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I mentioned to the supervisor that we prefer gravel around the house they put in gravel. Such attention to detail and listening to the customer is rare.

cite-markDavid and Michelle West

Posts Tagged ‘Sustainable’

Building Green

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

Today Westcott Homes made the decision to the switch to EcoBatt Insulation in our new homes.  We’ve chosen this “green” product for energy efficiency, sound dampening and (of course) environmentally friendly reasons.

Energy Effiicient and Organic

Often times, even “environmentally friendly” products use a lot of energy to produce (solar panels for instance). Insulation, however, saves 12 times more energy the first year in use than it takes to manufacture it. EcoBatt is made from highly renewable organic materials and does not contain phenol, formaldehyde, acrylics or artificial colors used to make traditional fiberglass insulation. It is made from bio-based materials rather than non-renewable petroleum-based products commonly used in insulation. Instead, EcoBatt is created with sand, one of the world’s most abundant and renewable resources, and post-consumer recycled glass.

Built Green

Westcott Homes is a member in good standing of the Built Green program.  Built Green promotes quality construction using environmentally-friendly methods and materials.

A Cut Above The Rest

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

In an earlier blog article, we discussed our standards versus our competitor’s costly upgrades.  As we mentioned before, we want our buyers to move into their new home without a laundry list of items that they need to upgrade, remodel or finish for that matter.  That’s why our homes come standard with many of the amenities that buyers cherish.  One of the items that we receive inquiries about is our full-yard professional landscaping.

Nothing Left Out

Landscaping is one of the items that our competitors tend to leave out.  In-fact many builders will only landscape the backyard for an additional cost and those buyers who do not upgrade are required to finish their landscaping no later than six months after the close of escrow.  With Westcott Homes you have this luxury day one; you don’t have to spend your evenings and weekends finishing your backyard.

Shear Details

Having a manicured yard that lasts is the key; that’s why each Westcott home has a unique landscaping plan that encourages the best results for years to come.  A number of factors are considered when landscaping the grounds surrounding your new home.  The Landscaper and Superintendent take into consideration many different aspects including, drainage, grading and the size of the particular lot.

Here are some pictures of our typical landscaping:

As you can see, each home has a unique landscaping plan that includes the layout that works best with the ground that it is being laid on.  You may notice that our plans include flora, sod, bark, and sometimes gravel.  On land that has a slope or that sees little to no sunlight, it is known that grass may not thrive therefore, we substitute those areas with a nice outline of gravel or bark.  At times city ordinances dictate what plants and trees we can use and/or remove.  What we can tell you is that we work hard so that your landscaping is both beautiful and functional for years to come.  If you would like to know more about what your landscaping may look like, it is important to speak with your agent about what you should expect.

The Difference is Reliability

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

When you purchase a new home from Westcott Homes you can rest assured that you are buying a home with the best new home warranty coverage available.  Buying a new home will probably be one of the largest investments you ever make and it is certainly one that you will want to protect.  With a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10 HBW), Westcott Homes gives you the peace of mind that only comes from a builder that offers a warranty that not only protects your home but also your wallet.

Protecting You

2-10 HBW requires builders to undergo an extensive screening process, meet strict underwriting guidelines, and to abide by the terms of the program’s agreement.  In order to maintain the highest standards of quality in the building industry, 2-10 HBW homes must go through a series of careful inspections at critical stages of construction by qualified independent inspectors.

Coverage Matters

With the 2-10 HBW, you get coverage you can count on:

  • 10 full years of structural defect coverage for load-bearing components.
  • 2 full years of systems surety coverage against defects in wiring, piping and ductwork in electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling, ventilating and mechanical systems.
  • 1 full year of surety coverage against defects in workmanship and materials.
  • Less stress and time spent related to home repairs.
  • A fully-transferable warranty that increases the resale value of your home.

The Better Builder

Savvy homebuyers know that you should only consider buying a home from a builder who offers a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty.  By offering a 2-10 HBW we are showing our buyers that we are confident in the quality of our homes and that we will proudly back our homes with an express warranty that is secured by a third-party insurer.  This sets us apart from the two-thirds of new homes that only have the builder’s implied warranty obligation which is indefinite and subject to interpretation.  At Westcott Homes, our commitment to quality and to you is clear, defined in writing and backed by a third-party warranty insurer.

Please feel free to contact us for more information about our warranty program.

The Construction Process

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

At Westcott Homes, we are totally committed to quality. Our company, our systems and procedures are all organized around the principles of participating with our customers in achieving our mutual objectives. From the time you purchase your home, through the construction process, to the close of escrow and beyond to the expiration of the various limited warranties, our personnel are here to use their best efforts to assure our relationship is of the highest quality possible.

At Westcott Homes we continually strive to build a zero-defect home. Because we are dealing with a handmade product, we know perfection is not possible. Nonetheless, all of our processes and procedures are focused on continuous improvement toward that zero-defect goal. Westcott Homes is about more than just building a quality home; it’s building a quality relationship with you, our customer. We trust that your satisfaction will ensure your return to us for your future housing needs, and we hope that we have earned your recommendation as your builder of choice to your family, friends and others.

QUALITY INSPECTIONS

With respect to construction quality, your home is going through a series of strict building code inspections to assure you of a fine, quality constructed home. Your home has been built to industry standards from the footings to the finished product. Here are just a few of the dozens of inspections your home will go through:

Preliminary Survey (pre-construction)

The Plot Plan is created to position your home on your homesite and demonstrated to municipal officials that the home’s configuration conforms to all requirements.

Foundation Inspection – The foundation inspection ensures the proper placement of the steel support posts as well as the support straps.

Plumbing Inspection – All piping and drainage are inspected.

Electrical Inspection – This inspection will verify that all electrical elements are in place and functioning properly.

Framing Inspection – Inspects the actual structure of the home to ensure the compliance to strict building codes & specifications.

Sheetrock/Nail Inspection – Verifies the proper installation of the interior walls (sheetrock) and nail placements.

Certificate of Occupancy – It’s official – after passing the various inspections throughout the construction process, your home is now complete and ready for move-in!

Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters

Monday, January 11th, 2010

How many times has this happened to you? You’re in the middle of a long, hot shower after a hard day of work when the water temperature starts to drop. You adjust the knob, and the water’s hot again—but only for a moment. Then it drops again.

The problem: your water heater tank has run out of hot water. So much for that long, relaxing shower. At Westcott Homes, we offer a solution—Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters.

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