One of the by-products of a consumer-based society is that we all collect “stuff” — from sports equipment and garden tools to holiday decorations, craft and hobby gear, and clothing. In some cases, people have so much stuff that it commandeers their closets, outdoor sheds, and garages to the point of overflow and disorganization.

Homebuyers want relief from their storage woes. To that end, a variety of products and organizational ideas that can add convenient capacity have cropped up for every nook and cranny of the house.

Overall, the most popular trend in storage is the use of modular, adjustable systems that can easily be manipulated to accommodate changing storage needs. In any storage setting, be it a garage or a walk-in master suite closet, these systems employ a simple backbone of tracks or channels secured to the walls on which you can hang a wide variety of components without any penetrating fasteners.

In a clothes closet, for example, the system can include open shelves, door and drawer cabinets, tilted shoe racks, hanger poles, hooks, and laundry hampers. These pieces and parts can be arranged based on a homeowner’s particular needs; as those needs change, the components can be moved, replaced, or supplemented.

The garage is another area well suited to these storage systems. There are now wall-hung cabinets, shelving, hooks, and other handy components with the ability to be moved to any point along tracks or channels secured to the wall. Garage storage systems feature cabinets and work surfaces with lock-in-place castors that allow owners to easily bring those elements out into the open, or even to the outside, for better, safer, and more convenient access to their “stuff.”

In both of these settings, the storage system typically raises the wall-hung components above the floor, making it easier to vacuum the carpet or sweep out the garage. Doing so reduces the perception (or reality) of clutter.

In the kitchen, cabinet and appliance manufacturers offer several options to increase storage capacity. In addition to handy drop-down drawers and roll-out shelves, many of the latest cabinet companies provide in-drawer organizers, dedicated trash and recycling bins, and adjustable shelving to suit a variety of needs.

In the laundry room, pedestal drawers set underneath the washer and dryer provide additional and convenient storage while raising the height of the washer and dryer, making them easier to use, as well.

Today’s modular storage systems are available in a wide variety of styles and price points, from luxurious, all-wood components that enhance any master suite to ventilated coated wire sections that make sense for kids’ rooms and utility areas. Even if there is enough land and ample budget to build a large house with plenty of closets and space for stuff, it’s only smart to make those areas, and the entire house, as space-efficient and valuable as possible.

A: Lifecycle Assessment is a way to evaluate and estimate the value of a particular building product or system across its usable life. LCA considers a product or system’s cradle-to-grave environmental impact, from its raw material source to its capacity for recycling and reuse. LCA is a tool for design and building professionals that provides clients with a better, more thorough understanding of the materials being used to construct a project.

Homebuilding is a highly specialized and complex process. And like builders themselves, no two clients are exactly the same. Some homeowners are very interested in the homebuilding process, while others are more content to follow the lead of the builder and be available only when needed. The majority of clients fall somewhere in between. Regardless of their approach or comfort level with new home construction, clients play a vital role in its success.

The ideal homeowner is a partner, making appropriate and timely decisions to help ensure the home is completed on schedule. In addition, pro-active homeowners become educated about the home building process so that they understand and respect its nuances. A critical part of that education is knowing what is and is not in a builder’s control.

Weather.  While professional builders cannot control the weather, they can prepare for it by communicating regularly with subcontractors and materials suppliers to gauge their availability once the weather clears and keeping homeowners informed about changes to the schedule.

Outside circumstances. Natural disasters in other parts of the country or even global trade trends may affect the cost and availability of construction materials and labor. With proper controls in place, however, a professional builder like Magleby Construction should be able to mitigate or adjust for delays and cost overruns by providing adequate lead time for materials delivery and making sure each trade partner finishes his phase of the work before the next one begins.

Government requirements. To avoid other common delays, smart and successful builders are aware of how long it takes to get approval from the local building department to begin construction and the amount of time an inspector needs to schedule a job site visit to check over the progress to date.

Increasingly, the housing industry exemplifies this shared responsibility among a complex network of players, as builders rely on subcontractors and materials suppliers to deliver pieces of the puzzle on time, within budget, and according to specifications and standards.

In fact, a builder’s role is often akin to a manager as much as it is a craftsman. Builders must manage complex scheduling and supervision of various trade partners. It’s a job that requires no less skill than building a wall or installing a heating system.
As a homeowner, consider what you can reasonably expect your builder to control. Communicate with your builder to be sure he knows and agrees with those expectations. This will help ensure a coordinated effort toward achieving overall success and satisfaction with the finished home.

L-R: Chad Magleby, Greg Fix, and Paul Magleby. Magleby Construction forms a new commercial division with Fix at the helm.

Magleby Construction, Utah’s premier custom homebuilder, announces the immediate creation of a new commercial division and the appointment of Greg Fix as vice president in charge of its operation.

Company president Chad Magleby says the new division will initially focus on small to mid-sized projects and provide commercial clients with the enjoyable, personalized building experience his company is known for.

“Magleby is a professional organization that stands for integrity, a pursuit of excellence, and a better built product,” said Magleby. “We’re excited and fortunate to have a leader like Greg Fix—a person who embodies these ideals—guiding our new division.”

Fix, who has more than seventeen years of experience in the industry, recently left Big-D Construction where he was a vice president to join Magleby. At Big-D, Fix was responsible for the creation and development of the company’s highly successful Utah County division in Lindon.

“I had a fantastic experience at Big-D. It’s a great company, which made the decision to leave very difficult,” said Fix. “But partnering with Magleby to grow its commercial division was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up—the chance to work with such a respected builder and to be entrepreneurial again was just too appealing.”

In addition to building award-winning custom homes and remodels, Magleby Construction has completed various high-profile commercial projects over the years, including Thanksgiving Point’s main complex and tower in Lehi, and the recently finished clubhouse of the Riverside Country Club in Provo.

The formation of a division that focuses exclusively on commercial projects is the next logical step in Magleby’s future, says Paul Magleby, who founded the company more than 35 years ago.

“This is a natural progression for us,” said Magleby who is Chairman of the Board. “Having a true professional like Greg join us is a tremendous advantage. We expect his expertise, combined with our experience and supporting systems, will make us more competitive than ever in the commercial marketplace.”

For his part, Fix is excited for the chance to cultivate the culture of Magleby Commercial and put his stamp of success on the new venture.

“The entire commercial team is fully committed to being more agile, responsive and innovative in ways that will directly benefit our clients.”

Potential clients interested in learning more about Magleby Construction’s new division or other services can call (801) 785-9998 or visit MaglebyConstruction.com.

A: Unfortunately, no. When the housing downturn first hit in 2008, building materials suppliers were left with a large surplus and production capacities (much like their builders), so they dropped prices to sell off inventory. Since then, they have slowed their production and lowered their inventories to serve a much smaller building demand – allowing them to raise prices for their products. At the same time, they have been hit with greater transportation costs (gas prices), more government regulation, and other costs that also affect pricing.

In the current economy it’s tempting to buy a “short sale” or recently foreclosed home–especially one that was built during the recent housing boom and is being offered at a bargain price.

But that strategy is full of pitfalls and potholes. It’s well-documented that owners of homes in foreclosure tend to neglect their property, knowing there’s no point in maintaining it. They are likely distraught and distracted at the prospect of being evicted from their home, and understandably might focus on more important things than fixing the gutters or repairing a leak.

The result is often a home in poor condition with extra expenses required to bring it back up to par, much less to high standards. Walking into a money pit of repairs and service issues — some of which you may not even know about until after you’ve moved in — threatens that security and quality of life.

By comparison, a newly built home provides you with exactly what you want from the get-go. It reflects your specific needs now and in the future, as well as personal style and aesthetic preferences. It’s fresh, unblemished, and ready for making memories.

A new home offers other advantages over an existing home, including:

Better Quality. As a professional builder, Magleby Construction is dedicated to delivering a high level of construction and finish quality in our new homes. Not only do buyers demand that our homes be better-built (and rightly so), but we also have the knowledge, skill, strong trade partnerships, and commitment to continually evaluate and refine our building practices and materials to improve that high level of quality.

Better Plans. We and offered “customization” long before it was necessary to satisfy or attract potential homebuyers. That means we work closely with you to determine your needs and find a floor plan and house style that matches your tastes and lifestyle requirements. The result is a floor plan that is uniquely yours: functional, comfortable, flexible, and efficient. Trying to find exactly what you want and need in that regard in a foreclosed home or older house is unlikely, and probably would require remodeling.

Better Technology. Today’s occupants demand a high level of technological capability and convenience. Homes now require a “future-proofed” design that won’t become obsolete anytime soon.  Technology moves so quickly these days that few homes built even five and certainly 10 or more years ago have obsolete or dated technology, leaving you and your family wanting (and needing) more. Current wiring and wireless networking systems are available and increasingly affordable … ready for the foreseeable future.

Better Service. If the recession taught the building industry anything, it’s that customer service needed to be improved. Existing homes, bank foreclosures, and short sales offer zero service after the sale. Meanwhile, a professional builder offering a new home tailored to your needs — especially a company that survived the downturn — is well equipped and eager to make sure the experience is satisfying from start to well past the finish, giving you peace of mind and the highest quality living environment.

A: Increasingly, today’s builders rely on those inside and outside the company to build a house. Builders must  coordinate a vast behind-the-scenes network of trade partners and vendors to keep production on time and on budget. Successful companies find it advantageous to assign a home’s construction to a highly capable superintendent, whose job it is to keep clients informed, facilitate changes, and manage day-to-day happenings on the job site.

The great thing about a new house is that everything is, well, new. Nothing is scratched, stained or worn out. Everything works!

But, as any homeowner knows, the rigors of day-to-day living can cause that new-home feeling to fade. It’s inevitable but can be stemmed with proper maintenance of key systems and finishes.

Once homeowners take the keys, they become responsible for maintenance of the entire structure and all its systems. Typically, professional builders will ease that transition with a warranty, but ultimately the baton is passed to the owners to protect their investment, enjoy the comforts and maintain the value of their new home.

The thought of staying on top of everything in a home can seem daunting, but really, it comes down to common sense,  diligence, and a short list of critical products and systems, including:

Heating and cooling. Everyone has heard it before. Changing the furnace filter every three months goes a long way toward maintaining the proper operation of a home’s entire air distribution system. A clean filter keeps dust, moisture, and other allergens out of the ductwork and helps ensure fresh and healthy indoor air. Clean filters and ducts also put an easier load on the furnace, prolonging its life and use less energy. Beyond that, homeowners should have the ducts and carpets professionally cleaned every 2-3 years.

Drainage. Rain and other sources of water must be directed away from the home to maintain the structural integrity of the foundation. To preserve the drainage and watershed design of a house, gutters should be inspected, and when necessary, cleaned and repaired in the fall and early spring. Downspouts should have extensions or splash blocks to direct or disperse runoff away from the house. As new landscaping is added, the dirt against the house (called “backfill”) must be checked again to be sure that it continues to slope away from the structure. Plantings should be set at least 18 inches away from the foundation.

Roofing and siding. A new home’s exterior finishes — mainly roofing and siding materials — are designed to last for at least 20 years and usually longer. That being said, any cracks, voids, or other damage to these finishes can lead to leaks and related moisture problems. Visually inspect the roof and sidewalls of the house at least annually for the first five years of ownership, and then semi-annually after that. And, of course, make any repairs immediately.

The effort and consistency you put into maintaining your home will pay dividends for you and your family in the future. Following these basic maintenance tasks are key components in retaining your homes new look and feel, while protecting the value of your investment.

A: Home maintenance is a topic rich in printed and online resources. Among a library full of books, two of the best in terms of practicality and usefulness are the New Fix-It-Yourself Manual: How to Repair, Clean, and Maintain Anything and Everything In and Around Your Home from the editors at Reader’s Digest, and The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair from Creative Publishing International. Both are available at online and retail booksellers. A good web site to check out is Home Tips, which provides information as well as links to several other resources.

A: In residential construction, the most common hazards relate to falls, namely from roofs or areas that are more than six feet above the ground. OSHA reports that scaffolding, fall prevention, and ladders are among its top 5 most-frequently cited violations. They recently tightened standards to further mitigate those hazards.