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Benefits of Off-Site Building

There are convincing arguments to be made in favor of prefabricated housing. By Frank Anton When it comes to prefabricated housing and its potential to revolutionize the housing industry, I’ve never been a true believer. Maybe it’s because of that month during winter 1972 when I worked in a modular housing factory in Vermont: 10-hour shifts, two 15-minute breaks, and a half-hour for lunch (all punched into a time clock) for barely a living wage. Or maybe it’s because of all the bad-looking manufactured homes I see along old Route 30 in Pennsylvania when driving to visit my mother in Pittsburgh. …

Why 32% Less Waste Matters

What we probably don’t consider is one of the largest sources of waste generation for landfills across the country is construction waste. Figures developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates nearly 40% (or 88 million tons) of the nation’s landfill waste comes from home construction materials. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center, a standard new building project produces an average of 3.9 pounds of waste per square foot. To put that in perspective, a traditionally site built 2,000 square foot home will produce 7,800 pounds of waste. The part of this that is …

7 Reasons to Build Custom

1: MADE FOR YOU – AND NOBODY ELSE Realize your unique vision for every room in your home. 2: DESIGNED FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE Whether you want open spaces or cozy rooms, a custom home is a blank canvas to reflect your lifestyle. 3: BUILT FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW We will help design a home that meets your needs now and for the future. 4: LOCATED WHERE YOU WANT Your custom home can be built in the neighborhood you want or the middle of the woods. 5: A SOUND INVESTMENT With our 15-year structural warranty, dedicated service department, quality construction & …

What’s in a Name – Modular Construction

First, let’s describe what modular construction actually is. Modular is not a type of home or design. Modular is a type of construction method in which a home is built off-site, under controlled factory conditions, using the same materials and designing to the same building codes and standards as traditional stick built homes – but in much less time. Homes are built in modules that when set on the foundation on site, reflect the identical design intent and specifications of the most sophisticated site built facility – without compromise. What modular is not. Trailers, double wides, single wides, mobile, pre …

The Truth About Cost Per Square Foot

“What is your cost per square foot?” is the most frequently question we are asked and for good reason: people want to get a sense how much home they can afford. But does it provide accurate information? The simple answer is no. The cost per square foot method tends to mislead unaware homebuyers and there is no clear definition of what services and finishes are included in the multiplier. Using a 2D multiplier to figure the cost of a 3D structure leaves a good number of gaps and may not accurately factor for windows, siding type, roof design, decks, dormers, …

5 Things to Look for When Buying Land

Purchasing land or a vacant lot to build a home can be exciting but also a tricky process. Before jumping right in and buying land it is wise to learn everything you can about it, since unexpected development costs or information may lead you to a different lot or alter your building budget. It is wise to have Dickinson Homes input since we can take care of most of the details for you and help you through the process when choosing to have a new home built by us. Here are some important points to consider when looking for land. …