I thought it was time to give a “shout out” for upcoming Timber Frame Shows and Portland, Seattle Home Shows. It is going to be a busy 6 weeks and I look forward to meeting with you. Bring your ideas, questions and just enjoy our booth with a special partner sharing booths at all the shows. You have to come see Specialty Built Construction LLC at the shows to see who the special partner is.

Here are the Big Dates!! Make sure you make at least two of them. You will need to after the first show. You will want to come back and talk more about building your home WITH US. As promised here are the dates:

September 25th & 26th, 2010 Timber Home Living Show at the Lynnwood Convention Center, Lynnwood, Washington,  Booths 21 & 23. See the latest Cover of Timber Home Living August 2010 built by - Specialty Built Construction featured in our booth!

Spetember 30th - October 3rd, 2010 Portland Home Show at the Portland Expo Center, Portland Oregon.  Booth 514. 

October 8th - 10th, 2010 Seattle Home Show at the Qwest Field Convention Center, Seattle, Washington.  Booth 715.

October 29th - 31st, 2010  Log Show Home Show and Timber Frame at the Puyallup Convention Center, Puyallup, Washington. Booths  1,2,3,(4,5)

Our special partner has a lot to share working with Specialty Built Construction LLC at all the shows.  Make sure to meet all of us. Your time will be well spent.  

SEE YOU THERE!

Now lets talk about “OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES”. If you don’t subscribe to Timber Home Living Magazine go the their website www.timberhomeliving.com or buy the magazine to see the cover photo. Outdoor Living spaces have become what I believe is the replacement for the formal dining room.  Being outside with a fire giving you the “alpin glow”, friendship, romance, and of course just the relaxation sitting back with a great Cabernet, Pinot, or your favorite cold local brew.

Outdoor spaces can also be great during the fall and winter months. In fact after building the Hurst Gentry home, two observations were shared with me and touring clients. Joannie mentioned that people use to gather in the kitchen, now when Joannie entertains they stop by the kitchen and proceed to the covered outdoors.  After a client toured the home, he asked Joannie, “If you were to build this home again is there anything you would have done different?” Joannie replied, ‘Yes, I would make my outdoor living space bigger, I could not believe how many people went outside”.  Next they use the outdoor space more in the fall and winter months - crank up that fire.

That client who asked that question is now the cover of the latest Timber Home Living Magazine. They increased the area by eight feet in length and four feet wider.  It pays to tour my homes. Much of my success as a Builder is to have clients I have built for open their homes for me to help secure my next client. Timber Frame home owners are of a different spirit and have great karma. I am convinced the Timber Frame creates this type of personality and the home does have a spiritual sense/being. It is amazing how I have been told from my clients how they feel when they just sit in their Timber Frame Great Room, a calm sense occurs and the tension of the day is released. They claim Timber Frame adds 10 years to their lives.

I will have posted on my website www.specialtybuiltconstruction.com the cover shot from Timber Home Living in the next few weeks. But you can go to Timber Home Livings site. But, my shot will be full page you will be able to click onto.

Have a great day everyday and talk to someone you never have before. We as people are becoming less friendly and listening to their Ipods, tuning all of us out. Timber Frame people don’t, they want to share and help you build your dream home.

Why? Financing will never be this low again I don’t believe in our lifetime. Homeowners are now accepting true value offers. Property owners the same is occurring. Our economy will be turning for the better in the next two quarters. Once this has occurred, all of what I just said will change, rates will go higher, costs to build will continue to climb.

Good Credit is what it is all about with equity. What is wrong with that? You have worked to get all of these years to meet these requirements to have a good credit. Don’t let this opportunity go by. We are going to have a major change in the building process in the near future that will make it harder to secure you dream home.  Carbon Tax, more environmental requirements, less opportunity build in your choice area with great land opportunity.

This is not a scare tactic. It is a fact and the challenge to slow this process down has already occured. Our State of Washington is being sued by the Master Builders Association regarding the new building codes and the unfairness of these new codes. It looks like our rights to have the ability to build a home are going to be dictated by the Government and tax you for that right to build. This is just one issue but a very major one. Don’t lose out on the chance to build your dream home. 

Let’s talk about. I have the professionals for you to talk to assist in your purchasing of land or a hoe to demo or do a major remodel. We still have the opportunity to enjoy life and our choice of how we want to live.

Now comes the perception issue that creates possible loss of a relationship with a very good builder. So what is the perception? Simply the “cost to build” is always less by someone who has built before and got all these great deals. The truth is just the opposite, at least when you work with a honest, trustworthy Builder. BUT, the doubt has now entered when you see the first cost estimate. It is higher than you expected. You immediately look at the Builder you thought was the one, but he is too high. This becomes the challenge on each and every home I build.

I know you have heard the comment,”perceptions become reality”. How many times do you find after calming down and see the trees in the forest, that you had your eyes opened to the truth. Imagine if that truth was there in the first place. Would you have the same perception? Would you then have the same reaction?   Perhaps the Builder is the great person who you thought and what a great relationship you had with him or her.

Everyone you know always got the best deal, that deal you can’t seem to get. Everything about their house is great and your home will cost more because of how great their negotiations went with the Builder and yours won’t.

Money is a very stressful thing to give away not knowing how the outcome will be for several years after. Trust can help with this stress and misunderstanding. How can this trust occur with a Builder? It is how the Builder presents his costing estimate to you. Is it a “Cost Plus” or “Fixed Cost”. What does this mean? Cost Plus is where the builder shows all the proposals for the estimate, and at monthly each filing you receive all the billing statements for the month. There is nothing “HIDDEN”. Fixed Cost is just that, here is what your total cost of the home is and there is no proof of actual billing statements for you to review at each monthly filing. Then comes the changes orders from the Fixed Cost because the Fixed Cost was based on the plans dated on such date. However, the Buider claims that the change order filed for what was not clear in the plans and this portion of the home cost more. These Fixed Cost programs are always coming from the lowest bid Builder. Of course you want to save money and you think the Cost Plus Builder is over charging you. In the long run your home costs you more with the Fix Cost Builder almost everytime.

When you see one price that is 10% higher, you need to see that that Builder is showing the actual product and his cost to purchase that product and the sevices it provides. In most cases with these Cost Plus Builders their costs will be in line at the completion of the home. But we don’t get the chance to prove this because you chose the Fixed Cost Builder due o the perception he was lower in cost to build your home. However at the end of the project he is 10% or more higher than that Cost Plus Builder and the quality of building is not there. Those change orders due to the comment “not on the plan”, or “you upgraded your choices”. I have heard plenty more excuses and the phone calls from lost clients who called me to take over their project due to the current Builders cost are way out of line from the original proposal.

Cost Plus Builders do a more accurate bidding process with written contracts not estimates. We clarify with you before the final pricing is presented that the products you wanted are the ones we have priced. Not a lower end choice that has a mark up you don’t see that is higher and is not the same. In a Fix Cost Contract you are not required to show any billing statements. Catch22. But you see the bottom line and your first reaction is to go that direction. When don’t get what you wanted and paid more for a lower end product that does not perform, the warranty is no longer in effect, you eat all the costs, another set up from the Builder.

A Cost Plus Builder you will find is more personal. A Fix Cost Builder you will find talks a lot and wants to close the contract. Promises will made that you want to hear. A Cost Plus Builder lets the quality of workmanship  speak for him. But you need to hire that Builder to find that out.

As A Builder, I have numerous homes you can tour not just for the referral, but come back and look at design ideas and talk with the home owner. With relationships like that, is so much proof that all of the concerns you need to be clarified are done by my home owners. All of my home owners are Cost Plus. We work to get the truly best pricing and the quality falls in line with the product and workmanship. But you have to get past the ‘Lowest Bidder Builder”  and all of his jargon. Our promises is what we build and can show to you from present to past homes. You can see how the home as weathered during the years and see that there are no calls backs or issues.

But “perception is reality”. It is unfortunate when I look back at homes I lost due to the lowest bidder. I have contemplated to change my means of how I build and making promises I can’t make happen without a change order to get the job. But then I will never have any bridges that I can cross and only have a very limited if any homes to show at any given time. You make the choice. Buyer beware.

 You really do get what you pay for and remember “your perception will be your real reality in the end”. Not what you thought. Lot’s to think about. I hope to hear from you.

This report is for the State of Washington but it fits to all states and all of us should ask these questions. What makes this report so important is our great State of Washington is on the leading edge of the “Green” program which is becoming a boiler plate for other states to put into effect. But our state Representatives thoughts of “Green” where just that, plenty more of green dollars$$$$ as in “Taxes”. You see it was once said on a regional T.V. presentation that featured one of my “Green” homes. The opening statement,”Building Green will cost you Green”.  How true this statement is becoming and with major consequences, “Huge Tax Increases” from a state out of control in regards to cost control,  lack of a balanced budget.  The only solution is to raise taxes. It makes the job pretty easy to do if all you do is vote “yes” on all tax increases.  

Please read through the information and remember it is not whether you agree or not, it is asking your Senator and Congressman the questions. See how they respond to you.  The reaction from them will pretty much open your eyes and mind to question our current means of Government.  Listed is the WEBSITE to pull up the information. It gives out all the information on how our Representatives have voted and how much tax money approved by them individually. Note the “TOP TEN”.

WEBSITE: www.informedvoterguide.com

I look forward to your comments whether you agree or not and will publish both sides of opinions as long as the language is professional.

Thank you

I have already talked about and warned you about “Building Green” and how the Government is now getting involved to tax what we build, what we currently are living in, and have to have a Federal Inspection occur before you can sell your home. The process is really called “Cap and Trade”. You need to become aware of what is really happening. We are going to lose more rights, pay more taxes, and have more Government Control. Is this really what you want? 

Our current president spent more time last night talking about alternative energies and virtually nothing about plugging up the hole in our ocean. What a scam. I know we are much smarter than we are currently being treated. Our Country is the best in the World, people are doing anything they can including losing their lives to come our Great Country.  These people from foreign countries see us and how great we are - DON’T YOU!! Stop and really listen to what is being said. Think about how we became the United States of America. 

You have to know that the “Carbon Tax” is more than just a money issue, it is your continued loss of your rights. I am all for the protection of our environment. I build in it every day and do everything I can do the least to the land and property I build on. The clients I build for are well aware of solar, geothermal, wind and what ever new pops up.  They all cost a lot of money if they are not subsidized. Who is or will pay for this subsidized program? YOU WILL! It is call the “CARBON TAX” and it all part of the “CAP & TRADE” program our congress and president are pushing. Don’t you think you are smarter than to have them tax us more and give away more of our rights? I DO!!

Write your congressman and senator and tell them to vote “NO”. We can be the leaders of the world in “Green” with out losing our rights. With the proper education we can get our great country to do what is needed without additional taxes and loss of rights. This whole deal is a push to gain more government control. Stop and listen, ask questions, search the Internet. Hey try calling the Master Builders Association In King County, ask them what they know and what are they doing about it?  While you are calling people and asking questions, ask your neighbors or business associates what they know about “CAP & TRADE” or the “CARBON TAX”. Ask them if the know what our State of Washington budget is and how much we have already gone over that budget by $4 billion dollars and it only June. Ask you congressman and senator if they have even seen the budget or do they know what it is, or do they understand how to read it?

Finally we have located a company which has the most advanced and proven “15% moisture content through out the timber”. What does this mean? There are suppliers in the industry that advertise the Radio Frequency program but do not have the quality control of the moisture content. Plainly speaking, the first 1-2 inches of the exterior part of the timber may be 15% moisture, however the core is at 20%-25% moisture. So the timber is not truly dried and will continue to shrink, check, crown and twist.  

The true process assures that the timbers are straight and will not move in any way. These Radio Frequency Vacuum Kilns provide  250,000 pounds of pressure onto the bundled timbers while going through the drying process.  The drying process uses clean electrcity nd releases “zero negative emissions”. All the water from the Kilns is clean, filtered into the city’s waste water system.  Additionally, the water is pH balanced  to compliment the city’s waste water processing. Along with this processing, the bonding occurs inside the timbers in which all the pitch is gone . The timbers are quality control checked from the core to the exterior to verify 15% percent moisture content.  The wood is heated directly by applying radio frequency to a solid pack of wood. Plus this method is done with less energy versus standard kilns that use natural gas or hog fuel to heat up the chamber, then blow warm air around the wood. 

This contact that Specialty Built Construction has is exclusive to one Timber Frame Company that we have the relationship to offer this to our clients.  The plant can be toured while your timbers are going through the Radio Frequency Vacuum Kiln Dry process as well as visit my Timber Frame Supplier.

The cost is more than the normal “green wood” supplied for timber frame. You are buying a larger size of timber frame post and beams because they are are going to shrink in size as they dry. Our pricing is by “board feet”. Two things occur , we are buying larger sizes of timber and paying for the Radio Frequeny Vacuum Kiln Dry process. 

So why buy this process? Due to the availability or lack of the older trees needed for larger projets or heavier loads that need “free of heart”(FOHC)  which costs more. We can now use “box heart” Radio Frequency Vacuum Kiln Dried. Box Heart is a less cost douglas fir and has more availability. Plus once the timber is Radio Frequency Kiln Dried is has become stronger through the process.  This brings the new process back into Timber frame arena for middle to high end homes.

We can talk more about this process September 25th & 26th at the Log and Timber Info Fair in the Lynwood Washington Convention Center. Lower Concourse, Halls 1D and 1E.  My booths are 21,23,25. We look forward to see you there. Feel free to contact me for more information about us as a Timber Frame Builder and or/Supplier.   

The next Timber Frame Show is at the Puyallup Washington Convention Center October 29th-31st,  Booths:   1-5.  So if you miss the September Show, make sure you make the October Show. Looking forward to meet with you. I will have more information to share at the Shows.

I first want to say that I have been building, have been certified, and truly support worthy environmental practices.  What scares me is the chance very soon our own Goverment will be involved more than we will be aware of and watch out. Well, we might want to step back a couple of steps and make sure we still have our “FREEDOM”.  I am not out stating total government control, not yet - but be aware.

When building “Green” you have to have your home verifed/certified it meets the new standards for Energy Efficiency. Certain tests are done to assure compliance; Blower door test, where the home is pressurized in which air is pulled into the home through the unknown leaks throughout the home, poor HVAC.  Infrared/Thermography test is also done at the same time viewing all the cold air coming through the leaks in your home.  Your home has to reach particular specifications before you can qualify your home. Once this is done you will receive one of several certifications - ENERGYSTAR*, BUILT GREEN, or LEED.   

These tests are done for both new homes and older homes going to become Energy Efficient.  What scares me is that soon it will be mandatory that before any home can be “Sold” it must go through this certification process.  Currently these programs are new and being done by or supported by local Building Associations or Associates certified to perform the “Home Evaluations”. I personally support helping the environment. However within the coming year 2011, this  process will be provided by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), “Cap and Trade”.  Goverment Control.

What happened to our rights to live in the home of our choice, hopefully someday to be owned by you. But before you can “Sell” your home the Government will have to give it’s stamp of approval. This stamp will be  clearly seen attached to the house so it can be sold. The current homeowner has to bring their home up to the EPA regulations set forth. Those regulations are being drawn up as we speak. What makes this all funny is that the statistics for all of this is based on “theories” not “fact”, “FUZZY MATH”. More Laws.

As I have seen over the last 8 years how at times ridiculous decisions are made on  formulas that have no facts to prove what we all want to occur - to have the “perfect environmental home”. I am sure their will be another Governmant Bailout for all the Home Owners to afford to get these updates. But where does the Government get the money to help all of us. WELL - From all of us, in the form of more taxes.  Just like what just happened. Are you beginning to see the picture. What was to be a good thing, will soon we “LAW” and “Enforced”.  Will you actually be able to own a home in the future with all the restrictions on them?

My goal is not to get everyone screaming at me. Just take a moment and re-evaluate what is currently happening around us with all of the new controls coming in the form of the new laws being passed. Our Government knows you cannot stay up to date with all that they do.  So “Pay Attention” your rights are all that you really have, or do we even have those anymore?

Enjoy life.

We now have the Builder and Architect, is time to pick a Timber Frame Manufacturer.  We are only going to source the Timber Frame working with our Architect and Builder. All other products to build the “water tight shell” will be purchased locally by the Builder. Why does the Builder purchase locally? Quality, Control, Endless Choices, Pricing, Warranty Issues. All of the mentioned items is where buying through the Timber Frame Supplier become problems. The Builder has relationships with local suppliers and has the backing from those suppliers. You have to remember the Timber Frame Supplier does not care about you once they deliver the Timber Frame package. Try getting a window replaced if it was purchased through the Timber Frame Supplier. It is at this point you begin to start thinking “why didn’t I use the local contacts from my Builder”.  Once the problems start they grow. I have heard it, seen the problems, asked to fix it.

Now that we are a team, Builder, Architect and you the home owner, we can choose the correct Timber Frame Supplier. The Builder with Timber Frame experience has relationships with several Timber Frame Suppliers. Of which one is his primary choice. The meetings begin, design is complete and we are now at the pricing stage for the Timber Frame and all the items for the watertight shell. It is at this point you know you have a unique home that has not been built before. You are not just a ”look a like” design that comes from the package home designs.  All items of the build-out have been addressed from the HVAC, Radiant Flooring, Windows, and so on.

Now comes the time the Timber Frame arrives. If it was not purchased through the Builder, you do not have control of the project which you need. In most cases as with Specialty Built Construction we have crews from my side and the Manufacturer we have a relationship with. This way you can be assured the raising will go well. Not all Timber Frame Manufacturers have a full program to raise the frame. They just give you a day or so and leave. It is this point again I leave you with this comment, “Once we deliver and raise the Timber Frame we are done and don’t care what happens after that point” This comment was made by the owner of a very prominent Timber Frame Company who at the time wanted to do business with Specialty Built Construction.

This arrogant comment is much larger of an issue than the common person is aware of. This arrogance goes even further controlling what will be said regarding the articles published in our Timber Frame Magazines. The stories are the client and the Timber Frame Suppliers. But the work was performed by a very qualified Builder who has the life long relationship with the owner. The Builder deserves to be part of the story. This control is caused by the advertising dollars provided by the Timber Frame Suppliers. It goes so far as to how a particular Log and Timber Exhibition Show does not go past the Rocky Mountains. I can only guess is that perhaps they don’t have control of that market. They would have to work with a Builder who has a relationship with Timber Frame Suppliers which design-build unique Timber Frames.

This only proves that these companies are true to the comment they” don’t care”. They don’t care that the downsized timbers do not fill the room correctly, the shell products are of lesser quality and they don’t care. Specialty Built Construction does care including all of my Suppliers and Sub Contractors.  My Architect cares about his design and he will at the jobsite on a weekly basis. Finally my Timber Frame Manufacturer, Okanagan Timber Frame cares who visits our clients on a yearly basis. You the home owner see the commitment from the whole team which give you the confidence that your dream home will be just that and a “life long referral” for all of us.

Using a knowledgeable Builder and Architect will make your journey that much more pleasing, less stressful and a home that has never been designed before. The home is unigue and very special to you. Friends were made along the building path.

Be aware of “Timber Frame Rough In Packages”. In most cases if your are having this home being your “primary residence”, these packages miss many of the details. This is another reason to have your Timber Frame Builder like Specialty Built Construction on line working with your Architect and Supplier. 

This brings us to Part Three: THE ART of TIMBER FRAME Choosing a Timber Frame Supplier.  Look for Part Three. Great points to consider and how magazine articles “don’t tell it all that needs to be shared”.