LIV Developments

Category: Stewardship

  • Home Builder vs. “Handyman” Builder

    Home Builder vs. “Handyman” Builder

    From time to time, we need the help of a handyman, but when it comes to looking at a significant investment such as building a new home, is it still a handyman that you should look for? If you are concerned about choosing the right home builder for your new home, here are 7 key differences between a handyman builder and a home builder.

     

    #01. A Handyman Might Not be Legally Operating/Licensed

    For any type of contractor, every state requires certain licensing credentials as this gives clients peace of mind. Every contractor must adhere to the regulations on everything – from insurance protection to the setup of client bids and contractual agreements. Many handymen, however, are unaware of these rules – make sure to check thoroughly. True home builders who create residential properties should have a complete awareness of their legal and ethical responsibilities to their clients.

     

    #02. A Handyman Uses More Subs

    No handyman can do it all – from the excavating to the plumbing to the electric. The tendency is he will hire subcontractors, or even ask you to hire subcontractors. In the former situation, you would meet and vet each subcontractor, and this may only put more pressure on you to conduct due diligence on their knowledge and authenticity. The latter, on the other hand, can be time-consuming, costly, and overall, a frustrating experience. Professional home builders, however, typically use fewer subs because they have experts who work for them full-time.

     

    #03. A Handyman is Not a Home Designer

    Home building companies, like Liv Developments, offer you the opportunity to design your home with them. This is why they are the more popular option amongst families who want a dream home. When you work with a handyman, you need to bring an architect or an interior designer to the table. This process can lead to major communication errors as compared to directly talking to home building experts.

     

    #04. A Handyman May Not Offer Full-Time Oversight

    You should expect someone to oversee the construction of your new home. Handymen can be only working part-time, or they may be stretched too thing just to stay on top of site supervision. This can only lead to issues eventually. A home builder, on the other hand, plans on having a point person for your home. He or she should have a complete understanding of all the details, and will manage the timeline, too.

     

    #05. A Handyman Does Not Always Have Access to Top Equipment/Technology

    In the home building industry, as with every other industry, incredible improvements have been made – thanks to world-class technology and related systems. Home builders nowadays have access to streamlined platforms and software which allow them to seamlessly engineer dream houses that they can manage from start to finish.

     

    For professional home builders, Liv Developments can definitely help you out!


     

  • Empty Nesters and What They Want in a New Home

    Empty Nesters and What They Want in a New Home

    Parenting isn’t an easy task but when you have raised self-sufficient children who have left the nest, then, congratulations – you deserve a pat in the back! After putting all your efforts on your kids, it is now the perfect time to pursue your own dreams. For starters, it is time to downsize from your current home and build one that is more suited to your changing needs and lifestyle.

     

    To give you a better idea on what empty nesters look for in their dream home, take a look at this list:

     

    First Floor Living

    According to a research by the National Association of Home Builders’ 50+ Housing Council, 64% of baby boomers favour single-level living. Downsizing families prefer having ranch-style homes. Two-storey homes with a first-floor bedroom, however, are also in demand. Homebuyers aged 55 and up are also looking for open plans with the basic rooms on the main floor. With less steps to climb, older adults prevent falls more.

     

    Inclusive Spaces

    When their children are grown, empty nesters gain more freedom, but the need to make smart long-term investments is still there. Thus, they want to build a home where they can age without compromising on style. This calls for a universal design – this includes a no-step entry, wider hallways and doorways, as well as extra floor space. The easy access areas let them move furniture easier and the whole house would feel less cramped.

     

    Better Visual

    According to the American Optometric Association, many adults start to have problems seeing clearly as soon as they reach 40. As your vision deteriorates naturally, you also need more light to be able to see accurately. Home builders are designing new homes with more windows so more natural light can enter. In addition, more light fixtures are helpful in areas such as the bathrooms, walkways, and kitchen to help people see more clearly and to prevent accidents.

     

    Luxury Touches

    One of the many benefits of building a home when you are older is you now have more life experiences and you know exactly what you like. Although empty nesters might want to downsize square footage, they want everything else upsized. For instance, older adults want their new homes to have high-end features such as a high grade of carpet, hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, custom cabinetry, granite countertops, and walk-in showers.

     

    Home Office

    Some empty nesters still want to work after retirement – by choice of necessity. Since there are many companies who give employees the flexibility to work from home, home builders are now incorporating spaces for home offices. This helps empty nesters maintain a healthy life-work balance.

     

    Location

    Many empty nesters who are downsizing want to build their new home close to their original location so staying connected to their families, friends, doctors and favourite stores are easily done.

     

    If you have decided that you wanted to build your own custom home to suit your needs and lifestyle, contact us today!

MENU