project, you’ll feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment. However, if the project fails or remains unfinished, it will be a tremendous letdown. While it’s one thing to give DIY projects a go, it’s quite another to take on dangerous activities or those that demand more than your skill level or toolkit can manage.

It’s always advisable to hire a competent team of home remodelers to ensure that a task is done correctly. Their genuine worth stems from their years of expertise completing many of the same types of jobs, resulting in better, faster work than you could do as a novice DIYer.

If you start a project and discover you need to engage a specialist to finish it, keep in mind that it may cost them more to remedy your DIY mistakes than it would have cost you to hire them to do the task in the first place.

When it comes to home renovation tasks, time is money. Hiring a general contractor might help you save both time and money. Aside from keeping an eye on your budget as a homeowner, you can benefit from a general contractor’s previous expertise in managing and completing numerous similar projects.

While you may be unclear about how to handle all of the stages of a multistage remodeling or renovation project, an experienced general contractor has seen and done it all before. Now all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the results.

If you’re in the Portland, Oregon area, contact Stone Creek Building for custom home building and more!

How Long Does a Custom Home Usually Take to Build?

A custom home might take anything from 10 months to two years to build on average. Assuming that the build will take at least 10 months, a semi-custom home project might be completed in 6-8 months (with a strong team and good luck).

The length of time it takes to build a house depends on its size and complexity. A 5,000-square-foot cottage will require a different amount of time to finish than a 30,000-square-foot mansion. Grand plans with numerous intricate elements demand additional time and resources, but a skilled builder may increase the crew to keep a larger project moving along smoothly. In the end, it’s critical to remember that taking the time to do things correctly the first time around will always save you time and money in the long run. It’s never a good idea to take shortcuts in the sake of efficiency.

 

Construction of a home can take anything from 10 months to two years, so keep that in mind. Before building can begin, the architectural design and pre-construction phases typically last 3 to 9 months. The size and complexity of your home design, as well as the architect’s current workload, your city’s permission process, and your chosen builder’s efficiency and skill, all influence these time estimates.

What are some of the things that can make moving in take longer?

A wide range of variables might cause a project’s progress to be delayed. Smart project management and an adaptive, reliable team can reduce or eliminate some of these risks. When you’re dealing with an act of God, the people on the project can make a tremendous difference in how long a delay lasts and how quickly you can get your project back on schedule.

 

Weather

On a construction site, there are many variables that we can influence, but the weather is not one of them. It’s common knowledge for seasoned builders to include some wiggle room in their schedules for weather delays, but Mother Nature can throw a wrench in the works when she throws a wrench in the works.

When it comes to rain, sleet, or snow, a project’s initial building phase might be severely impacted by the presence of precipitation. Precipitation levels that are too high can delay site construction (bulldozing projects can be ruined by too much mud) and the foundation pour (adding extra water to concrete is a no-go). They may even postpone framing for a little time. Once your home is dry, precipitation should have little effect on the time it takes to complete your project. The task requires some time spent outside in the rain.

Being unable to obtain the necessary licenses:

In each building project, bureaucracy is an inevitable part of the process. The paperwork is endless, with boxes to be checked and signatures to be obtained (sometimes in duplicate!). A project can be halted or delayed by a missing permission or a long-delayed inspection. This may be avoided with ease if your builder is well-organized and has robust internal systems and processes in place to deal with all of the documentation associated with a custom home build.

The time has finally come to build the house of your dreams! Contact us to have a free consultation!

Three tips for remodeling in 2022

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 epidemic and during a highly competitive home-buying market, 2021 was one of the busiest years for remodelers. In 2022, homeowners will continue to seek the assistance of professional remodelers to assist them in modernizing their current homes.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) evaluated remodelers near the end of 2021 and discovered that demand for projects of all sizes remained even greater than it was in 2020. A significant factor for this is the historic increase in housing values.

“Increasing home equity enables homeowners to upgrade their existing houses, resulting in a surge in remodeling demand,” says Steve Cunningham, CAPS, CGP, a remodeler in Williamsburg, Va. “And, with endless advancements in building products and design approaches, it’s an exciting time for homeowners looking to enhance their house.”

As 2022 continues to be a busy year for remodelers in the local area, here are three guidelines to consider if you are considering upgrading your home now:

Maximize Your Space

Our lifestyles have changed, and with them, our reliance on the house as a location of employment and education. After a few years of social isolation and rearranged work schedules, the majority of homeowners in need of a home office have already established one. The following stage is to make it adaptable.

“Home office space has resurfaced as a critical component, but it has been reinterpreted somewhat,” says Ed Binkley, director of design at BSB Design in Orlando. “Now, it’s more about building a place that is adaptable to the individual demands of different people, whether they require a home office, a gym, or additional entertaining space.”

Future-Proof Design

Colors and decor trends come and go. However, energy efficiency will never go out of vogue. “The vast majority of prospective buyers surveyed each year consistently place energy-efficient features throughout the home as a top or near-top priority,” says Rose Quint, NAHB’s assistant vice president for survey research.

Homeowners that adopt green aspects will profit in the long run from lower energy costs, increased resale value, and increased living comfort. Apart from energy-efficient appliances, elements such as low-E windows, energy-efficient roof shingles and tiles, and spray-foam insulation often go unseen but have a substantial influence include. Additionally, smart-home gadgets can result in significant energy savings. Lighting solutions that can be managed remotely or by voice commands, programmable thermostats, and automated whole-home security systems are all common integrations in today’s smart homes.

Maintain Adaptability

Builders and remodelers anticipate supply-chain disruptions in 2022-2023. The difficulties vary according on the scale of your project and the materials required. It is critical for all parties to establish clear expectations for project milestones and to maintain a level of flexibility in the event of delays.

Experts advise homeowners to have a contingency plan in place in the event of remodeling project delays. Perhaps the new kitchen appliances will be delayed, and you will require alternate methods of cooking and storing food. Alternatively, bathroom finishes may take longer than anticipated to arrive, necessitating the continued use of a secondary bathroom. While project disruptions are irritating, having contingency measures in place makes them more bearable.

To learn more about remodeling projects and to talk with a local experienced remodeler, contact Stone Creek Building to determine whether we can assist you with your remodeling job.

Additional Resources:

BUILDING A CUSTOM HOME VS. BUYING EXISTING IN 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, one market recognized opportunity. The property market has exploded in the previous two years.

Despite the fact that a pandemic changed everyday living dramatically, property sales soared to levels not seen in years.

 

What is the reason?

 

It’s a little tricky, but three variables contribute:

 

  • Reduced mortgage rates
  • Millennials who are first-time homebuyers
  • Homeowners saw the need for additional space after being compelled to spend more time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We frequently receive inquiries from homebuyers who believe that creating a custom home will be less expensive than acquiring an existing home. Many believe that the custom house building process expedites the process of purchasing their next home. Their perception is largely shaped by what they are witnessing as a result of the housing boom: a restricted supply of houses, bidding wars, price inflation, and many properties in need of differing degrees of investment to bring them up to date.

 

While the real estate market fluctuates, custom house building remains a consistent alternative for people seeking a genuinely unique property.

While building a new home is not always speedier or less expensive than purchasing an existing home, there is an intangible value that’s attached to the home.

 

Moving into a home is a significant life event — the kind that warrants a photo with your family to commemorate the occasion. Consider walking into your newly completed home and immediately familiarizing yourself with every square inch of it. Consider the peace of mind you’ll have knowing that no surprises from the previous owner will counteract any cost savings.

 

Creating a home is a long-term investment; you can be confident that it was made with modern materials and adheres to the most stringent building codes.

 

Most importantly, consider the sense of pride you’ll feel knowing that you designed your home to fulfill all of your needs.

 

Stone Creek Building enjoys collaborating with prospective homeowners to help them realize their idea of a dream house. Our in-house design staff is happy to assist you in creating your next home or modifying one of our pre-designed floor plans.

 

 

BUYING EXISTING PROPERTIES: YOU RECEIVE WHAT YOU PAY FOR

Remember the boom we discussed?

 

It slowed in 2021 and has now reverted to pre-pandemic levels. According to Realtor.com’s October 2021 housing report:

 

Nationally, the inventory of active listings decreased by 21.9 percent from 2021 levels, while the overall inventory of unsold houses, including pending listings, decreased by 14.8%. Active listing inventory is down 51.9 percent year over year.

Newly listed properties fell by 2.3 percent nationally and by 4.8 percent in large metro areas during the last year. Sellers are still listing at a rate that is 11.6 percent lower than the average from 2017 to 2019.

October’s nationwide median listing price for active listings was $380,000, an increase of 8.6 percent year over year and 21.8 percent year over year. In large metro areas, median listing prices increased by an average of 5.2 percent over the previous year.

In October, the average home stayed on the market for 45 days, down 8 days from the same time last year and 21 days from 2019.

And, while the housing market will likely be tight in 2022 (more on that later), it will likely be less so than in 2020. Nonetheless, the housing deficit is projected to persist.

 

With the real estate market projected to stay tight, finding a home that fulfills all of your requirements precisely will be difficult. Existing homes were not created with your family in mind. You’re almost certainly going to have to make some concessions.

 

Acquiring an existing home is similar to purchasing a used automobile in certain ways.

 

Newer used autos are more expensive. Likewise, modern residences do. If not properly maintained, a secondhand vehicle can soon become a money pit. The same is true for existing homes; years of neglect eventually catch up with them.

 

To continue this metaphor, similar to a classic automobile, older residences were not built to new standards or with modern materials. At some point, something will require replacing. And acquiring period-appropriate components becomes increasingly difficult as time passes. Installing contemporary aspects or employing procedures that are regarded typical in the modern era might be a pain as well.

 

 

FORECAST OF THE HOUSING MARKET IN 2022

Housing market forecasts for 2022 all indicate that the present real estate inventory will continue to stabilize. However, market experts anticipate that buying and selling homes will continue to be extremely competitive.

 

As of fall 2021, there is a supply shortfall of approximately five million dwellings relative to demand. And the shortfall is unlikely to abate very soon. Not only would it be more difficult to acquire a new home, but it will also likely be more expensive than in pre-pandemic days.

 

Additionally, industry analysts are concerned that the mix of events that lead to the housing boom is indicative of a burst housing bubble. In other words, if potential home buyers opt to stay put until demand and prices decline, the housing market might swiftly return to pre-pandemic levels.

 

Things appear to be improving on the custom house development front for 2022. Despite supply chain concerns that are driving up the cost of building materials such as lumber, faith among individuals considering new house construction and home builders is growing.

 

Another encouraging sign for new home development in 2022 is that, despite a decline in new home construction, the number of new home permits issued climbed.

 

 

CONSTRUCTION OF A CUSTOM HOME AS A BETTER INVESTMENT

Choosing a new home is one of the most significant decisions you’ll ever make. Whether it’s a custom-built or existing home, it’s a significant investment that you’ll live with for years.

 

While creating a custom house is not the cheapest option in terms of upfront expenditures, its long-term value is unmatched. If you’re in the Portland, Oregon area and need a custom home built or renovations, contact us to see if we can help!

5 Reasons To Hire A Home Contractor

Buying a home entails a great deal of responsibilities. You must maintain your property in good condition not just to keep it comfortable, but also to ensure that your investment retains its worth. However, you may increase the value of your property by making renovations such as installing a new kitchen or adding new building.

Regardless of the cause, you may find yourself wondering, “Should I hire a contractor or do it myself?” when you require repairs on your property.

The truth is that when it comes to DIY vs. contractor, it is nearly always preferable to call a professional contractor rather than attempting construction work on your own. The following are five reasons why:

1. Construction work is time consuming.

Time is money regardless of how you look at it. You work diligently throughout the week in order to enjoy your weekends and vacations. When you undertake a home renovation job on your own, you avoid paying for a contractor’s work — but at the expense of your own free time. If you’re a busy professional who looks forward to weekends, it’s critical to remember that almost every construction project takes longer than anticipated. And once you start, you must finish if you wish to continue enjoying your property. By engaging a contractor, you increase your chances of completing the task fast.

2. A contractor has access to personnel, equipment, and supplies.

Numerous building jobs require more than one pair of hands. Additionally, you frequently want specialized tools – not to mention the necessary construction materials. A professional contractor will have a team of qualified personnel available to assist as needed, in addition to the necessary tools and equipment. Additionally, because contractors purchase supplies wholesale, they are more likely to locate a wider variety of options and lower pricing than a private homeowner.

3. A contractor possesses greater knowledge and skill.

Construction is not a task that should be taken lightly. Whether you’re remodeling a kitchen or adding a bedroom, it’s vital to learn the ins and outs of house construction in order to protect the existing structure’s integrity and ensure that any new construction meets code. In comparison, if you’re a weekend do-it-yourself warrior, your odds of possessing the necessary knowledge and competence are slim. And if construction work is not up to code, it is declared unsafe, and you will almost certainly be required to have it replaced if a building inspector discovers it.

4. A contractor is responsible for obtaining licenses and permits.

Certain types of repair, such as plumbing and electrical, require the assistance of licensed professionals. Additionally, many cities demand permits for specific types of development – even if it is within the confines of your own home. Knowing precisely which permits you require and when you must apply for them in order to begin your project on time is best left to the specialists. Additionally, keep in mind that without a license carries a hefty charge.

5. A contractor is required to issue a warranty.

When you perform home modifications on your own, you are not covered by a warranty. This implies that if the work is not done properly, you will have no recourse – and your time and money will be wasted. To compound problems, a substandard building job may potentially result in harm to your house. In other words, the cost of getting something wrong the first time might be substantial. One of the advantages of employing a contractor is that he or she provides a guarantee, which indicates that if something is not up to par, the contractor is responsible for repairing it.

In conclusion, there are just a few circumstances in which it makes sense to perform house modifications on your own. Certainly, if you prefer doing things yourself, have access to the necessary tools and supplies, and are capable of completing everything perfectly, DIY may be an alternative. However, even then, you risk running into license complications – not to mention the lack of a warranty for your work.

Therefore, it is preferable to choose a trained, experienced, and knowledgeable contractor who has access to a team of professionals and can obtain the necessary materials at a reasonable cost. This way, you can have peace of mind that the work will be done correctly the first time — and that you will be covered by the contractor’s warranty if anything goes wrong.

If you require any work on your home, including any home renovations, contact the Stone Creek Building team now. We’re always delighted to speak with you about your home improvement project and provide a no-obligation price. Contact us online or by phone at 503-496-7612.

Trends In Eco-Friendly Design

Green, environmentally friendly home design is gaining popularity. When creating a home, it adheres to strict energy efficiency standards, makes use of renewable energy sources, and uses non-toxic materials. Solar panels are a critical component of achieving this aim because they enable the production of clean, sustainable electricity directly from your own roof!

So, what is green home design exactly? According to one definition, “green building practices enhance a building’s environmental performance by integrating and optimizing all aspects of construction — energy conservation, water conservation, waste management, and indoor environmental quality — while adhering to accepted best practices and technologies. Green homes can help consumers save money on utility expenses and improve their level of comfort.” More broadly, it entails improving people’s living conditions and protecting the planet’s health.

Additionally, homeowners are beginning to consider building materials while designing a green home. Wood, bamboo, clay (adobe), and straw bale are also popular choices. Each of these materials has unique environmental characteristics that contribute to its eco-friendliness. Wood is naturally insect and rot resistant; bamboo’s root system aids in erosion control; clay absorbs carbon dioxide rather than creating it, as concrete does; and straw bale is an excellent insulator.

Eco-friendly house design also does not have to be prohibitively expensive. There are numerous inexpensive “green” materials that can be used in construction. The building industry is recognizing the importance of sustainable practices, and innovation has resulted in the development of more efficient equipment that will aid in the reduction of energy usage.

If you’re interested in having a custom green home built in the Portland, Oregon area, contact Stone Creek Building to see if we can help you build the house you’re looking for!

6 Benefits of An ADU Home

Tiny, adorable cottages installed on trailers may be a fashionable option for those in need of additional space. Nothing, however, compares to the tiny house you can construct on your legal property. ADUs, or accessory dwelling units, are permanent houses constructed on your land that include sewer, electricity, and water hookups.

An ADU is a detached or attached structure that adds space to the primary residence. It is also known as a backyard cottage or guest house. And, while constructing an ADU is an excellent investment, the majority of homeowners opt to expand their homes.

 

Therefore, if you are on the fence about adding this structure to your home, the following are some pros to consider:

 

Additional rental revenue

Accessory housing units might be extremely beneficial if you’re in need of short- or even long-term rental income. If you live in a desirable neighborhood, you might try renting out your extra housing unit to earn some money. Alternatively, you can live in your ADU while renting out your primary residence to short- or even long-term tenants.

 

Increased independence

A detached additional living unit will provide you with more freedom than an attached one. Service providers, as well as renters, can feel as if they have their own space, separate from other houses. Additionally, an extra dwelling unit enables you to provide significantly more independence to your older family members than they would have in a retirement home or assisted living complex.

 

Conservation of land

Because an ADU is smaller than a regular single-family home, it consumes fewer resources and has a minor impact on the environment. You will consume less energy cooling and heating it, and you will not require additional land.

 

They add value to your property.

While ADUs may be an excellent investment for you, did you know they can significantly boost the value of your property? New buyers are constantly on the lookout for something unique and worthwhile. As a result, an ADU will be seen positively. The purchasers may wish to utilize it as a home office, a guest house for visiting family and friends, or, even better, as a secondary residential unit.

 

A place for your younger adults to call home

Young adults are increasingly living at home with their parents. If this is the case, an ADU may be a viable alternative. This provides them with additional flexibility and independence. Additionally, you can cohabitate with them in the same property without sharing a bathroom or kitchen. Therefore, if your child is not yet ready to move out, consider expanding the footprint of your home by building an ADU.

 

The ultimate location for a gym or a home office

If you reside in a city and work remotely, an ADU is an excellent choice for a home office. Additionally, whether you want to teach yoga, exercise, meditate, or host guests, this place will be ideal. Therefore, consider adding an ADU to your house to avoid the daily commute and the noise of the city.

 

Finally,

ADUs are so much more than a little place in your backyard. They are a fashionable option for adding additional room to your home. Additionally, they can add value to your house, generate passive income through rent, allow independence for your grown children, and serve as an exercise room or home office.

So, if you’re looking for a Portland ADU Builder, contact Stone Creek building to learn about what our process is and what we can do to help assist you in your dream ADU.

CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS IN PORTLAND, OREGON

Stone Creek Building is a locally owned, trusted, and licensed general contractor specializing in custom home construction services and superior craftsmanship. Our team collectively has over 100 years of construction related experience.