Custom Home Upgrades to Wow Your Friends

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One of the many advantages to building a custom home is the opportunity you will have to add upgrades that dramatically improve the experience of living in that new house. As you get ready to finalize your design plan, consider the custom home upgrade ideas outlined below.

 

As a leading builder of the best custom homes Greensboro has to offer, Don Mills is someone who has built hundreds of “Dream Homes” for clients and can help you bring yours to live. 

 

Add a Pool

There isn’t anything else that serves as a showstopper quite like a pool on the property of a custom home. Not only does the pool add the functional benefit of being a place to have fun with family and friends, the shimmering blue water and surrounding pool deck can serve as a notable visual component. Pool ownership isn’t for everyone, but it is something to at least consider in the planning stages of your new home design.

 

Create a Lounge or Bar

To make your custom home stand out from the pack, you might want to add rooms that aren’t typically seen in other homes – like a bar or lounge room. This room could include an area to serve drinks, some comfortable chairs, and maybe a recreational component like a pool table or dartboard. Since you are designing a custom home, you’ll have the flexibility to include this space in your design in an area that makes sense for the overall flow of the property.

 

Home Theater Experience

Home theaters have become more common in recent years, but you can make yours stand out by creating a large space with a huge screen, great sound, and terraced seating. Thanks to the great technology that is available to homeowners today, you’ll be able to build an experience that rivals even the best commercial theater locations. Your homebuilder will likely bring in a contractor that specializes in audio/visual equipment to help put together this room perfectly.

 

An Athletic Court

Most homeowners are forced to head outside when they want to play basketball, tennis, or some other sport – but you might be able to design such a space into the layout of your house. An indoor sports center would be an incredible addition to your property, and it may not cost as much as you might think to add. This kind of space could be created as an attachment to your home, or it could be a separate building on the property.

 

Wine Cellar

This is another idea that will appeal to a particular segment of the homebuying market. If you are a wine collector and enjoy getting deep into the details of various varieties and labels, a dedicated wine cellar room may be worth including in the design. Not only can your wine cellar serve as a great place to store bottles, but it can also be a key design element that adds interest and style to the lowest floor of your custom home.

Are Lumber Costs Too High to Build a Custom Home?

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If you pay attention to the markets, you will already know that lumber costs have soared recently, which got a lot of publicity, but then they also came way down closer to the normal price range.  The rise in lumber generated a lot of news coverage but the return to the historic norms did not.  Of course, it takes a lot of lumber to build a home, so you may be wondering if you should wait on building your home until those prices drop even more. The short answer is no – now is still a great time to build a new custom home. For the longer version of that answer, read on.

 

As a leading builder of custom homes in Greensboro, Don Mills Builders should be one of your first calls as you plan a custom home project in the area. When quality is at the top of your priority list, Don Mills is the right choice.

 

Seeing the Big Picture

There is no way around the reality that higher lumber prices mean it will cost more to build a home. But just because something costs more than it used to doesn’t mean now is not a good time to build your custom dream home. For one thing, no one can predict markets with any certainty, so prices may go back up and elevated lumber prices may simply become the norm going forward. It isn’t known if or when those prices will bottom out or what they will be next month or even next year.  So, you could be putting off building your house for years only to find that the prices never did return to their old low levels.

 

Instead of betting on lumber prices, and delaying this exciting project, just consider the cost of building your custom home as it is today. Does the project fit into your budget currently? Will you be able to build the house of your dreams for a price that makes sense for your family? Those are the important questions to ask, rather than worrying about lumber prices that can vary from year to year and month to month.

 

Affordable Lending

Another important factor in this equation is the low mortgage rates that are currently available for many borrowers. What you will have to spend in additional lumber costs may be more than offset by the savings you’ll enjoy through locking in a mortgage at the current low rates. You may find that these rates go back up once lumber prices come down, meaning you wouldn’t end up saving anything even if you waited. In fact, you’ll probably be happy to pay a bit more for wood if it means you can lock in a low mortgage rate that you will be enjoying for the next 30 years.

 

Create Your Legacy

There are few projects you can take on that will be quite as exciting as building a custom home. That’s particularly true when you work with a respected builder like Don Mills, as the finished product will be something you can’t wait to show off to family and friends for years to come. Lumber prices are just one of many factors that come together in determining the overall cost of a home, so don’t focus too much of your attention on this one piece of the puzzle. Work with a great builder, pick out the perfect lot, and look forward to the day that you can move in.

Wolf Ridge – Lot#11 – 5700 Grey Wind Ct.

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Beautiful new construction by Don Mills Home Builders on the corner lot of the cul-de-sac in one of Oak Ridge’s most popular new developments. Located minutes from shopping and restaurants and in sought after Northwest school system. Primary on main adjacent to large living space and ezview screened, three season covered porch. Impressive home theatre above with additional two bedrooms and bonus. Room for all your toys in the 4 car garage! Schedule a tour today!

Year Built 2021
Beds 4
Baths 4.5
Sq. Ft. 4,274
Lot Size 40,075 Sq. Ft., 0.92 acres
Listing Id 1027008

Is a Mother-in-Law Suite a Good Investment?

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One of the many appealing things about building a custom home is how much input you have in the design process. This new home can take on any shape and size you like, as long as it meets with local building codes. Adding a mother-in-law suite to your new house is something you may be considering, as this feature is increasingly popular in new construction. This article will take a closer look at the pros and cons of mother-in-law suites.

 

Don Mills Builders is one of the top home builders in Greensboro and an excellent pick for any custom home project. The furthest thing from a cookie-cutter house, a home built by Don Mills will be unique and live up to the highest quality standards.

 

Many Benefits to Consider

There is a lot to like about creating a custom home design that includes a mother-in-law suite. For starters, this house design will give you added flexibility in terms of how you use the home as the years go by.

 

Despite the name, this feature can do far more than simply serve as a home for an aging parent. It will be suited for that use, of course, but there are many other applications. For instance, a child who needs to move back home after college would have a private area to live in until they move out permanently. Or this separate area of the home could be used as an office to meet with clients and customers. When you think about how many ways this part of the home could be used, it starts to look like a wise decision to include it in your plans.

 

One Notable Drawback

Perhaps the only notable drawback to this design is giving away square footage to a part of the home that isn’t conveniently connected to the rest. If you are set on a certain number of square feet for the house – based on your budget – you’ll have to use up some of that space on the mother-in-law suite. That could come at the expense of another feature you may have wanted to add, like a game room or home gym. Like anything else in the home building process, you’ll have to weigh the benefits of each potential feature before deciding what your final floor plan will look like.

 

Lifestyle Over Investment

If you are going through the process of creating a custom home with one of the top builders in Greensboro, you are doing it because you want to live in that home for many years to come. With that in mind, don’t focus on the investment aspect as much as the practical side of how this new home will serve your family. If a mother-in-law suite is something that will provide great value and improve the well-being of everyone in the family, then it’s certainly worth including. And, as a bonus, plenty of potential buyers will be drawn to this feature when the time comes to one day sell the house.

What Questions Should You Ask a Custom Home Builder Before Hiring Them?

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Choosing the right home builder may be the single most important piece of your whole project. There are plenty of qualified candidates to pick from around Greensboro, but some will be a better fit for your needs than others. Getting the right home building partner for this job comes down to asking the right questions and listening closely to the answers.

 

As a Greensboro custom home builder, Don Mills Builders is the right choice for those who desire the highest level of quality and custom design. These aren’t homes that you will find up and down every block in the city – they are custom creations that cater to the needs and expectations of each individual client.

 

How Many Houses Have You Built?

This is an obvious place to start. Asking a custom home builder to detail their experience will help you understand how much work they have done, what kind of homes they have built, and more. They’ll likely have a portfolio for you to review from some of their previous jobs, so you can see if anything in their past projects align with what you are hoping to create.

 

It should be noted that you don’t necessarily need to give the job to the most experienced builder, but you don’t want to trust your home to a builder that doesn’t have  substantial experience building the type or size of home that you want to build.

 

What Kind of Warranty Do You Offer?

While you should rightfully expect everything to work perfectly when you move into your new custom home, it’s a reality of home construction that some issues can come up down the line. So, before you even get started with this project, be sure to ask about warranty coverage and how much protection you will have as part of this purchase.  Also you will want to have a discussion about change orders and what constitues a change that requires additional payment.

 

How Does the Process Work?

An experienced custom home builder will be able to walk you through the general process they use to complete a project from start to finish. It’s a good idea to ask about their process so you can understand the general timeline of how things will play out, what important steps need to be checked off along the way, and anything else that might be different from a typical home builder. You don’t want any surprises to come up later on in a project this big, so get as much information as possible at this early stage.

 

Do You Have References Available?

One of the best ways to learn about a home builder is to speak with past clients about their experience. If the builder is able to put you in touch with one or two of their previous customers, you can find out what went well, what could have gone better, and ask any specific questions you may have that only a customer could answer. Between the chat you have with the past client, and the talk you have directly with the builder, you should have a good idea if this particular builder is right for you.

What are the Disadvantages to Building a Custom Home?

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The thought of building a custom dream home is immediately appealing. Who wouldn’t want to design everything about their house from the ground up? Even before you work with an architect or builder, you will have countless ideas in mind for features you’d like to include. But are there any disadvantages to consider in this process? It’s good to think about the big picture before you get started.

 

As one of the leading custom home builders in North Carolina, Don Mills Builders is the best place to start when a high-quality custom home is on the agenda. Contact Don Mills today to get started. 

 

A Lot to Like

The reason that so many people are drawn to building their own custom home is that there are so many benefits to taking this approach. Instead of purchasing a predesigned home in a standard development, taking the custom route leaves everything in your hands. Not only can you help create the design to perfectly suit your tastes, but you can also pick out all the finishes and materials. As long as you work with a quality builder like Don Mills, the result of this project should be something that can be in your family for generations.

 

Looking for A Downside

It’s hard to find anything about the custom home building process that could be classified as a disadvantage. This process will give you great access to your builder and the other professionals involved in the job, so you can have input all along the way. Perhaps the only potential drawback to consider would be if you hire a substandard custom home builder who isn’t up to the task of bringing your vision to life. In that case, this process could turn into an unwanted headache. Of course, since you have already landed at Don Mills, you won’t need to worry about that outcome.

 

Seeing the Big Picture

When potential homebuyers hit the market to consider their options, they are sometimes drawn by the idea of buying an existing house, simply because it is all done, and they can move in right away. That instant gratification is appealing in some cases, but it’s better to think about the big picture here. This may be the biggest purchase you make in your entire life, so there is no need to rush it. If you plan on living in this home for decades, it’s far more important that you get every feature that you want, rather than needing to go back later and make changes.

 

To get back to the title question for this article, there are no notable drawbacks to building a custom home. As long as you work with an experienced, knowledgeable custom builder, you should come out of this process with your dream home. Take your time picking out the right custom home builders for your project, and that starts by reaching out to Don Mills to learn more.

Are Solar Panels a Good Idea in North Carolina?

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As more and more people turn to alternative sources of energy, solar panels have seen a significant boost in popularity. Once a rarity on residential properties, solar panels can now be seen in various neighborhoods across the country. With that said, they obviously need regular sunlight to work well, so are they a good choice in North Carolina? This article will take a closer look at that question.

 

Whether you opt for solar panels or not, Don Mills Builders is the right choice for Summerfield custom homes. With years of experience and a commitment to only the highest quality standards, Don Mills will not disappoint.

 

A Simple Answer

To get right to the point – yes, solar panels are an excellent idea in North Carolina. Both residential and commercial properties across the state are already using solar technology to create power, and you can certainly do the same with your new home. If you have always been interested in making the move to solar but haven’t found the right time or information, don’t wait any longer to learn more.

 

Plenty of Sun

Weather conditions can vary from year to year, of course, but North Carolina tends to come in above average in terms of sunshine hours per year. Where some colder cloudier states may not be as effective for solar power generation, North Carolina is in an excellent position. That same sunshine that makes this such a great place to live throughout the year will also do an outstanding job of producing power when solar panels are installed.

 

Enjoying the Benefits

Those who decide to install solar panels on their home will enjoy plenty of benefits from that investment. The first, and most obvious, is the reduction in energy costs over the long run. If the idea of cutting back on – or eliminating, in some cases – your energy bill is appealing, solar panels should be on your radar. The amount of energy you produce in a given month will depend on the weather conditions, and whether or not you still have to pay a (reduced) bill will depend also on how much energy your home consumes. The cost of installing solar panels is far easier to deal with when you remember that you’ll start saving on energy costs immediately.

 

Beyond the potential savings, the other notable benefit here is doing something good for the environment. This is a clean form of energy, so it is one of the best ways to power houses and other buildings. As you get ready to build a new custom home, keep the possibility of solar panels in mind during the design phase. Your roof orientation can be set to improve the performance of solar panels, so this is something to consider right from the start. Building your own custom home is exciting enough on its own, but it can be made even better if you incorporate a solar panel installation into the design.

What’s the Difference Between a Kitchen and a “Gourmet Kitchen?”

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For many people, the kitchen is the heart of the home. This is a room that gets used nearly every day, and it is often a gathering point for everyone in the family. If you love to cook, you might not be satisfied with a standard kitchen – you may have your sights set on a “gourmet kitchen”. But what does that mean? This article will highlight some of the features commonly seen in a kitchen that rises to gourmet standards.

 

To work with a builder who has created many of the best custom homes Greensboro has to offer, contact Don Mills today to get started.

 

Start with Space

The experience of cooking is greatly improved when ample space is available to do your work. Trying to prepare complex meals in a cramped kitchen is hard to enjoy. So, one of the first points that you’ll look for when designing a gourmet kitchen is plenty of counter space on which to work. That could come in the form of counters up against the walls of the kitchen, and it will also likely include a kitchen island.

 

In addition to counter space, having plenty of room to move around in the kitchen from place to place is an important element. Do you like to cook with family or friends? Doing so in a spacious kitchen where everyone can flow around without any trouble is a great way to spend your time.

 

Look to the Appliances

With the layout of the kitchen established, the next step toward a gourmet kitchen of your dreams is picking out the perfect appliances. You’ll want to feature high-end, quality appliances in this kind of kitchen, which will elevate not only the performance of the space, but the look, as well.

 

It’s important to remember that you are not restricted to the standard set of appliances that you find in most kitchens. An oven, microwave, and dishwasher are a great starting point, but other components can be added, as well. For instance, many gourmet-style kitchens include a second oven without a range, so making large meals for events like holidays is significantly easier. 

 

The Little Touches

As the design and equipment for your kitchen round into shape, you’ll want to consider the small finishing touches that can really make this a great place to cook. These kinds of touches can come in all shapes and sizes, and they will largely depend on how you like to prepare food. Maybe you want to add an additional sink – perhaps in the island – to have more options. Or, you could add a tap behind the range with a spout specifically for filling large pots easily on the stove.

 

Keep in mind storage at this last phase of the process, as well. It’s possible to incorporate a hanging rack for pots and pans, or some specialized cabinet spaces for various kitchen tools and small appliances. By working with a builder who specializes in custom homes in Greensboro, it’s possible to bring even the grandest kitchen vision to life.

What Are the Steps to Building a Custom Home?

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Once you have decided to move, you’ll have a couple of options to consider. For one, you could buy an existing home, hoping to find something that fits the needs and tastes of your family. Or you could build a new custom home from scratch, picking out everything from the lot it stands on down to the smallest pieces of trim. If you go the custom route, you are in for a memorable experience that should leave you with a home that serves your family well for many years and possibly even generations.

 

For custom homes in Oak Ridge, be sure to keep Don Mills Builders at the top of your list. With experience serving many clients in the area and a commitment to craftsmanship, these homes stand out from the crowd.

 

Big Picture Plans

Start your process by thinking about the big picture items that you need to sort out before any of the specific details can start to fall into place. Some of those key pieces include –

 

  • How much are you going to spend? Your available budget for the project is going to have a huge impact on how your build comes together. Having clarity on how much you’ll spend right from the start is going to make it easier to make quality decisions later on.
  • Where do you want to live? You’ll obviously need to secure a lot for your new custom home, and buying a lot starts with having a general area in mind of where you want to reside.
  • What’s the timeline for your project? For some people, their new custom home needs to be as done as soon as possible. For others, however, time isn’t as important as getting exactly what they want in the end.

 

You can get clarity on these points before you even go out into the ‘real world’ to start this project. Spend the time you need to make decisions on these three points and everything else will start to fall into place.

 

Talking to Builders

Having some conversations with experienced custom home builders is a step that should happen early in the process. Even if you don’t yet have a lot, you might want to start talking to builders about what you plan to create and where you’d like to live. The builder might will likely have some suggestions regarding where you should look for land, since they will be so familiar with the residential land market in the area and will likely have some lots in very desirable locations.

 

Design and Build

With the groundwork all laid, and a lot and builder picked out, it will be time for the truly exciting part – designing your new home. Once the design is completed and you are happy with all of the small details, the process of moving some earth and creating the home can begin in earnest. There will be plenty of steps through this part of the process as well, including permitting and bringing in various contractors for the different stages of the build. It takes some patience to see a custom home come to life, but the wait will be well worth it in the end.

Reasons Why People Are Moving to the Greensboro, NC Area

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The Greensboro, NC area is one of the many growing cities in North Carolina. People are moving to the area for a variety of reasons. Greensboro custom homes are going up in new housing developments all around the city, including Summerfield and Oak Ridge and other surrounding suburbs to accommodate the uptick in population. 

 

Why are so many people moving to Greensboro? Here are the top reasons. 

 

Job Opportunities

Cities offer more job opportunities than small towns and rural areas. Whether people are looking for places to develop their careers or even just hourly positions, there are almost always jobs to be had in a growing city like Greensboro. 

 

The colleges and universities in the area provide jobs, as well as other major employers like the hospital, and the public school system. Other industries in the area include technology, food processing, restaurants, distribution and vehicle manufacturing. 

 

Medical Facilities

Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital is located in Greensboro as well as Cone Health, a related healthcare system that serves the city and surrounding area. Quality healthcare is a major pull to any area, and Greensboro is no different. People of varying degrees of health, but especially families and older adults value proximity to hospitals and other medical facilities.  

 

Higher Education

Opportunities for higher education often drive some to relocate to specific areas that have a variety of colleges and universities available. Guilford College, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina A&T, Greensboro College, and nearby High Point University and Elon College are all in the area, providing both educational and career opportunities. 

 

Arts and Culture

The Greensboro Culture Center is located downtown in the arts district and is the hub of the area’s arts and culture. Art galleries, performing arts venues, studios, theaters, and more can be found in Greensboro’s city center and around the area. 

 

Restaurants and breweries are abundant in Greensboro, providing a wide range of local cuisine from a variety of cultures around the world. As more people move to the area, the food and arts become even more eclectic. 

 

Wide Variety of K-12 Schools

Guilford County Public Schools is one of the largest public school districts in the state with many top notch schools within the system. There are also many private and charter schools in Greensboro and the surrounding area for those that wish to explore educational opportunities beyond what the public schools offer. 

 

Space to Expand

Not everyone wants to live within the city limits with all the hustle and bustle. A smaller city like Greensboro offers plenty of suburban and rural areas around the city to expand. For families who want peaceful homes with big yards for the kids to run and play, Greensboro’s suburbs are ideal. 

 

Greensboro Custom Homes by Don Mills Builders

If you’re looking for an area with the benefits of the city and the comforts of the country, Greensboro is ideal. Greensboro custom homes are currently being built in housing developments offering large lots in natural settings just outside the city, such as in Summerfield and Oak Ridge.  If you want a short commute to work and a home with a country feel, Don Mills Builders can build you the custom home of your dreams. 

 

Call (336) 362-1777 or request a quote today.