Dream homes don't become a reality unless you know how to talk to your builder. Custom homes don't just happen from a set of plans and blueprints. Knowing how to talk to your builder is essential to making sure your dreams don't turn into nightmares.

For example, building in the Reno/Sparks area of Nevada should include more than picking a contractor out of the Yellowpages. Choose a builder that is willing to take the time to design a home that fits your budget, your needs and most of your "wants."  That starts with having an honest, transparent conversation with the design/builder. If the builder is competent, he will be as honest with you as you are with him. He will give options to consider instead of just saying, "no" to your unrealistic expectations. And, he will offer upgrades to areas that add value and will really make your dreams come true above expectations in other areas.

The builder should know how long you plan to stay in the home, any possible changes that you may want to add as later phases such as additional finished areas. They also should know about lifestyle changes you might be expecting, such as becoming empty nesters or needing a mother-in-law living quarters sometime in the future. The home can be designed with these future needs in mind which will save thousands of dollars in renovation costs later. A design builder does more than build, they listen and transfer your dreams into a plan that reveals your tastes and meets your expectations.

Plaster or Drywall--Which is better?

If your plaster is falling apart in your 100-year-old home, you may be considering a total overhaul of the walls. Some people will forgo the mess of tearing out old lath and plaster and just sheetrock over the old wall. If the walls are somewhat restorable, some people go for plastering a layer over the original plaster. Few will take the time and investment to take down the old walls completely and start over with drywall. And even fewer would attempt plastering from nothing as that seems to be a lost art in the United States. You have all these options, but which is the better option for your remodeling project?

Choice #1—Sheetrock or drywall over the plaster.
The only advantage to this method is that it is a quick fix and does not leave a huge mess. Sheetrock over plaster does not, however, help your home retain historical value. This is a cosmetic fix to the breadth your walls, but drywall over plaster can jut into existing trim at the edges. What this choice does not offer is a chance to update anything else in the home such as insulation and wiring. If you needed that renovated as well, merely covering the old plaster with drywall is not the better way. However, with the counsel of a contractor, you may be able to find walls where this works and will save you money, time and mess.

Choice #2—Plaster over plaster.
If you are looking to maintain the old home look and feel, plastering over the existing plaster can work to save your 100-year-old walls. The disadvantage to this route is the fact that plastering is not as common of a skill these days. Plaster has great benefits to the strength, the historical value and aesthetic appeal to the wall. Plastering over plaster can only be done, though, if the wall is still in decent shape. A sub-contractor who specializes in this now rare trade can preserve your walls and fortify them with reinforcement grids. You still won’t have the updated insulation or wiring, but you have a better wall.

Choice #3—Tear down the plaster wall, put up sheetrock.
It’s a mess during the demolition, but if historical value is not important, this route is better for preserving the home as a living space. While your walls are being replaced, you get the chance to upgrade the insulation. This can substantially help with the utility bill and save energy. Before installing the new sheetrock, the 100 year old tube and knob wiring can be replaced, making the home durable and safe for another 100 years. The better way is to replace the old wiring in a thorough manner, using the chance of open walls to put in grounded, up-to-code wiring and GFCI outlets in the bathroom and kitchen. This is not only better for safety issues, but also for resale value and resale ability. This kind of job is not patchwork. It’s a thorough renovation project and requires the expertise of a contractor to get the job done smoothly and efficiently.

Choice #4—Start over with plaster again.
Today, in America, this is the least likely option for most people. Plaster can crack if the house settles, it takes a longer time to mud and dry than just putting up drywall, and there are few people who know how to do it right. However, plaster is not all bad. It was a great wall for 100 years after all! Plaster is used in State capitols and international buildings of prominence. It is not only durable, but is a great sound barrier. This method may be the best option if you can afford it and need to totally repair your walls, replace the wires, and do a total renovation. It may be the most costly method, but you can increase the value of the home, preserve historical value, and have a beautiful renovation in the end.

When thinking of a better building concept, consider bringing the outdoors inside. Whether it is a large commercial project or something as small as a bathroom remodel, there are a variety of ways to make a seamless transition from the beauty of nature to your indoor environment. Here are three simple considerations as you make your building plans.

First, bring in the natural light. Beyond a window, a skylight is the first thing we think of when bringing in natural light. There are several other concepts to consider, as well. If you have an inner room, such as a bathroom or office, bring in the light from outdoors by creating a window niche to the adjoining room. You will be amazed at how this will bring in radiant, natural light as if uncovering a tomb. The result, of course, is better energy efficiency as you won’t need to rely on the light-switch every time you enter that room. Instead, enjoy the sunlight—even from way inside your home.

Another brilliant way to bring in the outside is to tile up. Don’t just settle for tile on the floor, but create a welcoming and healing room by surrounding it with tile. You can tile all the way up and on the ceiling if you like! Great for bathrooms or kitchen areas, large and small, the tile gives an inspirational yet soothing backdrop while allowing for easy cleanup. Whether you use traditional ceramic tile, stones or a combination of tiles and mosaics, your room will envelop you as though you were standing behind a soothing waterfall. You’ll wonder if it gets better than this.

Building a better natural environment is easy to do with elements that appear outdoors. However, natural looks don’t have to be “all natural”. While thinking of better ways to give your home or office a natural feel, consider adding light that acts like natural light. A very effective and dramatic way to do this is by adding dimmer switches. We expect a dimmer switch at our dining areas, but try them in your bathrooms, dens, bedrooms, and hallways. Dimming the lights will help to make that smooth transition from what is happening outside during evening hours into the home or building. Or, you can take advantage of dim lights during the day when you are hoping to create a mood or relax as though it were evening.

At dfaltmann, we can help you bring in the outdoors with any of these ideas and more. Whether you are building from the ground up or are doing a remodel project, we will help you open up, tile up or dim it down.  We can help your better building project bring in nature’s best.