Landscaping a waterfront home can get complicated, when you consider all of the restrictions imposed by the Conservation Commission. Regulations will usually required "native" plantings for mitigation of the disturbed areas, and there might be a perception out there that  this required work can't result in a beautiful landscape.  Part of what we do here at REEF is spend a lot of time, picking the right team of experts for each project and then planning ahead and working with the local boards and commissions to come up with plans that try to create a balance between respect for the natural environment, and the aesthetic needs of the owner. Here are some pictures of a custom home project we just completed in Chatham.  This home and it's surrounding hardscapes and plantings are an excellent compliment to the natural landscape and look great! 

Our team did a great job finishing this new Custom Home on the water in Brewster.  We were able to move the customers in early so they could enjoy the 4th of July weekend in their new home.  It takes a great team of people to consistently execute our projects with a high level quality and craftsmanship.  It takes and exceptional team to bring those projects in on time (or a little ahead of schedule in this case!) and on budget!  Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this happen!!

 REEF Builders offers complete design build services for custom homes throughout Cape Cod.  More importantly, REEF has an incredibly talented design team consisting of Jim Hagerty, who is also a principal and vice president,  Sara Hamiliton, assistant designer, and Cameron Savela, our draftsman.  Most of the time, they are working through important details and issues related to zoning, building code and other regulatory issues as they pursue permits for our projects, but occassionally, they do get a chance to show off their talents.

Here's a little project our team of expert designers is working on right now. This is a custom contemporary home designed to complement the dunes of the outer cape and capture the stunning sunsets across Cape Cod Bay!

We employ advanced software in all of our design development to allow our customers to better understand how their vision will fit into the landscape, which you can see in this video

If you are considering designing and building your custom home on Cape Cod, come see what our team can do for you!

One of the biggest drivers of construction costs over the last 4 or five years has been new regulations and standards for construction.  The state of Massachusetts has undergone numerous code changes since  2010 and each change has only served to increase construction costs.  The regulatory changes started with the implementation of the high wind zones on the Cape and most recently the building industry has adopted the latest International Building and Energy Codes which totally change the way homes are built when compared to past codes.   When you combine the impact of these changes with material prices that have increased about 25% over the last 5 years, it is easy to figure out why any type of construction work is so expensive. 

The homes we are building now are much more airtight and have much better energy performance than in the past, but at what cost?  Air quality will continue to be an issue in the future, and controlled fresh air exchange will be the key to a healthy indoor environment.

So how do you build for a reasonable cost?  We strongly believe that the key is efficient design and use of spaces and a constant look to the future and new products and materials that can bring the cost back into the realm of possibility.   Partnering with a Design-Build firm such as REEF, will also be important, because of the access to real time cost data and daily interaction with the various regulatory agencies that enforce these new codes.

The National Association of Home Builders recently released a study that shows the specific impact of regulations on new homes.  Did you know that almost 25% of the cost of your new home is directly attributed to regulatory issues?  If you want to find out more, please below

Regulations Add $84,671 to the cost of your new home!

     Designing and building a custom home is an exciting process.  Many of our customers have great vision for the overall design of the home, the important spacial relationships of the interior, and of course the interior finishes such as tile and cabinetry that make the home unique.  One of the most challenging components of home design is what is called "siting" the home, i.e. where should the house go on the lot, and more importantly what will it look like.  At REEF, we use the latest in design technology to answer that question very early in the design process.  Using a combination of satellite photograpy  and  topography, we can accurately show you what your new home will look like in 3-D!   Once the design is complete, we can even show you what the finished home would look like, so you can see the windows and exterior finishes on your site.

    When you are designing a custom waterfront home, the views are the driving design factor, and shifting or rotating a homes location even a few degrees can make a world of difference.  It is important to look at these scenarios before the home is built so you can work with our design team to make the best decision possible for your new custom home!

If you want to see what we can do for your new home, renovation, or remodeling project, CONTACT US today!

The Cape Cod home's iconic and timeless design grew out of necessity, efficiency, and the harsh New England winters that greeted colonists as they arrived from Europe. The typical balanced front facade, centered on a large fireplace that provided necessary heat for cooking and warmth have been commonplace  features for centuries in our area.  Take a ride down Rout 6A and you will see several examples, many of which were built in the late 1600's and early 1700's.

Even today, as we design and build custom homes for our customers on Cape Cod, we still use the same proportions, and design details in many of our new homes, especially in the Old King's Highway Historic District. Many home designs you see all over the country are simple modifications of the classic Cape Cod design, with different dormers, window sizes or even slightly enhanced roof lines and trim.   If you are interested int he actuall history and evolution of this design - Below is an article from Yankee Magazine  with more information.

  The Cape Cod House

Sunrooms are an element that serve as a pleasant transition between the inside and outside when designing your custom home.  If  you are building a custom home on Cape Cod, and have water views, a sunroom is a must! There are few better ways to enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the ocean than witha  smartly designed, and well thought out sunroom.   The real challenge in a sunroom is how to balance all of that glass and light with furnishings that are both functional and serve to complement the scenery. 

Click Here for  ideas that you might want to consider for your custom Cape Cod home!

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