New Basement Addition

We are starting a new basement addition project in Park City. It's a unique process to add a basement to an existing home. We have added basements to homes several times now and are becoming specialists on foundation retrofits. We'll post some photos as the project progresses and let our readers in on the details.

We have found that we enjoy working on unique projects that are out of the ordinary and require unique problem solving to help our clients achieve their goals and dreams. As we progress with the project please feel free to ask questions or post comments.

Success,
Matthew Harper

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

Three Bid Myth

I found this article from a Corvallis, OR newspaper. My experience is very similar to the author's and I strongly recommend his advice to all our clients.

The Three Bid Myth

As published in the Corvallis Gazette-Times
By Tom Powell

I was at Safeway the other day and picked up a copy of "Kitchen Remodeling for Dummies." I have to say, I was curious to read the advice the publication was offering. Not surprisingly it advocated getting three bids. "Be sure that all three contractors work from the same materials and labor list. You want to compare apples to apples."

This is a good concept in theory, but there are a few significant problems with it. First, it assumes that you have enough information about the project to be sure that all three contractors are quoting the same thing. Second, it assumes that you have confidence that the contractors will stick to their "estimates". Third, it assumes that price is the most important factor in selecting your contractor.

So here's how the scenario works. You invite three contractors to your home to get estimates on remodeling your kitchen. You have an idea of what you want or even a sketch. Each contractor will have different ideas and bid the project accordingly. Everything from the cabinet layout to the countertop to the brand of faucet may vary, if they are planned for at all. How then do you "compare apples to apples" with any level of confidence?

Three bids only give the illusion of providing a thorough comparison. Without drawings and specifications it is impossible to know what is included in the project. I can't tell you how many times I've heard horror stories of a homeowner finding out that the final project cost did not even remotely reflect the original bid.

I encourage you to interview multiple contractors and call their references. Make your choice based on comfort level, experience, and reputation rather than nebulous bids. Work in partnership with your qualified design/build company to develop a design and project that meets your needs and your budget.

To discuss your upcoming project needs or new home ideas. Give us a call to schedule an appointment (801) 472-1211

Success,

Matthew Harper

Early Spring Promotion

The warmer weather the past few weeks here in Utah has started people thinking about their upcoming home improvement, remodeling, and renovation projects. We have seen an increase in clients wanting to start the budgeting and design process. We appreciate all our clients and their patronage.

In an effort to show our appreciation to our clients we are offering an "early spring" project incentive. Schedule your remodeling or addition project with us before February 25, 2011 and we will provide project design services and plans free of charge. For more information contact us at (801) 472-1211.

Updated Energy Star Program

With new advances in building technology and products the national Energy Star certification program is being updated to provide more energy efficient standards. The new standards if followed properly will increase a home's energy efficiency significantly of standard building methods.

We have been reviewing the updated program and decided to partner with EnviroWise Consulting, an independent certification and consulting firm to bring the added value of a more energy efficient home to our clients without increase building costs. Its an integrated approach to building the entire structure from the ground up maximizing resources and efficiency and minimizing waste.

We will post additional information for you to learn more about the updated program in the coming days.

Success,