Northern Virginia builders in 500-600k construction range

[Anonymous]

Ugh this post is depressing me ... I got a quote of $250k for a major renovation on an old cape cod and was thinking for that price I might as well level it and build brand new ... but now I am second guessing ....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stahl, Brehony, Cloud IX, Sommerville are all high-end builders, and won't build for $500-600K. At that price you are talking vinyl siding, etc. and that is not their sweet spot. Recent;y someone asked Stahl the exact same question and they said "yes, we can do it, but we are not the best for THAT." If you have developed a relationship with a supplier of higher-end product, and have special pricing for that product, it is hard to find the best deal for a cheaper, lower-end product. Best in that price range to check NDI and ANV (a family I know recently decided to go with NDI after doing this exact same research). Used to be, Evergreene would fit in there as well but they seem to have moved up the price range.

I know two friends who have built homes with Evergreene and Classic in Vienna. Neither builder used steel beams and posts in the basement. I would NEVER purchase from a builder who employs such aggressive cost cutting measures, regardless of price. I guess most homeowners don't even know so per code, if they can get away with saving a few $$ by eliminating a core structural component, then why not?

You don't need steel posts and beams in residential basements - per building code, so these builders are not violating anything, but perhaps cutting a corner as you indicate. I agree, however, and would not purchase or build one without

The only time you would need steel beams is if the span and load is wider/more than engineering tables would allow for a standard wood I-joist.

Not having them is not an indication of quality at all.

You see a lot of columns especially in basement for many higher end houses. That's because the builders wouldn't spend money on steel I-beams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stahl, Brehony, Cloud IX, Sommerville are all high-end builders, and won't build for $500-600K. At that price you are talking vinyl siding, etc. and that is not their sweet spot. Recent;y someone asked Stahl the exact same question and they said "yes, we can do it, but we are not the best for THAT." If you have developed a relationship with a supplier of higher-end product, and have special pricing for that product, it is hard to find the best deal for a cheaper, lower-end product. Best in that price range to check NDI and ANV (a family I know recently decided to go with NDI after doing this exact same research). Used to be, Evergreene would fit in there as well but they seem to have moved up the price range.

I know two friends who have built homes with Evergreene and Classic in Vienna. Neither builder used steel beams and posts in the basement. I would NEVER purchase from a builder who employs such aggressive cost cutting measures, regardless of price. I guess most homeowners don't even know so per code, if they can get away with saving a few $$ by eliminating a core structural component, then why not?

You don't need steel posts and beams in residential basements - per building code, so these builders are not violating anything, but perhaps cutting a corner as you indicate. I agree, however, and would not purchase or build one without

The only time you would need steel beams is if the span and load is wider/more than engineering tables would allow for a standard wood I-joist.

Not having them is not an indication of quality at all.

Ironically, you say exactly the same think the Evergreen guy told my friend. Do you work for them? I say you ask any structural engineer if the would accept wood posts to hold up their home vs. iron. Yes....you will get the truth!

[Anonymous]

Of course ma y structufL engineers would accept wood over steel. Steel has only recently been used in residential rather than commercial construction. Plenty of homes around this country in the world are standing without steel beams in them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The only time you would need steel beams is if the span and load is wider/more than engineering tables would allow for a standard wood I-joist.

Not having them is not an indication of quality at all.

Ironically, you say exactly the same think the Evergreen guy told my friend. Do you work for them? I say you ask any structural engineer if the would accept wood posts to hold up their home vs. iron. Yes....you will get the truth!

No, I don't work for Evergreene. And any reasonable structural engineer will also understand the trade offs of design and cost for residential construction. Sure, if I were building a 20 story structure, I would go with steel. For a standard, two story single family home, that is over kill.

I was trying to show the fallacy in assuming that a home without steel was low quality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The only time you would need steel beams is if the span and load is wider/more than engineering tables would allow for a standard wood I-joist.

Not having them is not an indication of quality at all.

Ironically, you say exactly the same think the Evergreen guy told my friend. Do you work for them? I say you ask any structural engineer if the would accept wood posts to hold up their home vs. iron. Yes....you will get the truth!

No, I don't work for Evergreene. And any reasonable structural engineer will also understand the trade offs of design and cost for residential construction. Sure, if I were building a 20 story structure, I would go with steel. For a standard, two story single family home, that is over kill.

I was trying to show the fallacy in assuming that a home without steel was low quality.

oK....let me try this... If $$ was not an issue, how would you build your home? Don't tell me that you would be OK with using PT wood posts to hold up your home vs. steel posts and beam. If you do, we will just assume you work for low grade builders. Makes no FU****In sense to me what you are saying, unless you have a horse in the race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The only time you would need steel beams is if the span and load is wider/more than engineering tables would allow for a standard wood I-joist.

Not having them is not an indication of quality at all.

Ironically, you say exactly the same think the Evergreen guy told my friend. Do you work for them? I say you ask any structural engineer if the would accept wood posts to hold up their home vs. iron. Yes....you will get the truth!

No, I don't work for Evergreene. And any reasonable structural engineer will also understand the trade offs of design and cost for residential construction. Sure, if I were building a 20 story structure, I would go with steel. For a standard, two story single family home, that is over kill.

I was trying to show the fallacy in assuming that a home without steel was low quality.

oK....let me try this... If $$ was not an issue, how would you build your home? Don't tell me that you would be OK with using PT wood posts to hold up your home vs. steel posts and beam. If you do, we will just assume you work for low grade builders. Makes no FU****In sense to me what you are saying, unless you have a horse in the race.

The cost for a steel beam and wood posts are almost the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The only time you would need steel beams is if the span and load is wider/more than engineering tables would allow for a standard wood I-joist.

Not having them is not an indication of quality at all.

Ironically, you say exactly the same think the Evergreen guy told my friend. Do you work for them? I say you ask any structural engineer if the would accept wood posts to hold up their home vs. iron. Yes....you will get the truth!

No, I don't work for Evergreene. And any reasonable structural engineer will also understand the trade offs of design and cost for residential construction. Sure, if I were building a 20 story structure, I would go with steel. For a standard, two story single family home, that is over kill.

I was trying to show the fallacy in assuming that a home without steel was low quality.

oK....let me try this... If $$ was not an issue, how would you build your home? Don't tell me that you would be OK with using PT wood posts to hold up your home vs. steel posts and beam. If you do, we will just assume you work for low grade builders. Makes no FU****In sense to me what you are saying, unless you have a horse in the race.

No, I don't have a horse in the race. I was hoping to enlighten your world view slightly.

Maybe you should step back and consider what has been posted. It doesn't make sense because you have a presupposition. You are falling into the trap of negating information that conflicts with your opinion. It's called confirmation bias: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias

To build a quality home, it is about the design and how materials are used, not just the materials. I had challenged the assumption that a home without a steel beam was low quality (ie, a statement made as fact was not in truth, fact). There are plenty of quality homes that don't use any steel in their construction. That also does not preclude using steel, or other materials, from being used as well in a quality home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The only time you would need steel beams is if the span and load is wider/more than engineering tables would allow for a standard wood I-joist.

Not having them is not an indication of quality at all.

Ironically, you say exactly the same think the Evergreen guy told my friend. Do you work for them? I say you ask any structural engineer if the would accept wood posts to hold up their home vs. iron. Yes....you will get the truth!

No, I don't work for Evergreene. And any reasonable structural engineer will also understand the trade offs of design and cost for residential construction. Sure, if I were building a 20 story structure, I would go with steel. For a standard, two story single family home, that is over kill.

I was trying to show the fallacy in assuming that a home without steel was low quality.

oK....let me try this... If $$ was not an issue, how would you build your home? Don't tell me that you would be OK with using PT wood posts to hold up your home vs. steel posts and beam. If you do, we will just assume you work for low grade builders. Makes no FU****In sense to me what you are saying, unless you have a horse in the race.

No, I don't have a horse in the race. I was hoping to enlighten your world view slightly.

NP....agree with the PP. Your explanation is off base. We have built a couple of high end homes. Looks like you do indeed have a horse...

Maybe you should step back and consider what has been posted. It doesn't make sense because you have a presupposition. You are falling into the trap of negating information that conflicts with your opinion. It's called confirmation bias: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias

To build a quality home, it is about the design and how materials are used, not just the materials. I had challenged the assumption that a home without a steel beam was low quality (ie, a statement made as fact was not in truth, fact). There are plenty of quality homes that don't use any steel in their construction. That also does not preclude using steel, or other materials, from being used as well in a quality home.

[Anonymous]

Can't fault a man (or woman) for doing their job. I understand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't like houses built by Focal Point. Their houses all look like a dungeon with low ceilings and small windows. It's also cheaply built.
BTW, one way to tell whether the builders are cutting the corners or not is to look at if their houses have gable roofs.

Focal Point is building all over McLean, and you can spot one a mile away--they all look the same. And often seem to be blue for some unknown reason...or maybe I just keep noticing the ugly blue ones.

+1

The McCrapsman models have GOT to stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't like houses built by Focal Point. Their houses all look like a dungeon with low ceilings and small windows. It's also cheaply built.
BTW, one way to tell whether the builders are cutting the corners or not is to look at if their houses have gable roofs.

Focal Point is building all over McLean, and you can spot one a mile away--they all look the same. And often seem to be blue for some unknown reason...or maybe I just keep noticing the ugly blue ones.

+1

The McCrapsman models have GOT to stop.

Fortunately, they have. The new style which I kind of like is what I call the "swoop" house with the second floor stepping down at the front with a gentle swoop. The second style is very traditional with clean lines and classic elements. These two types of houses are being built in response to the over-building of Crafty Bastards. The faux Craftsman style is already as dated as vessel sinks. Oh, and granite is also no longer on trend. It is Quartz or Quartzite, both metaphoric rocks.

[Anonymous]

I hate Focal Point homes. They build butt-ugly craps and won't stop populating the McLean neighborhoods like roaches!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am still pretty sure Cloud IX can build.in that range. We are doing a fully custom home with another builder for 700k and that includes architect costs. Cloud IX was way more affordable ( and who we should have gone with, TBH).

How large of a house are you building? I'd be interested in learning more about your experience with cloud ix..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am still pretty sure Cloud IX can build.in that range. We are doing a fully custom home with another builder for 700k and that includes architect costs. Cloud IX was way more affordable ( and who we should have gone with, TBH).

How large of a house are you building? I'd be interested in learning more about your experience with cloud ix..

We ar building 4000SF. Too large for my taste, but we let things get bloated during the design stage

We interviewed Patrick of Cloud IX several times, talked to all of his clients, including our neighbor, and they were almost 100% positive. Any complaint had to do with general construction angst. He had a bunch of plans from 2800SF all the way up to about 5 or 6 I think. You could customize. He has a good, smooth operation and his subs seem to like him. And he and his brother are just nice people.

Again, in hindsight, wish we had used them!