Newly Released Products

Newly Released Products: 

• Navien America, Inc. has a gas condensing tankless water heater with 1/2 “ gas lines making it easy to install as replacement of your tank heater. 98% heating efficiency.
•  Want tile to look and be metal? Crossville, Inc. introduces 4 x 4 and 6 x 6 wrought iron metal tiles or recycled content, available in 10 designs. 
•  Big ass fans, top in class air flow and minimalist design has a silent motor exceeds energy star requirements by 600 percent bamboo blades. 
•  Light sensors by Leviton monitor a room for occupancy and adjust lighting levels for LED, CFL and incandescent bulbs. 
•  Unearthed paints has a wood hard wax oil finish that is non-toxic and VOC- free, ideal to enhance wood’s natural look. 
• Retrofit your fluorescent fixture with the Luxadd T5 kit. Has only 3 mg of mercury vs older tubes with 28 mg of mercury. 
• Panasonic whisper quiet energy star certified bath fan can provide 30,000 continuous hours of operation. 

 To estimate your project, go to www.EstimateConstructionCostFirst.com and run your numbers . . . it’s FREE! 

There is a Difference in Insulation

There is  a Difference in Insulation

• Blowing Insulation - water based elastomeric spray seals penetrations and joints in the building envelope. Ingredients: sand, post-consumer recycled glass and ECOSE (no formaldehyde).
• Styrofoam Tongue & Groove insulation is even and ideal for exterior siding. R-value is 5 per inch thick.
• Flexible foam sealant seals out allergens, moisture and pests and wont breakdown over time by Owens Corning. 
• Fiber glass insulation is light weight and made of long resilient glass fibers with acrylic thermosetting binder and vapor-retarder plastic facing. 
• Stone wool insulation - rigid batt compresses in walls, attics, ceilings and floors, chemically inert by Roxul, Inc.
• Closed-cell expanded polystyrene with laminated facers. Ideal for roofs and below grades. Available in multiple sizes. 
• Sustainable insulation by CertainTeed is fiberglass made of recycled content and plant-based binder. No formaldehyde, dyes, acrylics, or chemicals. Available in batt or roll, unfaced or kraft-faced. 

To estimate your project, go to www.EstimateConstructionCostFirst.com and run your numbers . . . it’s FREE! 

Additional Taxes Increases Construction Cost

 

Special Notice:

The State of California Board of Equalization has assessed a 1%tax on lumber and engineered wood products effective January 1^st, 2013. This could add $250.00 to a new start up project, not to mention the additional labor cost to manage more paper work required by contractors and lumberyards. This added to other tax increased will bring construction cost up by approximately 1% from 2012. So, if your prject cost 1 Million Dollars, add $10,000.00 more to your budget. www.BOE.ca/gov/industry/lumber_products.html.

To estimate your project, go to www.EstimateConstructionCostFirst.com and run your numbers . . . it’s FREE!

Earthborn Homes

As I start designing a contemporary 3 story residence tucked into a hillside in Studio City (Los Angeles) CA. It reminded me of the energy saving Earth-born homes built in the 80's using the natural Earth as an insulator for comfort and conservation. Concrete retaining walls serving as interior finished surfaces in contrast with sleek insulated sheets of glass and fine lines of horizontal strips of Brazilian wood ties it all together. A big departure from the traditional architectural styles, but far more open feeling in this crowded city. Little wonder more and more people are choosing contemporary architecture today. It's cheaper to build (except for retaining walls) than the traditional homes cladded with details, trims and plant-ons.
         I should note that by using rough construction as a finished surface does not allow for adjusting surfaces. No fir out or dry wall to cover any defects or misalignment. Architectural details should note awareness to concrete and framing sub-trades. The one-ten-one hundred rule will apply. Prevention, check and recheck, inspect and reinspect, measure and remeasure.
         F.Y.I. You can input your proposed project on www.estimateconstructioncostfirst.com, then add retaining walls the second time with the same input you did the first time and see the difference in cost to construct.

With Pencil in Hand

Today, in the age of the computer, the architectural field has been flooded with dull, uninspired CAD drawings. Perhaps it is time to look back at the drawing board. A true artist's love for sketching and an innate sense of balance is not rendered with the computer. Creative architects who produce beautiful freehand sketches often end up seeing their projects built with stunning results.

I have been receiving more and more recognition from Homeowners and cit building officials with my freehand sketches and set of plans: "Easy to review and understand" - "A joy to plan check" - "more accurate than CAD drawings;" as old fashioned as it may seem, more people are respecting the "old" that's alive with the new housing trends (of course, we do use computers too).

-Bert Notch at the drawing board

Seasons Best...

Estimating Construction Cost

When estimating the total cost of building a home, one should not forget to include upfront cost like lead base paint testing and asbestos testing. Plus the cost surveying and lot analysis plan with soils and geology test and reports. All this will up the ante by approximately $500.

Then your construction pricing should include plan design fees, architectural services, and structural engineering calculations all at an additional cost accounting for up to approximately $10 a square foot.
Title 2A (Energy plans & calculations) will sum your price to build a house up another $500.

Include any retaining walls that may really up your construction cost with additional engineering fees. And your general contractor estimating cannot be detailed without blueprints. The average sets' of house plans will run about $400 for all sub-trades bidding (16 sets total).

At this point you are ready to submit your project to the planning and building department. Be prepared for these fees. Plan check fees, Grading fees, School taxes, Parks and Rec. fees, engineering fees, and others. After all this you are now ready to pay for your long waited permit cost. General permit, Electrical permit, Plumbing permit, Mechanical permit, Parking/ street bond and others.

Finally you can break ground. Getting you to this point will cost you approximately 15-20% of your construction cost. So if your construction cost is $200,000 figure an additional $35,000 + utility connection fees.

Go to estimateconstructioncostfirst.com  and do your own free construction estimating... If you need help call 818-662-5698 for assistance.  

Problems with building and safety dept.'s today

As I visit different city's Building and safety departments, I Find it quite interesting how cities are finding several new ways to charge more money to consumers who want to improve their property. More fees, more red tape, more paper, and not to mention your property tax increase. It's like a penalty for improving your property... maybe if you let your property deteriorate you could now qualify for federal aid and be awarded for not caring. Think about it... Could it be that at some point, nobody will own property anymore?!

California Cost for Building a Home.

So why does it cost 40%more to build the same house in california than in any other state if the material prices are the same in every state? It's simple, consider the city's Red Tape, the state bureaucracy, and all the taxes and insurance fee's. Now that Prop 30 passed and our sales tax is at 9.5%, city licences have doubled, added employee's necessary just to handle state and legal matters for insurance and employee rights, not to mention "Obama Care". Just see for yourself, permit fees have sky-rocketed since 2008 as a result.
 Little wonder people are passing the licensed contractors and licence process and doing improvements themselves, or worse, working with unlicensed trades... But do you blame them or the system. Can you see where your heading? Should we just try economic freedom instead!

Do your own comparison, run your same project on www.estimateconstructioncostfirst.com by selecting another state, then select California and see the differences in cost.

www.estimateconstructioncostfirst.com

The Constrictive Hands of Government

This past week I was awakened to the reality of what changes the city's and local governments have changed due to the recession. Additional forms and fees have more that doubled, not to mention the greater time delays. Sticker Shock to Clients... some cancelled plans.
It seems the government has a free hand on changing more to survive. If only free enterprise had that same licence.

-Bert Notch

Free Building Cost Estimating!

So who do you call, who do you trust, who is the most accurate? The answers to such questions can be difficult to come across for most home owners. An architect may be good on designing, but will his design be in line with your budget?
A builder without plans will only give you a square foot price, which can be intentionally misleading. Before you get started on a project with only the square foot price in mind, do your own estimate for FREE! estimateconstructioncostfirst.com can help you get an accurate and realistic construction estimate for your next project. Whether your constructing a new home, or remodeling your kitchen, get a quote you can trust at estimateconstructioncostfirst.com.
Try ECCF for free and you will see the difference. Its Free, its reliable, and within 5% accuracy of what it will cost. Try it several different ways until you create a project that fulfills your needs and your budet. Its instant, so try it now at home for FREE and be your own estimator!

http://www.estimateconstructioncostfirst.com/

Planning on building? Free cost analysis and estimate!

If your planning on building your own home you'll find lots of cost eliminating software on the web, but as your own home building estimator those software programs are designed for the contractor or engineer, but these programs can be confusing and cumbersome to use. Thats where http://www.estimateconstructioncostfirst.com/ can help. There is no need to calculate construction costs on your own anymore, just register and walk yourself through the simple guide form by "Estimate Construction Cost First". This web application is designed for you the layperson. Just enter your basic idea's of what you would like to build. The web application mathematically calculates the real cost, then lets you print out the results on your computer for FREE! No need for expensive estimating software or knowledge of building and construction cost. All construction prices are compiled based on your input, so change your house plans several times to see how different the total cost comes out. Have fun and know that this estimate is Free and is more accurate than a salesman's quote.
Try different scenarios for your plans and notice the difference with http://www.estimateconstructioncostfirst.com/

French design vs. American design

Bert Notch just completed a French country architectural plan for a client in Chatenoy le Royal, France. ˙e found it quite interesting as most homes designed in France, keep their water-closet (toilet) separate from the rest of the bathroom facilities.
 Unlike the bathroom designs in the U.S. where the water-closet is within the same areas the sinks, tub and shower. (No need to walk down the hall to wash your hands.) Other features included a 2nd story loft. Cabinet designs were also included as in France, cabinets are not considered a part of the house and are taken with each homeowner. Notch completed all plans in Metric.

http://www.thetopnotchteam.com/

Creativity in Living 10/16/12

 Creativity in Living Blog post                                                                                                10/16/12

Creativity in Living Inc. hosted contractors and clients with a tour of custom home's they designed and built by notch along with developers in the Lake Sherwood Estates and West Lake Village areas in California, just North of Los Angeles. Home styles ranged from Craftsman, Mediterranean, Tuscany at a cost of $400 to $850 per sq. Ft. The tour was topped off with a brunch at the four seasons resort. 

Check out more of Top Notch's work at http://www.houzz.com/pro/topnotchstudios/creativity-in-living-inc

10/10/2012

Notch just contracted with another client who chose Creativity In Living because of their pre-estimate breakdown program.

- "Unlike the designers I met before Bert, they only gave me a lump sum guesstimate. I like the fact that I can shift my cost around and make different choices now, before I get into the costly engineering phase. It's great!" -L.S. Thousand Oaks, CA.

You can try our construction estimate service too, for FREE! Its simple, easy, and can save you thousands on construction estimate costs. Be prepared before you meet your contractor to get your estimate. Try it now, it's FREE! www.estimateconstructioncostfirst.com