Author: Spire Advertising

One of the greatest joys of homeownership is living in the place where you’ve created memories. An accessible home ages with you, letting you spend more time in the space where you built those moments.

With a quality custom home, you can look forward to spending even more years in your castle. At Ivan Yoder Builders, our expert designers have been constructing accessible, Amish-built homes since 1977. Here are four tips we give clients to extend their comfort at home.

Consider First Floor Living

While the privacy of a second floor master bedroom or suite appeals to many, it can lose its shine over the years as mobility challenges introduce new safety considerations.

Even before it’s a necessity, first floor living has its perks. Two story homes with a lower suite are ideal for families with older children. The upstairs bedrooms are separated by an entire level, giving mom and dad a little extra peace.

First floor suites also offer better access to the outdoors. Imagine waking up in the morning, grabbing a cup of coffee, and walking through your bedroom’s sliding glass or French door out onto a patio.

When you finally reach your golden years, your home will be ready for you. Ivan Yoder Builders offers plans with the master bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, laundry and living space–everything you could need–on the ground floor.

Install Wider Door Frames

Making a home more accessible can seem intimidating or conjure images of a clinical looking house, but it’s actually the opposite. We specialize in small changes that make your dream home more accessible while adding a bit of luxury, too.

One of the most common changes we suggest are 3-foot-wide doors (36 inches) to the master bedroom and bath. The larger door frame feels welcoming and provides ample space for wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility devices. The extra wiggle room makes it significantly easier to glide comfortably around your private living space.

For the rest of the home, we suggest 2-foot-8-inch doors. This opening is standard but is still plenty accessible by wheelchair.

Build a Walk-in Shower

A walk-in or easily accessible shower also provides convenience and safety. The open design feels spacious, turning a bathroom into a relaxing retreat.

Plus, many designs are conducive to grab bars or built-in seats. This could save you from an expensive remodel. Check out our portfolio for examples of swoon-worth and accessible showers.

Design Kitchens with Lower Countertops

Lower countertops extend independence. They allow home cooks to create new memories and prepare family meals for years to come. Look for a design that accommodates a wheelchair or a seated chef.

Shorter cooks also find lower countertops appealing because they’re able to use more of their body weight when chopping or kneading, making the job easier. (They’re also great to get the grandkids involved!)

Start Planning Your Dream Home

Planning for future accessibility needs is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself or a family member. Ivan Yoder Builders makes it easy. 

Book a Home Design meeting with us to start planning your dream home.

Forget the bricks and mortar, the siding and flooring, and the fasteners that hold everything together. At the end of the day, it’s trust, relationships, and values that inform the construction of a house, ensuring that you end up with a masterpiece and not a money pit.But how do you find a homebuilder with an abundance of these invisible building materials?

The answer is surprisingly simple: Look for one with longstanding vendor relationships and community partnerships. Builders with enduring relationships have been tested by time and collaboration, proving their worth with every home they build. Their enduring commitments to their partners leads to a better building experience overall. 

The Benefits of Builders with Strong Relationships

So, what do these builders bring to the table for you with their long-lasting relationships?  

• Local Expertise: Homebuilders with deep roots in the community are familiar with local building codes and permitting requirements. They also know who to contact in the region for help if and when roadblocks arise. 

This knowledge—and these relationships—give these builders an advantage over their less-connected competitors. With the advantage of local expertise, you can rest assured that your dream home will be built the right way—according to code and with the region’s blessing.

• Peace of Mind: Hiring a homebuilder with established relationships with vendors and community partners provides unparalleled peace of mind. The reputations of builders and their partners are intertwined because of their ongoing relationship, so they have a mutual incentive to maintain excellence from project to project. For you, this commitment to excellence instills confidence in every build. 
• Resourcefulness: Builders with long-standing vendor relationships can access high-quality materials more consistently—even when supply chain challenges slow competitors down. 

Vendors prioritize established clients, ensuring that builders can source the best wood, stone, and other supplies without delays. This means fewer project timeline disruptions and more high-quality materials that add lasting value to your home.

• Seamless Project Management: A builder that relies on a trusted network of skilled professionals is a well-oiled machine that reliably delivers for its customers. When people work with one another over a prolonged period, their partnership improves. They become more adept at troubleshooting problems and better at satisfying customers together.
• Transparent and Fair Pricing: Trustworthy vendor relationships often mean more competitive pricing. When a builder has cultivated loyalty with suppliers, they are likely to receive discounts or fair pricing, which can reduce overall project costs. Furthermore, builders with strong community ties are more likely to pass these savings on to you instead of marking up material costs for their gain.

Your Trusted Builder: Ivan Yoder Builders

At Ivan Yoder Builders, we value our relationships. In fact, as a family-owned business, relationships are at the heart of our identity. Many of our employees and subcontractors have worked together for over 30 years—proof that we know how to keep a good thing going! 

When it comes to communities, it has been our great joy to serve the families of north central and eastern Ohio with builds that beautify these regions. In everything we do—and in all of our business relationships—we are known for our honesty, integrity, knowledge, and flexibility. When we build a house for you, we bring our reputation with us. 

Most importantly, however, we value our relationships with our customers. When a potential customer comes to us with a vision for a dream home, it’s our pleasure to make it a reality. We have been realizing dreams since we opened our doors in 1977, and we have no intention of stopping!

Book a home design meeting with us today if you are ready for your dream home to become a reality. With our stress-free approach to planning, commitment to no hidden costs, and incomparable craftsmanship, we think you will love working with us and living in your custom Amish-built home.

We hope to hear from you soon. In the meantime, we will be ready to use our best building materials—both visible and invisible—to deliver satisfaction on your behalf!

When it comes to building your dream home, the golden rule in real estate is “location, location, location.” 

The location of your build site significantly impacts the overall price and success of your project. Ivan Yoder Builders will help you navigate all of the complexities and conditions that impact your bottom line to help you make the right decision about this important investment.

Key Location Factors Influencing the Price of Your Build:

• The price of land
• The condition of the site
• Driveway access
• Zoning regulations
• Building codes

The Price of Property Impacts Your Bottom Line

The cost of land varies significantly based on your location. Urban areas tend to have higher land prices compared to rural areas. Sometimes the difference between the two is stark. 

For example, the average price per acre of residential land in Columbus, Ohio can range from $50,000 to $200,000 or more, but the same amount of land in a rural area like Athens County or Harrison County, might only cost between $3,000 and $10,000.

It all comes down to the demand and availability of land as well as your own preferences and needs.

Site Conditions Affect the Cost of Your Build

The physical characteristics of your site, including ground conditions, slope, and whether the lot is wooded or cleared, play a crucial role in the building process. 

While those mature trees on a wooded lot are a magnificent feature of your property, they may complicate your build and require some clearing in order to prepare the land for construction.

The ground condition affects your foundation’s stability, and the slope of the land can impact drainage and construction costs. But it isn’t just the surface that matters—boulder clearing, well digging, and more contribute to your land preparation costs.

Depending on the time of the year, your site preparation expenses can vary widely. If the ground is frozen, for instance, digging is typically more challenging than when the ground has thawed later in the spring.

We conduct thorough site assessments to identify any potential challenges early on and factor these considerations into your budget and timeline, ensuring no surprises down the road.

Driveway Access Influences Your New Home’s Budget

Robert Frost may have opted for the road less traveled, but difficult-to-navigate driveways add challenges and expense to your project’s budget. Easy access to your site is essential for both construction and future living convenience. 

We evaluate driveway access and incorporate any necessary improvements into our planning process. We also consult on the materials for your driveway. Whether concrete, asphalt, gravel, or something else, we will guide you through the materials selection process to ensure your budget stays on track.

Zoning Regulations & Building Codes Contribute to the Cost of Your Project

Zoning laws dictate how land can be used, affecting everything from the type of structure you can build to the activities you can perform on the property. Likewise, local building codes establish and ensure the safety and structural integrity of your home, but vary from municipality to municipality. 

We stay abreast of local zoning regulations and building codes to ensure your project complies with all legal requirements and meets all necessary standards.

How Ivan Yoder Builders Meets Your Needs

At Ivan Yoder Builders, we are committed to making your dream home a reality, beginning with weighing all of these important factors. Here’s how we ensure your location meets all your needs:

Comprehensive Site Assessments

We conduct thorough site assessments to identify any potential issues early on. This includes assessing slope evaluation and access requirements.

Budgeting for Site Preparation

We provide a realistic budget that includes all site preparation costs. This ensures you have a clear understanding of the financial requirements before construction begins.

Informative Project Timelines

Our team establishes a clear timeline for each phase of site preparation and construction. This helps prevent delays and keeps your project on schedule.

Transparent Communication

We believe in keeping you informed at every step of the project. Our team will communicate with you regularly, providing updates on progress and addressing any concerns you may have.

Making Your Dream Home Experience As Stress-Free As Possible

Our goal is to make sure your perfect location meets your dream home ideals. We take the stress out of the home-building process, allowing you to focus on what matters most—creating a beautiful, comfortable, and functional home for you and your family.

Building a new home is a significant investment, and choosing the right location is crucial. Ivan Yoder Builders is dedicated to guiding you through this complex process, ensuring that every factor is considered and addressed. With our expertise and commitment to excellence, we make sure your dream home is built on the perfect foundation. 

Trust Ivan Yoder Builders to turn your vision into reality. Book Your Home Design Meeting to get the process started.

The demand for Amish-built custom homes has skyrocketed in recent years due to the reputation for quality craftsmanship, reliability, integrity, and customization available. If you’re just beginning to consider building a custom home, you’re in the right place!

Designing and building a custom home begins long before the excavators break ground, and because there’s such a high demand, some contractors are scheduled out months, or even years, in advance. We want you to have a realistic vision for your home building project while also encouraging you to get started now. 

The process is a long but exciting journey that ends with your dream home existing in reality!

Here’s what you should expect in the coming weeks (and months) leading up to that exciting moment when the walls go up and your home is under roof:

Research and Planning (12-18 months before construction):

There’s a lot to do in the months leading up to the start of your construction project.

• Determine your budget: First things first, it’s important to know just how much home you can afford. Consult with a financial advisor and/or lender to set a realistic budget for your project.
• Identify your wants and needs: Start a list of the features you most want in your home as well as those amenities that would be nice to have. A great way to organize and curate ideas is by starting a Pinterest board and saving, or pinning, what you find online. This can help you keep track of those features you think would be perfect for your home.

• Select a location: If you already have property, this is a quick and easy step to check off—there will still need to be some decision making about exactly where on your property you want your home, of course. Otherwise, do your research into various neighborhoods and communities where you’d like to live and start to feel out where property is available.

• Find a reputable contractor: Now’s the time to connect with Ivan Yoder Builders! You can book a design meeting to start the process.

• Obtain necessary permits: Check with your local government to understand the permitting process. We can help you with this step.

Design Phase (6-12 months before construction):

With the upfront work behind you, it’s time to start putting your vision into action! The design phase is an exciting time of dreaming and revisioning as we work together to create a custom home design that scratches the itch of personalization while keeping your budget top of mind.

• Create your architectural design: Work with your builder to create the custom home design that meets your needs and your budget.

• Finalize plans: Review and approve your plans, including the floor plan, elevations, location of your home on your property, and any other special features of construction.

• Select materials and finishes: Once the skeleton of your home is set, it’s time to choose the distinctive characteristics of the exterior and interior, including materials and finishes, to match your particular aesthetic and budget.

Pre-Construction (3-6 months before construction):

Now that the majority of the decisions have been made about your home project, it’s time to make sure you have all of your ducks in a row to break ground.

• • Secure financing: Visit your lender again to finalize your mortgage or construction loan.
  • Obtain insurance: Protect your investment with construction and homeowner’s insurance. 

• Sign contracts: Dot all the i’s and cross all of the t’s of your agreement with your contractor and subcontractors who are involved with the project.

• Schedule inspections: We’ll help you arrange any necessary inspections, such as soil testing or environmental assessments, that are needed before we break ground.

Construction Begins!

Finally, it’s time to watch your dream rise from the ground and take shape. It won’t be long before we’re handing you the keys and opening up your new front door.

Pro Tips for a Successful Start to Your Home Building Experience

Home construction is a huge undertaking, but absolutely worth the investment for the many, many years you’ll have ahead, building memories in your dream home. Here are a few pro tips that can make this experience even more enjoyable and stress-free:

• Start planning early to allow plenty of time for research, design, and permitting.
• Be realistic about your budget and your timeline, and allow for any unexpected delays or costs—the construction industry tends to have to weather lots of unpredictable components… including weather… all of which is part of the business of building.
• Communicate regularly with your contractor to ensure that your vision is being executed the way you imagined.
• Be flexible and adaptable as challenges arise during construction.
• Keep thorough records of all of your communications, contracts, and transactions throughout the planning and building process.

Today’s a great day to Book Your Home Design Meeting and get this project started! We look forward to designing and building you the home of your dreams.

If you’ve been worrying over financial predictions regarding rising or falling interest rates, you’re not alone. We’re all wishing the rates would drop to make building more affordable right now.

Unfortunately, waiting around to see what the government is going to do next quarter… or the quarter after next… or the quarter after that one, can cost you even more in the long run.

Here’s why waiting to build until the maybe-someday moment rates drop might not be such a great idea:

• Changing market dynamics mean that a lower interest rate might not guarantee a better deal
• Future fluctuating construction costs might cost you more than the potential savings from lower interest rates
• The property you want might get snatched up by another buyer
• You’re losing ground on equity growth by putting off till tomorrow what could be built today

Let’s press in on each of these issues.

Unpredictable Real Estate Market Dynamics

Real estate markets can be unpredictable, and waiting for interest rates to decrease might not guarantee a better deal. While you’re waiting for interest rates to drop, property prices could rise, offsetting any potential savings from lower interest rates.

Another challenge of an unpredictable real estate market is that economists are just making their best guess on the economy. Rates might go down… or they might go up! Locking in a fixed-rate mortgage now could provide stability and protection against future rate hikes. This can offer peace of mind over the long term, especially if interest rates continue to rise.

Rising Construction Costs

Likewise, delaying construction could lead to increased building costs due to inflation, rising material prices, or labor costs. A lower interest rate could save you pennies and cost you dollars.

Timing Up Your Dreams with Property Availability

When you’re investigating the best timing to start building, you need to ask yourself, how long are you willing to wait to invest in your dream project?

Land availability is a limited resource, especially in sought-after locations. If you start the building process now, it ensures that you have more options and can secure the property you want.

Building Delays Also Delay Equity Growth

Building a home allows you to start building equity immediately. While high interest rates might increase mortgage payments, owning a home can still be a valuable long-term investment, as property values tend to appreciate over time. And if you’re in a rental situation, the sooner you’re able to get into your new home the more that long-term investment will pay off.

And Don’t Forget Tax Benefits

Homeownership comes with various tax benefits, including deductions for mortgage interest payments and property taxes. Even with high interest rates, these tax advantages can help offset some of the costs associated with homeownership.

There are a lot of financing options out there to help you make the dream of building your custom home come true. Don’t let high interest rates delay your dream home any longer. Book Your Design Meeting with Ivan Yoder Builders to start moving your dream into reality.

The foundational values of the Amish community are values that are embedded into our business and translate into custom-built homes that our customers can appreciate and enjoy for decades to come. We bring these values into every single workday, every single planning session, and every single jobsite. Here is what you can expect when you work with an Amish builder:

Renowned, Exceptional Craftsmanship

Amish builders are highly attentive to details and committed to honing their craftsmanship. We hire quality contractors and subcontractors who embrace the same values and are just as invested in the success of projects as we are. 

Much of our construction process is handcrafted, which also allows us to incorporate custom details, from intricate woodwork to personalized finishes.

Highly Customizable, Contemporary Home Designs 

Our hands-on nature allows us to design homes that reflect both contemporary aesthetics as well as elements that stand the test of time. We’re able to personalize your home design to reflect your own vision and lifestyle.

Long Lasting, Traditional Techniques

Our building techniques have been passed down from generation to generation, fine-tuned over decades to make homes that are built to last.

The Finest Materials

Quality homes require quality materials to stand the test of time. We source high-quality, local materials whenever possible so that your home is both durable and sustainable.

Homes Built with Integrity and Honesty

We are committed to transparent business practices, which begins with upfront and honest conversations about the cost of your home, followed by ongoing communication throughout the course of your project. 

We believe that our projects are more than transactional; we are building a relationship alongside building your dream home, and that relationship must be built with trust.

Cost-Effective Construction

Amish homebuilders are committed to finding cost-effective solutions that do not compromise on the quality of your home.

Designed for Sustainable Living

We value simplicity and sustainability, and this mindset translates into the design and construction of custom homes. You’ll find that Amish-built custom homes tend to foster a sense of peace, tranquility, and harmony. This same ethos tends to make Amish-built custom homes more energy efficient.

We know that choosing a builder for your custom home is a big decision. Learn more about how Ivan Yoder Builders works, and when you’re ready, Book Your Home Design Meeting with us to get started designing your dream home.