Designing an HVAC System for a Custom Home That Earns Its Price per Square Foot
How we designed the HVAC system for a custom home in Chicago, from a dual fuel setup to an energy recovery ventilator that keeps utility bills down.
Why Rough Plumbing and Electrical Changes Turn Into Change Orders
Rough plumbing and electrical define your house before the walls close. Here's how we plan for it in Chicago, from cast iron and copper to rigid conduit.
Where an Exterior Wall Assembly Holds Up and Where It Fails
Here's how an exterior wall assembly handles driving rain, air, and condensation on a real Chicago build, from the rain screen to window flashing.
Building Envelope Control Layers 101, From a Real Construction Site
Building envelope control layers explain how a new construction home stays dry during framing and drying in. Here's how they work on a real build.
What Value Engineering a Home Really Saves (and What It Doesn't)
Value engineering a home mid-build meant knowing what couldn't move. See what we cut, what we kept, and why our Hinsdale spec development house went over budget.
What Happens to the Budget When a House Flip Needs a New Foundation
New construction basement waterproofing is about managing water. See the full system we built on a flood-prone Hinsdale lot and what it cost us.
Why buying a bigger house usually means buying dead space
A custom home builder in Hinsdale explains why massive square footage is a trap, how developer builds fail, and how to solve basement water issues.