Rustic Blue Ridge Mountain Cabin Outside Asheville, NC

This rustic cabin is one of our most popular projects thus far. This custom home we built is 480 sq. ft. of cozyness nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside of Asheville, NC. Constructed with a combination of standard and rough-sawn framing materials and special touches that include custom-built kitchen cabinets of barn wood, wide-plank flooring of reclaimed Heart Pine, a ships ladder made from rough-sawn Hemlock, and a porch constructed entirely of weather resistant Locust. 

6 Things You Should Know Before Building Your Custom Home

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If you’ve never built a custom home before, there are some important things to know before getting started. Here are six tips for sound advice to help guide you through the process of building your custom home.

Budget Wisely

If you don’t set a budget before you start pursuing your custom home dreams, you might be in for a surprise. With a residential construction project, the options can be endless. You could be adding in unexpected features as you see fit during the process and that could cost in upwards of 100,000 in excess, had you not adhered to a project budget.

You want to give yourself some leeway to cover the unknown circumstances but keep in mind a strict maximum so that your project doesn’t get out of hand. Consider prioritizing a wish list of goodies and if you feel like you might come in under budget go ahead and throw in your upgrade.

Finance Smarter not Harder

If you’ve got the cash on hand and don’t need a construction loan and mortgage, let’s talk home design, otherwise, you’ll need to get a basic understanding of what type of loan you’ll need. You could get a temporary construction loan that can be converted into a home mortgage at the time of closing or you could get stuck with 2 closing costs and wind up with both a construction loan and a mortgage to pay off. Maybe you’ve got the cash you need to get the construction finished and only need to get financing for the mortgage once the home is built. Whatever your circumstances are you need to shop around for the best financier for your situation.

Find the Right General Contractors for the Job

Look for custom home builders whose work exemplifies what you imagine your end product to be first. Then research, research, research, and vet all of your options, check with the Better Business Bureau, consumer ratings, and reviews. Look for shady practices like little or no contact information available online or an excess of stalled or unfinished projects.
 

Communicate Clearly and Constantly

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and never avoid asking for frequent updates. Communication can make or break your project and If you don’t ask it’s likely your builder will build the project to spec. Feel free to ask to review the plans to make sure the home you get is the home you envisioned. Things as simple as the cabinets not matching the countertops or not having enough storage space can lead to you regretting not speaking up before it was too late.

Make Yourself Part of The Process

A great firm will want as much input from you as they can possibly get throughout the process of designing, planning and building your dream home. You should want the same thing! The more involved you are in the process the more you’ll love your new home and chances are you going to be there for a while so get the most out of it while you can.

Talk to an Expert Asheville Custom Home Builder

River Birch Builders is here to help! Have questions about starting your new custom home project call one the owners, Pierce 828-777-3501 or Griff 828-423-9813, directly, during regular business hours and we’ll walk you through the entire process from fit to finish.

West Asheville Residential Construction

We really enjoy having the opportunity to build green homes here in Asheville, and certainly had a lot of fun building this one recently finished in West Asheville. This green-built home uses an open-concept floor plan to allow a lot of natural light throughout the entire house. Complete with hardwood floors, maple cabinets, and quartz counter-tops. 

Fairview, NC Custom Built Home

One of the things we love about being general contractors is having the opportunity to build custom homes, especially way those out in the mountains where the long-range views are breathtaking. We utilized timber framing elements when constructing this custom green home build project located about 20 min. outside Asheville in Fairview, NC 

Contact us for more information about how we can build your dream home!

Highland Brewing Company Stage

This was a really fun project for us, not only because it was a unique project but also because we are proud to be able to contribute toward local businesses we support! We love to take the kids to see live music and enjoy a refreshing brew at the outdoor stage that we had the pleasure of building for Highland Brewing Company. We also collaborated with Artful Shelter, who designed the canopy cover used on the stage. 

Bert King Designed Mid Century Full Home Renovation

This was a unique project. Not only was it a full home renovation, but also because this home was designed by Bert King, known for being Asheville’s most acclaimed and prolific architect of mid-century homes and commercial buildings. Located in the Beaver Lake community in Asheville, our focus for this home renovation was to maintain the same look and feel of the architectural style used by King. Being clean and simple, timeless, yet innovative, serene and elegant with beautiful modern detail, favoring wood and stone to blend with the natural environment. 

Contact us for more information about how we can help build your dream home.

Asheville, NC Kitchen Renovation and Bath Remodel

This was a fun kitchen remodel and a dual bathroom renovation project that we completed in the Kenilworth neighborhood in Asheville, NC. For the upstairs bathroom renovation, we had to get creative by reclaiming unused attic space, and by doing so, we were able to create a master bathroom.  

Contact us for more information about how we can build your dream home.

Sundance Power Systems Warehouse Commercial Construction

We support sustainable construction and green building, especially for local businesses in our community. We completed a ground-up commercial construction for the Sundance Power Systems solar-powered warehouse located in Asheville, NC. 

 

Did you know that solar can not only power your green built home, but you can also make money off of installing solar on your home? Contact us for more information about how we can help build your dream home!

2021 Design Trends for Custom Homes

Last year, most of us spent more time within the confines of our homes than we ever have before. The more time we spent in our humble abodes, the more we realized what we had to do to create the space we needed and desired. Homeowners want a custom home that feels more welcoming, functional and peaceful. Here, we cover the five most popular design trends you can expect to see this year.

Let in Some Light

Homeowners now recognize how important light is to their well-being. French doors, windows and skylights let an abundance of natural light indoors. Windows and doors made from glass and steel enhance the effect. In addition to adding natural light, you should improve your overhead lighting and incorporate accent lights as well. If you want to get ahead of current trends, try installing light bulbs that mimic the natural rhythms of the daylight cycle.

Focus on Natural Elements

More than ever before, people understand the healing powers of nature. We were encouraged to engage in outdoor activities, but many realized that bringing nature into their home environments did much to improve their moods. Current home design trends emphasize creating outdoor living spaces as well as bringing the outdoors inside. Exterior elements include fire pits, pergolas and water features. Indoor design styles include floral, botanical and animal-themed prints on everything from wallpaper and wall art to upholstery fabric and rugs.

Add a Splash

There’s nothing like a bit of color to liven up the living space, but you won’t see homes filled with bright, bold colors. Different colors have different effects; some are energizing, while others are calming. These days, people combine both elements in their interior spaces. Neutral colors often dominate a room, as these are the hues that help us relax in our currently chaotic and uncertain world. Splashes of bold tones are added throughout to help lift our spirits.

Combine the Past and the Present

This past year marked the end of an era. With all of the upheaval, people are reflecting on more carefree times and incorporating elements that harken back to the good old days in their design choices. However, the clean, contemporary look is not lost. Instead, the two get combined. People appreciate the value of art and look for unique, handcrafted furniture, artwork, textiles and décor to furnish their homes. The combination of the old and the new creates a warmer environment that still has the clean feel of the modern style.

Create a Dedicated Workspace

The trend to include a dedicated workspace in the home has been on the rise for quite some time, but it exploded this past year. As a lot of people found themselves suddenly working from home, they realized how important a dedicated space is to get their jobs done. Creating a home office requires a thoughtful approach. Make sure you include design features that promote a comfortable work environment.

Renovate Your Space

Whether you seek to remodel your current home or build a new one, River Birch Builders is here to help you create a space you love to live in. We are dedicated to high-quality craftsmanship and utilize environmentally friendly practices to lessen our impact on the planet. To learn more about what we can do for you, get in touch today.