Collins Design-Build, Inc.

Jul 2014

LEED for Homes Certified, Certified Green ENERGY STAR Qualified Certified National Wildlife Habitat

$500k

Durham, NC

Jul 2014

Our clients visited our Parade Home last year and were intrigued by our custom green construction. Walking through an existing home allowed me to fully explain with visuals the products and techniques we use to produce certified green homes that meet the standards of the new stringent ENERGY STAR qualifications. The questions that they would ask were very in-depth and very detailed. Obviously, a well-read client, I inquired what his professional background was. He indicated he was the Director of Construction for a major University. Man, talk about pressure. Um okay you want me to build your house? I went home that night and told my wife this was going to be the most difficult home Ive ever built. I just knew he would nick-pick every little detail. Throughout the process I kept waiting for him to show up and ask me to qualify something like a Drill Sergeant to a Private. But he never did. ~ Whew. It looks like we were on the same page when it came to attention to detail. The Belle is a 3,824 heated square foot master down with a 2,592 square foot unheated full walkout basement. This traditional floor plan has 10 foot first floor ceilings, hardwoods throughout, true raised panel wainscot panels and a kitchen full of custom-made kitchen cabinets with hidden treasures. Approaching the age of retirement, accessibility was one of the key components that we implemented in this plan when considering the seven principles of Universal Design. Three foot wide door openings, grab bars, lever door knob handles, high-rise toilets and proper lighting are just a few of the features of this homes accessibility. With a HERS score of 65 this home should have an annual savings of $1600 in electric and gas utilities. The carbon footprint of this home is small. We used spray foam insulation, engineered I-joists, fly ash concrete, recycled products and materials where possible, and drought tolerant indigenous plantings and landscape. Over the last two years their only two children have moved away to college. The idea was to downsize but they had a real hard time limiting space for their young adult children. Like most of my clients, the budget was tight but they would not cheap out on the rooms for their college age children. Very detailed bookcases, custom shelving and reading lighting were all put into rooms that may never be used. I had to sit back and think how they must feel with their children moving away from home. We builders we dont just build rooms, we build sheltered space where a living breathing soul will dwell. Their childrens rooms may never be used but the space will always be there for them. Since the very first encounter there was a sense of good faith amongst the three of us. They trusted me and I trusted them on a mere handshake and eye contact. This entire construction build was built on old-school trust. Just like my Grandfather did it. I am honored to have built this home. In the end everyone is happy.

Hillsborough, NC

Nov 2013

While going through my spam e-mail folder I came across an e-mail titled Retired and living in south central PA. After deleting the 275 e-mails prior to, this e-mail was about to receive the same fate when on a hunch I opened it just to see. The e-mail went on to read we are looking to move to your area to be closer to our adult children and your name was referred to us by a previous customer. Turns out this e-mail was legit. Our clients brought me a simple floor plan rendering of the home that they were living in. The task was to re-create their home in Pennsylvania. A retired couple and of the generation that computers, smart phones and digital cameras have not caught up with, this task was as old-school as it gets. We created a Williamsburg Colonial style home with the seven basic elements of Universal Design and special attention to the Aging In Place elements. The exterior was cladded in an oversized hand tumbled custom-made brick and adorned with Williamsburg style window grid patterns dressed with time period shutters. The interior hand cut craftsman trim keeps your eyes satisfied with quality and intrigues you to visit each room in the home. A custom built brick fireplace was specially designed to house family heirloom fireplace irons from the Civil War era. A four car garage, a 3000 sq ft unfinished basement and a walk up attic allows enough storage for the lifetime of memories. ENERGY STAR qualified and Certified Green this home scored a 67 HERS rating. This home also served as our first WaterSense qualified residence. Our Clients visited the home only a few times while under construction and did not see the final product until after their moving vans were in the driveway. When I handed the keys to them they looked me in the eye and stated We are happy. .Mission accomplished.

Hillsborough, NC

Oct 2012

On New Years Eve of 2011 I received an e-mail from our clients who were living in Athens, Georgia and were looking to build a Certified Green custom home in my area. I asked them to send me a sample floor plan of what they were looking for. My jaw dropped when I opened the file and discovered they had sent me a drawing of the exact home plan in which I personally reside. What are the odds? Separated by 325 miles we organized a list of standard specifications solely via e-mail and telephone. Having lived in the floor plan I offered some simple improvements to maximize the livable square footage. We quickly came together on pricing which led to a fast-track path to the construction start. Our clients wanted to maintain a traditional southern colonial look. A hand tumbled brick was selected for the exterior with a light mortar color to complement the exterior tan paint colors. The interior is very open and bright. As you walk in the front door you are immediately greeted with southern colonial stained hardwood, flowing staircases adorned with wrought iron railings and a paint color palette worthy of a magazine cover. The Greenwich plan boasted a 3000 sq ft unfinished walkout basement, was Certified Green and qualified for the stringent guidelines of ENERGY STARs new 3.0 program. With a HERS rating of 65 this home should net an annual energy savings of $2,032. Not only was the construction experience enjoyable with two awesome clients I now have two awesome neighbors.

Hillsborough, NC

Oct 2011

Durham, NC

Oct 2011

Durham, NC

Oct 2011

Durham, NC

Dec 2010

Hillsborough, NC

Dec 2010

Hillsborough, NC