Many Americans that followed the trend toward supersized homes realize they’re in over their heads, especially as their nests empty out. Unneeded space means extra places to clean, but that’s not all: It also means extra places to heat and cool. In an economy in which many Americans struggle to pay their bills each month, extravagantly large master suites and multiple living spaces don’t seem quite as important as they used to. It’s not just empty nesters that are downsizing, though. This story about a family of 4 living in an 8-by-21-foot home that’s the size of many master … [Read more...]

If you’re considering having a home custom-built for you, you’ve chosen the perfect time to embark on such a journey! While it’s certainly no secret that the construction industry has had new constructions all-but thwarted due to the economy, the measures taken to keep the business alive can do nothing but benefit customers like you. The idea that necessity is the mother of invention certainly came into play when those relying on new construction for their livelihood were at their most desperate moments, with existing homes outselling new ones at a ratio of 24 to one. New homeowners … [Read more...]

Blueprints are the universal language of builders and contractors. They are the way that everyone on a particular project works together to achieve the same final product. From building plans to electrical layouts, blueprints show every detail of the project. To the common eye, blueprints can be intimidating and difficult to interpret. However, building plans can easily be interpreted by understanding how to read them. First and foremost, the title page of the blueprint gives vital information. The title page will include a list of all drawings to show what is included in the entire … [Read more...]

Even in a struggling economy, there’s something to be said for buying a new home. While foreclosures, short sales, and other priced-to-sell existing homes may seem like a bargain, newly built homes bring benefits that add a lot of value to your purchase. Custom Options and Modern Floor Plans This is, perhaps, the most obvious benefit to buying a new home over an existing home. How many times have you said, ”If we ever get to build our own house, we’d ____.” Well, fill in the blank with whatever your dream house would include, because if you’re having a home built for you, you get a … [Read more...]

Look no further than Hartman builders!  Not only can we build your addition, but we can also completely redo your bathrooms, add on decks & patios, build retaining walls, put on siding, and much, much more. Hartman Construction prefers Design+Build Additions, kitchens and bathrooms. That means that we provide free upfront design and ideas for our projects. Then we provide you with architectural plans & permits to meet your local county codes and fully take care of the job 100% from beginning to end. We also provide local show rooms to our customers in Maryland, Washington, … [Read more...]