Collins Design Build is a new home builder, home inspection company and remodeler/general contractor in the Durham, Hillsborough and Chapel Hill area.

As the school year comes to an end, many families move to new homes during the summer months in order to get settled in before the new school year. One way to make moving less stressful is to get rid of unwanted household items before you start packing. It doesn’t make sense to transport unused items or clothes you never wear to your new house; not only will it save you the time you would’ve spent packing it up, it will save you money because movers often charge by the size of the load they are transporting.

What You Should Know About Hiring a Remodeler

Inspecting, selling or buying an existing home may present a unique set of challenges. You should be aware of the differences compared to new home construction and know how to sort out these differences such as clearances, environmental hazards and life safety. How far should a Home Inspector go in reporting these issues? And if something doesn’t meet current code in an existing home, is it necessarily a bad thing? When I evaluate an existing home for a client, I snapshot my review into five simple points:

The economic downturn has hurt many American families during the past few years, and sadly that means there are a larger number of foreclosed homes on the market than during a healthy economy. The lower price of these homes can make them look like a bargain, but home buyers  need to carefully compare the actual cost—and advantages—of a newly constructed home versus a foreclosed one before you buy.

Each year at the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show, the Best in American Living Awards (BALA) provide recognition to builders and design professionals who have accomplished outstanding design achievements. Awards are given in all sectors of the residential housing industry, including single-family production, custom, rental, affordable, interiors, remodeling, community and international.

Collins Design-Build, Inc now offers impact rated entry and patio doors by Therma Tru, America’s most preferred brand. If you’re thinking of replacing your entry door, or upgrading to an impact rated entry door,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Designed for superior performance in the harshest environments, and available with impact windows and sidelights, a Therma Tru entry door system or patio door system adds safety, security, and value to your home. Enhance the beauty and the safety of your home with hurricane rated entry doors and patio doors. Let us work with you to help you find the right style and fit for your home.

In March, many Americans celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by attending parties, wearing green clothing, and even bedecking their homes with green shamrock and leprechaun-adorned decorations. With nearly 37 million Americans claiming Irish ancestry (according to Ancestry.com), that’s no surprise. But what may surprise you are the many ways that you can “green” your home that will last well beyond March 17, and save you money on utility bills year-round.

Here are a few recommendations from NAHB Remodelers to home owners who want to increase their home’s efficiency, decrease costs, and take advantage of the other benefits of “greening” your home.

Aging In Place is defined as “the ability to live in one’s own home- wherever that might be- for as long as confidently and comfortably possible”.

Did you know that since January 1st, 2006, on average, the 17 million or so baby boomers are celebrating a 60^th birthday every seven seconds, and these celebrations will continue for the next 12 years?  This demographic impact shift will increase the need for many home modifications as the baby boomers “Age In Place”. These remodel transformations will consist of more than just widening  of doorways to allow for a walker or a wheelchair as the Principles of Universal Design become popular.

Chad D. Collins of Collins Design-Build, Inc. is now one of the select group of professionals nationwide to earn the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation, identifying him as a Building Professional with the skills and knowledge necessary to remodel or modify a home to meet the unique needs of the older population, disabled owners or their visitors.

The National Association of Home Builders, in partnership with the AARP and NAHB Research Center, created the CAPS program, which includes training and education on the technical, business management and customer service skills essential to compete in the fastest-growing segment of the residential remodeling industry — home modifications for aging-in-place.

Vice President North Carolina Home Builders Association

The children have gone back to school, professional football is back on Monday nights and the summer’s heat wave is behind us — all signs that the fall season has finally arrived. Taking on some preventative home maintenance projects now will help keep you and your family cozy during the days and nights ahead and will even help safeguard your home investment.

As our economic environment changes and we read that our new homes will get smaller and have a greater focus on energy efficiency, will the butler’s pantry stay or go? I believe it will stay.

It’s a smart idea to have a home inspection done before you purchase any new home in the Durham area. Home inspections will reveal any potential issues that might prove costly to repair in the future.  Even if you are planning to buy a new home for sale in Durham, NC, you should still complete a home inspection before you buy. Chad Collins of Collins Design-Build can perform your comprehensive and non-invasive home inspection for you before you buy a new home. Here are 8 reasons from why you should consider a home inspection before you buy:

The most common roof leak occurs around plastic plumbing pipes and fortunately it is one of the easiest repairs to detect and correct. Most homes have anywhere from two to five of these. These pipes allow air to circulate through the drain pipes whenever the plumbing is being used.

Chad D. Collins of Collins Design-Build, Inc. was recently awarded two STARS awards by the North Carolina Home Builders Association, at the annual STARS Awards gala. Awarded Best Brochure by a Builder and Best Color Advertisement, exhibiting Chad’s marketing prowess in today’s current environment.

Certified Aging in Place Specialist

For many Americans, getting married, buying a home, having children and providing them with an education, then being able to retire comfortably without financial worries is the embodiment of their American Dream.

Homeownership has long been the foundation of a family’s ability to achieve their American Dream. For more than a century, Americans have counted on their investment in their homes to be able to pay for their children’s education and to enable them to live where and how they want to after they retire.

Winter sunlight is a welcome heat source, but the wind that can accompany it can reduce its positive effects.  A natural windbreak will reduce or redirect wind speed. Evergreen trees and shrubs planted on the side of your house that receives winds will help reduce the wind effect. Teaming evergreen trees and an earth berm, a natural or man-made wall, will direct wind over your house.

A six-foot to eight-foot deciduous tree will begin shading your windows the first year and your roof, depending on the species, within five-10 years. Planting evergreen trees or shrubs limits sunlight entering your home and serves as a windbreak.

Plant deciduous trees that lose their leaves during the winter in front of windows that receive significant amounts of sunlight. This helps block solar heat in the summer and lets it in during the winter when you need it most, which could help reduce your heating and air conditioning costs.

Fall is also the best season for planting trees, shrubs and perennials. Plants planted in the fall benefit from cooler air temperatures, not to mention soil temperatures still warm enough to support good root growth. After a winter of dormancy, fall-planted trees and shrubs practically shoot out of the soil the following spring.

Most home buyers know that new homes offer outstanding advantages: They’re built to incorporate better energy efficiency, have lots of modern amenities and the latest safety features, and have floor plans to fit a variety of lifestyles.

With all those enhancements in mind, it’s important to select a builder who has the skills and knowledge to deliver an experience and home that you and your family will enjoy for years to come.