Building a new home is stressful, and it’s easy to forget some important steps or get overly involved in seemingly unimportant details. Here are a few tips for novice homebuilders to remember when they’re knee deep in construction and blueprints…
Don’t neglect energy efficiency. Though it may cost more initially, you’ll be glad you sprung for the tankless hot water heater or energy efficient appliances in the long run. These improvements Read the rest of this entry »

When one builds their own home there are numerous advantages that come with it. At the top of the list is the fact that you can add or remove fixtures and furnishings as often as you would like. This means that instead of living with another person’s bad taste, as the home builder in Pittsburgh there is room for adjustment.

Building ones own home also means that the personality and creativity of the builder will come through as the project unfolds. Whether Read the rest of this entry »

If you are looking into building your new home there is three things you need to know. You need to know your builder, know if your personality is suited to whats being built, and you should always know what your budget is. Do not hesitate to check out the person(s) doing the building. You can do checks with the Better Business Bureau. Check to see if the builder is a member of the Home Builders Association. If the builder is a member then they have agreed to a set of industry standards Read the rest of this entry »

There are many custom home designers all over the world but the top five custom home designers are five of the custom home designers that have their businesses located in Pittsburgh. This is not because these designers were professionally trained by some big time custom home designer or because these custom home designers are the only ones that know specialty shops.
The main reasons that the custom home designers in Pittsburgh actually seem to pay attention to customers, do everything they have to in order to satisfy their customers, and Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re looking for a custom home builder that believes that honesty and integrity are mainstays, then you might want to consider Eddy Homes as your next builder of choice. For four decades the builder has not only been building dreams, but they’ve been building their reputation on high standards for quality craftsmanship, personal service, and integrity.Believing that you should only surround yourself with the best, the builders only work with contractors and suppliers who share their business philosophy and pledge to deliver the best value for their clients’ investments.Additionally, Eddy Luxury Custom Homes adhere to the adage that beauty is more than skin-deep. As such, their finish work is unparalled in the industry and they know that what is “behind the walls is as important” as anything to the long-term value of a home.The company is currently building in four areas that can be distinguished by thyeir atytractive locations and innovative designs:The Crossing: Ideally located in the heart of Peters Township and set against the gorgeous vistas of Canonsburg Lake, The Crossings Luxury Custom Villa Homes provide homeowners maintenance-free first floor living. Packages start from 300,000.Scarlett Ridge: Situated on one of the highest ridges in Franklin Park Borough, Eddy Homes developed the community to act as the perfect backdrop for your new home. Packages start from 500,000.Brookwood Manor: Features Pittsburgh Luxury Custom Estate Homes in the prestigious Peters Township. Packages start from 900,000.Copper Creek: Secluded within a pristine nature reserve, Copper Creek is a scenic community situated on large, private acreages – from 3 to over 11 acres each. Copper Creek is located in the desirable North Allegheny School District in Marshall Township. Packages start from 1,200,000.If you want to open a dialogue with the home builder about your next custom home dream, why not give them a call at 412.221.0400?

If you’re in the market for a new home and are firmly strapped on to the green bandwagon you might want to consider incorporating the following questions into your repertoire when talking to builders, brokers, and agents. 1.What are the green features that you have in your basic homes? Can you explain each of them to me?2.What features are you using to consider our dwindling supply of natural resources when building this home?3.What types of native drought-tolerant plants and high efficiency drip irrigation systems are you using on the homes so that Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re new to the area of Pittsburgh and have bought a home with large property, you might be wondering how to best landscape it. Why not take the guesswork out of it and learn to landscape like a pro by taking any one of the classes offered at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.Phipps offers certificate programs for those who either want personal knowledge or want Read the rest of this entry »

In the last ten years, the “Go Green” movement has taken off, leading all different industries to consider ways to improve their energy efficiency. This has become such a focus within our society because of dwindling energy resources and the detrimental effects of our industrial world on the environment. The home building market has seen a recent shift towards eco-friendly practices such as using natural building materials, alternate sources of energy, and energy efficient appliances. These changes not only reduce your personal carbon footprint, but, in many cases, save money.Many homes today are made from man-made products such as vinyl siding and artificial hardwood floors. These materials usually create much more pollution during production than it takes to harvest natural materials. Sometimes toxic materials that make up these products have harmful affects on the people and animals that come in contact with them. Read the rest of this entry »

The flexibility of most home builders gives you a range of choices as to the style of home you would like. Something more generic such as a colonial or country house can be created by most builders. But sometimes it can be helpful to get an idea of the design you’re interested in and then choose a builder that specializes in this style. If you still have no idea which route you want to take, look through a few of these popular options.Craftsman homes first emerged onto the scene in the early 1900s, but a recent resurgence in their popularity has brought them back with more distinct and creative styles. Though they can be found in two stories, the original craftsman style is traditionally one story. Porches with low hanging eves and exposed columns are signature features of this style. Read the rest of this entry »

You’ve just built or moved into the perfect house, now it’s time to fill it with furniture and add the personal touches you’ll come to associate with home. Decorating a new house isn’t easy. That’s why many families chose to hire interior designers to do all the dirty work. Instead of sorting through hundreds of fabrics or driving to furniture store after furniture store, let a professional select some tasteful options, then choose from a narrow selection that’s been handpicked to suit your style. We’ve compiled some local interior designers who are sure to turn your house into a home in no time.Arrangements with StyleThis professional interior design firm has been in business since December of 2003. Melodie Schooley, the owner and principal designer of the business, has been putting her West Virginia University degree in Interior Design to work for over ten years. Check out the beautiful homes Melodie and her coworkers have helped decorate in her online portfolio.Accents by AmyThis unique interior design company really listens to what you wantthen deliver it. Guaranteed to showcase your original style, Accents by Amy uses a hands-on approach to help you achieve your personal vision. The owner, Amy Thumpston, has been doing what she loves (helping others discover a sense of pride by putting a personal stamp on the places and spaces they live in) since October, 2001. Check out Amy’s portfolio to see what she can do for your home. Read the rest of this entry »