Blake Shaw Homes
When William and Juliane McCaleb began making plans for their new home, they set a budget that they were unwilling to deviate from and it was very important that they find a home builder who was willing and able to work within their budget. A lifelong friend introduced the couple to Blake Shaw of Blake Shaw Homes, who not only had a strong reputation for quality craftsmanship and customer service, but also offered them the lowest bid without compromising the attention to details and high-end finishes that the couple wanted.
The north Buckhead custom home has taken nine months and will be complete by the end of May. Upon completion, the McCalebs' home will include a basement, four bedrooms, screened porch, multiple fireplaces and more. One outstanding feature of their home is the fully built out library with wall-to-wall bookcases. Shaw had the bookcases built and painted on-site, which he says drastically reduced the costs of the bookcases.
Other cost saving efforts that a budget-conscious builder will incorporate include creating luxury looks without the expensive price tag. “It's not about going with the cheapest product, it's about choosing the product that is the best value while achieving the look desired by the homeowner.” Shaw uses his experience building high-end, luxury homes and applies that knowledge into his more budget-conscious projects; using the same trends, materials or techniques at a fraction of the cost.
Another key component to keeping costs low is to find a builder that has strong vendor relationships, says Shaw. “The relationships that a contractor builds with his or her vendors is crucial. With my vendors, I know that I can call them up and brainstorm ideas and be creative in our efforts to produce a high-end result, and negotiate a good deal. The same is true with subcontractors. A builder should have strong relationships with a variety of subcontractors that can do high-quality, custom-level work at the lowest cost possible.
A third tip from Shaw is to work with a homebuilder that has a good designer. “A good designer is really important,” he says, “for choosing the right paint or floor stain colors. The right brands and colors can create the look that a homeowner is going for. A designer will know how to create the perfect look with the understanding that it all has to be done within a budget.”
The McCalebs wanted their home to have an “old” quality to it and Shaw worked with custom architect Rodolfo Castro to achieve that look while staying within the McCalebs budget. Finishes such as handmade exterior cedar brackets around the cornice and wood planked ceilings help mask the home’s 2009 completion date.
“We have enjoyed the entire building process thanks to Blake, and his willingness to work with us has made us that much more excited to see the finished product,” said Juliane. “Blake has kept constant contact with us throughout the build and every question that we have had has been responded to promptly and comprehensively.”
“We wanted our new home to have the charm of an older home and Blake has been extremely willing to work with us and Rodolfo on making design decisions that meet that goal,” said Juliane. “We have been impressed with the entire process and are so thankful that we were able to work with Blake on this project.”
Blake Shaw Homes, Inc. is an Atlanta based homebuilding company specializing in custom homes and renovations. Established in 2004, Blake Shaw Homes has quickly become a leader in the Atlanta homebuilding and remodeling industries. The company works with the best architects and designers to create dream homes for their clients. For more information on Blake Shaw Homes, call 404-202-9225 or visit http://www.blakeshawhomes.com.
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