Her Home Margo Edition

BUILDING & REMODELING INSIGHTS

Inspired Design

Her Home’s Home of the Year

A DIVISION OF DESIGN BASICS, LLC

Home Design

Beyond Three

Bedrooms

Trending

Rub-A-Dub-Dub Get Rid of The Tub?

www.HerHome.com

Your Vision Our Expertise

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photo by David Sacks

Tailored specifically for you | Fast turnaround | Very reasonable prices Visit www.DesignBasics.com or call (800) 947-7526

CONTENTS FINALLY ABOUT ME 3 Your Home, Your Personality 4 Celebrating Margo

TRENDING 5 Rub-A-Dub-Dub,

Get Rid of That Tub?

WOMAN-CENTRIC PRODUCTS 9 Margo’s Most Wanted

I WISH I HAD THOUGHT ABOUT...

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12 More Space in the Kitchen...

Damage Control

photo courtesy of Aquatic

INSPIRED DESIGN 13 Her Home’s Home of the Year

HOME DESIGN 21 Beyond 3 Bedrooms 22 Cutting Laundry Time in Half 23 Margo Home Plans!

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photo courtesy of VeluxUSA

AND IN THIS ISSUE...

17 What’s Your Cost Per Square Foot?

THIS IS NEW One magazine in four personality-specific versions!

A DIVISION OF DESIGN BASICS LLC

This issue celebrates “Margo” CHIEF EDITOR/CFO

Janie Murnane

ASSOCIATE EDITOR/BRANDING

Michele Anderson-Weaver

are readers; “Margos” prefer bulleted text; “Claires” relate well to informational graphics and “Maggies” like lots of pictures.

Of course, sometimes a picture is worth 1000 words…and there’s times when pictures don’t do an idea justice.

We’ve never done this before. Which makes it risky, but the reward is so gratifying! At a home show, the personality basis created so much buzz and interest that women waited in lines that would rival a blockbuster movie premier! Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but in three days more than 600 women lined up at that booth to discover their “new home personality.” KA-BOOM! For the past several years we have written about the four primary personalities our research identified are most common among women home buyers. Those four named personas live differently, and show different preferences in home design, products for the home and decorating style. We call it “Finally About Me” and if you’re not yet familiar with the concept, log on to HerHome.com, take three minutes to take the quiz and discover which persona you’re closest to!

Your home should be a reflection of who you are and how you live in a home – a “cookie-cutter” option rarely works.

It’s a big challenge to address all four personalities in a single magazine. “Elises”

So what you have in front of you is one of the four versions of this Her Home Magazine. The topics and content are similar among all four versions, but the way the information is presented – text, graphics and photos – differs with each of the personalities!

We hope you enjoy this unique magazine, with its discussions about tubless bathrooms, must-have products and cutting laundry time in half. Then there’s another first, Her Home’s Home of the Year. As the home’s builder Tyrone Leslie commented, “Part of what made this home so successful is that it incorporates so many ideas that are attainable for the average buyer.” Finally, if you’ve been comparing contractors on a cost-persquare foot basis, you’ll want to check out “What’s Your Cost Per Square Foot?” beginning on page 17.

I’m a “Claire” and that persona describes me to a “T”. What about you? Have you taken the quiz? Do you “see yourself” in the results? I would love to hear back from you and hear what you discovered when you identified the persona you’re closest to!

CHIEF EDITOR

editor@HerHome.com

GRAPHIC ARTS

Yen Gutowski SENIOR DESIGNER

Carl Cuozzo PLAN ALTERATIONS

Tricia Baker

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Paul Foresman Janie Murnane

www.HerHome.com www.HerHome.com

DESIGN BASICS PUBLISHING

CH I E F E X ECU T I V E OF F I CE R

Myles Sherman CH I E F OP E RAT I NG OF F I CE R

Patrick Carmichael PRESIDENT

Kathryn Dick A S SOC I AT E P U B L I S H E R

Paul Foresman VP RECORDS MANAGEMENT/DATA INTEGRITY

Greg Dodge

cover photo courtesy of Kohler Co.

PUBLISHED BY: Design Basics LLC 11112 John Galt Blvd., Omaha, NE 68137 www.DesignBasics.com | Info@DesignBasics.com phone: (800) 947-7526

Text and Design © 2012 by Design Basics LLC All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the publisher.

ISSN: 1553-6424 PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

The neighborhood you choose…the home design you fall in love with…products and finishes you select for your home…even personal items you love to display... all of these reflect your personality. Many aspects of our lives are “learned”, but personality is a gift we were born with. And personality influences only grow stronger with age.

Even though Her Home Magazine is published from “her” perspective, all women don’t want to be thought of (or treated) the same. That truth inspired the woman-centric team at Design Basics to go deeper

with their research into women’s preferences in the home, its design and products used, to look for personality-based influences. The research suggested four primary personas, and they were given names: Margo, Elise, Claire and Maggie.

A fun, interactive quiz (“Finally About Me!”) was developed to help women identify which of the four personas were closest to her personality. While no one is “purely” or “exclusively” one of the personas (to varying degrees, everyone is a blend of the different personas), quiz results identify the primary personality.

These four fireplaces are representative of the four Finally About Me personalities. Can you match the fireplace style with the corresponding personna? (Answers on page 21)

You see, the words we use reveal a lot about how we see ourselves and are a reflection of our personalities. In the same way, our personalities are reflected in our homes.

After all, there are few places on Earth where you have as much freedom to be yourself than in your home!

FINALLY ABOUT ME!

Which word would you most likely use to describe your ideal home: “haven,” “showcase,” “unique,” or “carefree”?

It’s simply uncanny how knowing your personality helps you understand your preferences in home design and product choices. The quiz, which takes about 3 minutes, will likely save you hours by helping focus on your priorities and avoid wasting your time on things you’re probably not interested in.

For more regarding the quiz and all four personalities, visit HerHome.com.

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Margo • Contemporary • Work/life balance • Form over function • Edgy • Goal-Oriented • Individualistic

CELEBRATING

“Modern” is a word that describes Margo well. While she can appreciate her heritage, her focus is on the now and the future. An early embracer of new and different, Margo is an agent of change.

She’ll challenge “that’s the way we’ve always done it.”

Change is exciting and holds the promise of something better – even if there’s a bit more risk associated with “new.”

Margos often love what they do, in terms of work and volunteerism. In fact, Margo may arrive home after a long day at work only to pull out her tablet or laptop and jump right back on what she had been working on. Because for Margo, work is inspiring, intriguing and even energizing! Amenities which enhance working from home are popular with Margo buyers. Many times a lifelong learner, Margo will be looking for an “inspiration room” which may serve as a home office, creative zone and personal space.

Margos tend to be attracted to geometric shapes such as curved walls and angled spaces.

Many Margos also favor minimalism. Hidden storage in the kitchen rather than showy cabinetry, and stained concrete floors (in lieu of tile or wood) are popular with Margo.

Margo is highly intuitive, and trusting her intuition has served her well. When looking at products for her home, Margo often selects items which are new and unique. In fact she prefers not to have “best selling” and “most popular” simply because Margo is more individualistic than that. Others may view some of Margo’s choices as a bit edgy, but that’s not how Margo sees them. “Cool” and “innovative” just seem to connect with Margo. Everywhere she looks in her home, she likes what she sees!

Such was a response from New York Sales Professional Jim Cotungo in a recent Linked in® discussion on whether or not to build master bathrooms with a tub plus separate shower or forgo the tub in favor of oversized spa-type showers.

Please understand, we’re discussing homes with two or more bathrooms and there is always a tub in another bathroom.

Often tim es the m ain foca bathtub l point, b selection ath . photo c ourtesy o room design ma y hinge f Kohler on Co.

RUB A DUB-DUB GET RID OF THAT TUB? Her Home talked with people from all over, including homeowners, home builders, Realtors, and designers regarding the desireability of a bathtub in the master bathroom.

Here’s what we heard!

GENDER DIFFERENCES • Very few men desired a tub in the master bathroom.

• Some men wanted a tub for their wives.

• About 1/3 of the women we spoke with desired a tub in the master bathroom IF the bathroom also had a large shower.

• Women looking for a tub to relax in did not want to have to share the tub in the kids’ bath due to size and privacy issues. www.HerHome.com

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TUB SIZE • Big, jetted tubs were generally perceived as outdated and noisy. Most women we spoke with preferred the idea of a soaking tub.

“I’m starting to enjoy small baths in hotels a lot more. They fill up quicker and stay

warm longer! And I don’t feel so guilty about all the water I am wasting at the expense of my children and others’ children as well. Shame on me for that big tub in my master bath. I really regret it.” -Trish Holder, Publisher of Greenspiration Home (www.greenspirationhome.com).

• Larger tubs use as much as 80 to over 100 gallons. So, there might not be any hot water left after filling the tub! Ask about: larger capacity water lines (fills faster) and a larger capacity (or separate) water heater if your dream bath includes a large tub.

Whether you’re wanting an invigorating shower or to simply de-stress, Kohler’s DTV Shower System is amazing. photo courtesy of Kohler Co.

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HYGIENE • Some ladies thought soaking in a tub of dirty water and soap scum was just offensive.

“When women I talk with realize jetted tubs are simply recirculating the same water with their hair and dead skin cells, they quickly lose interest in a whirlpool tub.”-- Scott Smith, General Manager at Rooftight Homes in Fall River, Nova Scotia.

• One individual said she felt she would need to shower off after taking a bath!

“Women can develop infections due to soaking in bubble bath or other products that can cause irritation.” -- Her Home Publisher Janie Murnane AGE AND ACCESSIBILITY • Many younger buyers were willing to explore tubless bathrooms, others simply wouldn’t purchase a home that didn’t have a master bathtub.

• Several builders, Realtors and older home owners mentioned the danger of falls associated with getting in and out of a bathtub.

• Preferred: Larger showers with no “curb”,

In your dream bathroom, if there’s a tub,

how does it make you feel? a seat, overhead shower head and a handheld shower.

• Some older buyers still want and expect a tub in the master bath, saying they wouldn’t give up their long, hot soaks.

“I could not ever imagine not having a tub! I look forward to my bath every day! Yes every day! What can I say, it’s part of my therapy. I am an active adult, with terrible arthritis. I have four grown children and will soon be a grand mom.

Remember the “Calgon, take me away” ads? There’s nothing better than soaking in a nice bubble bath with candles and a glass of wine. What is more comfortable to aching joints, lower back pain, arthritis, chronic pain, etc. than a nice warm bubble bath, taking all of the weight you have carried around all day long, away?” – Ginny Knauff, Tile Design Consultant with QDI Stone.

LOOKING GOOD! • Aesthetic appeals of a beautiful bathtub

are unmatched.

• Designers strive to create an inspiring focal point—and it’s often the bathtub, the tub surround, faucets and its lighting fixture.

• Many times, a big window over the tub bathes the entire room in daylight.

• A bathtub is really a multi-sensory experience, with the soothing feeling of the water plus fragrant soaps and candles.

• Oversized shower luxuries include fanciful lighting, body sprays and special

Bye-bye boring bathtubs! Aquatic’s serenity 13 tub is bathroom inspiration. photo courtesy of Aquatic

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showerheads pre-set with your preferred temperature and spray patterns. (Make sure you have the option of running only one showerhead if that’s all you want.)

UPKEEP • Many women spoke of the master suite bathtub as something they don’t need, use or even want.

• Reality check: Increasingly busy, women said there’s no time for a bath.

“Personally, as a working mom, I don’t have the time to soak in a tub--and I have

RESALE • Some Realtors felt no tub in the master bathroom would hurt resale.

• Custom home buyers and older individuals were less concerned about resale. “If I like it, someone else will, too,” represented feedback we received.

• Younger buyers planning to move again were more concerned about resale, viewing the master bathtub as an investment.

In effect, they weren’t building the home for themselves, but for the next buyer of that home!

So…we offer one last piece of advice – be true

to yourself. You know yourself best. a Jacuzzi tub in my master bath that I wish were not there.”– Kerri Durkee, owner of Functional Home Designs who specializes in home staging and redesign.

• Tubs that aren’t used still need to be cleaned. “We’re tired of dusting the tub!” was an oft-mentioned regret.

• Larger jetted and deep soaking tubs are more difficult to clean.

• Doorless walk-in showers are popular because there’s no door to clean!

TUBLESS BATHROOM BENEFITS • No tub may allow for amenities such as a private toilet area, added linen storage, coffee bar or separate vanities.

• Deleting a fancy tub may save thousands of dollars (including installation costs) for must-have amenities.

top:

• Remodelers and home stagers felt if the seller’s budget allowed, taking the tub out of the master bath and installing a big shower was a sure way to get the home sold!

• Several real estate agents told us buyers were shying away from homes that didn’t have an oversized shower, regardless of a tub in the owner’s bathroom.

Thanks to everyone who joined our exploration into tubless owner’s bathrooms!

Today’s trend is towards large showers, but tub baths have stood the test of time.

So…we offer one last piece of advice—be true to yourself. You know yourself best.

Avoid future remorse. If you’ll regret not having a tub in the owner’s bath, then insist upon a tub. And if you’ll regret devoting that extra space and expense to a tub, forgo the tub. After all, it’s your money!

Embracing a classic look with a modern edge, American Standard’s BerwickTM Collection faucets and sprays are an invigorating start to the day! photo courtesy of American Standard

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bottom:

For a unique shower, consider a unique shape made possible by glass block walls! photo courtesy of HyLite, a U.S. Block Window Company

MOST Margo’s

WANTED CEILING ART

Because we’re drawn to sunny spaces, skylights have long been a popular way to brighten your room—and your life! Tim Miller, President of VELUX America, understands the dramatic role skylights play in creating unique spaces. As importantly, Miller explained VELUX teamed up with designer Karim Rashid to introduce “fashion colors and shapes for blinds and skylight accessories. Think ceiling art.” photo courtsey of VelusUSA www.VeluxUSA.com

HOT

Fireplace manufacturers have recognized that everyone doesn’t want the same, traditional fireplace like grandmother had.

Lennox Hearth products, in particular, has responded with some “minimalist, contemporary, and artisan” designs, according to Joe Benedetti, Lennox’s Manager of Fireplace engineering. In addition, Benedetti says Lennox has “focused on new finishing processes and accessories for the ultimate in customization!” photo courtesy of Lennox www.lennoxhearthproducts.com www.HerHome.com

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INVISIBLE

Solid Drives from Induction Dynamics are mounted behind the drywall (or any solid surface), turning that entire surface into a speaker. Ideal for use with big recessed TVs and media rooms, Solid Drives eliminate the need for cutting holes in walls or ceilings—so you don’t have to decorate around the speakers/speaker grilles. Great sound and no visible speakers! photo courtesy of Solid Drive | www.soliddrive.com

COOL

The Nest thermostat is a wonderful example of technology. Traditional programmable thermostats were complicated and hard to use. In fact, according to Nest, up to 90% of traditional programmable thermostats aren’t programmed properly.

The Nest is different. It learns from you. You simply adjust the temperature and it learns how warm you want the home at different time of the day and automatically delivers that temperature. Of course, you can override its learned settings anytime you want and even control it remotely from your computer.

Now that’s great technology—because it works the way a homeowner wants it to work and it’s simple to operate. Oh, and it’s also BEAUTIFUL! photo courtsey of Nest | www.nest.com

EYE-CANDY

Glass tile backsplashes can be a stunning way to express your sense of style! Whether you use square tiles, round tiles or specialty shapes; a single color or a mosaic of colors; and a single size or intermix sizes, glass tile allows you to express your individuality beautifully! photo courtesy of Modwalls www.modwalls.com

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FOCAL POINT Your home doesn’t look like everybody else’s. Why should your garage doors? If you agree that the best way to describe traditional plain slab garage doors and the overused 16- or 32-raised panel garage doors is “boring”, perhaps Amarr Garage Doors’ Vista doors are right for you. Vickie Lents, Marketing Director at Amarr told us the Vista doors offer contemporary styling, a variety of translucent glass panels and a rugged aluminum frame. photo courtesy of Amarr | www.amarr.com

DISTINCTIVE

Okay, they may not be for everybody, but EGLO Lighting’s Modern Living collection of lighting fixtures are nothing short of spectacular! Complement your unique style with wall sconces, pendants, ceiling lights, floor and table lamps—and brighten your outlook!

Pictured: EGLO’s MERCUR lights, one design series in the Modern Living collection. photo courtesy of Eglo www.EGLO.com/usa

UNIQUE

Concrete sinks and countertops are still a rarity in new construction, but that may be due to buyers’ trying to picture a sidewalk atop their kitchen cabinets! Jerry Alexander of Red Baron Architectural (Lindale, Texas) knows reality is far from those misperceptions, as he and their staff of artisans craft exquisite sinks and countertops! photo by Lisa Stewart Photography www.redbaronbuilding.com

WARM

Many of today’s larger, modern showers are doorless designs, great because there’s no door to clean, but some people report feeling cold before they are able to dry off. Common solutions are in-floor heat in your bathroom (installs under the tile;) wall mounted heaters; and ceiling heaters (either blowers or heat lamps.) Another bathroom warming option is a towel warmer. Runtal Radiators Fain model is a minimalist design using round and square elements, complementing contemporary bathroom design.

In addition to a warm bathroom, you get to enjoy the feel of a toasty towel! photo courtesy of Runtal Radiators www.runtalnorthamerica.com

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Helping buyers make wise, informed decisions regarding their homes and the products that go into those homes.

Creating More Space in the Kitchen

I HAD THOUGHT ABOUT...

When we moved into our new home, we thought we knew we had “made it” because we now had a dishwasher! Our previous home, smaller and older, had a very modest kitchen and no room for such a luxury.

If space in your kitchen is at a premium, consider one of the “under sink” dishwashers. GE offers dishwashers designed to be installed under the sink, with a special tub to allow for sink plumbing. Some models can also be installed beneath a cooktop!

Learn more at www.geappliances.com

Damage Control Whether you are tired of damage to doors, trim, or walls, you can do better than traditional door stops. Perfect Products’ DoorSaver II replaces one of your door’s hinge pins and controls how far the door swings open. An added benefit—you’ll never again run the vacuum cleaner (or your toe!) into those low, wall-mounted door stops!

Learn more at www.doorsaver.com

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Tyrone Leslie of Heritage Homes in Fargo, North Dakota, described public reaction to the company’s “Idea Home” debuting in their local Parade of Homes. According to Leslie, “This ‘Georgetown’ was our most remarkable Parade Home in years!” – impressive, since many of their recent Parade Homes cost twice as much.

Home of the Year written by Paul Foresman | photos courtesy of Heritage Homes

“Outstanding!” That’s how builder

AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME

The Idea Home’s open floorplan is wonderful for socializing.

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“Oh,

Pets are part of your family, too, and the Idea Home’s Pet Center was one of the most popular ideas!

you guys have thought of everything!”

Leslie continued, “Part of what made the home so successful is that it incorporates so many thoughtful ideas that are attainable for the average buyer. We focused on livability throughout the home, and opened people’s eyes to truly affordable amenities they had never seen or even imagined. I knew we had a winner when I started hearing comments like ‘Oh, you guys have thought of everything!’”

Unique, innovative ideas are found throughout the Home of the Year. For example, there’s a pet center in the Idea Home’s rear foyer, complete with an elevated doggie shower to minimize back strain while washing the dog! To the left of the shower, a roll-out discretely stores pet food and a drawer under the base cabinet (pops out with a nudge of the toe) hides the food and water dish! Of course, there can be all kinds of other uses for the pet shower.

Debuting in the Idea Home was the travel center in the home’s master suite closet.

Where do your store and pack your suitcase? Leslie commented, “The travel center really hit home with Parade visitors! It eliminates the annoyance of constantly running into the luggage when getting ready for your trip, which is also a great stress reliever.”

Parade visitors loved the open floorplan. At the heart of the socializing space is the island with eating bar and sink conveniently located for all. The glass tile backsplash was a surprise, as were more toe-kick drawers under the base cabinets for storing shallow items. What’s “wasted space” in most homes became another hallmark of the Idea Home!

The angled island plays visually with the fireplace opposite it. Because people are naturally drawn to sunny spaces (improves mood and concentration), the family room presents a wall of windows plus there are windows on either side of the glass patio doors.

Everyone appreciated the location of the powder bath – because it does not share a wall with entertaining areas – providing desirable privacy. Similarly, locating the staircase away from the front entry is atypical, but super-convenient for heading down to breakfast in the morning!

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www.HerHome.com

The Travel Center ensures the suitcase is always convenient and means a dirty suitcase need never meet your clean bedspread!

Unique,

innovative ideas are found throughout the home.

IDEA4

Heritage Homes had a better idea when coming into the home from the garage. 1] Rather than walking into a laundry room with piles of laundry to be washed (oooh, that smell!) there’s a rear foyer. 2] A clutter-busting “drop zone” for all the stuff we carry in. 3] The drop zone includes a handy recharging center for tablets, cell phones, flashlights, etc. and even showcased its own idea: 4] electric outlets for regular power cords plus USB charging ports. No more bulky AC power adaptors!

Innovation moved upstairs with the Georgetown’s laundry room relocated to the second floor—no more lugging laundry baskets up and down stairs! Then in the owner’s suite, a coffee bar situated just outside the owner’s bathroom! A half wall created two vanity spaces in that bathroom, making staggered height vanities possible. And to prove they thought of everything, a private water closet complete with Heritage Homes’ “toilet buddy – in-wall storage for extra toilet paper, hygiene products and magazines.

above:

A half-wall creates separate his and her vanity space and also smoothes the transition when one vanity is higher for added comfort when used by taller individuals.

right:

Wake up and smell the… The master suite’s coffee bar, thoughtfully located between the bedroom and bathroom.

According to Leslie, “The closets were a big deal with visitors to our Parade home.

We’ve never designed a home with too much closet space, but this one might come close!” Bedroom closets large enough to swallow not only the clothes but games and other assorted little treasures…two walk-ins for the owner’s suite…and big linen closets, while maybe not game-changing amenities, are nevertheless essential to a home filled with great ideas. There’s even a big walk-in closet (think bulk paper goods, vacuum cleaner, coats, etc.) coming in from the garage.

Heritage’s “home automation package” was another crowd favorite in the Georgetown. Controlled from a smart phone or tablet, cameras in the nursery and at the front door provide peace of mind, while remote monitoring of heating and cooling, lighting and security systems can help take the worry out of traveling. www.HerHome.com

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So many visitors exclaiming “What a great idea!” proved Heritage Homes’ Idea Home offered something for everyone. At $349,000 (including the added 3rd car garage stall,) the 2,612 square foot Georgetown was not the biggest home in the Parade, nor the most expensive. Yet this was the home everyone was talk-

ing about, including comments like “Why don’t all builders build homes like this?” According to Leslie, the answer’s rather simple. “We embraced a woman-centric approach in our home building company and teamed up with Design Basics. The feedback we’ve received, mostly from women, inspired us to design

our homes differently and gave us a new appreciation for products included in our homes as well as options we suggest. We’ve also revamped how we work with our clients to take the entire process from stressful to delightful. Our customer satisfaction survey scores have soared!”

The Baking Center—for the gourmet cook and grandkids’ creations!

43013-54Y: Heritage Homes Georgetown is based on Design Basics “Moss Bluff” plan, tailored to their specific market preferences. plan

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For most home builders, asking them, “What’s your cost per square foot?” is a little like asking a mechanic what it’s going to cost to fix the engine in your car before he’s had a chance to look it over.

Without knowing more, a price is just a shot in the dark. Do you have

WHAT’S

COST PER SQUARE FOOT?

YOUR

WHY DO BUYERS ASK BUILDERS ABOUT THE COST PER SQUARE FOOT? a bad spark plug wire or does the entire motor need to be rebuilt?

Everybody uses it. Real estate agents…mortgage loan officers…appraisers… the entire existing home market uses this square footage price for establishing home values and listing prices. But is a used Mini Cooper worth as much as a brand new one? Used homes don’t come with warranties and they weren’t built to today’s construction or energy codes…

It’s easy.

• Easy to calculate—price ÷ square footage = cost/sq. ft.

• Easy to understand • Easy to use • Easily accessible—major real estate websites publish this information.

Chevrolet Corvette $17.02/lb

Can you afford what you want?

You want to know

that what you want is within your budget.

You want to get a fair deal. There are so many variables! Cost per square foot seems like a fair way to ensure you’re not getting ripped off.

Mazda Miata $9.59/lb

You’re a bargain shopper. Lowest price can make sense for

mass-produced products, like big-screen TVs or even a new convertible. Still, you’re not buying that car on the basis of its “cost per pound,” which is akin to purchasing a new home on its cost per square foot.

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One story homes cost more. Compared to two-story homes of the same square footage, one-story homes cost more per square foot because they’re wider/deeper, so there’s more roof, foundation, and may require a bigger home site.

Design Basics plan #42135

What’s included in the price? Hardwood flooring or carpet? Full sod and a generous landscaping allowance or just putting down grass seed? Such factors affect price but not the size of your home, raising or lowering the cost per square foot.

Armstrong Flooring Linoleum Marmorette in Firebird Red. | Armstrong.com

10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE COMPARING Smaller homes cost more. Costs for permits, fees, inspections and utility hook-ups are unaffected by a home’s size. A smaller home still has a kitchen sink and appliances, just like a larger house. Assuming comparable finishes, smaller homes have higher costs per square foot.

Design Basics plan #8532

Methods used to calculate square footage differ. Was the second-story area of a twostory high entry foyer included? Another example—when measured to the outside of the brick, a home may be hundreds of square feet larger than if measured just to its exterior wall framing, dramatically impacting cost per square foot!

Design Basics plan #42211

Land costs. Did the cost per square foot quoted include the home site? For a 2,000 square foot home, a $25,000 lot works out to $12.50 per square foot, a $60,000 lot equates to $30 per square foot! Neighborhood covenants (i.e., requiring a full masonry front elevation) and community amenities like walking trails and clubhouses are costs which raise building lot prices.

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Quality workmanship isn’t cheap. Prices vary among framers, electricians, plumbers and painters. Do you really want your builder to hire the cheapest? Also, labor rates vary significantly by region. Your brother may have gotten a new home built in Texas for $90 a square foot, but in the northeast, the identical home will cost more.

Photo courtesy of Modwalls | modwalls.com

The included products differs by builder. Your price includes granite countertops, but granite runs about $40 to over $100 per square foot based on color and thickness. Quiet dishwashers—something you’ll truly appreciate—cost more than their entry-level counterparts by the same manufacturer. Even using builders spec sheets you can’t get a true comparison of cost per square foot.

Photo courtesy of Solid Rock Creations, LLC. | luxurygranite.com

NEW HOMES BY THEIR COST PER SQUARE FOOT Your choices have a huge impact on your cost per square foot. Your kitchen selections alone can add $10-20 per square foot due to expensive cabinetry, countertops, faucets, flooring and appliances. Most builders’ pricing includes “allowances” for common selections such as lighting fixtures—but allowances vary by builder. Similarly, fireplaces, crown molding, window treatments and high performance insulation increase your cost per square foot. first floor second floor

1387 sq. ft.

471 sq. ft.

total finished

1858 sq. ft.

garage porches attic

Cost/sq. ft. @ $300,000 $161.46

509 sq. ft.

185 sq. ft.

243 sq. ft.

total under roof 2795 sq. ft.

$107.33

basement adds 1387 sq. ft. total sq. ft.

4182 sq. ft.

$ 71.73

Photo courtesy of Pedini

What square footage was included? The basement?

Attic spaces? With the foundation, walls and roof already there, finishing such spaces costs less, lowering the home’s overall cost per square foot if based on “finished” square footage. Porches, decks, patios and garages aren’t “finished” space but add expense. Cost per square foot comparison is meaningless if the square footage of these areas is counted differently by various builders.

Different ways to calculate square footage for Design Basics plan #9175

Cost is driven by design. Pre-drawn home plans might cost $1,000 (about $.50 per square foot for a 2,000 square foot home,) custom-drawn plans typically range from $2-$10 or more per square foot. Carpet typically comes in 12’-wide rolls, so a 12’-8” bedroom adds cutting and seaming labor and increases material waste. Dramatic rooflines and entries, artful ceiling details and numerous foundation jogs increase cost per square foot.

Design Basics plan #1689

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MOVING FORWARD Check out your builder.

We hear horror stories of builders who will quote a price based purely on square feet and then pound the buyer with extras after the job is started. Reputable builders will have a long list of references from happy homeowners. Contact those references! There’s more to consider than lowest price.

What’s the cost per square foot of your new home warranty?

Every home builder can give you a detailed and accurate cost per square foot. “Production” builders build the

same plans repeatedly and offer limited personalization, so they can usually quote you a price per square foot. Their fixed standards, limited variables and economies of scale often enable them to offer the lowest cost per square foot.

Semi-custom builders offer a wider variety of home designs, building sites and finishes. Such builders will typically modify their home plans to suit your needs, too.

Their initial price range, such as “$100 to $200 per square foot depending on what you want” comes clearer into focus as your design, home site and product decisions are made.

A custom home builder may never build the same home twice. She doesn’t have historical data for that specific home to look back on as a starting point. Knowing that custom home buyers often have specific products and amenities in mind, providing a cost per square foot before the plans and details are firmed up can lead to disastrous results.

DO YOU REALLY WANT THE CHEAPEST? Even with multiple builders’ cost per square foot info, are you going to automatically take the lowest price per square foot? How do you suppose the builder with the lowest price was able to do it? Plus, you want your builder to make a profit on building your home. If she doesn’t, she won’t be in business to take care of any warranty issues with your home.

So...exercise great caution if using cost per square foot in comparing builders and their homes. Even if you believe you’ve got an “apples for apples” comparison, the low cost per square foot builder might just be one of those bad apples!

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(Fireplace answers from page 3, top to bottom: Maggie, Claire, Elise, Margo) To order building plans, call 800-947-7526 or visit www.HerHome.com

www.HerHome.com

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Researching this concept, we heard comments from women like “It’s the only way to keep up!” One man said, “Brilliant! My wife wants to know when she will get her second pair!” Her Home publisher Janie Murnane added, “The more the laundry has to be separated, the more this idea makes sense to me.”

The practical side of great design shows up in a home that lives the way you want it to. And while doing laundry may not be very high on your dream home priorities, freeing up some of your time surely is!

CU ING

How about two laundry pairs? Depending on the floorplan layout (or perhaps with slight modifications) you may be able to accommodate two washers and two dryers in a larger laundry room. Or at least a second dryer, as drying cycles typically take longer.

LAUNDRY TIME

Got more important things to do than wait for the dryer to finish so you can get the next load in? Tired of those laundry “emergencies” where your daughter needs clean work clothes in two hours and another load is in the washer?

the Silver Creek | plan 42028-54Y

Advantages of dual laundry pairs: • cuts laundry time in half; •u ses no more water, gas or electricity; •g et laundry done during off-peak times!

IN HALF

optional basement stair location

1863 main level sq. ft. | 613 upper level sq. ft.

2476 total sq. ft.

54 22

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alternate layout for two laundry pairs To order building plans, call 800-947-7526 or visit www.HerHome.com

the Valli | plan 50027-54Y

the Dunaway | plan 42075-54Y

1512 total sq. ft.

1599 main level sq. ft. | 616 upper level sq. ft.

2215 total sq. ft.

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45 49

45 49

1. 50030-54Y Claire Version 1590 total sq. ft.

1.

optional bonus room adds 594 sq. ft.

1.

1. 42078-54Y Claire Version 2335 total sq. ft.

2. 50029-54Y Maggie Version 1502 total sq. ft.

2. 42076-54Y Maggie Version 2012 total sq. ft.

3. 50028-54Y Elise Version 1552 total sq. ft.

3. 42077-54Y Elise Version 2043 total sq. ft.

2.

3.

2.

To order building plans, call 800-947-7526 or visit www.HerHome.com

3.

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the Draper | plan 50031-54Y

the Aniston | plan 42070-54Y

1412 main level sq. ft. | 321 upper level sq. ft.

1733 total sq. ft.

1061 main level sq. ft. | 1058 upper level sq. ft.

2119 total sq. ft.

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45

49

49 alternate drop zone layout

optional unfinished storage adds 158 sq. ft.

optional unfinished storage adds 189 sq. ft.

1. 50034-54Y Claire Version 1765 total sq. ft.

1.

1.

1. 42069-54Y Claire Version 2329 total sq. ft.

2. 50032-54Y Maggie Version 1470 total sq. ft.

2. 42068-54Y Maggie Version 2377 total sq. ft.

3. 50033-54Y Elise Version 1462 total sq. ft.

3. 42071-54Y Elise Version 2294 total sq. ft.

2.

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3.

2.

To order building plans, call 800-947-7526 or visit www.HerHome.com

3.

THEN

NOW VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

CAMERA

ONLINE HOME PLAN SEARCHES

Square footage...number of bedrooms...width...traditional online home plan searches simply filter down the number of plans to look at. Logical, but it does little to help you identify the perfect home.

Livability Search is different.

In addition to the traditional search criteria, select how important each of the Livability aspects (entertaining, de-stressing, storing and flexible living) are to you!

It’s fun, intuitive, and more quickly helps you identify the home of your dreams!

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