Question: I know I want to build (or remodel) but I don't know where to start. Can you give me some direction about where to begin?

We have many clients and potential clients approach us with and idea in mind of what they want in their new home and/or remodel but aren't sure how to move forward with their idea. We recommend beginning with conceptual designs (sketches) and spending time looking at other homes or projects you like and don't like. You will learn as much or more about what you want in your home from the things you don't like as the things you do. This is a good time to meet with your builder and ask him for recommendations about where to go to look at design ideas and what works well and what doesn't. He should have access to design centers, recent projects you can look at, tickets to home shows, and suppliers who will provide samples for you. It may seem a little early in the process to be looking at material samples but knowing what type of materials you like and want now will help you focus in on the perfect design for you and your home. It will also help eliminate costly changes later on in the process.
Your builder will also be able to help you get a feel for what a given project may cost and ways to maximize its value.
After you have a conceptual plan put together you can begin to move forward with the final design process. Your builder should also be able to provide you with the professional design services you need.

Please feel free to contact us with your questions (801) 472-1211

2011 Home Building and Remodeling Outlook

The past several months have been an economic roller coaster for many and have brought trying times for all. We have been fortunate to have weathered the storms both natural and economic and hope you have as well. The economic ebb has provided the opportunity for you to be able to move forward with your new home, remodeling projects, or restoration in ways that were not available last fall and probably won't be available in the future. While market prices for materials continue to fluctuate most materials prices are still low but may rise significantly throughout the year due to increased oil and gas prices and inflation. Building lots are still available for 50% less than in the past but the existing inventory of lots is being bought up and prices may start creeping up as the inventory continues to diminish.
New home projects are now more cost efficient than they have been in the past several years. The price of materials has dropped to more reasonable rates and labor rates have also dropped with the lower demand on contractors’ time.
Many builders and remodelers have closed their doors and/or shifted their market focus over the past several months. At Harper & Company we have taken the time to expand our resources and increase our capabilities to better serve our clients and their needs. We have teamed up with suppliers, subcontractors, and real estate professionals who provide excellent service and value for their products.
We have teamed up with suppliers who are committed to provide the best materials for the best prices on the market. Rocky Mountain Power and Questar Gas are still providing significant rebates for improving your home’s energy efficiency. We have also teamed up with EnviroWise Consulting to provide Energy Star certified projects for our clients.
Add these factors together and this spring is one of the best times to build a new home, add an addition, remodel your kitchen, finish your basement, or restore that old brick bungalow you love.

Mobley's Comments

After setting our blog up a nd letting our clients know about the resources here we had one of our clients ask if they could post some comments about their experience with our company. Naturally, we were pleased to oblige. Here are their comments:

We had an amazing experience with Matt Harper. His very first impression was exactly how we was for a complex 6 month project- clean cut, educated, polite, creative, and always positive and energetic. We dug out our 5 foot deep crawl space and completed it to a nicely finished basement complete with media room, 9 foot ceilings, storage, etc. Matt and his team did a great job on the project. We had a few normal “butting of the heads” along the way and that is to be expected in any sort of large scale home remodel. The reason I share this, is that those moments of (brief) conflict are when Matt’s impressive character really shined through. Matt was always a true professional and each of these (very few) conflicts was resolved to 110% of our satisfaction. Its easy to be nice, professional, etc when everything is humming along. But, when the normal challenges of construction are encountered- that is when you really see how good or not so good your GC is. Matt is the best and we continue to recommend him without any reservation.

Steven & Britta Mobley