Tag Archive for: Custom Homes

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Arizona’s School of Choice

When building a home location is always important, however if you are a parent, school districts and school ratings may come into play when making this decision. In Arizona parents have a “CHOICE”. Do you wish for your child to go to public school, private school, online or a local area charter? The choices for many Arizona families can be difficult, and picking the area that fits your needs as a family may not be the area that fits the needs of your student.

Scottsdale Unified school district scored an “A” with 144 points on the Arizona report card. It is home to 30 schools, serving more than 24,000 students. Paradise Valley hosts 30 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 5 area high schools. These numbers don’t take into account the various charter, private and online school options available in the area. Great students, high scoring academics and dedicated teachers can be found all over this state.

As a home buyer, you have narrowed down the location for the new home to be built but the local school doesn’t offer the program that best fits the needs of your child. In Arizona parents have a choice. You can enroll your child outside of the boundary of the neighborhood school and use “Open Enrollment” options in the public sector schools. Open enrollment applications are available on most district websites. These applications allow you as a parent to choose a school that best fits the needs of your child. Many public schools offer specialty programs like, Mandarin, French, aeronautics, STEM, technology and sports. As a parent you are given the CHOICE to choose the programs that best you’re your child’s individual needs.

Local Area Charter schools are available to Arizona families as well. “Created by the Arizona State Legislature in 1994, charter schools are state funded public schools. Charter schools are established to give parents academic choices for their children and provide a learning environment to improve student achievement. Charter schools contract with the state or district to provide tuition free educational services.”  – Arizona Department of Education.

Many of the area charter schools offered specialized programs and smaller class sizes. Many do not provide transportation and or school lunch to save on operating costs. Parents wishing their child to attend a Charter school may be required to provide transportation to and from each day.

Private schools are available as well, and costs can be subsidized with scholarships money. Those who wish to Homeschool, may request curriculums from the Arizona Department of Education or become a Learning Coach for one of the many online schools available to Arizona residents. The choices of educating your child are endless. Do your homework, visit the campus and remember that the when choosing the right area to build, you always have the “Choice” when it comes to education in Arizona.

Renovation Realities

Renovation Realities

Design, Design, Design…..when gearing up for a major home remodeling project gathering design information is key. Have you prepared yourself for the project; the color scheme, where you want the faucets, electrical, paint, what stays and what goes? These questions can be overwhelming to say the least. Having a design professional can help you to make hard decisions along the way.

When preparing for a remodel the design is crucial. Have all of your ideas ready to present. Gather pictures, magazine clipping, paint samples, tile and floor covering samples, talk in depth with your spouse or significant other so everyone is familiar with your vision. Count on hundreds of questions that you’ll need to answer as your project proceeds.

Being realistic on timing with a renovation project is also a key to success. Will your materials be in stock? What problems can and most likely will occur when walls are opened up? How many change orders will be made in the process? Give yourself and the contractor a rough estimation on completion rather than a concrete deadline. Be prepared for the unexpected. Count on finding something no one could have anticipated in your budget and your time frame, and you will be well prepared when it happens.

At the end of your project, expect one or two punch-list items that will take longer to resolve than anything else. It may be a light fixture that arrives broken or the very last two pieces of tile. The important thing is to get the final details right, even if they take a little longer.

Living through a remodel can be rough. Do I stay or do I go? Have you considered the noise, the dust, the inaccessibility to the bathroom and or kitchen? If you need to move have you secured a living location? What items should you pack? What items can you leave in the home, if any? Look into pricing for local rentals, price out mobile storage pods, and add those costs into your budget. Ask your contractor if a dumpster will be on site to clear out unwanted items. If a move is in order prep the home and protect items that you may be leaving behind.

Letting out a sigh and finding an escape. It may be that you just want to be done, or that you’re tired of answering so many questions and writing so many checks. Or you may just be tired of having so many people in your house. Hang in there — remodeling fatigue will be short lived when you get to move back into your newly remodeled space.

At the end of the successful project, plan a party. Everyone is ready to celebrate your new home. Invite friends and contractors to view your beautifully finished home. It is gratifying for everyone involved to see a project’s completion.

YOU’RE DONE, Now sit back and enjoy!

E&S Builders is a Quality Custom Home Builder in Arizona with firm values built on a commitment of excellence to our clients, our projects, our colleagues, and employees. Whether it’s a ground up custom build or master bathroom remodel, E&S Builders is committed to excellence. We are your Custom Home Design, Build & Remodel Company in Arizona. View our Arizona Custom Homes Portfolio.

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