Custom BBQ Islands and Ramada's in Arizona

Custom BBQ Islands starting from 180.00 per lineal foot. This is a great add to any backyard. For as little as a 2800.00 you just added a second part to your home. Outdoor Living.

Give us a call, we offer custom masonry and portable BBQ's.

602-628-5290 serving the valley of the sun, Arizona

Check us out at the Maricopa County Home Show!

Come see us at the Maricopa County Home Show!

March 4, 5, 6 , 2011 - University of Phoenix Stadium
1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, AZ 85305
Click HERE for directions!
Friday & Saturday 10-6 & Sunday 10-5

Construction Cost

Cost are on the rise again. We have a small job of concrete this week, and like every time we give a quote ( call the supplier ) and sure enough prices have changed again. Back in Dec. 2010 we were paying around 69.00 per yard, today it is 80.00. That is a 16% increase, WOW!!!!

Home prices are at the lowest they are ever going to be if you are building new. Sure you can buy a used, lender owned or a short sale home and maybe get a bargain or you may get someone Else's surprises.

A lot of different materials are higher and things will keep going up, I could list them all and up-date each week, but I will leave the answers to all my competitors.

Like always, if you need a true and reliable contractor give us a call.

Thanks and have a great day,
C

Kitchen Remodels by Unique Builders

Since the Home Show last month, we have gave out several bids on kitchen remodels. Seems like everyone has differences.

Lets start with the basics. Simple Kitchen 10 by 12 standard 30 inch uppers. The owner wants new cabinets, granite top and new sink.....

1. cabinet cost 3500.00
2. granite 2350.00
3. sink 250.00

Total 6100.00 These are some of the quotes people are showing me, and are saying this is the price that they can get it done for. Wow!

Here are the real facts for a real builder to do this job just at a basic level. Now I know, at least I think most people want a new faucet with that sink and maybe a garbage dis. too. How about some fresh paint, maybe a full back splash? New dishwasher, maybe a self cleaning oven? Okay, enough of that, we all get the point. Oh, one last thing is don't forget the demo and clean-up.

Here are the numbers for a basic kitchen remodel completely done right.

Lets just say 12K is about where it should be, add full overlay cabinets like the one's in the book of pictures you may have, add 30%.

Our typical kitchen remodels which generally include new flooring, some electrical, new plumbing features, appliances, granite tops, full back splashes,middle of the road cabinets and all freshly painted rooms average between 34K to 55K. This is a realistic budget for a real remodeled kitchen.

We have been doing this for such a long time and it just amazes me that some people fall for the old see this picture? oh, by the way that's an extra.

In this crazy R.E market, remodeling is the way to go if you like where you live but want a new home feeling.

I hope this helps someone if they are thinking about remodeling. And always have a complete list or scope of work you want done and get at least 3 bids.

Have a wonderful day,

C

New Homes For Sale by Unique Builders llc

Wow, The home show last month was great. A lot of people were out and seem very up beat. We have just finished a new design of a 3200 foot home and are getting ready to start the marketing process. We think things are getting better.

Prices are about as low as they are ever going to be when it comes to material. Its weird, 12 months ago I was saying it is time to buy land, well if you did, yippee doda!!! If you didn't well there are some good ones still left, but the prices are up and very hard to find.(Good Lots ) not some dirt field.

Just like to say, we are revising our old Web site and should have it up to date soon, and there will be a Local News section with weekly updates of our local market.

I hope everyone in the snowy states, stays warm.

As always, if you need a great home in Arizona give us a call.

From Sunny Az, :)

Thinking of Building A New Home

Wow, I cannot believe that 2010 is almost over. What a year of changes we have seen in this crazy market. I think some months ago, I was talking about all the land being bought up. Well you guessed it," Lot prices are on the rise and the good ones are hard to find".

We have been really busy this last couple of months doing small jobs but are starting to see some interest in New Custom builds. We are thinking of starting a couple of homes ourselves that will be for sale come spring of 2011. With all the crazy Gov. spending I am afraid the next hurdle will be higher cost and interest rates. We will just have to see.

Just to report on conditions here in AZ. I am seeing some prices go up, not extremely but never the less, going up.

I was reading some other blogs this morning and some builders are talking about choosing a builder, I had a good laugh this morning. If a person chooses a builder by their web site and picture gallery, they may be in for a big surprise, most so called builders are as talented as their last car salesman job. Now, anyone can get a license, back in the old days you had to show experience, not that being a lighting salesman at HD doesn't qualify you to build a million dollar home. Be careful when picking a builder, heck I grew up doing this and I now have grey hair and still learn everyday.

Best wishes and a Happy New Year from the sunny state of Arizona.

As always, if your thinking of building in AZ. or looking for some land. We Can Help!

C

Home Construction or Foreclosure home?

Last week was the home show here in Az. We had a large interest in home remodeling and some folks coming by and talking about buying some unfinished homes. With all that in mind, we are seeing more interest in building New. Land prices and land locations have always been a tough decision for many people. But just in the last 2 weeks there was over 261 lots in the greater valley of the sun that traded hands. We believe that the people that have always planned on owning a home here are making their move, or at least buying land.

It was funny, for must of my life, my clients have built nice homes from all sizes small and large 10,000 ft plus. Most have been very Conservative when it came to finishes, but then there are those few that have to have the best and have to have the biggest and fanciest builder. Well times have changed, my company can typically beat most builders by 5 to 10% because for one we do not hire someone to manage our jobs. ( 2 ) I the owner and can do every trade, grew up doing every trade, doesn't mean that we do every trade, but we could. So, getting back to what was funny, at the show I was asked how much per sq. ft. to finish a home? My most logical answer was can't say. But after a few minutes and talking with the person I found out that the home was in the frame stage, in Paradise Valley and she wants everything and the home was 8000 sq.ft. My comment to that was at least 200 per foot. She laughed, I laughed and as she walked off I thought to myself, she would be one that would hire a fancy builder over a Conservative builder and think that his painter is better then mine. I just thought this was a funny story and a true one.

Just a short note to the real people out there that are thinking of building here in Az. There is just a few reputable Subs and we all use them, the difference between the way the job looks is how much money you want to spend on the FOO-FOO stuff, and if you use an interior designer.
Lumber is lumber and paint is paint.

Bottom line is, a person can save money by hiring someone that is responsible and has a long track record, like having the same address and phone number and lic# for more than 60 days, my biggest complaint when I bid jobs are people don't talk apples for apples. If a builder cannot produce some kind of a estimate on a home, with a cost break down sheet after talking with a client for about 1 hour, now don't get me wrong, this would be just a rough starting point but a realistic point. That estimate should be produced the very next day. Last but not least, estimates and lot evaluations should always be free.

Hope this helps someone and as always have a great day!

C