Daniel DeVol Custom Builder

Optima Blown in Insuation

2010-12-26T06:29:00.002-05:00

Where practical, we specify high-performance insulation on our projects to increase the energy-efficiency of the structures. Optima blown in insulation is one of these products which fills the wall cavity between the framing, surrounding all the piping and conduit and also provides an all important air infiltration barrier to reduce heat loss and heat gain. Tests show that even a small gap in an insulated cavity can cause a substantial increase in heating or cooling costs. Blown in Insulation by OPTIMA makes it easier for installers to provide a superior insulation job with no voids around wires, electrical boxes and pipes. Also, odd-sized framing assemblies are no problem with Optima, there’s no cutting or fitting.

SYSTEM BENEFITS

Blown in dry
No drying required—immediately ready for drywall
Thermally efficient
Fills voids for higher R-Values per inch
Excellent sound control
Little dust and quick clean-up
More uniform application
Won’t settle
GREENGUARD® Children & Schools Certified
Formaldehyde-Free
All important air infiltration barrier

What is Custom Homebuilding and who would build a Custom Home?

2010-11-21T08:25:00.002-05:00

Here is a great article on what Custom Homebuilding is from both the builders perspective and also from the clients. There are lots of great articles around the web that discuss what a custom builder is or what building a custom home is about but no too many that touch on who the clients are.

The Journey

By S. Claire Conroy

The “Great Recession” not withstanding, custom builders have had a number of competitors nipping at their heels for some time now. During the boom times, production builders stepped into the high-end market with a “have-it-your-way” approach that conned a lot of buyers into believing they were getting a custom home at mass market prices. The big builders happily would mix and match model floor plans—a first level of one mated to a second level of another. They'd swap the French Country elevation for the Arts & Crafts. They'd tick every upgrade box with glee.

But builders who construct true custom homes know this is simply mass production taken to its computer-driven extreme. A real custom home has no bulk-buy limits on what a client can order. Every choice is catered to with personal-shopper attention. Every detail is designed to fit and fabricated from scratch. Every house is a prototype, with all the potentials and challenges that entails.

Among this genre of houses, nothing is more challenging than the “art house.” It is the crème de la custom home, a house where the goal is to achieve new aesthetic heights—to experiment with site, program, materials, and engineering. It's the high-wire act of the residential construction field—the Mount Everest summit, the Evel Knievel daring leap. It's not for the faint of heart or for those with a conservative attorney on retainer. These projects are for builders who are bored with doing the same old luxo-barge with granite counters. These builders are risk takers with a fire for the ultimate achievement in their chosen profession.

The clients for these houses are different, too. They are fully engaged in the enterprise. This journey is their creative zenith as well, and they may not really want it to end. Half the fun for them is getting there. These are the houses where the client, architect, and builder end up as friends for life.

These are true custom homes. And no matter what tricks production builders come up with next, they will never, ever manage to take their home buyers on a ride like this. If you build luxury production houses, anyone with good management skills can do what you do. If you build art houses, you're part of an elite minority.

NAHB: Checklist for Hiring a Builder or Remodeler

2010-08-11T05:24:00.000-04:00

Do your homework before having work done on your home.

Use this checklist to help you select a builder or remodeler to work on or build your home.

Does the builder or remodeler have a permanent business location and a good reputation with local banks and suppliers?
How long have they been in the building business? It usually takes three to five years to establish a financially sound business. Will they be around after the construction is complete to service any warranties?
Have you called your local Better Business Bureau? They can alert you to any complaints.
Does the builder/remodeler have sufficient workers compensation and general liability insurance? If not, you may be liable for any construction-related accidents on your premises.
Will the builder/remodeler provide you with names of previous customers? Ask them if they would hire the builder/remodeler again.
Have you seen the builder/remodelers work, both completed and in progress? Check for quality of workmanship and materials.
Are you able to communicate with the builder/remodeler? Remember you will be in close contact with them throughout the construction process and afterward as you live in your new home.
Will the builder/remodeler provide you with a complete and clearly written contract? The contract will benefit both of you. Review it carefully.
Be cautious of unusually low-priced bids. If the builder/remodeler is unable to pay for the materials and labor as the project proceeds, this may indicate a potential problem.

Call your local home builders’ association for the names of member builders and remodelers.

NAHB: Checklist for Hiring a Builder or Remodeler

Open House Sunday May the 9th

2010-05-08T07:57:00.004-04:00

Come see the newest Craftsman Style home by Daniel DeVol Custom Builder located at 535 Mc bee Rd in Bellbrook. The Open House will be from 1:00 until 5:00 on Sunday the 9th of May.

This home has plenty of fine details that define a custom home by Daniel DeVol Custom Builder including a custom built cherry kitchen, buffet and mantle pieces as well as a quarter-sawn oak staircase.

For additional photo's please visit out Facebook Page at DeVolbuilders Facebook

The home is near completion and will be open for one day only!

Link Via Google Maps:
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Master Bath Renovation

2010-04-25T08:46:00.001-04:00

While most of our work is Custom Homebuilding we do enjoy a remodel project from time to time. Here is a job where the client needed a total master bath renovation. We redesigned the shower area to make it larger and incorporated two shower head’s as well as a rain shower head from Kohler. The existing vanities were a clear maple and we designed and custom built cherry vanities with radius fronts, furniture style feet and integrated mirror frames. The whirlpool tub was replaced with a Kohler Air Tub and a custom cherry front to match the vanities. A floor warming system from Warmly Yours was also installed.

At Daniel DeVol Custom Builder we love well executed details and are committed to designing, building and installing superior products that reflect your lifestyle and will add value to you lives.

To see additional photo's please visit our Fan page on Facebook.

DeVolbuilders Facebook

Builders Show 2010 Great Finds

2010-02-01T20:35:00.002-05:00

As I mentioned in the previous post I wanted to point out some of the great finds at the Builders Show this year. Some of the items we already use and their some that just caught my eye and we may incorporate. If you were at the show and came across something great and would like to share it please feel free to comment below.

Have a great 2010!

Stuff we already use:

I am a big fan of Certainteed Optima Insulation. Optima gives homes a custom-designed, seamless, thermally efficient sound-reducing blanket that completely fills any void.
Pella Windows continue to be a great product with many different options and great local service, we use them in every one of our homes.
All of our homes are built using Advantech Sub Floors. Without question the most weather resistant sub floor on the market.
Schlage Link is a great alternative to some big name home automation systems. Change the temperature in your home, unlock a door, and get a text if someone else unlocks your door all from your Blackberry.
Kerdi Shower Systems are a great way to build a custom shower that is water tight without a mortar bed.

Cool finds and someday maybe…

Crownpoint Cabinetry was on display this year for the first time. I have seen their cabinets in magazines but never in person. Very nice stuff, well built and a step above most custom cabinetry.
I came across a great solar water heating system from Kingspan Solar. Solar energy is free, clean and safe and will definitely be integrated into our homes.
This funny little gadget caught my eye and is worth mentioning. The No Pain Drain, the picture says it all.
Here’s a solar powered attic fan from Solaro, the sun hits it and it's on. Just a simple as that.
The foam insulation have come a long way and Icynene seems to have a great product that is setting the stage for maximum building envelope performance.

International Builders Show

2010-01-25T19:51:00.000-05:00

I just got back from the International Builders Show put on by the NAHB in Las Vegas, it was my 9th show and continues to impress. The information that I gather at the show from the seminars that I attend to the vendors that are displaying is invaluable and make’s me a better homebuilder.

This year at the show energy efficiency had great focus. There were lots solar panel exhibitors including panels that will generate electricity for your home use or just for a water heater and even a solar power attic fan that was really cool. Insulation packages were huge including BIBS wall insulation, which we do a lot of, Foam Insulation and even a recycled wood batt type insulation from Germany. I will post another time with links to these items.

Again they brought in top notch speakers for the seminars. I always hit the seminars that Joe Stoddard is presenting, Joe is a technology expert and has great insight for seeing what is coming down the pike for builders. In addition to Joe there were several industry experts detailing what is coming in the future for builders and homebuilding in general. (Looking forward to the zero energy homes!)

Again, I will post links to the great finds at the show and the great products that we are including in out homes now that were represented there.

Looking forward to a great 2010!

A Welcoming Entry

2009-12-28T12:19:00.002-05:00

When approaching a home for the first time the one thing that is sure to send a statement about that home is the Entry Doors. Often the door will reflect the style of the home, dictate feel of the home and offer a sense of craftsmanship. At Daniel DeVol Custom Builder we feel strongly about making the Entry Doors a focal point of our homes and make each door unique for the client.

We achieve this in one simple way, each one of our Entry Doors is custom designed and built for that home and for that client. The doors are custom built by DeVol Millwork which is owned by my older brother Mark. His millwork shop has a combination of “state of the art” woodworking equipment along with some “timeless” woodworking pieces and is located in Knoxville Tennessee.

The initial design is typically provided by the Architect and can be modified by DeVol Millwork’s design team. Standard widths for most exterior doors are just 36” so when the plan allows for we try to make the width of the door at least 3’ 6” and the thickness of the door a full 2 ¼”. Another nice feature of the doors is the solid Mahogany threshold as opposed to a standard aluminum threshold.

At Daniel DeVol Custom Builder we are committed to designing and building a custom home that executes fine woodworking details and that often starts with the Entry Door.

Custom Woodworking Details

2009-12-19T12:25:00.002-05:00

Often times our homes are highlighted by woodworking details that may be unique to a time period, the homes overall design or the customers personal taste. A woodworking detail can be something as simple as specific crown molding profile to custom cabinetry, columns, wainscot, staircase newels, mantles and much more.

It sometimes starts with a thought or a photo and the design goes from there. We offer a free design service that will provide a conceptual view of what will be built. Much thought goes into the design including scale, proportion, molding profile and of course the species of wood.

The woodworking details in our homes are just another feature that make our home’s unique and provide a sense of craftsmanship to our customers.

2008-06-17T08:00:00.000-04:00

After many months and lots of long days we are ready for opening night. THANK YOU to all that helped to make The Mariner a great home for the 2008 Homearama. At Daniel DeVol Custom Builder we enjoy executing well designed details combined with outstanding craftsmanship……The Mariner is an example of just that.

For additional photos please visit the photo gallery.

Interior Finish......Final Details

2008-05-15T07:14:00.000-04:00

We are busy finalizing all the details that will make the home a showplace. In the final weeks we will be painting the woodwork, staining the exterior doors, installing the granite tops and plumbing fixtures, finishing the Heart Pine hardwood floors and much more.

This is the time where I am most grateful to have outstanding sub-contractors and suppliers to work with. I think what is most special about our process is the attitude that everyone has in “fine tuning” the details that make this home and all our homes unique.

Interior Finish......more details

2008-04-16T21:33:00.004-04:00

After the hardwood was installed we began installing the interior trim. The door casing for this home is a custom 2 piece casing that will be close to 5 inches wide when it is installed. The baseboards will be 7 inches tall and there will be over 500 feet of 2 piece crown ran. That is a lot of molding!

There will be several columns on the interior that will be used to separate spaces in the home while leaving it to feel open. The staircase that is being installed is a very classy "over the post" staircase with beech handrails and painted balusters. The carpenters that are building the stairs are Mark Muray and Bill Teyber. I have known Bill for more than 20 years and I am happy to to have them involved with this home.

Exterior Finish.....Wow!

2008-04-10T21:17:00.001-04:00

I knew the exterior of this home was going to be great, but this is outstanding! There are 18 columns that have been set on the front porch with custom redwood rails conecting them. The decking on all of the porches is Ipe wood with hidden fastners and the ceilings are all mahogany tounge and groove with a clear finish.

Interior Finish.....here come the details

2008-04-07T20:39:00.005-04:00

We have the interior of the home primed out and the tile layers are busy installing the detailed bathroom floors and showers. All of the tile work was designed by Kemper Design and our Interior Designer, Sue Leal Kramer. Sue Leal has been a close friend of the homeowners for many years and has done the interior design work on several of their homes. She is always an outstanding asset to have involved while building a custom home! The fact that she is an absolute "Gem" is a plus as well.

At this stage the finish details in the home are emerging. The homeowners have worked very very hard to pull together all the details that will make this home spectacular. One of the key features they researched and incorporated is a Re-Claimed Heart Pine Floor, 2600 square feet of it to be exact. Southern Longleaf Pine trees do not grow anymore and the lumber has to be Re-Claimed from old warehouses and factories that are being torn down. The lumber is salvaged and milled into flooring and millwork. Check out the growth rings in the photo above!

The Entrance

2008-03-31T20:16:00.003-04:00

The drywall finishers are working hard to complete what is a "cut up" home. A good drywall job makes for a nice finish and these guys are good! And yes.....the exterior carpenters are still chipping away at the very detailed exterior. The craftsmanship is in the details and these guys are talented.

One of my favorite parts of our homes is the front door and this one is dynamite. This front door is clean and elegant while measuring over 9 feet tall x 9 feet wide, with 60 panes of beveled glass and weighing over 350 lbs. My older brother, Mark DeVol, makes our front doors, his web site is http://www.devolmillwork.com/ . The entire door is Spanish Cedar with a 2 inch thick solid mahogany sill and a solid brass threshold that has a pattent since the 1800's.

Mudding Drywall

2008-03-24T20:02:00.003-04:00

While the exterior trim crews continue their tedious work, the drywall finishers are applying the first of 3 coats of mudd on the drywall. The home is loaded with tray ceilings and a huge barrel ceiling that will be faux painted.

In addition to the exterior trim and drywall we had the water service installed as well as the gas and electrical service.

Ready for Insulation and Drywall

2008-03-10T19:46:00.001-04:00

Getting to the insulation phase is actually a huge milestone in the construction of a new home and we are there! The insulation is being installed this week and the drywall will be stocked later in the week.

The exterior trim crews are still working hard to complete what is a very detailed exterior trim job. The larger portion of the home is cedar shakes with a semi-transparent stain outlined with cedar trim boards that will be painted in an "off white". Again, this is part of the vision of the homeowners and it looks outstanding!

Mechanicals Continued.....

2008-03-03T19:11:00.002-05:00

While Acme Electric continued to pull their electrical wire we moved in Hanson Audio to install a whole house audio system. Troy Hanson has been a part of all of out Homearamas and it is not hard to get him excited about it!

Stevenson finished their heating rough and John Craft is continuing with his plumbing rough. We had Warren County inspect our second floor this week add we should be ready for our main floor inspections later this week.

Installing Mechanicals

2008-02-25T21:18:00.005-05:00

This week the plumbing and HVAC roughs will continue and Acme Electric will begin their rough. They will all concentrate on the second floor so we can have an inspection later in the week. The roof was stocked today and the roofers will begin laying the shingles this week.

We have 2 exterior trim crews installing the soffits and facia this week and they will start installing the cedar shingle siding as the week goes on

Framing Punch Out

2008-02-19T21:56:00.009-05:00

The framing is being completed on the interior. There will be several "custom touches" that will require the framers to be more like finish carpenters.

Our plumber, John Craft, is installing the rough plumbing and our heating contractor, Stevenson Service Experts, is installing the HVAC system.

2008 Homearama "The Mariner"

2008-02-17T18:04:00.006-05:00

We are currently constructing our 2008 Homearama home in Springboro Ohio for the June show. This is a Shingle Style home for the couple that bought our 2004 Homearama, the Bungalow. They had a clear vision of the home they wanted and we sat down with Atelier Design in Centerville Ohio to prepare the architectural drawings for the home. We began construction in December and we are under roof currently and installing mechanicals.

In the coming weeks and months I will update this blog with photos of the construction and show the process of how a custom home comes together.