Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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I am interested in some of the new homes being built by Centex, Shea, Drees, and St. Lawrence in the $350-$450k price range, however I would like to include some custom "green" features in my home. The biggest would be using a geothermal heat pump in place of traditional AC/gas furnace/gas hot water. Does anyone know if these builders would even consider such a customization?
I was considering geothermal and solar power, but I gave up on this idea because tract builders will not allow such customizations. I don't have experience with the builders you mentioned; however I have experience with Beazer, which is a tract builder. The builder won't even give me the option to upgrade to 19 seers instead of 13.
The only way to build a green home is to hire a custom builder, or to upgrade it after you buy it, which IMO big waste of money.
It is such shame that with a sunny state like NC people are not taking advantage for the power the sun provides.
Drees may consider doing something like that. They already build all Energy Star certified homes, and do allow for some customization within their homes.
I'm curious though, from what I have been reading about geothermal heat pumps, it may take you 10 years to get the value out of it. Also, they are generally an advantage in areas where you have extreme temperatures. That is not the case here. Have you spoken with any experts in this area?
Of the builders you mentioned, st. lawrence is the least "production builder" of the group. So, the more custom the builder the more custom options you can find and or request. St. Lawrence is a builder out of raleigh, and you may be able to work with them more.
Of the builders you mentioned, st. lawrence is the least "production builder" of the group. So, the more custom the builder the more custom options you can find and or request. St. Lawrence is a builder out of raleigh, and you may be able to work with them more.
Leigh
Actually Drees has their Gallery Homes division where they build on your own lot, and in the past has done a lot more customization than I've heard of St. Lawrence doing.
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