The 2010 AVID Home Design Driver Research Survey showed that the majority of home buyers rated energy efficiency as a "Must Have" for their new homes. Although Boise and southwestern Idaho have some of the lowest power rates in the nation, home buyers still want their new homes to be energy efficient.
How do you build an energy-efficient home in Boise, Idaho and how much more does it cost? The U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Program has shown that new homes can be both energy efficient to live in and cost effective to build. In fact, the energy consumption of new houses can be reduced by 40% or more with little or no impact on the cost of ownership.
Building America works with members of the home-building industry to produce quality homes that use less energy without costing more to build. The goal is to develop cost-effective solutions that dramatically reduce the average energy use of housing while improving comfort and quality. This is accomplished through a systems engineering approach to homebuilding.
Systems engineering
The systems engineering approach considers the interaction between the building site, envelope, and mechanical systems, as well as other factors, throughout the design and construction process, It recognizes that features of one component in the house can greatly affect others and it enables builders to incorporate energy-saving strategies at no extra cost . Systems engineering allows builders to identify improvements to the design of a home that will ultimately save money. For example, the design might incorporate advanced framing systems that require less wood and labor. The saving on lumber and framing labor can then be reinvested in improved insulation or high-performance windows. Controlling building envelope leakage by tightening the building envelope enables builders to install smaller, less expensive heating and cooling systems. These savings can then be reinvested in higher-efficiency equipment..
Other examples of systems engineering cost-saving trade-offs include:
Proper placement of heating and cooling systems allowing shorter duct runs saving material and installation costs.
Locating ducts in the interior, conditioned space of a home (as opposed to in exterior walls or unconditioned attic spaces) eliminates loss of conditioned air to the exterior allowing the use of smaller, less expensive heating and cooling systems.
Future articles will discuss each of these cost-effective solutions in more detail.
Next, Advanced Framing.
Chuck Miller GMB CGB CGP MIRM CMP MCSP CSP President / Builder - Chuck Miller Construction Inc. (208) 229-2553 or (208) 571-0755 chuck@chuckmillerconstruction.com
DO YOU HAVE YOUR NIKES ON?
by Darcy Keith
When running in the race of life, what kind of shoes is on your feet? Are they high-heeled stilettos, loafers, house slippers, or tennis shoes? While we may be concerned with what is on our feet and how comfortable they are in the situation, if we don't have the right type of shoes on, we may not succeed.
I mean, a runner doesn't wear a pair of wrestling shoes if he is running a marathon. He wears the most appropriate running shoe that will go the distance. When you prepare to run, one of the first things you do is stretch to warm your muscles. If not, your body isn't prepared for what you are about to do.
But what about the race of life? There are many things, which come up for which we may not be prepared. You may be stressed out, suffering, and not know how to handle the situation. But, there is HOPE. Hope that you can overcome whatever you are facing and be victorious.
As my pastor, Randy Gilmore, says, "Hope is confidence in present resources and ultimate good." The word, Nike, is Greek for 'victory' or 'overcoming'. In the race of life, I want to have my Nikes on. For those of you who have heard one of my motivational presentations and me talk about my "shoe issues", when I tried out for the girls' basketball team in eighth grade (I couldn't find shoes big enough to fit me in the women's section, so I had to go the men's shoe area to find a pair), guess what tennis shoes I picked out? A new white pair of Nike high-tops with a red swoosh. Though I didn't know if I would make the team, I had hope in wearing my Nike tennis shoes as I was prepared to do my best.
In the middle of life's storms where you may feel stretched, stressed out, are suffering, or something else may be going on in your life, Hope lifts our spirits as we go though the storm. God has generously provided a way to carry you through it. Having hope protects our minds, like a helmet.
Hope provides us a way out of our struggle and shields us, like an umbrella. Hope lifts our spirits from the storms in life, which may be dampened. Hope is having your Nikes on when facing your situation, as we are overcomers and victorious. There is power in hope!
Here are three thoughts to keep in mind when running in the race of life:
1. Look for hope in your present resources.
2. Surround yourself with friends and family who support you.
3. Seek guidance and assistance from others who can help you along your journey to reach the finish line.
Be victorious and have your Nikes on!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darcy Keith is a national award-winning professional speaker and author, and is an expert on overcoming challenges. She has presented before various corporations, associations, service organizations, churches, and universities, as well as being featured on various television and radio venues including ABC, CBS, and FOX. Visit her website, www.DarcyKeith.com, or to contact Darcy, eMail her at Darcy@DarcyKeith.com
Story courtesy of...
Your friends at AsAManThinketh.net
http://www.AsAManThinketh.net
All of us in the housing industry are hoping for a better year. But what are we doing to prepare. Do we have the right "shoes"? The BCASWI Sales and Marketing Council is offering NAHB's Institute of Residential Marketing Course IRM 1 - Understanding Housing Markets and Consumers on February 16th and 17th in Boise, Idaho. In this 2-Day course, you will learn how to find the information that's critical to success in building and selling new homes. You'll gain knowledge of the demographic, economic, and psychographic factors that affect housing supply and demand. You'll also learn to employ a model that projects opportunities for specific local markets. As a graduate of this course, you will be able to:
•· Affirm the importance of market research to new home sales marketing and sales programs.
•· Recognize the essential elements of market research.
•· Use an absorption model to predict potential new housing demand and absorption rates in a defined target market area.
Some of you have already taken the course and/or earned your MIRM designation. If you'd like a refresher, you are invited to attend for just $30 - the cost of lunch for the two days - or bring your own lunch and pay nothing. I ask all of you, whether you have take the course or not, to share this with your associates. We have reduced the fee for this 2-day course to $325 which includes lunch both days. The course is approved by the Idaho Real Estate Commission for 16 hours of CE credit so the cost is less than $20 per credit. Because times are challenging, we are implementing an "Education Stimulus Package" to help with the cost. We need 8 paid registrations to breakeven. Attendees can save up to $110 on your registration by promoting the course to your friends and co-workers. The registration fee will be reduced for everyone for every paid registration over our minimum of 8. With 20 paid registrations, everyone receives a $110 discount on their registration fee. That's $215 for the 2-day, 16 CE credit course. That's less than $12 per CE credit.
For more information and to register, contact Mercedes at 377-3550.
Here's to a GREAT 2010
Welcome to the first in my series of blog posts on the Business of Building. Let's start with a quiz.
In a normal market, what is the average Net Profit for a Builder? Is it
•A. 21% to 30%
•B. 17.3% to 20.9%
•C. 3.7% to 8.7%
•D. -5% to 0%
It has been my experience as a home builder that most home buyers have a real misconception regarding what percentage of the price of a new home is the Builder's profit. The correct answer is C, 3.7% to 8.7%. The range reflects the differences between Builders who built exclusively on their customer's land, Builders who built on land they developed or purchased, and Builders who built on both.
|
Type of Builder |
Gross Profit Margin |
Net Profit |
|
All Builders |
17.3% to 19.0% |
3.7% to 5.4% |
|
Small-Volume Builders (1) |
16.8% to 19.5% |
3.2% to 5.5% |
|
Production Builders (2) |
18.5% to 20.9% |
5.4% to 8.7% |
|
|
|
|
|
Notes: (1) Builders who build 25 or fewer single-family homes per year |
||
|
(2) Builders who build 26 or more single-family homes per year
|
||
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Source: NAHB Cost of Doing Business Study |
The difference between the Builder's Gross Profit Margin and Net Profit is the Builder's expenses which include his or her General and Administrative Expenses, Financing Expenses, and Sales and Marketing Expenses. General and Administrative Expenses range from 8.3% to 12.9% and include employee salaries; payroll taxes, insurance, and other benefits; office expenses; vehicle expenses; taxes; general liability insurance; accounting and legal service fees and expenses, and depreciation. Financing expenses range from 0.3% to 0.9% and include interest lines of credit and construction loans; and closing costs. Sales and Marketing expenses range from 0.9% to 3.8% and include commissions, website hosting and maintenance, and other advertising and promotion expenses.
The Net Profit is what enables the Builder to continue to operate when business is slow and revenues are down. It's what enables them to perform warranty and maintenance services on their finished homes.
According to BuildIdaho.com, the average sales price for new homes is approximately $190,000 in Ada County and $145,000 in Canyon County. For a small volume builder in a normal market, the average net profit on that new home in Ada County would be somewhere between $6,080 and $10,450. Considering that new home takes approximately 90 to 150 days to build, that equates to $1,216 to 3,483 a month.
Are you waiting for the price of that new home you'd like to build to drop further? I wouldn't.
Chuck Miller GMB CGP CGB MIRM CMP MCSP CSP
President / Builder - Chuck Miller Construction Inc.
(208) 229-2553
The median size of new homes in the U.S. increased from just over 1,500 square feet in 1973 (the first year the Census Bureau began tracking new home size) to 2,309 square feet at its peak in 2007. The median size has declined almost 10% since then. Will the trend to smaller-sized homes persist?
While it is unlikely that new homes will continue to decline, I think we have seen the end of the McMansion.
NAHB's Chief Economist David Crowe, although he didn't proclaim the end of the McMansion, believes that the trend to smaller homes may last longer than in past recoveries.
Baby-Boomers, although they might wish to downsize, might be unable to do so due to their inability to sell their existing McMansions because of an oversupply these larger homes and downward price pressure coupled with their recently decimated wealth. However, immigrant households with their lower incomes while they may be unable to afford new larger homes, might be able to purchase the Baby-Boomers existing homes allowing the Baby-Boomers to downsize into smaller new homes.
Gen X'ers could be driven to purchase smaller, more affordable homes due to affordability barriers combined with the more stringent lending standards and fewer mortgage options resulting from the subprime mortgage fiasco.
The sheer number of Gen Y households projected to increase by between 2.0 million and 3.4 million should keep the demand for smaller starter homes strong for the next 10 years.
The trend to single-person households and women as heads of households should also support the trend to smaller-sized homes.
While the rising cost of energy could also drive some buyers to purchase smaller homes, this may not be enough to drive the trend to smaller homes.
The information presented in this series of blogs appears to support a continuation of the trend to smaller homes and the end of the McMansion. However, all real estate is local and the impact of the changes I have discussed will vary by market. Each market will experience these changes to varying degrees and at varying times, but it is reasonably certain that they will experience them.
The National Association of Home Builders Institute of Residential Marketing (IRM) courses will teach you how to do market research so that you understand your local housing market and your potential customers. The BCASWI Sales and Marketing Council is offering IRM I - Understanding Housing Markets and Consumers on February 16th and 17th in Boise, Idaho. In IRM I, you'll gain knowledge of the demographic, economic, and psychographic factors that affect housing supply and demand and learn to employ a model that projects opportunities for specific local markets. For more information and to register, contact me or the BCASWI.
Chuck Miller GMB CGP CGB MIRM CMP MCSP CSP
President / Builder - Chuck Miller Construction Inc.
(208) 229-2553
www.chuckmillerconstruction.com
The median size of new homes in the U.S. increased from just over 1,500 square feet in 1973 (the first year the Census Bureau began tracking new home size) to 2,309 square feet at its peak in 2007. The median size has declined almost 10% since then. Will the trend to smaller-sized homes persist? Let's consider the rising cost of energy.
The depth of the downturn may, for the first time in at least 40 years, reduce real median household incomes while the cost of energy is predicted to grow faster than incomes in the coming years. Some experts argue that because smaller homes cost less to heat and cool, this alone should continue to support the trend to smaller homes. I respectfully disagree.
I have been building energy-efficient homes since for the past 10 years. Through programs like the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Program, we learned how to increase the energy-efficiency of any new home regardless of size by 30% to 50%. Energy-efficiency is a major component of all green building programs and because of the increased emphasis on green building fueled in part by the International Energy Conservation Code® (IECC) and the growing popularity of programs like NAHB Green, building products manufacturers are improving their existing products and developing new products to improve the energy-efficiency of the homes being built.
But what about home buyers. Based on my own experience over the past 10 years, while energy-efficiency might make it onto a homebuyers list of priorities, rarely is it at the top of the list.
In the spring of 2007, RCLCO (Robert Charles Lesser & Co., LLC) conducted a national survey of homeowners to gain an understanding of their attitudes toward green residential products. Among the questions asked were:
• Are "green" features and amenities important in your next home purchase?
• What "green" features and amenities are important to you in your next home purchase?
• Would you be willing to pay more for a "green" home, if so, how much?
The results of the survey revealed that only 21% of home buyers were interested in saving energy and realizing lower utility bills. Those in this group are most interested in energy-efficient and energy-saving features. Among this 21% of home buyers, 75% indicated they would be willing to spend more for an energy-efficient home provided their investment paid them back over time. If their investment might not pay them back over time, that percentage drops to 18%.
So I don't think rising energy costs will drive the trend toward smaller homes.
Chuck Miller GMB CGP CGB MIRM CMP MCSP CSP
President / Builder - Chuck Miller Construction Inc.
(208) 229-2553
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Design-Build Custom Home Builder/Remodeler, Commercial Construction and Tenant Improvements, Steel Building Dealer, specializing in energy efficient and green construction. NAHB IRM Instructor
Builder Chuck Miller is President and CEO of Chuck Miller Construction Inc.
Chuck has managed several homebuilding companies and has served as Project Manager on a variety of residential, commercial, and institutional projects during his forty (40) year career in the homebuilding and construction industry. His design and construction experience includes single-family homes and multi-family housing units, office buildings, medical buildings, motels, recreation centers, the Day Lodge at Timberline on Mt. Hood, and a medium security prison.
Chuck serves as a Director of the National Association of Homebuilders representing the BCASWI. He is a Trustee for his NAHB Builder 20 Club, a a Trustee of NAHB's National Sales and Marketing Council, and serves on Sales and Marketing Ideas magazine Editorial Advisory Board. Chuck is a Past President and Life Director of the BCASWI and a Life Director of the IBCA. He is the current Chairman of the BCASWI's Sales and Marketing Council, Green Building Council, Education Committee, and Ethics and Arbitration Committee, and serves on the BCASWI's Political Action Committee.
Chuck was recognized by the Building Contractors Association of Southwestern Idaho as the 2003 Builder of the Year for his service to the association, the building industry, and the community.
Chuck is a member of NAHB's Spike Club. The NAHB Spike Club is NAHB's recognition and incentive program for individuals working in membership recruitment and retention. Chuck has achieved Royal Spike status having earned over 200 credits. He was also recognized by the Building Contractors Association of Southwestern Idaho with the "Jim Amyx Spike of the Year" award in 2005 for his efforts in recruiting new members to the association.
Chuck is the first home builder in the State of Idaho to be awarded the Graduate Master Builder designation. He was also the first homebuilder in the State of Idaho to earn the Certified Graduate Builder designation.
Chuck is the first home builder in the State of Idaho to be awarded the Certified Green Professional designation by the National Associationof Home Builders.
Chuck is a member of NAHB's National Sales and Marketing Council. The National Sales and Marketing Council exists to represent Marketing and Sales professionals within the building industry by serving its members and affiliated partners through education, recognition, networking, and career development.
Chuck has earned the Certified New Home Sales Professional designation. The Certified New Home Sales Professional (CSP) designation is the first designation available through The Institute of Residential Marketing. CSP was designed for specialists in new home sales to enhance their professional image, increase their marketability in the home building industry and sell more homes!
Chuck has also earned the Master CSP designation from the Institute of Residential Marketing. The Master CSP designation further acknowledges new home sales professionals who hold the CSP designation by highlighting their continued educational and career achievements in the home building industry.
Chuck has earned the Certified New Home Marketing Professional (CMP) designation from the Institute of Residential Marketing. Certified New Home Marketing Professional (CMP) is the mid-level designation for IRM students who have completed the marketing intensive IRM courses I through IV.
Chuck is a Member of the Institute of Residential Marketing (MIRM). The MIRM designation is the fourth and most prestigious designation given by the Institute. The MIRM is the top-level achievement for professionals in new home marketing.
In addition to being a Graduate Master Builder and a Certified Graduate Builder, Chuck is an approved Principal Instructor for the NAHB University of Housing's Graduate Master Builder (GMB) Certified Graduate Builder(CGB)/ Certified Graduate Remodeler(CGR)/ Certified Graduate Associate(CGA) Program. Chuck is also currently an approved Instructor for the NAHB's Institute of Residential Marketing's courses.
Chuck is a National Center for Construction Education and Research Certified Carpentry Instructor and teaches carpentry apprenticeship classes for the Construction Education Foundation of Idaho.
Chuck also presents NAHB's "Homes Of Our Own" programs in local elementary schools.
Chuck is a graduate of Western Illinois University, where he majored in Construction Technology and minored in Real Estate and Business Management. He is also a Dale Carnegie graduate.
Chuck Miller Construction Inc. specializes in building energy efficient green homes and buildings. Chuck Miller Construction Inc. is a member of the Building America program and a 100% Energy Star Partner.
Chuck Miller Construction Inc. is a diversified construction and development company. Our core business is design-build custom homes. We also do residential remodeling specializing in projects to improve the energy-efficiency and indoor air quality of existing homes. We do commercial construction and tenant improvements. We are also a Rockford Steel Building Dealer and provide complete turnkey design-build services for your steel building project.
Chuck Miller Construction Inc. also offers project management and consultant services to developers.
Chuck Miller and his exceptional construction team and staff were able to help us design and build our custom dream home...a process which started while we were living in Virginia.
While visiting the Boise area during the May Parade of Homes in 2005, we met Chuck and many other builders. We chose Chuck as we were most impressed with his homebuilding philosophy and credentials.
At our first meeting, Chuck provided us a preliminary cost estimate and associated methodology for determining the overall cost. The company website is outstanding and the reference material provided upfront was helpful and informative.
Chuck and Barbara Kissee', Project Manager, kept on top of the process at all times. They regularly visited the construction site, kept us informed via email and phone, and sent us progress photos. All the subcontractors are top notch professionals with whom we found it easy and fun to interact, and who offered great ideas to improve our initial home plan.
The number one reason we are so pleased with Chuck Miller Construction is because of the bottom line...they build a fantastic product. The home we moved into on 03NOV06 is based on solid construction, was built with quality materials and looks wonderful. Our Energy Star home has an unbelievable HVAC system that has quiet equipment, great ventilation, consistent temperature, and produces incredibly low monthly utility bills.
We enjoyed the entire design and construction process and are satisfied beyond words with our dream home. We truly had a tremendous experience. We were extremely fortunate to have the Chuck Miller team working for us.
Paul and Kata Matheson
We are building a house while located in another state. The design phase went smoothly by using email and a few phone conversations. The preliminary selections were taken care of in an organized manner with appointments set up in advance to make the best use of our visit. We are excited that the project is about to break ground. When ever we mention that Chuck Miller is building our home we are met with enthusiastic praise of his work by everyone from lenders to insurance agents.
Richard and Dena Green
I had looked around the Internet for two years looking for an energy efficient builder in southwestern Idaho, and I kept coming up with Chuck Miller. I chose Chuck because I wanted an Energy Star house built to federal energy standards with respect to insulation, air infiltration, moisture migration through the walls, etc. I soon discovered that that is how Chuck built. He allowed me to introduce much of my own design into the mix, suggesting and supporting whenever appropriate. I really appreciate his technical expertise and skill, and his suggestions were always to the point and useful. The few glitches that did occur during the building process Chuck made good by following through with fixes, corrections or adjustments in a very timely manner. We love our house now, and the energy savings make me very happy. I appreciate and thank Chuck for his forebearance, patience and good humor through the trying process of building a great custom house.
Chas and Elvira Frode
I choose to write this testimonial of the work done by Chuck Miller Construction in the building of our home on East Columbia Road. We approached Chuck Miller apprehensively as an internet contact while we were preparing to move back to the Treasure Valley from an international work assignment. We wanted to build an energy efficient home on bare land in Boise. Few were capable of doing either, but Chuck Miller's reputation assured us that he would excel at both.
After our initial meeting with Chuck, we set out to piece together our dream home. Through long-distance calls and dozens of emails, Chuck provided the knowledge, guidance and patience for us to achieve a design that met our needs. The design was cost effective, efficient and aesthetically pleasing.
We are now living in our beautiful new home. We have plenty of space and our utility bills are less here than they were during our temporary stay in a very small apartment. Given the opportunity, I have nothing but compliments and praise to express towards Chuck Miller Construction.
Darin and Pamela Kennedy
We first approached Chuck about building our home in the fall of 2000. He made us feel comfortable and we knew right away that he was the builder for us. When the financial picture inadvertently turned full circle on us, we had to put our building dream on hold. For four years we watched, with envy, CMC homes being built. In the spring of 2004, we were ready to commit and began looking at builders. It didn't take us long to come to our senses and, again, meet with Chuck. We had a clear picture of what we wanted in a home. We had a unique need for "mother-in-law" quarters and Chuck helped us incorporate a lovely suite for mom without losing fluidity of the floor plan. When our plans went to the Town Design Review Board, Chuck kept our best interest in mind and truly represented us. Having had served on the Review Board, and with his experience building in Hidden Springs, Chuck submitted our home design with a "get ready to break ground" attitude.
From the first architectural draft to the move-in walk through, Chuck was always available and quick to follow up on concerns and questions that arose. The trade contractors and suppliers were always professional and helpful. It was evident that their relationships with CMC were cohesive and respectful. We continuously heard how great Chuck Miller was to work with and that his homes were "the best." If that doesn't make a customer feel reassured, what else would?
Ray and Samantha Nelson-Brakefield
It has been a great experience working with Chuck Miller on the construction of our house. Chuck made the process from start to finish an enjoyable and fun experience. Chuck's work standard is the benchmark from which to evaluate others.
His attention to detail and the wishes of the homeowner become a reality when it's time to move in. Chuck builds the house you want.
Integrity, Professionalism, Honesty and Straight Forwardness are just a few words to describe Chuck Miller's work ethic.
Once again, we'd like to thank the whole Chuck Miller Team for making the construction of our home a great success!!!!
Keith and Martha Haga
I could not be happier with a home and the process of building than I was with Chuck Miller Construction. Chuck was patient in designing homes as I moved from one lot to the lot I am on now and continued to scale back the project as my budget changed. There was no flexibility in my budget, yet my requirements for a home were well defined. I was looking for something different than the typical Craftsman style home. The design and layout of the home afforded me the opportunity to have a few wants, along with all my needs. My background and knowledge in home construction placed me in more of the ‘challenging client', rather than the ‘typical client.' I understood the process of building, schedules, and products more than the average person. I asked tough questions, evaluated every cost as I compared it to the budgets and stayed on top of the schedule, monitoring almost daily the progress. What I found with Tad and Chuck was patience and great communication. They were timely in responding to emails and phone calls. Despite delays that were manufacturer driven, I moved in on schedule, to the day!
You may often hear builders claim to turn your dream into reality. Chuck Miller Construction enabled me to have a dream I had let go of. Life brings hard challenges to us all. My house is not just a building, but a true home in a neighborhood that I consider my family. Thank you Chuck, I thoroughly enjoyed the building process and if it were not that I never want to move again - I would be happy to begin the process again.
Barbara Kissee'
"Chuck Miller's services began with finalizing our conceptual floor plan and ended with building completion and landscaping.
We chose Chuck Miller because of his leadership in energy-efficient residential design and construction. The work was completed within budget and ahead of schedule, due to excellent management, a strong team of suppliers and subcontractors, and the sustained personal attention of Chuck and his staff. In my 40-odd years of design and construction, I have not seen a better system of controlling costs, schedule, and quality. Cindy especially appreciated the help provided by the subs chosen by Chuck in making decisions about lighting and plumbing fixtures, cabinets, etc.
We feel in this highly competitive field, Chuck Miller Construction is a standout firm to be recommended for anyone interested in a quality home incorporating state-of-the-art energy efficiency."
Joe and Cindy Jordan
Working with Chuck Miller Construction was a great experience. His subs were diligent to do the job right and gave us the house we imagined! He and his team come highly recommended.
Skip and Margie Davies
We are so thrilled with our new home built by Chuck Miller Construction. Our home is beautiful, energy efficient, and meets the demands of our busy family. Chuck's years of experience, along with his amazing crew, helped us build our dream house.
Eric and Jacque McArthur
"We've been in our new home for about 9 months, and just love it more every day. The quality of the design, and workmanship shine through more all the time. We are continually impressed with the energy efficient attributes, all those features hidden under the beautiful workmanship.
We still are reminded of the smooth construction process your company provided -- reminded everytime we hear the stories of stressful and aggravating experiences so many others have with their new home construction. For we had nothing but the best of experiences with Chuck Miller Construction; the few questions or issues that arose were dealt with promptly and completely. We were very impressed with the knowledge and abilities of everyone who worked on our house.
So, to yourself and the whole Chuck Miller Team comes our heartfelt thanks for our beautiful new home!"
Pete and Sabrina Schroeder
Just on the fringe of excellent from a tough grader with a technical background. Definitely excellent and more qualified than other builders. Overall provided an excellent energy efficient product. Wish just a few items turned out a little differently. Follow-up on a couple of items could have been better. Greatest weakness is communication but I'd take that with technical expertise over some slick talking salesperson who doesn't provide the quality.
Michael Kasch
Chuck, Please know how much I appreciate the time and thought you gave me on my house. You clearly gave me the best in recommending Doug (Ness Construction), Gary (Campbell Siding), and Jay (Stranger Home Services). The only thing that would have been better would be if you were the original builder.
You are a credit to your profession, Chuck, and no one is a close second in my experience. Please accept my gratitude for your help on some critical issues.
John Kelley
"One of the reasons we selected Chuck Miller as our builder is because he was responsive and well organized during the design and cost estimation phase. The construction phase was no different. Chuck has a good process for communicating selections and change orders. He was flexible in dealing with last minute changes and fair and honest in dealing with issues. The project tracked closely to the schedule. Even with awful weather causing delays during framing, we were able to move in within days of our scheduled move-in date.
Tad was great to work with as project manager. He is always cordial, communicates well and follows through on commitments. He was on the job site every day. He was responsive to issues raised during the construction phase and continues to provide prompt service on warranty issues."
Dave and Shelley Baldiga
"Chuck Miller was very helpful during the planning of our home and the building process. He took the time to know our family - our likes and dislikes - and the overall style we preferred. This builder puts a lot of extra time and effort into making our house our home. We truly appreciate their extra efforts. Our move from Texas to Idaho was worrisome enough. The extra time given to us by Chuck Miller Construction put our minds at ease as we built our home. We would certainly use their building company again with complete trust."
Tony and Annette Konecni
"We were apprehensive because we had heard that building could be stressful, unpredictable and even disappointing. Building with Chuck Miller was exciting, enjoyable, and very satisfying. Our friends can't believe how low our utility bills are compared to theirs."
Chuck and Kim Fanter
"Our house was perfectly planned! We moved in the day after the birth of our second son. Chuck Miller was under pressure to finish the house on time, and he delivered!
He did a great job managing all the subcontractors, and making the whole process go smoothly. We are happy with the quality and craftsmanship of the house and have had no major problems. Any minor details after closing that needed attention were addressed immediately and corrected without difficulty.
We feel safe and secure in our home and appreciate all the work put into it."
Kevin and Chris Kempers
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