News on Builder News
Tough Topography? No Problem!
Posted by:As your premier Austin custom homebuilder, Sterling Custom Homes is used to dealing with the design issues associated with challenging topography. One of the wonderful qualities of the Austin area is it’s rolling hills and Hill Country views. Every lot is unique and therefore the homes we design and build are equally unique.
Severe Topography
Usually the most desirable lots will have some topography to deal with. It’s just one of the characteristics that make the property more interesting and more challenging. Severe topography, such as the example shown here, will cause additional costs for site work, retaining walls and driveways. When choosing a lot, our clients often ask us to quantify the additional costs associated with these lot characteristics to better understand if they can build their home within the necessary budget.
While there are many factors that will affect the lot-associated construction costs, a discussion with the client helps us understand the design criteria and allows us to present options for consideration.
- Is the slope sufficient to consider a “walk-out” or “over-under” plan?
- How will we manage the driveway as it slopes up or down on the property?
- How much additional slab costs will be incurred for foundations that are high out of the ground?
- How much will it cost for retaining walls and fill material, if needed? Read More→
Sterling Custom Homes
The resurgence in home sales has made its way to the Austin custom home market! For the past several months we have been working with more and more clients who are expressing an interest in the custom homebuilding process. Instead of settling for the inefficient layout or undesirable aspects of a used house, our clients are interested in designing and building a custom home that will be fresh, new and unique to their specific lifestyle.
We currently have 11 homes in various stages of design, with six of them scheduled to start in the next few months. Why are so many clients ready to move forward on their custom home projects? I think one of the reasons is the efficiency of the design in a custom home. Unlike a used home, you’re only paying for the space you will use, designed specifically to your unique lifestyle. Read More→
Boston Marathon 2013
Posted by:As your premier Austin custom homebuilder, our success has been the result of discipline and hard work over a long period of time – the same discipline that it takes to train for and run a marathon.
Having run seven marathons in the past few years, I have had the opportunity to meet many dedicated, driven local athletes. Through my association with Rogue Running of Austin I came to know several runners who have achieved one of the highest honors in all of running, qualifying for the Boston Marathon! I had planned to write this blog about my friends who have earned the right to run in the prestigious Boston Marathon today. I am saddened by the news that an explosion has killed and injured participants and spectators.
Instead of congratulating them for their accomplishment, I found myself searching for news via Facebook to learn if they were all ok. Cowardly acts like this are aimed at robbing us of our freedom and shaking the very foundation of the faith that guides us through our daily lives. It’s a sad day in the world today and our prayers go out to those suffering from today’s senseless tragedy.
Adding Value to Your Property
Posted by:
We “turned this house around” to capture the view.
As your premier Austin luxury homebuilder, we spend much time evaluating lots in an effort to find the perfect opportunity for our clients. Once this is accomplished, the challenge is then to design a unique custom residence that will uncover the hidden value of the property.
A pefect example is a home we are currently building for our client in Seven Oaks. We located a lot that others had discounted because the view was from the front of the property. We contracted to purchase the lot and included a feasability period in the contract which gave us time to get an initial sketch of the vision we described.
This is certainly nothing new for us. At Sterling Custom Homes we specialize in consulting with our clients from the very start. Laying out the footprint of the home is a critical first step in the design process requiring careful consideration. Of course most clients are interested in maximizing a certain view corridor, but there are many other variables at play that need to be discussed. Sun orientation, slab heights, trees, access – these are just a few of the topics that arise when we meet on the lot with our client and the architect. Considering these factors, we help guide the client to the design that will enhance their lifestyle and maximize the added value to the property.
…and this is the view we captured!
In this example the challenge was to capture the stunning Texas Hill Country view which is visible from the “front” of the house. Our solution was to turn the house around, taking the driveway up the slope and around back to a Motor Court that would position the Entry at the “back” of the house. The result is a magnificent, picturesque view of the distant Hill Country – adding considerable value to the property versus a traditional home orientation. The results are spectacular!
Our 24 years of experience as the area’s premier Austin custom home builder allows us to help our clients understand the impact of these important design decisions, guiding them to the layout that best fits their budgetary and aesthetic goals.
For more information please visit the Sterling Custom Homes website. To discuss the custom home building process, please call Gary Grambley at (512) 263-2214 or email gary@sterlinghome.com.
(Austin,Tx) Sterling Custom Homes, a leader in the Austin custom home market since 1989, currently has a position available for a full-charge bookkeeper. Advanced experience in integrated accounting software, QuickBooks and Excel are necessary. The ideal candidate will be a professional, experienced, self-motivated individual who is well organized and detail oriented.
Qualified applicants should submit their resume with salary requirements to christine@sterlinghome.com or via fax at 512-263-2318.
Sterling Custom Homes, Inc. is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment on account of race, age, color, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, or religion or otherwise as may be prohibited by federal and state law.