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 One of my friends made the leap and purchased his first custom built home. He was pumped about it. He had poured over the designs, making sure every detail was perfect for his personal needs. He had selected flooring, cabinets, lighting and exterior finishes. He could already see his first Christmas tree in the awesome bank of windows in the formal living room.
What he didn’t imagine is the unbelievable chain of delays.
Sub-trades didn’t show. Products were wrong or not delivered on time. Each delay set the final delivery back another week… Or two.
In the end, the delivery of the house was more than 24 months (2 years) delayed.
The cost of those kind of overruns is significant.
Now this is extreme.
Founder of Home Tips. com, Don Vandervort says: “When you buy an existing home, you make a few changes and move in, but a custom home can take up to a year… materials don’t show up on time, so expect delays.”
It’s obvious that Mr. Vandervort has not built a custom prefab home.
You see prefab has all sorts of advantages.
First of all, we work with you so that your lot is prepared for your home. Many people are a little shy of buying their own land and then building – but let me tell you, the right lot is a dream come true. Royal Home’s team has been in the business for more than 40 years. They walk with you, step by step.
Second, while the lot is being prepped, the actual building can continue. We don’t have to wait – the two processes can happen simultaneously. And our experts help you meet the building codes. We understand the process and we are there for you, helping to ensure the process goes well.
Thirdly, there are no delays because we build in a factory. We have long-standing relationships with companies that provide custom components. As our design team works with you, designing each room, they are able to build an accurate time line for your build – because they know what they are working with.
Finally, the factory process eliminates surprises. One of the trickiest things to manage in a custom build is the sub-trades. The dance of the trades is a complex process, as they each depend on facets of the other sub-trades to make sure the job is done right. But at Royal Homes most of our trades people are internal – they work for Royal Homes. They are a part of the prefab construction process. We don’t phone them when we are ready for them; they are already there at our factory.
Posted in Building Lots, Design, Home Building, Industry Standards, Lots, Options, Prefab, building site, modular
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Tagged Design, Industry Standards, modular, Prefab, prefab; modular; home building
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Well, the lights weren’t really on – as the electrical had to be connected on-site. But I used that line because most people don’t believe the extent to which their home is finished when it is delivered. I was shocked to see that the light fixtures were equipped with bulbs when the house was delivered – seriously. Each section was so near completion I could hardly believe it.
One of the most important facets of efficient factory building, is the process.
Think of the traditional build. It all starts with the spade cutting into to the soft ground – we call it “ground breaking”. With Pre-Fab builds we still have the formal ground breaking to set the basement and foundation.
But here is the difference…
While the on-site crew is setting the foundation, the in-factory team is building your home. There is no gap. No waiting for the concrete to set. It can all be done at the same time! And the rooms are built in strategic process. Your home – completely customized – follows a rigid and proven process that ensures quality.
 
 Almost 100 years ago, Frank Lloyd Wright had a brilliant insight – why not build in factories, with pre-cut framing and factory built parts. But Wright was ahead of his time. As many of his designs were lauded in Europe, Americans were slow to see his brilliance.
But today we’re living in a different economy and a radically different environment. The word “sustainable” has crept into our conversation… what does that mean for Pre-Fab?
The new generation of architects approach building in new ways.
Pail Masi, principal of Bates Masi+Architects, New York says: “I think prefabrication and sustainability are sort of one and the same. By using prefabricated elements you can not only cut down on the waste, but you’re building with precise tools, and you’re not out there in the snow and rain, so you can be very efficient.” 
In California, architect Michelle Kauffman, who co-authored Prefab Green, put her money where her mouth was. Her and her husband designed and built a house in the Bay Area. They chose a traditional on-site builder. The house took 14 months to construct on-site. Then she took the identical plan and had it built in the factory. It took 4 months to build.
Pure cost reduction isn’t the motivation for using prefab. Masi discovered that pre-fab, when applying custom design, was similar in cost to traditional builds. He was more excited about the green elements and strict control when building pre-fab. Pre-set jigs, highly technical processes and green standards make a difference. The build in a factory is much more disciplined, ensuring consistency on every level.
Posted in Design, Environmental Responsibility, Home Building, Prefab, green, modular
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Tagged architect, Design, environmental responsibility, green, Home Building, modular, Prefab
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Traditionally construction has shied from Pre Fab building. But those of you who follow Royal Homes already know that the possibilities of building design with Royal Homes is infinite – driven by your lot and your budget.
The building industry is beginning to take a closer look at the power of custom Pre Fab homes. There are good reasons to choose to Pre Fab:
1. The building time is shorter. The factory has many advantages over building on site. Building times are shorter because the factory isn’t held hostage to the whims of the weather. Two weeks of relentless rain does not slow the building process – because it is completely indoors. This spring is a great example – just when we thought spring was here, we were pelted with another layer of snow. That does not impact factory building.
2. The build is off site. One of the biggest challenges of on-site construction is to live in a construction site for multiple months – or years, in some cases. We all know how frustrating it is to work around construction. With Pre Fab, that time is drastically reduced. The building is built off site – and delivered in nearly completed units. There is no elongated disruption of services.
3. The build is greener. For companies concerned about their environmental impact, factory built is the way to go. Standardized processes make the build ultra efficient, eliminate needless waste. It just makes sense.
Today modular factories thrive on the challenge to build unique buildings, maximizing efficiencies, modern technology and design.
Keep watching – you’ll be seeing more and more custom Pre Fab homes.
I was pretty surprised when my brother-in-law chose bamboo – it seemed oddly exotic for Canada. But bamboo is becoming a great choice for flooring. Physically, it’s a lot like traditional hardwoods. Naturally, it is the same hardness as white oak – but it takes a fraction of the time to grow. Today bamboo is often encouraged because it’s considered eco-friendly.
The environmental impact is lower when you choose bamboo for several reasons.
First of all, bamboo grows incredibly fast. Some bamboo can grow to 70 feet in less than 2 months. Bamboo reaches maturity in 3-5 years. Traditional hard woods take from 20 – 120 years.
Secondly, bamboo is unique root rhizome system. In fact, the plant can be harvested without disturbing the root system. Bamboo shoots up from the roots system and does not need to be replanted.
Thirdly, bamboo is a tough plant. Naturally resistant to drought, floods, and pests, the plant is incredibly hardy.
Finally, because of the unique root system, bamboo aids in reduction of erosion.
When I was a young boy I lived in an ancient farm house – in fact, my great grandfather built the original home. Deep stone walls gave each window well a broad wooden sill. While there were many updates during the years, my parents hesitated to replace the windows. They were unique sizes and hard to replace. They also added a lot of charm to the old farm house. The cost of replacing them was a little formidable. So we lived with the charm – and the draft. My mother loved candles – but one really windy night the candles in the window actually blew out from the draft!!
Leaking windows and doors is the number one reason your heating bill is high. That’s why Royal Homes takes such care to make sure the building envelope is sealed. Because we build in-doors, it’s much easier to ensure a perfect seal. We don’t fight against the wind, sleet or rain. We are able to seal your home inside our factory. We have special tools to make sure the entire building envelope is sealed.
When you choose deep windows with old fashioned sills, you will know that your Royal Home is draft free – the candles will burn efficiently. With R50 in the ceiling and R22 in the walls, your home will be toasty warm… So let the wind blow!
 Mark your calendars – The National Home Show, March 15-24, 2013 at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto.
Come and visit us at the largest North American Home and Garden Show, Booth #3102.
Our team will be there to answer your questions, so introduce yourself, and tell us your new home plans.
The National Home Show is the perfect place to begin your journey to building your custom home. What better place to find new ideas, and innovative and interesting technologies to make your home uniquely yours.
Every Royal Homes is custom designed to meet your wants and needs. Are you looking for the “ultimate dressing room”, or a dream laundry room? Or a gourmet kitchen with generous spaces for guests to help prepare the meal at an oversize island, entertaining, doing the homework at your computer work centre, watching the big screen television or just hanging out together. Or perhaps researching the many things Royal does for “building green”.
Whatever your interest, the Royal Homes Design Specialists will help you design your unique home.
For more information on the National Home Show go to http://www.nationalhomeshow.com
When Russell and Jane Starr chose Royal Homes, they were confident that Royal could deliver a green home. They had a dream of a cottage built on their family’s island. And they hoped that the home would be built in a way that it would make a very low impact to the island’s natural environment.
It was their choice.
And Royal Homes, a unique custom home builder, honoured their choice.
Even though royal-e already has significant advantages, the Starrs wanted to push the edges on technology, using new innovations to reduce the environmental impact of their home on the island they loved.
You can read the full story here… click here
 As you may have guessed, I am inching into my middle life. When I was a boy, there were no blue boxes, compost was the pail I brought out to the pigs and we saved a lot of water because we had to pump every cup we used – there were no dripping taps. We didn’t think of any of these things as “green”. In fact, when the shiny new chrome taps were installed, turning the taps and getting hot water was a novelty. No – I’m not a senior, but I did grow up far from suburbia. My parents worked hard and home conveniences weren’t the first thing they thought of.
Today, the word green is bantered about quite a lot. Leger Marketing did a little research and they discovered that Canadians, while pretty interested in green, were not as interested if it cost them. Only 37% of those surveyed said they would actually pay more for a green product.
But I want to share some really interesting facts that make factory built homes – Pre-Fabs – green, just because of the efficiencies built into the system.
The biggest advantage of Royal Homes “inside-out” building process is the efficiencies in the factory. Royal Homes has some big advantages. First of all, we can purchase high quality, environmentally friendly material. Secondly, we use each material wisely, using highly technical jigs which eliminate waste. Thirdly, we build each home completely custom. Each heating system, all the plumbing and materials are custom to your choices. We are not limited in any way.
The advantages of a custom built, pre-fab home are growing and are very important in the current economy.
I know that there is a trend towards massive homes. You’ve seen them. But I know that many families are looking for a great home that uses space effectively and efficiently.
I have to say that I was pretty impressed when I walked through the Lynden, Royal Homes newest model at the Wingham Design Centre.
In a modest 1414 sq. ft. plan, this three bedroom home gives you so many options. With a gorgeous gallery kitchen opening into the living space, your family can hang out, celebrate, relax and entertain. My wife was blown away by the entire wall of cupboards in the kitchen. This added feature helps you organize your space.
The luxurious walk in closet and ensuite in the Master Suite is a great illustration of the luxury of this home. The full family bath is central to the additional bedrooms, making the space perfect for young families. For empty nesters, this home has a lot of potential. Transforming the front bedroom into a study or office and the remaining bedroom to a guest room is convenient and efficient.
Take a look – it’s inspiring! Remember that the models are there to wet your appetite. Each home Royal Homes builds is unique – custom designed for your family! If you are struggling to adapt one of our plans, just spend an hour with one of Royal’s design consultants. They will start with your family’s unique needs and give you great suggestions to customize your home.
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