Where can you find an EV charging station in Pittsboro, North Carolina?

Posted by Travars Built Homes on August 29, 2020 with 0 Comment

You can plug your electric car into an EV Charging Station at dozens of locations in the Pittsboro and Chapel Hill area – including your new home.

This active map from PlugShare shows where you can find public stations, designated as high power or ‘ in use’ and where they are located. ChargeHub is another great resource for EV Charge Station information, where users can also edit, add comments, and post pictures.

You can find a place to plug in while you sit outside welcoming places like this: Penguin Place – One of the Top Places to Eat in Pittsboro NC.

Nearly all of the dozens of EV Car Charging stations in the Chapel Hill/Pittsboro area are free. A typical electric car can be fully energized in about 3-6 hours, depending on the vehicle.

Talk to your builder about adding a charging station to your new home. It’s a great way to make reducing greenhouse gas emissions simple and easy, with your home as the center for your ability to have a clean alternative to conventional fossil-fuel powered vehicles.

It’s one more way that high quality custom home builders like Travars Built Homes customize your home to fit your lifestyle – along with the ability for your home to perform efficiently with lower utility bills, with your Eco-Select certificate from Southern Energy Management.

Car charging stations can be added to your new custom home during the design phase – one of the most interesting and fun parts of your home build.

Travars Built Homes can build just about anything into your new home. Just let us know what you’d like built in – and where you want your Charging Station! We also help you find a lot in Chatham County or anywhere else within about an hour of RTP.

5 Home offices that work for you

Posted by Travars Built Homes on May 1, 2020

What you build into your home office can be a game changer. Here are 5 home office designs from North Carolina custom homes built by Travars Built Homes.

#1 Home Office Design: Professional Office with everything built in

Take care of business with a home office designed for everything that needs to get done: Built ins. Interactive spaces. Windows and lighting. Oak hardwood flooring.

Built In Bookcase Walls | Mebane NC New Homes

#2 Home Office Design: Sunny side out

Don’t want to feel locked down while you work? Add walls of windows to your home office, to let the sunshine in and allow you to see everything happening outside! Building a custom home means you can add as many windows as you want, depending on the plan and the builder.

North Carolina New Homes | Custom Home Builder

#3 Home Office Design: Private bathroom

Build an en-suite home office with your own private bathroom attached, for the ultimate personal space as you work. This office also has a massive walk in closet for storing business supplies and files.

#4 Home Office Design: Library

Wall to wall built in bookcases with furniture cabinetry like this can enable your home office to organize books, manuals, and other necessities so you can find everything at a glance. A ceiling fan enables you to further control your environment.

#5 Home Office Design: Window Treatments

There are a huge variety of window treatments that can be applied to your home office, like what you see here. This can provide an open feeling that makes your office space feel more spacious and inviting.

Dog Friendly Places to Eat

Posted by Travars Built Homes on December 26, 2019

Out with your four-legged Bestie, looking for places to eat that are dog friendly? Here are more than 10 options in Pittsboro where you can both drop in for a casual meal.

Here is where you can find some of those top places. All of these eateries will greet you and your dog with a smile. Some even provide water bowls and doggie treats, including, among others, Carolina Brewery, Pittsboro Roadhouse, Root Cellar, House of Hops, and Modern Life Deli & and Drinks.

The Root Cellar, 35 Suttles Rd, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

Outdoor tables at The Root Cellar. Dog friendly patio in Pittsboro at Penguin Place.

Carolina Brewery and Grill, 120 Lowes Dr, Pittsboro, NC 27312

The Pittsboro Roadhouse, 39 West st, Pittsboro, NC 27312

These are great places to socialize for you and your dog.

Keeping your dog close by and always on a leash at all of these establishments is the best practice. Use good Dog Etiquette and make sure Sam/ Fido/ Miley are being polite.

Want to build a dog friendly home in Pittsboro, Chatham County or the Raleigh region? There are hundreds of floor plans we can build for you – with whatever you’d like us to create for your entire family – including your pets.

Contact Travars Built Homes with your building questions. And learn more about what Pittsboro has to offer.

Top Things to Do in Pittsboro – Visit Rock Ridge Park

Posted by Travars Built Homes on December 7, 2019

Wondering where to go to play frisbee golf in Pittsboro, NC? Getting outside and going to the park has a whole new meaning at Rock Ridge Park, just a few miles from the center of Pittsboro.

Things to Do in Pittsboro - Visit Rock Ridge Park

Things to do in Pittsboro at Rock Ridge Park include an 18 hole disc golf course, paved jogging trail, picnic area and play ground. Rock Ridge Park is a fifty two acre neighborhood park set in rolling hills of mature hardwoods.

Things to do in Pittsboro - Disc Golf at Rock Ridge Park

This is a terrific frisbee golf course that winds through scenic rolling terrain, designed by John Houck. He’s the Head of Course Design for the International Disc Golf Center, and has designed more championship disc golf courses than anyone else living today, so you know this is going to be good!

Bring something to write with if you want to keep score – cards are provided. If you’ve never played before, it’s a great time to start! Keep it simple at first, borrow a couple discs from a friend or pick up a “starter” disc, even Walmart carries them in the sports section. You’ll enjoy following the trails and seeing how close to the goal you can send your disc.

Rock Ridge Park picnic area - things to do in Pittsboro

Top things to do in Pittsboro include some great ways to stay in shape, for adults and for kids. Check out the teeter totter, trolley, slides, and benches, which can augment your CrossFit routine. Not pictured is a wonderful playground for the kids, with a very creative “natural theme” play structure, a trolley to ride, and much more.

Exercise and play area at Rock Ridge Park

Living in Chatham County can offer a relaxed environment. You can enjoy the peaceful setting of the countryside, much closer to the amenities of the Raleigh metro area than you might think. Check out some other top things to do in Pittsboro, here:

Considering building a new home in the Pittsboro area? Travars Built Homes can help you find a lot and work with you to create your custom home in Chatham County or anywhere within about an hour of RTP.

Top Things to Do in Pittsboro NC – Haw River

Posted by Travars Built Homes on December 6, 2019

Haw River offers a great opportunity for outdoor fun that makes you feel like you’re in the mountains – right in the heart of Pittsboro, NC – with more than 1,000 acres to explore by foot, bike, canoe, or kayak.

North Carolina State Parks offers some of the top things to do in Pittsboro and Chatham County. The park areas extend along both sides of the Haw River, with its Lower Haw River State Natural Area – with access points where you can park in designated places along Hwy 15-501 and Hwy 64 and put in your kayak, walk a trail or snap some photos.

Hiking

Lower Haw River State Natural Area Trail follows the Haw River. It’s 7 mile stretch and is rated as a “moderate” hike, along a path that is not always clearly defined.

The trail includes 3 creek crossings (with water that could be waist deep, depending on time of year) as well as a mix of dirt and rocky terrain that is popular as a training run.

Lower Haw River Southern Trailhead: Look for a gravel parking lot just east of the bridge on eastbound Hwy 64. The trail is under the bridge.
Lower Haw River Northern Trailhead: Look for parking just below the trailhead on Bynum Church Road. The trail starts at the gate.

Kayaking/canoeing

Top things to do in Pittsboro include kayaking and canoeing. The 3 and a half mile stretch of the Haw River starting at Bynum Beach consists of Class I and II rapids.

Heavy rains can greatly impact this stretch, so whitewater paddlers need to be cautious and aware of conditions.

Hwy 15-501 Bynum Dam parking lot allows access for canoes and kayaks above the dam, where the water is typically flat for about a mile.
Robeson Creek has a full boat launch. The Haw River can be reached in about a mile, via Robeson Creek.
Hwy 64 Haw River Canoe Access has a parking lot, but is recommended for experts due to the more challenging navigation at that point.

Photography

Bring your camera, you might capture some of the wildlife, flowers or changing of seasons. Things to do in Chatham County include some great opportunities for photos.

Living in the Pittsboro area of Chatham County can offer a relaxed environment. You can enjoy the peaceful setting of the countryside, much closer to the frenzy of the city than you might think.

Considering building a new home in Pittsboro or Chatham County? Travars Built Homes can help you find a lot and work with you to create your custom home in Chatham County or anywhere within about an hour of RTP.

What are the benefits of a side load garage?

Posted by Travars Built Homes on October 4, 2019

Side Load Garage Benefit #1

A side load garage can give your home a lot of benefits, including great curbside appeal. Placing the garage on the side will make way for windows on the front face of your home. A side load garage can also increase the perceived size of the home (instead of a big garage door that emphasizes vehicles).

White and Black Modern Farmhouse Exterior | Mebane NC New Homes

Side Load Garage Benefit #2

A side load garage can have a sweeping driveway into the side of the home instead of going straight in, which can give it a look of grandeur.

Benefit #3

A side load garage can be used in conjunction with a front facing carriage garage. A dual garage layout will separate vehicles from storage or shop space, and keep the rest of your home looking proportional.

Travars Built Homes can also add a third garage bay to nearly any floor plan, including carriage garages.

Benefit #4

A side load garage can be positioned so that there is a courtyard in front of the home, providing more space for play or parking.

Hands-on process to building a custom home

When you work with TBH, we create your home together – the way you want it:

Modifying your floor plan to expand, turn, tweak, or change things you’d like to do differently
Creating secret passageways, secret pantries or other hideaways
Including aging in place, accessible, or special needs features
Creating special spaces – bigger pantries, more storage, more outdoor living areas… let’s talk about how to create the elements that matter most

Contact TBH to learn more:

Chatham County NC Custom Homes | Two Story Kitchen

Chatham County NC Custom Homes | Second Story Overlook Railing

Can a custom builder make my floor plan bigger? 5 Ways to add square footage.

Posted by Travars Built Homes on April 12, 2019

Yes, a design build custom home builder can add square footage to your floor plan. Below are 5 of the most cost effective ways that Travars Built Homes can add space to your floor plan.

How to make a floor plan bigger: Guest living and multi-gen suites

Adding a small apartment such as a multigenerational, mother-in-law or other extended guest living arrangement to your home usually means adding semi-separated living space. Special adaptations such as adding a private entrance to the exterior are also common. Additional square footage is often necessary to be able to fit in all of the extra requirements.

This kind of modification to a floor plan typically involves rearranging the existing layout, such as changing two bedrooms and a bath on the main floor into one bedroom, bath, and living room – possibly with a kitchenette.

How to make a floor plan bigger: Expanding the kitchen or master bath

This is one of the areas where it’s important to work with the custom builder to create the space you need, as you will be looking at pushing out specific walls to increase a small portion of the home. Sometimes the result you’re looking for can be accomplished within existing square footage. We will show you some options as we talk through your needs.

How to make a floor plan bigger: Basements and bonus rooms

Basements and bonus rooms are common areas to start with when factoring in the need for additional living space. Most one story floor plans – and plans with a two story great room – are good candidates for adding square footage to the second floor.

How to make a floor plan bigger: Adding a sun room, screen porch or covered porches

Indoor/outdoor space is often expanded to increase the ability to utilize more of the property as living area, both in heated square footage as well as exposed areas.

How to make a floor plan bigger: Expanding the garage

Adding a third car garage, carriage garage, or turning a front facing garage to a side load are popular requests for custom homes. Aside from the ability to park more vehicles inside, this is also a great way to have space for hobbies or storage.

As with all modifications to custom floor plans, it’s important to know what can be changed, and how it can impact your curb appeal, roof line, and the build of your new home. When recommending changes to your floor plan, Travars Built Homes will take into consideration the details of your floor plan, homesite, and potential restrictions such as local regulations and community covenants.

What is a multigenerational home?

Posted by Travars Built Homes on April 8, 2019

Multigenerational homes (sometimes called multi-gen homes, homes with a mother in law suite, or apartment within a home) are designed for families to live together within one single home family dwelling that has an extended guest suite intended for long term stays.

Multigenerational homes are one of the most common reasons why homebuyers choose to build a custom home.

Multi-gen homes can spread out the cost of living so that the combined living space is more affordable than having two separate homes.

Site costs for one home are less expensive than site costs for two homes, with one clearing, one footing, one septic system, and one foundation.

The size of the footprint impacts build costs, so multi-gen homes built with living space on additional floors are typically more cost effective than homes with everyone on one level.

The Hampton Mill | Raleigh Custom Home Builders — See the Hampton Mill floor plan here.

Some multigenerational homes have a kitchenette in the secondary living quarters, for increased independence.

Other families choose to design a larger kitchen around expanded usage, with elements such as dual ovens, a huge island or even two islands for more prep space, and special arrangements such as a microwave below the counter for easier use and aging-in-place future accessibility. Learn more about making changes to your floor plan, here.

White and Black Farmhouse Kitchen | Mebane NC New Homes

Dual master suites give equal prominence to two large bedroom suites with ensuite private bathrooms, big closets and occasionally other private amenities such as a personal sitting area or attached office or laundry room.

The location of dual master suites can vary, with the most common arrangements being one on the main floor and one on the second floor, one in the basement, or both on the main floor. Get floor plans with dual master bedrooms, here.

Chatham County NC Custom Homes | Vaulted Ceiling Master Bedroom

Because schedules and lifestyles can vary within shared living arrangements, building in special features that add to privacy is a very good reason to build a custom home, so that you have the opportunity to include features such as sound dampening between walls or from one floor to another. Solid core door options can also lessen sound travel.

A private entrance so you can come and go without interrupting the main flow of the house is another way to increase that feeling of having your own space.

Depending on the plan and your homesite, you may include an exterior door with a small stoop or porch or another door from the garage to your private hallway.

Travars Built Homes can be built in custom home neighborhoods or countryside locations within about an hour of Chapel Hill. We work closely with you to:

Consider choices for cost effective floor plans that fit your lifestyle and budget

Modify your layout to add multi-gen, accessible or other custom changes

Build your new home with high quality materials, craftsmanship and passion for home building

Offer a wide array of selections, options and upgrades

What are the most important questions to ask a home builder?

Posted by Travars Built Homes on April 5, 2019

Are you asking the right questions when you talk with custom builders about costs for your North Carolina new home?

Here are 7 smart questions to ask custom home builders about their services, processes, and prices – before you sign a contract.

Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse | Built In Bookcases

Questions to Ask a Home Builder: What’s included in your services?

Travars Built Homes is a design/build custom home builder. We cover everything from permits to site assessment, plan modification, construction and completion of your home. We offer the highest quality standard features, finishes, materials and craftsmanship in the local market for affordable custom homes. Read more about our services and standards, here.

Questions to Ask a Home Builder: Can you help me find a floor plan that can fit my budget?

Yes, we will make suggestions for floor plans based on the budget you give us. When we go over plans together, we’ll offer suggestions for layouts and livability of the home, and tell you why certain types of architectural designs take more to build than others, even when layouts may appear to be similar. (Having the same number of square feet does not equate to the same build costs – specialty treatments and detail work in an architectural design that you might not even notice can make a huge impact on your build costs, even when layouts appear to be similar.) We can suggest modifications or alternate plans that can be more cost effective.

Questions to Ask a Home Builder: Can you modify my floor plan?

Do I need to pay an architect or is the price of modifications included with your home price? Travars Built Homes can make a wide variety of changes to your plan, at no extra charge. We can re-arrange the kitchen, include an in-law or multigenerational suite, add a basement, or convert a two story room into a bonus room upstairs. Ask us about your floor plan – we’ll show you all the possibilities.

Questions to Ask a Home Builder: What kind of details can I expect to see in a custom home quote?

Your Travars Built spec package will include about 15 pages of details about the materials, processes, services, and energy efficiencies in your home. Keep in mind that you can only compare what is given to you in writing – that’s what will be in your contract.

Questions to Ask a Home Builder | NC New Homes

Questions to Ask a Home Builder: How much interaction will you have with me when my new home is being built?

Our build process at Travars Built Homes is outlined in your personal online portal, where you can stay in-touch and informed about what’s happening with the build of your new home. You will also have the opportunity to meet with your builder on site at all key points during the build.

Questions to Ask a Home Builder: Is my site work (such as grading, clearing, driveway, septic, well) included in your pricing?

When you choose Travars Built Homes, your site work is allowance based. We allocate dollar amounts for your clearing, grading, footings, etc. The allowances are based on footprint size, topography of the lot, how much vegetation and trees there are, and other factors we consider based on years of experience building new custom homes in North Carolina. And we go over everything with you – just ask us for pricing.

Questions to Ask a Home Builder: How long does it take to you to build a home?

A typical timeline to build a custom home by Travars Built Homes is about 6-9 months, once the project is underway. Get more details about our timelines to build, here.

White Modern Farmhouse Bathrooms | Mebane NC New Homes

Remember to ask each builder the same set of questions, and request pricing on the same (or very similar) floor plans so there’s no confusion about what’s offered. Want to learn more about the process to build a new custom home in North Carolina? Contact us!

How long does it take to build a custom home?

Posted by Travars Built Homes on April 3, 2019

North Carolina new home building timeline

A typical timeline to build a custom home is about 10 months from foundation. We’ll give you more information based on your plan and location.

Available Homes | Chatham County New Home Builder

What are the key phases of a pre-construction timeline?

Before we break ground on your new home, we’ll work with you through:

Floor Plan Selection
Floor Plan Customization and Design
Build Permitting
Pre-Construction Prep

Here’s how the overall timeline for your new home build project works:

During the Plan Selection Phase, we help you find a new home floor plan that suits your lifestyle, budget, and home site. Start with some popular floor plans from a variety of architects on our site. Tell us what you’re looking for, if you want something different! The floor plan selection phase usually takes 2-4 weeks.

During Floor Plan Customization and Design, we help modify your floor plan. What are some common changes we make? Here are the kinds of changes we can make to your plan as part of our design phase – at no extra cost to you:

Making a master shower larger
Separating sinks and vanities
Opening up the kitchen or adding an island
Adding a mother in law suite or small apartment in the home
Turning a front facing garage to a side load

Modern Farmhouse | Chatham County New Homes

Our in house design team works closely with you and your budget. This phase usually takes 2-6 weeks.

Wendell North Carolina New Homes | Dark Cabinetry Master Bath

Next, we submit for Build Permits. We’ll do your site assessment in conjunction with your floor plan footprint, water hookup, and setback requirements for your lot – taking things like the slope of your lot and the length of your driveway into consideration. The permit phase usually takes 5-7 weeks.

You will meet with the builder on site to take a look at the survey placement for your new home before we get started on clearing and prepping.

How long does it take to build a custom home?

What are the key phases of the home build?

Excavation: Grading, clearing and site preparation
Foundation, damp proofing
Framing
Windows and doors
Roofing
Rough mechanics, electrical and plumbing
Siding, exterior paint
Insulation
Drywall, paint primer
Interior trim, flooring
Cabinets, counter tops
Trim outs/ fixture installs
Final paint
Final punch work and clean up
Move in day!

You’ll be involved and informed throughout the build with onsite and design selection meetings and your interactive online portal.

Want to know more about the custom home construction process? Reach out with your questions.

Author: Travars Built Homes

You can plug your electric car into an EV Charging Station at dozens of locations in the Pittsboro and Chapel Hill area – including your new home.

This active map from PlugShare shows where you can find public stations, designated as high power or ‘ in use’ and where they are located. ChargeHub is another great resource for EV Charge Station information, where users can also edit, add comments, and post pictures.

You can find a place to plug in while you sit outside welcoming places like this: Penguin Place – One of the Top Places to Eat in Pittsboro NC.

Nearly all of the dozens of EV Car Charging stations in the Chapel Hill/Pittsboro area are free. A typical electric car can be fully energized in about 3-6 hours, depending on the vehicle.

Talk to your builder about adding a charging station to your new home. It’s a great way to make reducing greenhouse gas emissions simple and easy, with your home as the center for your ability to have a clean alternative to conventional fossil-fuel powered vehicles.

It’s one more way that high quality custom home builders like Travars Built Homes customize your home to fit your lifestyle – along with the ability for your home to perform efficiently with lower utility bills, with your Eco-Select certificate from Southern Energy Management.

Car charging stations can be added to your new custom home during the design phase – one of the most interesting and fun parts of your home build.

Travars Built Homes can build just about anything into your new home. Just let us know what you’d like built in – and where you want your Charging Station! We also help you find a lot in Chatham County or anywhere else within about an hour of RTP.

What you build into your home office can be a game changer. Here are 5 home office designs from North Carolina custom homes built by Travars Built Homes.

#1 Home Office Design: Professional Office with everything built in

Take care of business with a home office designed for everything that needs to get done: Built ins. Interactive spaces. Windows and lighting. Oak hardwood flooring.

#2 Home Office Design: Sunny side out

Don’t want to feel locked down while you work? Add walls of windows to your home office, to let the sunshine in and allow you to see everything happening outside! Building a custom home means you can add as many windows as you want, depending on the plan and the builder.

#3 Home Office Design: Private bathroom

Build an en-suite home office with your own private bathroom attached, for the ultimate personal space as you work. This office also has a massive walk in closet for storing business supplies and files.

#4 Home Office Design: Library

Wall to wall built in bookcases with furniture cabinetry like this can enable your home office to organize books, manuals, and other necessities so you can find everything at a glance. A ceiling fan enables you to further control your environment.

#5 Home Office Design: Window Treatments

There are a huge variety of window treatments that can be applied to your home office, like what you see here. This can provide an open feeling that makes your office space feel more spacious and inviting.

Out with your four-legged Bestie, looking for places to eat that are dog friendly? Here are more than 10 options in Pittsboro where you can both drop in for a casual meal.

Here is where you can find some of those top places. All of these eateries will greet you and your dog with a smile. Some even provide water bowls and doggie treats, including, among others, Carolina Brewery, Pittsboro Roadhouse, Root Cellar, House of Hops, and Modern Life Deli & and Drinks.

The Root Cellar, 35 Suttles Rd, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

Carolina Brewery and Grill, 120 Lowes Dr, Pittsboro, NC 27312

The Pittsboro Roadhouse, 39 West st, Pittsboro, NC 27312

These are great places to socialize for you and your dog.

Keeping your dog close by and always on a leash at all of these establishments is the best practice. Use good Dog Etiquette and make sure Sam/ Fido/ Miley are being polite.

Want to build a dog friendly home in Pittsboro, Chatham County or the Raleigh region? There are hundreds of floor plans we can build for you – with whatever you’d like us to create for your entire family – including your pets.

Contact Travars Built Homes with your building questions. And learn more about what Pittsboro has to offer.

Wondering where to go to play frisbee golf in Pittsboro, NC? Getting outside and going to the park has a whole new meaning at Rock Ridge Park, just a few miles from the center of Pittsboro.

Things to do in Pittsboro at Rock Ridge Park include an 18 hole disc golf course, paved jogging trail, picnic area and play ground. Rock Ridge Park is a fifty two acre neighborhood park set in rolling hills of mature hardwoods.

Living in Chatham County can offer a relaxed environment. You can enjoy the peaceful setting of the countryside, much closer to the amenities of the Raleigh metro area than you might think. Check out some other top things to do in Pittsboro, here:

Considering building a new home in the Pittsboro area? Travars Built Homes can help you find a lot and work with you to create your custom home in Chatham County or anywhere within about an hour of RTP.

Haw River offers a great opportunity for outdoor fun that makes you feel like you’re in the mountains – right in the heart of Pittsboro, NC – with more than 1,000 acres to explore by foot, bike, canoe, or kayak.

Hiking

Lower Haw River State Natural Area Trail follows the Haw River. It’s 7 mile stretch and is rated as a “moderate” hike, along a path that is not always clearly defined.

The trail includes 3 creek crossings (with water that could be waist deep, depending on time of year) as well as a mix of dirt and rocky terrain that is popular as a training run.

Kayaking/canoeing

Top things to do in Pittsboro include kayaking and canoeing. The 3 and a half mile stretch of the Haw River starting at Bynum Beach consists of Class I and II rapids.

Heavy rains can greatly impact this stretch, so whitewater paddlers need to be cautious and aware of conditions.

Photography

Bring your camera, you might capture some of the wildlife, flowers or changing of seasons. Things to do in Chatham County include some great opportunities for photos.

Living in the Pittsboro area of Chatham County can offer a relaxed environment. You can enjoy the peaceful setting of the countryside, much closer to the frenzy of the city than you might think.

Considering building a new home in Pittsboro or Chatham County? Travars Built Homes can help you find a lot and work with you to create your custom home in Chatham County or anywhere within about an hour of RTP.

Side Load Garage Benefit #1

Side Load Garage Benefit #2

Benefit #3

Benefit #4

Hands-on process to building a custom home

Contact TBH to learn more:

Yes, a design build custom home builder can add square footage to your floor plan. Below are 5 of the most cost effective ways that Travars Built Homes can add space to your floor plan.

How to make a floor plan bigger: Guest living and multi-gen suites

This kind of modification to a floor plan typically involves rearranging the existing layout, such as changing two bedrooms and a bath on the main floor into one bedroom, bath, and living room – possibly with a kitchenette.

How to make a floor plan bigger: Expanding the kitchen or master bath

How to make a floor plan bigger: Basements and bonus rooms

Basements and bonus rooms are common areas to start with when factoring in the need for additional living space. Most one story floor plans – and plans with a two story great room – are good candidates for adding square footage to the second floor.

How to make a floor plan bigger: Adding a sun room, screen porch or covered porches

Indoor/outdoor space is often expanded to increase the ability to utilize more of the property as living area, both in heated square footage as well as exposed areas.

How to make a floor plan bigger: Expanding the garage

Adding a third car garage, carriage garage, or turning a front facing garage to a side load are popular requests for custom homes. Aside from the ability to park more vehicles inside, this is also a great way to have space for hobbies or storage.

Multigenerational homes (sometimes called multi-gen homes, homes with a mother in law suite, or apartment within a home) are designed for families to live together within one single home family dwelling that has an extended guest suite intended for long term stays.

Multigenerational homes are one of the most common reasons why homebuyers choose to build a custom home.

Multi-gen homes can spread out the cost of living so that the combined living space is more affordable than having two separate homes.

Site costs for one home are less expensive than site costs for two homes, with one clearing, one footing, one septic system, and one foundation.

The size of the footprint impacts build costs, so multi-gen homes built with living space on additional floors are typically more cost effective than homes with everyone on one level.

Some multigenerational homes have a kitchenette in the secondary living quarters, for increased independence.

Dual master suites give equal prominence to two large bedroom suites with ensuite private bathrooms, big closets and occasionally other private amenities such as a personal sitting area or attached office or laundry room.

The location of dual master suites can vary, with the most common arrangements being one on the main floor and one on the second floor, one in the basement, or both on the main floor. Get floor plans with dual master bedrooms, here.

A private entrance so you can come and go without interrupting the main flow of the house is another way to increase that feeling of having your own space.

Depending on the plan and your homesite, you may include an exterior door with a small stoop or porch or another door from the garage to your private hallway.

Travars Built Homes can be built in custom home neighborhoods or countryside locations within about an hour of Chapel Hill. We work closely with you to:

Consider choices for cost effective floor plans that fit your lifestyle and budget

Modify your layout to add multi-gen, accessible or other custom changes

Build your new home with high quality materials, craftsmanship and passion for home building

Offer a wide array of selections, options and upgrades

Are you asking the right questions when you talk with custom builders about costs for your North Carolina new home?

Here are 7 smart questions to ask custom home builders about their services, processes, and prices – before you sign a contract.

Questions to Ask a Home Builder: What’s included in your services?

Questions to Ask a Home Builder: Can you help me find a floor plan that can fit my budget?

Questions to Ask a Home Builder: Can you modify my floor plan?