HOMEOWNER TIPS
BUILD TIPS
From The Ground Up
I was raised to work hard and to do your best. I was taught that there are no short cuts and that you need to build a strong base and core to stand on. And I was taught to respect and always listen to others’ perspectives. As a Builder in Hawai‘i I feel very grateful to be able to apply these core values to what I do every day. Here are a few tips that have helped me and will help you when considering your next building project.
First, you must understand that building a new home or taking on a home renovation or remodel is a process. Lean on experience from your designers and contractors to understand and follow the process. Find a contractor that you trust and then turn that trust over to them.
Second is to settle in and stay the course. There are no shortcuts when it comes to building a home. You can gain efficiency and streamline timelines but fight the urge to skip steps. Design a sound structure or floor plan. Be patient and take the time and energy to be sure you build a strong foundation.
And third, be sure your designer and builder are going to listen to you as well. Be sure that your contractor has enough humility to hear different perspectives and opinions, in order to make the best decision with you. Remember that you must feel comfortable through the process, and that it’s not only going to take your trust, but also your contractors’ willingness to give you what you want and need.
I understand that it takes time, patience, hard work and humility to build a home. And that it takes the same values to build a strong business, family and individual. There is no easy way to get there but you have to start somewhere, and that’s from the ground up.
– Nick Tang, President/General Contractor
Natural Light
It cannot be overstated how much natural light plays a part in home design. It is something that cannot be overlooked and if harnessed correctly, will make a tremendous difference in not only how your new spaces look, but also how they feel and are lived in.
Think about the path of the sun in relation to your home. Where the sun rises and where the sun sets will help you decide on where to create covered patios or extended eves to control direct sunlight. Or where to include larger openings to allow light in while not taking in too much heat or exposure to the elements. Consider adding skylights or glass doors to bring in more light to areas that are lacking enough window or wall space. And don’t forget to work closely with your designer to understand all your options on window types available and explore window location as well.
We like to use larger windows on the north and south side of a home where there is less direct sunlight through the day as the sun travels overhead. On the East and West exposures of a home, we tend to be careful of window placement and size to avoid over exposure to the sun during morning and afternoon hours when the sun is lower on the horizon. Using covered walkways or patios in higher exposed areas allows you to still get natural light to flood into interior spaces while creating a pocket of cooler area around the shaded areas of from the home.
Don’t be afraid to work with natural light in your new home design. Explore all options and remember some of the tips above to help bring energy and life to your spaces.
– Nick Tang, President/General Contractor
