Building a vacation home is an exciting process. But along with that excitement, comes the extra responsibility of getting the home you want--long distance. Here are some tips from Advance Design and Construction that will make the process easier. 1. Hire the right contractor: Make sure your contractor is licensed, experienced and has a good reputation and track record in the area where you are planning to build your vacation home. A local contractor knows the unique challenges of the area and often has strong relationships with area subcontractors so that your job will not stall while waiting for that all important sub. 2. Communicate: Make sure you and your contractor are talking via telephone, text or email on a consistent basis. Most problems can be solved or eliminated altogether by having open lines of communication. Decide whether you would like a weekly telephone meeting or if you prefer immediate contact when there are questions about the job. A mix of these two options makes a job go smoothly and stay on track throughout the building process. 3. A picture is worth a thousand words: Have a 'look book' of the finishes and items you want in your new home. Pull pictures from magazines or on-line that show the finishes or ideas that you want to see in your new home. Communicating via pictures takes the guesswork out of "I think I want that tile to be laid in a 'brick formation' when the tile installer calls that same installation 'broken-joint' and the interior designer noted 'staggered 1/3'. Additionally, a picture is a great way for you to approve light placement or confirm a fireplace mantel from afar. 4. Plan a trip to visit the construction site. As well as you and your contractor are communicating, you still need to come up and visit. Plan your trip and set a time to walk the project with the contractor. This will give you the ability to talk through the project and notice any small details that you might want to address. No matter how well you plan, there will always be a couple items that need to be changed throughout the building process. The on-site visit also gives you a chance to envision your choices and ask any questions you may have for your contractor that may come up as you are walking the job together. 5. Plan your budget and then add 20%. You may have made every decision possible prior to starting your job. The finishes have been picked, the appliances ordered and the guests invited to your open house next summer. But, you may get a snowstorm in October--causing your contractor to need a building permit extension, your favorite tile may be backordered or the excavator might encounter a bed of granite that was not on the original plans. Or while you planned as well as possible, you now need that extra bathroom that was originally scratched from the plans. Having that extra 20% budgeted keeps you in the drivers' seat of your home construction and gives you the piece of mind that you will not run out of funding just as you are in the final stages of building your home. Building a vacation home can be a wonderful experience. A vacation home brings friends and family together to create wonderful memories and lifetime family traditions. With attention to the above details, your new home will be all that you anticipated and hoped for. Advance Design and Construction's 15+ years of experience in North Lake Tahoe working with local homeowners as well as vacation home buyers can create the warm and relaxing environment that you'll want to visit again and again.
48 Comments
6/18/2019 01:46:03 am
Best blog about construction advance design and construction's tips for building a home long-distance. thanks for the great post.
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9/19/2019 09:44:57 am
I agree that you should make sure you and your contractor are talking on a regular basis. That way, you can make sure that your ideas are getting across. It also makes you more accessible if they have any questions or concerns.
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9/20/2019 10:37:19 am
I like your idea to plan a budget and then add 20% to it to account for added expenses. I've been wanting to get a custom home built for a while now and I finally have the money to do it. I'll be sure to plan for the possible extra expenses as you suggested.
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11/13/2019 09:14:41 am
I agree with you that it's really essential to book a visit to the construction site of your future home with your chosen contractor to envision your choices. The dream house of our family will be located in our province, which means that we can't monitor the progress in person. I'd want to make sure that the contractor that we're going to hire is an effective communicator so we can easily cascade details and schedule site visits without having to go through tedious email exchanges.
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12/21/2019 12:13:31 am
Very impressive blog thank you for your useful info about Advance Design and Construction's 5 tips. keep posting, waiting for more.
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1/14/2020 01:16:01 am
I love reading your article and will wait for more in future. Thanks for posting this information about Advance Design and Construction's 5 tips for building a home.
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5/2/2020 09:00:50 pm
I really think that it's nice of you to remind us to plan a budget and add a percentage to it to plan for unforeseen circumstances. I am thinking of building a home for my family somewhere nice. My husband and I have been talking about it for a while and I think it's time we take action and make the dream home into a reality. I will remind him to look for a good architect and contractor that we can work well with as soon as possible.
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1/26/2021 02:30:41 pm
My cousin has been thinking about building a home because he needs a lot of rooms for his kids. Making sure that he can plan the layout with the help of a professional could be really useful. It was interesting to learn about how he can stay ahead of the construction in the final stages of the building by having an extra 20% in the budget.
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3/12/2021 02:49:35 am
Stunning post! Thanks for the excellent presentation of your outline.
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3/12/2021 02:56:27 am
This is well worth a read. You presented great insight and information. Thanks.
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4/19/2021 06:22:19 am
My wife and I want to get a custom home made. It makes sense that we would want to get a construction contractor to build one for us! I'll make sure that we find one that is easy to communicate with so that I can ensure that our image of a home is built right.
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4/30/2021 12:33:49 pm
I like how you mentioned the importance of hiring a contractor that is licensed and experienced. I think that it would be equally as important to find a reputable supplier of wall frames and trusses for the construction. It was good to learn all of your tips for building a home.
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5/24/2021 04:41:31 am
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5/27/2021 10:32:58 am
I'll add 20% to my budget. I don't want to end up spending more than I anticipated. So overestimating it could help me feel better about that.
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6/16/2021 09:51:37 pm
I liked it when you shared that it is great to have a lookbook that provides all the finishes and items you want in your new home. My parents just mentioned the other day that they are planning to build a new house as they just recently bought a plot of land from a friend. I will suggest to them hiring a reliable custom home builder and create a look book that includes all the things that they want for the new home.
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6/24/2021 06:53:57 pm
It really helped when you said that we should still visit the construction site to notice any small details that we want to address with the contractor. My husband and I are planning to build a bungalow house near the beach in July for our three kids, so this is really handy. We're also hoping to find a high-quality wastewater design service on Monday that can incorporate the system within our landscaping ideas.
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7/20/2021 06:37:50 am
The simplicity of your presentation is highly-motivating for learning. Please keep it up for your teeming followers.
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7/20/2021 06:59:32 am
I want to get a new home built, but I want to make sure that it's designed nicely. It makes sense that I would want to get a building specialist to help me out with this. They would be able to ensure that it's designed correctly.
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7/22/2021 05:21:43 am
Good article with an excellent way of presentation. Keep it up. Thanks for sharing.
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7/26/2021 08:28:07 am
Visiting the construction site sounds like a great idea. I wouldn't want to do it unexpectedly though. That wouldn't be fair to the construction workers to just drop in unannounced.
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8/13/2021 08:54:19 am
I found it interesting when you shared the tip about planning a budget and then adding 20%. My husband and I want to build our dream home, so we'd like to talk to a general contractor. We'd love to make sure that this whole project can run smoothly.
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9/24/2021 07:14:01 am
I want to get a nice home built, but I'm not sure how to go about it. It makes sense that I would want to get a professional to help me out with this! I can see how putting a design together could be pretty complicated.
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9/29/2021 03:20:55 pm
I like your design tips. I need to import river rock. I'll have to hire a contractor.
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10/28/2021 01:29:05 am
Hire the right contractor: Make sure your contractor is licensed, experienced and has a good reputation and track record in the area where you are planning to build your vacation home. A local contractor knows the unique challenges of the area and often has strong relationships with area subcontractors so that your job will not stall while waiting for that all important sub.
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12/23/2021 02:06:33 am
The process of building a new home begins long before the foundation is poured. The construction process is most efficient and exciting if you first develop a good plan and find an honest, competent builder.
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5/26/2022 02:43:25 pm
I like your custom home tips. I need to get a contractor. My wife wants to build a second home.
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11/25/2022 03:01:23 pm
It's interesting when you said that you should consider hiring an experienced and licensed company to ensure quality service. A couple of days ago, my friend told me he was planning to have a large commercial property. He asked if I had ideas on the best option to consider when choosing a construction company that could manage all contract agreements. I value this instructive article, I'll tell him it will be much better if he consults a trusted design-build construction company as they can provide more details about his ideal design process.
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3/9/2023 04:44:09 am
When you hire a local contractor, you can be confident that they will be familiar with the unique challenges of the area. This means that they are more likely to have strong relationships with local subcontractors, so your job is less likely to stall while waiting for materials or supplies. In addition, local contractors often have a better understanding of the building codes and regulations in your area, so they can help ensure that your project is completed in compliance with all applicable laws.
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3/12/2023 09:03:33 pm
My partner and I stumbled over here different website and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now I’m following you. Look forward to checking out your web page repeatedly.
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4/10/2023 12:33:15 pm
I like what you said about planning your whole process with your contractor. My wife and I need to get a masonry contractor to help out with the landscape. I'll have to hire someone with good online reviews.
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4/20/2023 02:49:48 pm
My dad is interested in investing his last project's earnings in a construction project, so he's currently looking for a contractor for the job. I'm glad you elaborated on ensuring clear and consistent communication with your contractor to avoid problems down the line, and I'm positive that my dad would be too. Thanks.
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12/13/2023 05:45:48 am
You’re on the cusp of making a decision that’ll not only beautify your home but fortify it for years to come.
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1/13/2024 07:16:12 pm
Planning a vacation home is exciting, and these tips provide practical guidance, such as budget planning and the importance of an on-site visit. The suggestion to budget an additional 20% for unforeseen circumstances is a smart approach to ensure a stress-free construction process. Thanks for sharing this valuable advice!
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2/1/2024 09:38:24 am
Making a list of the items you just must have in the house is a wise first step if you don't have an endless supply of money, as building a house is an expensive process. Make sure your non-negotiable list is included in your first pricing when you begin budgeting and drafting estimates. After your builder has invested a great deal of effort in initiating your quote, it's sometimes difficult to add anything back in.
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2/18/2024 01:05:52 am
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It's interesting to know that having pictures that communicate the ideas you have in mind will reduce the guest work when you call professionals for installations and other construction needs. I can imagine how this is important when you communicate or consult with a building design engineering professional so that there will be no miscommunications as much as possible. And I believe that a common citizen or those who are not professionals in that industry might find it hard to explain the word per word ideas they have in mind, so it's a good idea to research the inspirations that they might have to show what they really mean.
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2/22/2024 01:35:28 am
You’re on the cusp of making a decision that’ll not only beautify your home but fortify it for years to come.
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2/29/2024 03:03:07 am
Your website is really cool and this is a great inspiring article.
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4/13/2024 12:42:42 am
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This is a fantastic post! I appreciate how Advance Design and Construction's tips provide a clear roadmap for navigating the challenges of building a home long-distance. The advice on maintaining consistent communication and having a 'look book' for finishes is particularly insightful. The emphasis on budgeting for unexpected costs is also very practical and reassuring. Thank you for sharing your expertise and making the process feel more manageable!
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7/15/2024 09:04:54 am
This blog post by Advance Design and Construction offers insightful tips for anyone building a vacation home long-distance. It emphasizes the importance of hiring a reputable local contractor, maintaining clear communication channels, using visual aids like a 'look book' for design decisions, planning site visits, and budgeting wisely. These tips not only streamline the building process but also ensure that your dream home becomes a reality, even from afar. The author's experience in North Lake Tahoe adds credibility, promising a warm and inviting retreat for future getaways.
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This is such a comprehensive and insightful post! The tips provided by Advance Design and Construction are incredibly practical and reassuring, especially for those of us planning to build a home from afar. The emphasis on communication and planning for unexpected costs are particularly valuable reminders. Thank you for sharing your expertise and making the process seem much more manageable!
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8/27/2024 05:56:00 am
Great tips from Advance Design and Construction! We built our summer retreat long-distance last year, and I can vouch for the importance of clear communication and budgeting for surprises. Thanks for sharing these practical insights—your advice would have been invaluable during our process!
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8/27/2024 07:53:13 pm
I remember building a cabin in the mountains a few years back, and the tip about hiring a local contractor was a game changer for us. Your advice on setting aside an extra 20% in the budget saved us from a lot of stress when unexpected expenses popped up. Great insights!
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Jeff Miller
Jeff Miller, President of ADC and his team of fine home builders and partners Archives
February 2017
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