Remodeling a Pre-1978 Home in Iowa
Older homes can have great character, strong locations and a layout worth improving. They can also have conditions that are not visible until a remodel begins: outdated wiring, plumbing changes, uneven framing, moisture damage, prior additions and old paint layers. The answer is not to avoid renovation. It is to plan it with enough information […]
Should You Replace Windows and Siding at the Same Time
Replacing windows and siding together is not always necessary, but it can be the right move when both are nearing the end of their useful life, when exterior water-management details need attention, or when a homeowner wants one coordinated exterior project instead of two separate disruptions. The key benefit is coordination. Windows, siding, trim, flashing […]
Can You Live at Home During a Remodel
Many homeowners can stay in their house during a remodel. Whether that is a good idea depends on the scope of the work, which rooms will be unavailable, how long utilities may be interrupted, whether children or pets are in the home and how well the work area can be separated from daily life. There […]
How to Plan a Covered Patio for an Iowa Home
A covered patio can make outdoor space more useful through more of the year. It can provide shade, shelter from light rain, a place to gather after a day on the lake and a better connection between the house and the yard. But a good covered patio is more than a roof added to the […]
Composite vs Pressure-Treated Decks in Iowa
A deck can be one of the most useful upgrades a homeowner makes—especially around the Iowa Great Lakes, where outdoor space becomes part of how families gather, grill, relax and enjoy the view. The material choice is important, but it should come after the bigger decision: what does the deck need to do for your […]
What Happens During Home Framing and What Homeowners Should Watch For
Framing is the phase where a set of plans becomes a real house. Walls rise, roof lines take shape, rooms become visible and homeowners can finally walk through the layout at full scale. It is exciting, but it is also one of the most important quality checkpoints in the entire build. Framing establishes the structure […]
A Custom Home Selections Timeline That Keeps Your Project Moving
Home selections are where a custom build starts to feel personal. They are also where the schedule can quietly get stuck if a key choice is made too late. Windows, siding, cabinetry, appliances, tile, lighting and plumbing fixtures all affect more than appearance. They can affect framing details, rough-in locations, lead times, installation order and […]
How Long Does It Take to Build a Custom Home in Iowa
Most custom-home projects take longer than homeowners expect—not because the builder is standing still, but because a finished home is the result of hundreds of connected decisions. Design, selections, permits, site preparation, framing, mechanical work, inspections and finishes all need to happen in the right order. National averages can be useful context, but they are […]
Increasing Resale And Rental Value On A Lake Property
Quick answer: Lakefront homes command a real, measurable premium over comparable inland properties, roughly 25% according to a controlled academic study of waterfront sales. For lake properties specifically, whether the goal is eventual resale or short-term rental income, the renovation projects that reliably move value are the same ones that show up strongest in national […]
Energy-Efficient Upgrades For Iowa Winters
Quick answer: Dickinson County sits in DOE Climate Zone 6, a cold zone with roughly 8,000 heating degree days a year, meaning this region’s winters are a genuine engineering factor, not just a discomfort. Iowa’s own residential energy code reflects that: new construction here requires wall insulation of R-20 (or R-13+5 continuous), R-49 ceiling insulation, […]