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Top 3 Home Design Trends

With so many home builders from which to choose from, it is important that you go with the one that can effectively turn your design concepts into a reality.  Sullivan & Forbes is a custom home builder in Gainesville, Georgia that has helped many people achieve their home building dreams. 

Building on a budget doesn't necessarily mean you have to give up certain design elements.  We take our knowledge of home design and buiding and blend it with your budget to come up with some of the most beautiful homes on Lake Lanier and throughout North Georgia.  Below are some of the latest design trends that we can help you with as you look to us to build your next custom home.

Flooring
The right flooring can not only make a home more beautiful, but it can help with the resale value of a home later down the road.  From ceramic tile and hardwoods to marble and bamboo flooring, we can provide you with the right solution for your specific design tastes. 

Outdoor living
Bringing the outdoors in, is something many people have dreamed of.  Enjoying cool fall temperatures while taking advantage of indoor conveniences can be achieved with our design process.  This trend has been accomplished by many of our home building customers.  View one of our videos that shows the type of work we perform when our customers are looking to bring the outdoors in. 

Storage
Having enough storage in your home is something many homeowners overlook.  This convenience is often times not thought about during the design phase for many homeowners, but can be avoided by working with a professional custom home builder.  Don't design yourself into a corner.  Make certain you have enough storage space to handle not only your family for today, but for what your family could look like years down the road. 

These are just three design trends people should consider when looking to build a new home.  Sullivan & Forbes has been designing and building homes since 1997.  We have experienced just about every possible design taste, but there are some consistencies to consider when building such as the ones listed above.  Give us a call today if you are thinking about building a home on Lake Lanier, Gainesville or other areas in North Georgia.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.

5 Tips Before Building a New Home

Building a new home can be overwhelming even for homeowners that have previously experienced the process.  The home builder you choose should have a wealth of experience that translates into a very routine process for them.  But we know that building a home from the homeowners perspective is anything but routine.  It is important that you play an active role from the very beginning to ensure you end up with the home you initially envisioned.  Below are 5 things you should understand before you start building a new home.

Create a budget
It can't be said enough, but creating a budget (and sticking to it!) will help eliminate much of the stress caused by overspending that tends to occur when building a new home.  Working with your home builder from the onset will help you understand what can be accomplished with your set budget.  Many home builders will provide pricing options for certain features in youu home you are looking for.  Making compromises along the way is a great way to get what you want in your home without breaking the bank.  

Work with a quality builder
There are many home builders from which to choose, and with the economy being down, many contractors have gotten into the custom home building business.  Don't leave anything to chance by working with a less that qualified home builder.  Do your homework, look for home building photos, testimonials, and ask for references.  Quality home builders will be more than happy to supply you with everything you need when looking to choose the home builder that is right for you.

Think long term
Many future homeowners set out to build their home that is fit to meet their immediate need.  Take into consideration your future plans for growing your family.  You should also think about the resale value of your home.  Thinking too much "out of the box" can be a good fit for your design tastes, but it can also come back to haunt you down the road.  Timeless, classic design ideas is the safest route to take when thinking about the resale value of your home. 

Consider your surroundings
Building a new home in an established neighborhood can be a good idea, but think about how your home will look in its natural surroundings.  Standing out from other homes in a neighborhood can be a curse and actually hurt in the resale value.   Select an area that will compliment the design of your home before you decide to build.  One specific area to consider is building a home on a lake.  Lake homes can accomplish both form and function if you choose the right home builder.  Remember to blend your design style into the backdrop of your surroundings.

Punch it out
Many new homeowners identify problems with their home once they settlein..  This problem can be avoided by creating a punch list.  A punch list is a list created that shows the work that still needs to be completed in the home.  Usually the builder and the homeowner will create this list during your final walk through.  We recommend taking notes every time you review the work done by the home builder to ensure everything is done to your satisfaction.

Building a new home should be an exciting experience.  Avoiding some of the pitfalls that many homeowners experience can be avoided by doing your homework and working with professional home builders that have your best interest in mind. 


About us
Sullivan & Forbes is a custom home builder who has built a wide range of custom homes for our customers since 1997.  We take pride in our ability to listen to listen to the needs of our customers, create a design that matches their need, and then executing a home build to their exact specifications. 

Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Custom Home Builder

We have offered home building tips that we believe can benefit you as you look to build a home.  Beyond the tips we provide, we also want to arm you with some of the most important questions you can ask your home builder.  Asking the right questions early on in the process or even before the process begins, can help you avoid unforseen headaches down the road.  The top 10 questions to ask your custom home builder include:

1. Can you work with my budget?
2. Do you have a list of references for me to review?
3. Do you have photos of work you have done?
4. Are you licensed?
5. Who will oversee the construction of my home?
6. What type of building products will you be using?
7. What is your service area?
8. Who handles the permits?
9. Can I count on you for other services I may need in the future like adding square footage?
10. How do you know what to design for me?

The questions listed above is an excellent place to start when looking to build a new home.  The home builder you choose should not only be qualified to build you a home specific to your needs, but they should also be accomodating to your questions because this is probably a new experience for you. 

If you are interested in Sullivan & Forbes for your next home building project, contact us today.  We have a wealth of experience working with people in Gainesville, Georgia, Lake Lanier, and the surrounding North Georgia areas.  We look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Building on a Budget

Building a new home can be an exciting experience if you plan ahead and stick to a budget.  Many of the headaches that arise from building a new home can be contributed to getting outside of the initial budget and the stress that accompanies spending more money.  Making smart decisions during (and before) the building process will help you stay on budget while providing you with a home you set out to build.

Size matters
Smaller homes are typically less expensive.  The amount of material needed to construct a smaller home isn't as much as what is needed for a home with more square footage.  Deciding to build a smaller home will also give you more flexibility to upgrade features inside your home. 

Choose simple shapes
Irregular shapes or other attricutes such as vaulted ceilings and complicated roof lines can add to the total cost of your home.  By choosing square or rectangular floor plans, you can save money, but still achieve a beautiful home design. 

Consider recycled material
Recycled materials are not only a "green" solution, but it can also help reduce the price of your home.  Recycled steel, pressed straw paneling, and sawdust and cement composites are excellent, affordable alternatives when building a home.  Talk to your home builder about other product ideas that can help save money. 

Hire a professional
A professional custom home builder will work with you, your design tastes and your budget to create a home that is right for you.  Some sacrifices may need to be made, but at the end of the day, a professional home builder will help guide you throughout the building process. 

Sullivan & Forbes is a custom home builder that has built numerous homes for an assortment of design tastes in North Georgia.  We have built home on Lake Lanier, Gainesville and the surrounding North Georgia area.  If you are looking to build a new home, and you have a budget in mind, give us a call today and let us help you make your home dreams a reality.  We look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Top Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

Your kitchen is one place in your home where you find yourself most often.  It is a great place to not only entertain guests, but to connect with your family.  Because you spend so much time in your kitchen, it's important you have a space that is not only practical, but also beautiful.  Below are some of the top kitchen remodeling ideas if you are considering giving your kitchen a facelift. 

Backsplash
There are many creative backsplash designs you can incorporate into your kitchen.  One trend that is popular in kitchens is a glass backsplash.  A glass backsplash can add a sense of style and can improve the overall look of your kitchen.  Be careful that if you do decide to add a backsplash that it blends with the rest of your kitchen design. 

Under-cabinet lighting
Adding unexpected lighting in your home is a trend many homeowners are taking up.  One area to consider in your kitchen when adding light is under your cabinets.  Adding this feature can showcase your countertops and help you see better as you continue to use your kitchen space more. 

Countertops
Your kitchen countertops are often the first place people look at when they enter your kitchen.  Corian, Zodiaq, poured cement and granite countertops are some design trends people are taking advantage of when remodeling their kitchen. 

Details
Sometimes it's the smallest details, and not the large renovations that add the most to your kitchen renovation.  Selecting the right accessories such as pulls, nobs, and faucets can add a lot to the overall look of your kitchen. 

About Sullivan & Forbes
Sullivan & Forbes is a custom home builder located in Gainesville, Georgia.  Beyond building new homes for people, we also help homeowners achieve their dreams through creative and professional remodeling.  We invite you to view our photo gallery or simply give us a call today if you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen. 

Top Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

Your bathroom, and specifically your master bathroom, is one area in your home that can add tremendous value.  Having an outdated master bathroom can really hurt when and if you decide to put your home on the market.  Beyond the resale value, an updated bathroom is important due to the amount of time spent in that one particular room.  Below are some ideas you should consider if you are thinking about updating your bathroom space.

Mirrorframes
Custom mirror frames can go a long way when you are looking to update the look of your bathroom.  Most bathroom mirrors include the standard building contractor mirrors.  Adding a frame around these mirrors is easy to do and adds your individual design flair to your bathroom space. 

Think about your space
Thinking about reconfiguring the layout of your bathroom could be an option when remodeling.  Doing this may open up new functional ideas (storage) and can potentially free up some much needed space. 

Accessorize
Much like the accessories in your kitchen, the accessories in your bathroom are an important part of your overall design.  Having the best flooring and the greatest layout can be negated if you ignore the smallest details such as the knobs on your drawers. 

Shower Doors
Frameless shower doors are a trend many homeowners are turning to.  Not only do they function properly, but they provide clean lines which can contribute to the overall design of your bathroom.  Ignoring your shower space is one pitfall many homeowners fall into when remodeling their space. 

The items listed above are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to remodeling your bathroom.  Sullivan & Forbes has been remodeling bathrooms for almost 15 years.  We have experienced every shape, size and design taste during our time of bathroom remodeling.  Give us a call today if you are thinking about remodeling your bathroom, or feel free to view our photo gallery to learn more about the type of work we do.  We look forward to hearing from you soon. 

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