You Asked, Charlie Answered

Thank you to everyone that participated in the Ask Me Anything event that we had on our Facebook and Instagram last Thursday!

Here are the questions, along with my answers. Enjoy!

-Charlie

Q: What’s your favorite part of the home building process?

A: Working with my clients. Talking to them and learning what they want/need and figuring out how to make it happen for them. Getting to know their patterns of living and adapting that to a plan, whether it’s a new build or remodel, that works for them and their families.

Q: Our basement gets wet after rain. Do we need to worry about mold?

A: Oh boy! In short, yes. First and foremost, whether the basement is finished or unfinished, the most important thing to do is stop the water from getting in. Once you’ve eliminated this key ingredient that mold needs to survive, it will go dormant. It varies by mold types, but generally speaking, mold will go dormant when its host material is below 17% moisture content and the air humidity is kept below 45%. I highly recommend testing for mold before trying to fix any damage. During this process, high quality air purifiers are your friend. 

Q: Why don’t you call your sisters that love you like the dickens?

A: 😆😆😆 Love you, too, Moll! Call you on Tuesday! 

Q: Who creates the plans for new builds?

A: Mostly me! If there is an architect involved, I usually work with them to adapt the plan to fit the way we build.

Q: What challenge has been the most fruitful in terms of educating you on the process and possibilities inherent in building custom homes for your client base?

A: Communication, communication, communication! Trying to always make sure the whole team is on the same page and moving in the same direction. The team includes office staff, carpenters, subcontractors, and clients. 

Q: Hey, can you build a better world where people actually appreciate musicians’ talents? Lol

A: I’m working on that, John….. I just get hung up on the form. 😆

Q: Is slab on grade a good build or would you have a crawl space under a single level home?

A: Great to hear from you, Merle, and congrats on building a new home! Like anything, there are pros and cons to both. Slabs cost less and you can run tubing in them and get wonderful, warm floors. You can also use the concrete as the finished floor by staining it. The details for insulating a slab-on-grade are important, so be sure to research frost-protected shallow foundations. A crawl space costs more, but they are more future-proof in terms of remodeling or retrofitting for utilities and/or new technologies. You can also keep the mechanicals down there so they don’t eat up floor space. Again the thermal details are muy importante!

Q: How long have you been playing bass? 

A: Who’s counting?! I’ve been playing bass professionally since the 70’s.

Q: What’s your favorite design style? 

A: I find myself drawn to clean lines and minimalism, however, I will design anything your heart desires!

Q: What kind of insulation do you use?

A: We use Blown In Blanket (BIBS) in the walls and cathedral ceilings, and in flat attics we use cellulose. This is a great opportunity to give a shout out to the best insulators out there: R Value Insulators. Check them out at : rvalueinsulators.com

Q: My house gets drafty and cold during the winter. How can I make it not as drafty? 

A: Quite simply, go get a step ladder and some caulk and go around your house and seal up any obvious cracks and crevices, and be sure to check seals around doors and windows. Air infiltration is by far the biggest culprit. I also recommend contacting a home energy consultant. It’s not that expensive, and they will analyze your home, tell you where the problems are, and recommend fixes.