October 14, 2008
Canadian Dollar Loosing Strength Against U.S. Dollar
Just thought I would inform our U.S. based clients that the Canadian dollar has weakened in the last week against the U.S. dollar and this gives you an approximate 10% extra buying power now purchasing home packages from Canada. Because we price in Canadian funds, you can purchase money orders from your Bank with the exchange and save some money.
Not sure how this is going to last but we are opening up a price guarantee for this Fall that will hold pricing until Spring 2009 with a deposit now. You can contact us for details at 1-866-504-1555
Kind Regards,
Filed under General, Marketing, New at Allpro, Nice to Know, Owner Builder Financing by Larry Clark
September 24, 2008
We have Officially Moved into our New Larger Office
We were running out of space in our old Office and needed bigger ‘digs’ so we have searched for approximately one year and now have a new home! The good news it is larger and is around the corner from our last office space.
I will post some pictures in a few days for you as well.
Please note the NEW address is:
C2609 Progressive Way, Abbotsford, BC Canada V2T6H8
Our phone numbers will not change and we have updated the phone system as well to better assist you when calling.
To your building future,
Larry J Clark
Filed under General, Marketing, New at Allpro, Nice to Know, Uncategorized by Larry Clark
September 10, 2008
Interesting Article That Bans Modular Homes from a City
I just read an article from Jackson City Mississippi. The City Council banned Modular Homes from being built in their City. Panelized Homes, like ours, were officially given clearance to be used. Interesting.
Here is the LINK to the article online.
To your Building Future,
Filed under General, Marketing, Nice to Know, Uncategorized by Larry Clark
August 14, 2008
I Have a Friend Who Said…
Got a call today from a Canadian client who said …” I have a friend who said stay away from these Prefab Homes as they look just like Trailers “. I am confident you guessed that ‘Trailer’ means mobile home. Nothing bugs me more that people who comment on something they do not have all the facts on. So allow me to set the record straight.
Way back in the 70’s and 80’s, you may have seen a prefab or panelized home that was built to the same look as a mobile or modular home, but those days are long gone. Modern prefab and panelized homes can be built to any plan design and some of the most awarded homes now are Prefab designs and modular units. With sophisticated software, the framing of new homes has improved dramatically and is very accurate and therefore very efficient to frame/erect. The only thing that we cannot frame is rounded walls. We have even done octagon designs.
Even the new breed of Modular homes are being done with “cottage” or hip roofs which was unheard of 10 years ago. Perhaps this ‘friend’ does not get out much or has not taken the time to visit our Cabin and Cottage site and looked at the photo gallery of some beautiful A-Frame Cabins we have done with panelized construction. You would be amazed at the quality and designs now being fabricated on a regular basis across Canada and the U.S.
Am I ever thankful this client was educated enough to call us anyway and find out the real story. Now you are educated as well!
Here’s to your Building Success,
Filed under General, New at Allpro, Nice to Know by Larry Clark
June 30, 2008
Do You Charge More for Custom Homes?
I had a client come up today from Washington and we were discussing options, etc. and I mentioned that Allpro does not charge more for custom designed homes vs. our pre-priced models. I also mentioned that our estimation program has the same numbers for everyone. So the response back was…”why does my home cost more per square foot than most of your models?”
Here was my response to him:
His home had a good amount of windows. Most homes have between 10-15 windows and obviously, when you have more than that the cost per square foot would increase as your floor square footage remains the same.
Are his wall heights more than 8 feet high? Yes. Well increasing the wall heights even to 9’ adds cost to the home. Think about that most studs are 8 feet high and you can now buy 9’ and 10’ studs but they are more. Plywood comes in 8 foot sheets normally (added to outside of the walls) so now we would have to buy 9’ plywood or cut 1’ strips into the middle of the wall panels which adds labor and materials to the cost.
Roof line. How much roof do you have and how steep is it. This clients roof wasn’t too bad but did you know hip roofs are more expensive than gable roofs? This is because they cover more area and require more roof sheeting. The steeper the roof the more the cost as well as more trusses/rafters and more sheeting to cover that roof area. Thus more shingles as well and more cost per square foot.
4.Other things to consider. Covered decks require a roof and supports. More cost. Oversize garages. Most garages (standard) are @ 21 feet x 21 feet or so. We are getting allot of requests for larger attached garages which are part of the cost of a standard package, therefore adding more cost and puts your cost per square foot higher.
I hope this helps dispel some common misconceptions regarding per square foot costs and comparing with other pre-priced homes.
Email me if you need more help or clarifications.
Kind Regards,
Filed under General by Larry Clark
