Viewing entries in
Building 101

Understanding and Managing Condensation in Your New Home

Comment

Understanding and Managing Condensation in Your New Home

When it comes to new homes, especially in areas like South Bend, Indiana, and Southwest Michigan, understanding how to manage condensation is crucial for maintaining your home's health and comfort. Today’s homes are built to be airtight, which makes them energy-efficient but can also create challenges with moisture management. Let’s break it down.

Comment

A Guide to Prioritizing Your Custom Home Budget

Comment

A Guide to Prioritizing Your Custom Home Budget

When building a custom home, your budget is one of the most powerful tools you have to shape the final result. With the endless choices available, deciding where to invest and where to save can be overwhelming. Focusing your budget on areas that offer the highest long-term value and enjoyment will help you get the most out of your new home without overspending.

Comment

What is a Barndominium?

Comment

What is a Barndominium?

If you’ve been exploring custom home options, you may have come across the term barndominium. While the name might sound a little unusual, barndominiums—often called barndos—are gaining popularity as a stylish, cost-effective, and flexible way to build a home. So, what exactly is a barndominium, and why are so many people choosing to build them? Let’s dive into this unique housing trend.

Comment

How to Save Costs When Building a New Home

Comment

How to Save Costs When Building a New Home

Building a new home is an exciting journey, but managing costs effectively is crucial to ensure you stay within your budget without compromising on quality. One of the best ways to keep costs under control is to focus on efficiencies that offer long-term value. Whether it's through energy savings, smart design choices, or material selection, here are some key cost efficiencies to consider when building your new home.

Comment

How to Build a Sustainable Home in SW Michigan

Comment

How to Build a Sustainable Home in SW Michigan

Building a new home in Southwest Michigan offers a unique opportunity to incorporate sustainable features that can significantly reduce environmental impact and increase energy efficiency. As a home builder committed to sustainability, we believe that incorporating the right elements can create a comfortable, eco-friendly living space. Here are key features that make a home sustainable in Southwest Michigan.

Comment

Fixed Price vs Cost Plus Contracts

Comment

Fixed Price vs Cost Plus Contracts

When embarking on the exciting journey of building a new home, one of the crucial decisions you’ll make is selecting the type of contract to use. At Mark Scott Homes, serving SW Michigan and Northern Indiana, we understand that this choice can significantly impact your building experience and overall satisfaction. Two common types of contracts are Fixed Price Contracts and Cost Plus Contracts. Let's explore the differences and why a Cost Plus Contract might be more beneficial for you in the long run.

Comment

What you need to know before building a new home

Comment

What you need to know before building a new home

Building a new home is an exciting journey that allows you to create a space tailored to your unique needs and preferences. However, it also involves a significant amount of planning, decision-making, and financial investment. Before breaking ground on your dream home, here are the key things you need to know.

Comment

Should I Build, or Should I Buy an Existing Home?

Comment

Should I Build, or Should I Buy an Existing Home?

Deciding whether to build a new home or buy an existing one is a significant choice that depends on various factors, including your lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals. Each option has its unique advantages and potential drawbacks. This guide will help you weigh the pros and cons of building versus buying, allowing you to make an informed decision that suits your needs. [read more]

Comment

Budgeting for Your Dream Home: Costs and Considerations in 2024

Comment

Budgeting for Your Dream Home: Costs and Considerations in 2024

Building your dream home is an exciting journey, but it requires careful planning and budgeting to ensure you can bring your vision to life without financial stress. With 2024 introducing new trends, technologies, and economic factors, it’s essential to understand the costs and considerations involved in creating your ideal living space. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you budget for your dream home this year.

Comment

Guide to Avoiding Change Orders while building a new home

Comment

Guide to Avoiding Change Orders while building a new home

Embarking on the journey of building your dream home is an exciting and rewarding experience. However, unexpected changes and additional costs can quickly turn your dream into a nightmare. At Mark Scott Homes, we understand the importance of a smooth and stress-free building process. In this blog post, we'll share valuable insights on how to avoid change orders and ensure a seamless construction experience with our team.

Comment

Unlocking Success: Top 10 questions to ask when interviewing a home builder.

Comment

Unlocking Success: Top 10 questions to ask when interviewing a home builder.

Building your dream home is an exciting journey, and finding the right custom home builder is a crucial step in turning your vision into reality. The interview process is your opportunity to assess the builder's expertise, communication style, and compatibility with your project. To ensure a smooth and successful collaboration, here are the top questions to ask when interviewing a new custom home builder.

Comment

The 5 Biggest Mistakes When Building a Custom Home

Comment

The 5 Biggest Mistakes When Building a Custom Home

Building a custom home is a dream for many, allowing individuals to create their ideal living space tailored to their preferences and lifestyle. While the prospect is exciting, the process can be complex, with numerous decisions and potential pitfalls along the way. To ensure your custom home journey is smooth and successful, it's crucial to be aware of the common mistakes that can arise. Here are the five biggest mistakes to avoid when building a custom home:

Comment

Navigating Construction Delays: Unraveling the Top Causes When Building Your New Home

Comment

Navigating Construction Delays: Unraveling the Top Causes When Building Your New Home

Embarking on the journey of building your dream home is an exciting venture, but it's essential to be aware of potential roadblocks along the way. Construction delays can be a challenging aspect of the home-building process, impacting timelines and testing your patience. In this blog post, we'll explore the top causes of construction delays, helping you navigate through the challenges and ensure a smoother building experience.

Comment

Choosing the Right Path: Understanding the Different Types of Home Builders

Comment

Choosing the Right Path: Understanding the Different Types of Home Builders

When it comes to turning your dream home into a reality, the choice of a home builder plays a pivotal role in shaping your vision. In the vast landscape of home builders, it's crucial to understand the distinctions between various types of builders to make an informed decision. At Mark Scott Homes, we take pride in being a custom home builder, and here's why it makes all the difference.

Comment

Crafting Dreams: The Timeframe for Building Your Custom Home

Comment

Crafting Dreams: The Timeframe for Building Your Custom Home

Building a custom home is a journey filled with excitement, creativity, and the promise of a unique sanctuary tailored to your desires. At Mark Scott Homes, a leading custom home builder in Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana, we understand that one burning question on every homeowner's mind is:

Comment

How to prepare to start your new home design?

Comment

How to prepare to start your new home design?

Creating a custom home is a significant endeavor, and making important decisions upfront is crucial to ensure your vision is realized. To help you get started, here's a checklist of key considerations and decisions to make before beginning the design process:

Comment

Navigating High Interest Rates and Rising Material Costs: Is Now the Right Time to Build Your New Home?

Comment

Navigating High Interest Rates and Rising Material Costs: Is Now the Right Time to Build Your New Home?

Building a new home is a monumental decision that hinges on a multitude of factors, including economic conditions. With the current landscape marked by high interest rates and escalating material costs, prospective homeowners may be grappling with the question of whether now is the opportune moment to embark on their new home construction journey. In this article, we'll delve into the intricacies of this dilemma, weighing the pros and cons to help you make an informed choice.

Comment

Decoding Home Styles

Comment

Decoding Home Styles

The world of home design is a tapestry of diverse styles, each with its own unique characteristics and influences. From classic elegance to contemporary minimalism, understanding the differences between various home styles can help homeowners make informed decisions when designing or renovating their dream homes. In this blog post, we'll decode nine popular home styles: Traditional, Transitional, Farmhouse, Mediterranean, Modern, Contemporary, Midcentury, Craftsman, and Coastal, to help you discover the one that best suits your tastes and lifestyle.

Comment

5 Key Trends in Building a New Custom Home in Southwest Michigan

Comment

5 Key Trends in Building a New Custom Home in Southwest Michigan

Crafting a custom home in Southwest Michigan is an opportunity to weave your lifestyle and preferences into every nook and cranny. The trends in home construction and design are ever-evolving, shaping the way these homes are envisioned and built. In this article, we delve into the top five trends currently dominating the landscape of custom home construction in Southwest Michigan.

Comment

Building a Home in SW Michigan: Discovering a Haven of Opportunity

Comment

Building a Home in SW Michigan: Discovering a Haven of Opportunity

When it comes to building a new home, location is key. Nestled in the beautiful southwestern corner of Michigan, Berrien County offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, vibrant communities, and endless opportunities. From its stunning lakefront vistas to its thriving economy, there are numerous reasons why building a home in Berrien County is a fantastic choice. In this blog post, we will explore the many great things about building a home in Berrien County,

Comment