Whether you already know the ropes or you’re a first-timer, building your new custom home in San Luis Obispo should be a rewarding experience you feel confident about. So, how do you find the best home builders in SLO? Here are some tips from our team.

 Know what you want

Before you talk to any contractors, have a discussion with yourself! Make some lists about how you see your new home: Must Have, Nice to Have, Not a Fan Of, Deal Killers. Do your homework. Take lots of notes, save images and links, walk around neighborhoods. Ask yourself what you do or don’t like about certain things you see. Using your notes, organize the information in a way that clearly defines your wants, needs, and expectations.

 Ask around and look around

 Talk to your friends about their projects and experiences. Get opinions. Don’t be shy. Are you on social media? Ask your Facebook friends. If you encounter the owner of a home you admire on your dog walk, stop to chat. Read reviews of the home builders who have been recommended, and see how they compare to others. Check out their qualifications and the projects they’re proudest of on their websites.

 Choose the top contenders

 Make a list of the builders who’ve risen to the top of your list. Check the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) to confirm licensing status, bonding and workers’ compensation insurance. See if any complaint disclosures or construction-related civil judgments are shown. Do a web search to see if they’ve been in the news for anything that makes you uncomfortable.

 Talk to the contenders

 When you feel well-informed, schedule meetings with the home builders at the top of your list, and prepare your information and questions. After giving an overview of your project, you may have specific things you’d like to learn. Here are some of the more common questions.

• Is this the type of project you’re looking for?
• Can you help me with site selection, or should I return after I make a purchase?
• Do you handle everything including permits and site preparation?
• Can you show me some similar projects you’ve done?
• Will I have one main point of contact? How much time will that person spend at my project? How many jobs will they be running at once?
• How much of the work is done by subcontractors?
• What percentage of your projects are completed within your projected timelines? What percentage within your budget estimates?
• Can you explain the typical process and expected timeline for me?
• What kind of reporting and communication should I expect during the project?
• How long will I have to make decisions on things?
• Do you have any concerns about my project?

The builder representative (or team) should be able and willing to answer your questions, and will have some of their own. Be sure your answers are accurate and carefully considered.

 Weigh the facts… but also trust your gut

 When building a new custom home, you’ll be investing more than money. Your time, energy, passion and communication skills will all be required. A good relationship with your home builder will be essential. So, in addition to weighing the information you’re given, check in with your gut. How do you feel about doing business with this team? Do you feel heard when you speak? Do you feel comfortable talking with them? Do you feel like your best interests and desired outcomes are the focus of the discussion? Do you feel confident that you can work with this team for the length of the project? Do they demonstrate the balance of professionalism and personal attention you expect?

Let the fun begin!

 When your questions have been answered, it’s time to make a decision. Your new San Luis Obispo custom home won’t magically appear overnight. It will be a process. The right home builder will guide this process for you. They’ll make sure it’s exciting, but not scary. They’ll help you evaluate options before making decisions, based on their experience and industry knowledge. They’ll understand your vision, protect your interests, and build the home you’ve worked so hard to save and plan for.

When you’re ready to build your custom home in San Luis Obispo, give us a call at 805-543-7277. We’re ready to answer your questions and show you how our people and processes will make your experience groundbreaking, from start to finish.

Biophilic design, still on the rise in architecture, acknowledges the many ways nature interacts with and contributes to physical and emotional wellbeing. Mindful integration of elements from the natural environment within built environments helps people feel connected and grounded. It’s no surprise that many of 2020’s interior design trends are influenced by this architectural trend.

But fear not, lovers of luxury, today’s nod to nature doesn’t mean we’re revisiting hippie havens of decades past. Our San Luis Obispo custom home builders explain how forward-thinking interior designers see 2020 shaping your spaces.

Modern, Yet Approachable Combos

Bold patterns and geometrics will be paired with organic elements such as live-edge tables and countertops, to give spaces warmth combined with a modern flair. Soft rugs and natural fabrics will add balance in spirited spaces where eye-catching designer tile or daring wall coverings make stylish statements.

Neutrals Au Natural

We’ll see warm neutral colors such as gray and beige set the stage in the same way desert landscapes help showcase an unexpected oasis or sunset. Think riverbeds, beach walks and rocky cliffs accented by stimulating, awe-inspiring tones found in plants and wildlife.

Surfaces Touched By Nature

Textures inspired by stone, timber and plant materials will add pleasure and interest to walls, fireplaces, and furniture. People will want to run their eyes or fingers across everything from floors to accessories to enjoy the comforting surfaces they’re familiar with.

Evolving Living Spaces

The adaptability found in nature will be demonstrated in design. Long popular, great rooms will be reimagined to signal a return of intimacy. Expect furniture that invites swift room reconfiguration based on occupants and activities. Look for rooms that change size and shape through use of convertible partitions, artwork, or planters. Flexible lighting options will help set the mood, helping a space go from a bright, inspiring morning-starter to a slower-paced dusky relaxation zone.

Our builders love helping our clients evaluate how today’s trends and material options can enhance their lives and support their lifestyles. When it’s time to create your next beautiful, comfortable home on the Central Coast, count on our full-service team for great ideas and on-trend or up-to-date information you can trust.

As the new decade draws near, custom luxury homes will impress visitors with nods to nature and innovative design that combines materials of the past with the technology of the future. Let’s take a look at some design trends and features we expect outside 2020’s new homes.

Solar Innovation Heats Up

Renewable energy has a bright, sunny future in California. The state’s solar mandate requires PV solar on almost all new single-family and multi-family homes up to 3 stories tall. For building permits filed on or after January 1, 2020, most new dwellings in California will require photovoltaic solar systems. While the reliance on solar is by mandate, the product and design trends will be driven by the industry, builders, and site specifications. We expect California to lead the way with creative methods to incorporate solar without making it a focal point of design. We’re looking forward to advances in thin-film technology and stealthy installation and design techniques that allow solar to make a difference without always making a statement.

Nature Sets the Tone

Opulent is out. Design, materials, and colors will take their cues from nature. Expect more (and darker) earth tones, use of natural stone instead of highly polished, and water features that mimic natural pools to eclipse fancy fountains and splashy spas. The use of exterior metalwork will remain popular, with a focus on structural materials with earthy-looking oxidized finishes rather than shiny, ornate fabrications.

Siding Shakes It Up

Shake siding and its close cousin shingle siding experienced bursts of popularity at the turn of the 20^th century and again in the 1970s. Today, they’re back on the design scene. Whether used exclusively or bundled with vertical siding, stone, or brick, shake and shingle sidings are adding dimension and interest while softening appearances. Expect to see both traditional cedar and durable, low maintenance alternatives such as cement fiber.

The Indoors Come Out To Play

For a while, it was all about bringing the outdoors in. Now, we’re bringing the indoors out. Here on the Central Coast, our temperate climate makes outdoor living not only possible but often preferable. Outdoor kitchens are being joined by wet bars and natural gas fire pits with comfortable seating for cozy communal meals with friends.. Simplified by portable smart home technology, it’s even easier to manage outdoor entertainment, nature-inspired water features, and variable lighting to match any mood. Add landscaping that provides protection from excessive sun or wind, and you’ll be California dreaming through most seasons.

The year 2020 will make its mark with graceful, welcoming dwellings. Home exteriors will be built to impress not through outspoken ostentatious calls for attention, but with understated, yet lusciously livable form and function. We expect architectural design to continue to draw inspiration from across decades and around the globe while refining the integration of nature, durable materials and evolving technology. Are you ready to meet the team of luxury home builders who will turn your 2020 vision into a lasting reality? Contact us today.