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November 1, 2022May 9, 2024

Horseshoe Bay Builder

Due to the buzz surrounding my current projects, some of you recent followers may be getting to know me as the Horseshoe Bay Builder! Right now, I’m working on two beautiful designs on Ram Rock Golf Course lots and one interior lot. They will be starting soon and move-in ready with my signature building techniques woven through every room, which is what I’d like to talk about today.

The Anderson Construction Group, Inc. style is upscale and spacious while being eco-friendly and easy on the energy budget. We use the finer principles of home orientation to plan the layout. As such, rooms are distributed based on available tree cover and the daily/annual path of the sun. This is one of the primary ways we keep costs down for the consumer. Natural heating and cooling costs a whole lot less than anything man made!

Concurrently, you’ll find special care taken in the insulation of the homes. It’s easy to throw some insulation in the outer walls and call it good, but that’s the story of cookie-cutter, quick-build suburban homes. We all know how well those hold temperature! Adding insulation to interior walls and open cell or closed cell spray foam at rafters and exterior walls is what it takes to keep those bills down, and is another hallmark of an Anderson Construction Group build.

Elegance by Anderson Construction Group, Inc.

Additionally, part of what makes our homes look so elegant is choice of materials. You’ll find stonework, granite and quartz, giving a sense of both depth and flair. Floors are largely premium vinyl and tile. Many people don’t know the full scope of vinyl flooring, and have only seen the cheap stuff or the cheap stuff made to look like it’s not the cheap stuff. Which, we all know, comes out looking more like the cheap stuff than not. The full range of vinyl flooring is incredible, and the higher-end versions are extremely water resistant, incredibly durable, and fit perfectly into upscale design schemes.

These are some examples of how we like to build homes here at Anderson Construction Group. Stylish, yet quite functional! You can learn more about the principles we work from and how we approach material choice in the rest of our blog. Our absolute favorite jobs are with clients who share these values, and want them applied in creative, custom ways.

Our Horseshoe Bay lots and homes for sale:

W28081 Rabbit Ridge Golf course lot

W25051 Buckeye

W7003 Silver Hill

Steve Butler is the realtor for these homes! He’ll be happy to answer questions about their purchase and location, just as I’ll be happy to answer any technical questions about their building.

Please reach out to get started with us on YOUR custom dream home!

October 18, 2022May 9, 2024

Horseshoe Bay Homes For Sale

Horseshoe Bay is, and has always been, built of luxury. It’s in the views of Lake LBJ, it’s in the building materials…hell, it’s in the water! Now a thriving resort town, it was only in 1971 that the founders began creating a paradise of this land. The work they did has paved, landscaped, and palm-tree-lined the way for thousands of tourists and residents alike to live the easy life in the Texas hill country! It’s no wonder you’ve always been able to find brand new homes for sale in Horseshoe Bay; it’s the place to be!

With a deep appreciation for luxury homes myself, I’m currently working on two homes for sale in Horseshoe Bay myself! As it is, I plan on building with a number of materials and concepts I consider standard. Specifically tankless water heaters, insulation in all interior walls, etc. There are so many small changes like these that can make all the difference to a home’s efficiency and sustainability.

I’m publishing this blog in October 2022, and if you are able to purchase quickly, I’d be thrilled to work in all of your custom preferences that I can!

Location, Location, Location

The first of the homes is located at W25051 Buckeye Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657. Coming in at spot number 4 of the Apple Rock Golf Course, this 3 bed/3 bath/3 car garage spec is being built as if it were a custom, so you’ll never feel like stuck in some cookie-cutter suburban home. Ideal for looking to spend a good amount of time relaxing at the club.

Next up, we have 806 Silver Hill, Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657. This sits in the coveted Hi Fault/Silver Hill known for its stunning views of the Texas hill county. To truly enjoy that view, I’m including an outdoor kitchen with grill, sink, and refrigerator. This way, you and your guests can relax outside as long as you like.

Click those linked addresses to get in tough with Steve Butler, the realtor. Your very own Anderson Construction Group luxury home awaits you in Horseshoe Bay, along with a life of peace and comfort. Why wait?

September 1, 2022May 9, 2024

Luxury Countertops

Luxury Countertops

Ever thought about stepping up your countertops with recycled materials? Well, not only are traditional countertop materials considered somewhat passé as design elements, they’re also largely made of nonrenewable resources! This will be a guide to assist you in finding a solution to both problems: a unique countertop piece that can be sustainably produced.

First, let’s look at our options for recycled luxury countertops.

There are plenty of other eco-friendly choices as well, but just looking at recycled materials we have: reclaimed wood, glass, paper, and plastic.

Wood: can be salvaged from nearly anything, so there’s lots of design potential! It does have a tendency to chip, and needs frequent resealing. Has a wide price range, from sourcing your own to custom cut slabs.

Glass: made of glass pieces mixed into concrete & porcelain, looks like natural stone. No need to seal, nonporous, hard and durable. Notable drawbacks are difficulty to find, and the comparable price to granite.

Paper: a solid slab of compressed paper, sealed with natural resin. As it uses so much paper, this is a very eco friendly option. Easy to keep clean, tolerates heat, and only needs a fresh mineral oil seat every 6 months or so. Budget friendly!

Plastic: a near endless design range can be matched to any space. Very durable and easy to clean, but prone to burns and scratches. Also budget friendly!

As you can see, each material works beautifully for its specific purpose, and none of the workarounds are particularly difficult. To me, some regular resealing is well worth it for the impact of using environment-conscious materials! Earlier, I mentioned there being some eco-friendly but not recycled materials as well, perhaps the best of which is our honorable mention:

Bamboo: the plant grows so quickly without stripping its soil, making this a highly renewable resource. Like wood, it can look a variety of ways, and can be easily sanded down to remove imperfections. Requires regular sealing, and can be incredibly easy on a budget!

Check back next month for more cost-effective and eco-friendly home building tips!

August 1, 2022July 9, 2024

Luxury Bathroom Building Tips

luxury bathroom by Anderson Construction Group Inc

I’ve heard from some folks along the way, “Is a luxury bathroom really worth it?” I’ll set the stage: it’s a chilly fall day, and you’re up early. You wrangle the kids out the door (late), pausing only to clean their cereal milk off every surface in the kitchen. It’s not until wiping lunch’s mess from your sleeve that you see the milk splashed across your sweater! Errands are chaos, and home is only louder, and with smaller people. You drop your soiled sweater in your room and fall through the bathroom door into…

An oasis.

It’s calm, and quiet. The order and simplicity stand in such stark contrast to your messy day that for a moment, you can’t remember what was so messy.

That moment (plus the one where you step into the custom-made shower with the water pressure to die for) is what makes a luxury bathroom so incredibly worth it.

As you make each of the countless decisions that shape YOUR oasis, picture what you did just there; imagine you’ve had that day, and design what you see as you fall through that bathroom door.

How does the floor feel under your feet? Choose the flooring that gives you that feeling! Is there light reflecting around the room? From what kind of fixture? You’ll want those, plus the mirrors, countertops, and cabinetry the light is bouncing off of.

Not every luxury bathroom feature is so obviously visible.

If you’re picturing stepping out of the shower to comfortable warmth, you may want to consider underfloor heating or heat lamps. To really nail that oasis feeling, slightly soundproofed doors may keep the chaos at bay! However, with features like these, be sure to check with your contractor about proper ventilation and mildew-resistant finishes.

There’s the key: to get your dream bathroom, walk through this exercise, take some notes, and share them! It’s not your job to know which features have what requirements. That takes education and experience. It’s your job to get the best bathroom possible, because let’s face it. There will always be another bowl of cereal coming your way!

You deserve a refuge from the noise. Be prepared to build it in, and you can count on at least that moment of peace every single day.

July 1, 2022July 9, 2024

Flooring

It’s time to talk flooring. This can of worms awaits every home buyer, and ultimately brings the feel of a family into the house. There are so many possibilities, so many types to choose from! If you feel daunted by this task, this guide is for you. Let’s see what some of these options look like.

First, let’s go over the classic flooring choices, plus some newer, more eco-friendly alternatives!

Hardwood: durable, easy to clean, adds to home value, can be refinished, best in drier environments.

Carpet: inexpensive, relaxed feel, sound dampening, don’t forget the stain treatment!

Tile: moisture/stain resistant, easy to clean, more expensive.

Vinyl: extremely water resistant, can fit any design scheme, very durable, easy to install, affordable.

Engineered Hardwood: moisture resistant, can be refinished, looks like hardwood.

Bamboo: renewable material, durable, affordable, looks like hardwood.

Cork: renewable material, sound dampening, easy to clean, easily dented.

What To Do With All This Flooring?

Now, I’m sure you’ve picked up on some themes so far. Some materials are hardier, some more affordable, some more adaptable. With these ideas in mind, I want you to picture your home. Either the one you’re in, or your dream home, or both if you’re lucky! Pick a room, and picture what might happen there over the course of a day. Let’s start with the kitchen.

Maybe you see yourself standing at the sink, splashing soapy water as you speed through the dishes. Perhaps your spouse is spilling a glass of wine as the dog runs to their food bowl. Do I hear the kids stomping through in yet another adventure for snacks?

As I list possibilities, I find that tile, vinyl, engineered hardwood, and bamboo are standing out most to me. Kitchen floors receive so much wear-and-tear through a day, you need a material that’s up to the task. From this short list, weigh your functional needs and design aesthetics, and the choice should become obvious!

Follow this exercise through your home. See what needs your rooms have, and don’t be afraid to mix and match to suit your family! There are many options when it comes to flooring. Don’t miss the opportunity to set up your home for success!

June 1, 2022January 1, 2023

Rising Construction Costs And How To Beat Them

It’s true that rising construction costs deserve consideration when planning a new build. What’s NOT true is that they should stop you outright! We’re here to talk about ways you can cut costs on your new construction without sacrificing quality.

The primary costly areas to consider are materials and labor. These costs have increased 23.5% since the beginning of the pandemic, and a whopping 17.5% of that total came from 2020-2021. That’s the largest spike since 1970! However, watching the bottom line goes farther than simply shopping around for the cheapest wood and lowest quote.

Beating Rising Building Costs with the Right Materials

Material selection is huge in managing cost, as they dictate the amount of labor needed. For instance, stone siding is expensive, but not only because stone itself is pricy. Siding with stone is not a quick process, nor is it easy work. That’s going to add up to much more than, say, putting up some easy shiplap siding.

Aesthetic value needs considered too! It is ok to want to cut costs and still have some design elements you wish to keep. That value is for you to weigh! You could even balance the amount of expensive materials. Love a stone finish? Split your exterior walls horizontally, and stone the bottom portion. That can keep cost down while keeping aesthetic up!

Don’t Forget to DIY

In any major build, you’ll need a professional for most of the work. However, if you talk to your builder about things you can do yourself, you might find some cost-cutting ways to be involved. For instance, when sourcing materials! Your builder can always get cheaper materials than you can from a store, and faster too. But, you can find recycled and up-cyclable materials while they’re working! Steel, wood, and concrete can all be recycled while holding great quality, and you can ask your builder about their experience and preferences as well. After all, the most important tip is to find a builder you can trust, and then:

TRUST YOUR BUILDER!

If you come in with a loose (but well-thought-out plan), communicate with your builder, and trust what they know, you’re well on your way to getting your dream house exactly how you want it, rising construction costs or not.

These are just a few tips, but the list goes on. Comment below if you’d like to see a part two!
Don’t forget to check out our other blogs for tips on long term sustainability as well.

May 1, 2022January 1, 2023

Upgrades That Increase Value Pt. 2

Upgrades that increase value make up most of the choices faced by homeowners who are building their homes from scratch. In our last blog post, we covered some of the most common simple upgrades that increase both the value of a home, as well as its eco-friendliness (which also translates to wallet-friendliness)! In this post, we’ll be taking a look at some of the surprising pros and cons of such upgrades, and asking questions to see how well they work for us. For instance:

Is it Really an Upgrade?

There are some “upgrades” that, depending on your circumstances, may not be upgrades at all! Let’s see about a classic choice for home sustainability: Solar Panels. These are often the default when thinking about how to make your home more cost-effective and eco-friendly.

To ensure your home is ready for solar, you have much to consider. If a roof is too small, the panels won’t be able to absorb enough light. If your neighbors have tall trees or houses that shade your roof, they won’t get enough light. Perhaps your roof isn’t on an optimal angle (based on your location), they won’t get enough light. If your roof is angled the wrong direction relative to the sun, you guessed it! They won’t get enough light!

There is a structural aspect that is often overlooked, as well. It is important to determine if your roof is structurally engineered to handle the weight of the solar panels. If not, you may create a major problem without realizing it.

Provided you have the ability to accommodate all these needs, there’s one more important question: how long do you plan to stay in this house? Solar can be expensive, especially if you don’t qualify for the associated incentives and rebates. It can take years to achieve a return on the significant investment of solar panels the old-fashioned way!

However, let’s assume that money is no object. Your roof is ready for solar, and you have a great team standing by to install. According to a study by Zillow, solar panels increase home value by an average of 4.1 percent! Based on this information, you may well get your ROI (and then some) on closing day!

In Closing

As you can see, there are so many benefits to adding upgrades that increase value. From cutting down on costs for yourself, to making some extra money when selling, and even to providing future owners of your home the benefits of eco-friendly living as well! Make sure to assess your budget and the abilities of your builder when beginning a project. You might find that there’s even more in it for you that you think!

April 1, 2022January 12, 2023

Upgrades That Increase Home Value

Upgrades that increase home value are a necessary consideration in any home building project. When starting from scratch, you come face-to-face with MANY choices. Handled effectively, these choices can ensure that your home not only saves you money while you inhabit it, but that it also makes you money upon its sale! Let’s take a look at some of the most common eco-friendly and value-adding options for building a home.

Easy Answers

There are some upgrades that, especially when added to new construction, are too good to pass up! For example:

Energy Efficient Windows– to make the most of the benefits of home orientation, choose windows that are designed to regulate temperature. They’ll reduce heat transfer to/from the outdoors, be more resistant to condensation, and prevent air leakage.

Tankless Water Heater- also known as an “on-demand” water heater, it operates by warming water as it travels through the pipe, rather than holding a tank of water warm for hours on end. It uses FAR less energy, and reduces the experience of running out of hot water to an inconvenient thing of the past!

Attic/Garage Insulation- no matter what materials you use, insulating these often-ignored places can save you big! That said, many natural materials insulate FAR better than fiberglass, and are more sustainable. Simply ask your builder about eco-friendly options for your new construction.

Interior Wall Insulation- speaking of common places to miss an easy (and green!) upgrade, did you know insulating your interior walls could pile onto those savings for you? Rather than just space dividers, these walls make fantastic energy dividers too! Same as above, work with your builder to find the right materials for your project.

The benefits of each of these are so clear, you almost can’t help but include them in your build! In addition to quickly decreasing your energy bills, these are upgrades that increase home value in some very evident ways. However, not all of these choices are so easy.

Check back soon to read our next blog post, where we’ll go over the surprising pros and cons of one of the most recognizable options for an eco-friendly home: Solar panels!

March 1, 2022January 1, 2023

Home Orientation Pt. 2

Home Orientation Tips (Pt. 2)

Home orientation can have such an astounding effect on your heating and cooling bills, especially here in Central Texas where the summers get so blisteringly hot! Some natural assistance in cutting those costs is always helpful, and leaves more room in the budget for the fun stuff. Let’s jump back into some of the ways nature can help you out!

Take Cover!

Tree cover, that is! There are a number of ways that strategically placed trees can benefit your bottom line. Last month we talked about the sun’s differing summer and winter paths. To recap:

Summer Sun: rises north of true east, travels high in the sky, sets north of true west
Winter Sun: rises south of true east, travels nearer to the horizon, sets south of true west

So, where do the trees factor in?

Imagine planting a row of deciduous trees (birch, crape myrtle, mesquite, oak, etc.) in your south-facing yard. In the summer, the canopy is full, and you have plenty of shade for playtime and yard work. In winter, the leaves have fallen, and that low-lying southerly sun can shine right through your windows!

This helps provide some extra warmth to your living areas (see previous blog post for floor plan tips), and takes some strain off of your heating system.

More Home Orientation Tips

That’s not all though!

Concrete, asphalt, and gravel driveways hold an immense amount of heat in the summers, and can easily overheat a house in these Central Texas summers. While this outdoor radiator effect can be reduced by laying the driveway east of your house where it will only be exposed to the gentler morning sun. Before cooling in the afternoon shade, you can once again employ some native foliage to mitigate your climate system use. A nicely shaded, east-laying driveway will save you some summer money, andkeeps a comfortable space for vehicles and chalk art!

There is a never-ending list of benefits to considering the orientation of your home! These principles make a great start, and hopefully serve as inspiration for how to get the most out of YOUR home.

Contact the Anderson Construction Group, Inc. today to get started building your very own Custom Luxury Home with efficiency in mind!

We have more tips to share so check back next month!

February 1, 2022January 1, 2023

Home Orientation

Home Orientation (Pt. 1)

Home orientation is one of the most important aspects to consider when looking at a home’s efficiency and comfort! By simply taking a few cues from your climate and surroundings, they’ll do much of the heating and cooling work for you, whether you’re building a new home, remodeling the one you have, or deciding which one is right to buy.

Sunny Side Out

First, let’s look at the sun: we all know it rises in the east and sets in the west. It also swings low through the sky in the winter, and shines down from a sharp angle in the summer.

Therefore, large south-facing windows will gather plenty of warming sunlight in the winter, and the high summer sun will be at too sharp an angle to overheat your home. To increase this effect, consider a roof with significant overhang, and orient your longest walls to the north and south. Just like that, you’re passively saving money year-round!

Thanks to that low sun path, the north sides of hills can find themselves shaded all winter long. If you get to choose, try setting up on the south side instead.

Floor Planning

The arrangement of rooms within your home can also have a dramatic impact on your energy use. Don’t waste the heat collected from those south-facing windows on a laundry room or staircase. Put those to the north, and they’ll act as a buffer from the northerly winter winds. You can take advantage of that southerly light and heat for your living room or kitchen instead.

Make sure the western end of your house is prepared for bright afternoon light. That could be a study that warms and brightens as the day goes on, or a dining room where the whole family can watch the sun set together!

The east, of course, gets sunrise. This is a great spot for bedrooms with large windows, so you can wake with the sun and take advantage of that early warmth. It will also cool quickly, ensuring you aren’t overheating as you head to bed in the evening.

In some places, it’s nearly impossible to orient your home to exact compass points. Luckily, all of these benefits can still be obtained with up to a 15-20 degree shift from true north!

This all makes a great start to the principles of home orientation. We still have more to share though, so check back next month for Part 2!

January 1, 2022January 1, 2023

Prepare Your Home For A Natural Disaster

Prepare Your Home for a Natural Disaster

As we’ve seen with hurricanes, freezes, and fires in recent years, homes are not always built to withstand a major catastrophe.

Prepare Your Home for a Natural Disaster

Hurricane Katrina was one of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes in U.S. history. Homes and buildings were severely damaged, if not destroyed. Thousands of families were displaced. It takes years for communities to rebuild and recover from such devastation.

Prepare your home for a freeze. Prepare Your Home to Withstand Extended Freezes

The freezes across Texas in 2021 left thousands without electricity, water, and food for weeks. Lives were lost due to lack of services.

You should ask… is depending on others to take care of you in an emergency is the best option?

Build Your Home To WIth stand Fire Prepare Your Home to Withstand Fire

Fires across Colorado and California have devastated communities. These communities will have to rebuild from the ground up… could we create communities that can better withstand fire and other disasters?

Certainly, by now we realize that we must.

Build A Better Home

There are solutions that can help protect your home from natural disasters and fire. Building your home to meet and exceed code requirements can have a significant impact on whether your home withstands the next big storm, freeze, or fire.

Many parts of the country follow the International Building Code, which establishes and governs design standards for new home construction. If properly enforced, these codes help strengthen homes and protect them from all sorts of potential damage.

There are further steps you can take to build a stronger and safer home. Now more than ever we realize this is the most optimal solution. Home has never been as important as it is now.

We invite you to learn more about disasters in your area and how they could affect your home. It is an excellent time to learn what you can do to increase your home’s disaster resistance. We strongly encourage starting with the home site’s natural resources.

Lastly, we have decades of experience in building homes that better withstand natural disasters. David Anderson is also available for Consultations and Inspections by appointment.

December 1, 2021January 1, 2023

Building a Home 101

Building a Home with Anderson Construction Group Inc

Building a home can be an intimidating task. Typically, this is the biggest investment a homeowner will make in their lifetime.

How do you make sure you do it right?

After all, the quality of work on your home, will affect you and your family for many years to come.

Determine Your Budget
- Of course, the first thing to consider when building a new home is your financial situation. There’s no reason for you to go broke trying to make a new place to live for your family. Don’t overextend yourself. Start by taking a look, at your available budget. Determine your budget and stick to it.
Have a Floor Plan in Mind that Best Suits Your Family
- When building your own home, the floor plan design is a crucial factor to consider. Take the time to talk with your family about what you all expect out of your new home.
Work with Professionals
- Research potential home builders. Select the best one for you. Look at reviews, and photographs of their builds. Is what you see in-line with your vision?
Be Clear About the Fine Print Before Signing Anything
- There are going to be a lot of details to make decisions about during the process of building your home. It’s important that you and your family are in the loop every step of the way. It’s your responsibility, though, to read the fine print and know what you’re signing up for.
Keep Calm and Collected When Communicating with Your Home Builder
- Remaining calm and collected with always net better results. Most concerns can be changed or corrected. Calmly discuss any concerns or issues with your builder while working to the solution.
Visit the Job Site During Construction
- The last thing to think about when building your own home is the fact that you can visit the construction site. In fact, this is a great opportunity to check on things and make sure everything is going according to plan.

To learn more about Anderson Construction Group, Inc., click here.

November 1, 2021January 12, 2023

Infrastructure and Building Safety

Building Consulting Building Inspector and Custom Home Builder Anderson Construction Group

Infrastructure and Building Safety is such an important topic. In April of 2021 President Biden proclaimed the month to be “Building Safety Month”.

The significance of maintaining and upgrading our building infrastructure was recognized.

2021 brought on crisis after crisis. The catastrophic freeze in Texas, the condo collapse in Florida, and the devastating fires in California… the hits kept coming.

These moments taught us all, as a nation, how very important our home and its safety is. We can no longer ignore our infrastructure and building safety.

Thus, it caused many rethink how and even where they live.

Sustainable features saw record highs in sales including water collection systems, and solar power. Features that previously may have seemed extravagant or unneeded, suddenly became a way to stay alive. Some were previously prepared while others weren’t.

We have long believed in and practiced sustainable building. Safety is of the utmost importance to us. Both of these items are at the very core of what we stand for. We pride ourselves on being comfortably elegant sustainable custom builders.

Our founder has an extensive background in building and construction safety. You can learn more about David Anderson by clicking here. Click Here

Lastly, you can read about Building Safety Month here. Click Here