When searching for a custom home builder, or custom home design team here on Cape Cod, there are several choices a homeowner can make in the process.  There are several designers and builders here on Cape Cod, but it is important to get out and  see what current and past customers have to say about their overall experience.  Here are the things you'll to ask  about the team you are working with!

Was the designer attentive to the customers needs?

Was the design and building team providing sound advice based on knowledge and experience with zoning, building codes and other regulations?

Was the builder able to deliver a project on time and on budget?

Was the team respectful, professional and did they provide timely and accurate communication on the project?

Did the builder or designer provide several references, both past and current?

After over 30 years in business, and having designed and built over 1500 custom home projects, renovations and additions here on Cape Cod, the REEF team understands that the quality of the project is directly connected to the quality of the team you work with.

Click here to see recent reviews of our work!

If you want to see what we are working on today - check out our Facebook and Instagram pages.

We have published our 2017 Construction cost guide! 2017 Will be a dynamic year in the construction business, with pending building code changes, lumber price increases, and a scarcity of skilled labor. We have continued to see a high demand for vacant lots this year as well, as the aging housing inventory on the Cape, and low supply of quality existing homes has prompted a boom in new construction.

Despite these pending changes, investments in expertly designed, and exceptionally crafted custom homes have a great long term potential return!

Here are some of the other trends we are seeing:

• Smaller, more efficiently designed floor plans
• Stronger demand for energy efficiency upgrades like solar, spray foam insulation etc.
• Finished or partially finished basement areas, which provides additional living area at a lower unit cost
• Highly detailed exteriors on smaller homes, with enhanced trim, window upgrades for both durability and style
• Demand for homes with contemporary styling, both inside and out
• Strong demand for waterfront or walk to water homes, with solid return on investment.
• Continued stream of new and more stringent regulations that will continue to increase cost, but will provide for much more efficient homes in the future

REEF Builders provides complete design / build services for your Cape Cod home project. We offer expert architectural design and permitting services, along with complete construction services from start to finish. If you are considering building a new Custom Home, or planning an addition or renovation on your existing home. Contact REEF Today!

Click here to download our 2017 Construction Cost Guide!

We've seen it coming over the last few years, but now it's here. If you are thinking of building your new Cape Cod Home, there is no better time than right now. We are seeing major increases in materials prices and a serious skilled labor shortage not only on Cape Cod, but also nationally. When you combine these latest issues with the ever-increasing regulatory environment, it is easy to see why the cost of construction has gone up substantially over the last 5 years. However, with low inventory of existing homes on Cape Cod, and an aging housing stock in need of major repairs or upgrades, building a new home on Cape Cod is still a sound investment.

How do you protect yourself if you are planning a major renovation or custom home project for 2017?

1. Work with established designers and builders who understand the marketplace and have the resources available to manage the labor issues
2. Set a strategy for design and permitting that can allow for an expedited start of construction
3. Pre-purchase materials if possible
4. Thoroughly plan your project to ensure quick and accurate execution
5. Minimize waste and use modern production techniques such as off site panelization of major components (walls, roofs etc)

Here's some recent information from the National Association of Homebuilders discussing these Challenges for 2017

If you are considering Building your custom home on Cape Cod, there is no better time than right now! Contact us today to see how we can help!

If you are considering designing and building a custom home over the next year, you should take some time to understand some of the major cost components and how they can impact the overall cost of construction. Over the last few years, most construction cost increases have been driven by substantial regulatory change, and an overall shortage of labor vs. demand. Lumber, which accounts for 10-20% of the overall cost of a custom home has remained fairly steady over the last year or two. We did just get news from our team at Shepley Wood Products that lumber prices are expected to increase over the next year, namely due to lumber agreements between the US and Canada. Here's an explaination:

Softwood Lumber Agreement Information

With the Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA) between the US and Canada coming to a close and the possibility of a duty being imposed on Canadian lumber imports , we as consumers can expect to see price increases on both Canadian and domestic timber over the next few months. Speculators typically try to create panic in the market place about sharp price escalation to drive impulse purchasing and some mills have already imposed price increases out of knee jerk reaction. However, historically, sharp rises like this have been short lived and adjust quickly as the United States and Canada find compromise in the name of doing business.

We recognize how disruptive economic change like the end of the SLA can be to business, so in an effort to reduce its impact, Shepley Wood Products is making the following commitments.

• We will buy right and leverage our average inventory value to ensure our prices are always better than market. Well planned purchasing allows us to take the edge off of sharp market changes.
• We will buy enough inventory to keep your projects well supplied
• We will not over buy inventory, allowing us to more quickly lower prices as the market corrects
• We will not drop our price hold commitment below 30 Days
• We will always be forthcoming about market conditions and make sure you have the most recent and accurate information.

Click Here for More Information

Bottom Line: IF you are considering designing and building your custom home or retirement home, or even a major renovation project here on Cape Cod expect to pay more over the next year as lumber prices increase in reaction to this news about the Softwood Lumber Agreement.

We are expecting prices to change 3-5% over the next few months, and we are already seeing prices move 1% or so this month.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at sales@capecodbuilder.com

Once we get more information, we'll issue a new Construction Cost Guide for spring of 2017

The National Association of Home Builders recently announced the winners and top design trends for the the Best in American Living Awards at the national show in Orlando in January. If you are considering designing or building your custom home this year these are definitely some trends you'll want to consider.

Here are a few from the list - and some pictures from our custom homes:

1. Benches and Nooks - custom built-ins are always a great way to blend function and storage

1. Big Showers and Tubs - large showers have been in style, but oversized tubs are making a comeback!

1. Board and Batten - a nice traditional look - inside or outside

1. Shiplap - Walls and Ceilings

These are just a few of the examples of the top design trends for 2017. Click here if you would like to read more!

Interior and exterior finishes are an important part of our architectural design program here at REEF. When you work with our team we take the time to discuss certain options and trends that will meet the design intent and the budget. If you are intrested on our custom home design or building services, please contact us today!

Here's some very important information that you should know if you ever plan or building, remodeling or even owning a home here on Cape Cod! The State of Massachusetts has been working to adopt the International Code Council Building and Energy Codes since 2008/2009, moving away from our old "Version 6" of the building code, which had been in place for several years and was unique to the state. Since 2008, the state has moved quickly to not only adopt the International Code Council regulations, but to continue to update those regulations so we can be on par with many other states allowing us to use the latest and greatest versions of the code.

You may also have noticed that the cost of construction has also increased dramatically during that time, and a fair amount of that cost of building or remodeling a home can be attributed to the energy code compliance requirements of the IECC. Well as of this year, 2017, the state is planning to finalize the code versions using the 2015 codes, with Massachusetts amendments.

So what does this all mean? Under the 2015 Codes, we will now be held to the an extremely high standards of energy efficient construction in all new homes and renovations. If you are lucky enough to live in a "Stretch" energy code town (Such as Truro, Mashpee, Wellfleet and Provincetown) your project will have to meet the highest standards of construction in the state. Furthermore the 2015 codes provides energy rating credits for "green" power generation, i.e. solar panels or windmills, and may mandate design requirements such as a "solar ready" roof areas, which means roofs will have to have designed for future solar installations and provisions for electric vehicle chargers in every new home.

State of MA Energy Code Update and Summary

Overall, it's a great step towards energy efficiency and promotes renewable resources and green technology for new homes. Although these sorts of provisions will have a cost, visual and aesthetic impact, there will be net long term benefits from these new regulations.

If you are considering designing and building a new custom home, vacation home, major renovation or addition, you'll want to know how these regulations will impact your project. Feel free to reach out to the team at REEF today for your initial consultation. Click here to Contact us!

The kitchen is the focal point of all of our custom homes that we design and build here on Cape Cod. It's a place where family and friends gather to cook, eat, and celebrate throughout the year. Kitchen design trends continue to evolve, but clean, classic lines, and eclectic textures and materials appear to remain as a theme this year. Take a look at these kitchens from Houzz.com

Best of Houzz - Kitchens from Around the World

We will definitely incorporate some of these design motifs over the next few years as we work to design and build all types of custom homes on Cape Cod. Here are a few we complted recently

If you are need architectural design or building services for your Cape Cod home or renovation project, consider REEF for your next project

If you want to see what we're working on  follow us on Instagram

Coastal and waterfront properties are in high demand here on Cape Cod. From Falmouth, Mashpee and Osterville, to Chatham, Orleans, Eastham, and Truro and Provincetown, waterfront land and homes are one of the great treasures of Cape Cod. Here at REEF, we are currently working on several waterfront and coastal custom home design and building projects, both on raw land and land with existing homes for teardown or eventual renovation.

We recently came across a great coastal real estate guide published by the Barnstable County Cooperative Extension and the Woods Hole Sea Grant program. This guide provides a good guideline for those considering purchasing a waterfront property, or current waterfront and coastal home owners considering a major renovation or addition.

Click here for the 2017 Updated Waterfront Property Guide

REEF Provides complete design / build services, and specializes in design, permitting and building custom homes and major renovations throughout Cape Cod.

REEF Custom Builders has been awarded Best of Houzz for exceptional customer service for the 4th year in a row!

Over 40 Million Monthly Unique Users Nominated Best Home Building, Remodeling and Design Professionals in North America and Around the World

On January 13, 2017 – REEF Builders of West Dennis, MA  was awarded  “Best Of Customer Service” on Houzz®, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. REEF's custom home, design- build team was chosen by the more than 40 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.

"We could not have won this award without the exceptional, talented and versatile team here at REEF who work every day to take our customer's vision for their Cape Cod Home, and make it a reality.  We would also like to thank our customers for working with the REEF team , and their confidence in our capabilities,  and creativity" said Matt Teague and Jim Hagerty, principals at REEF.

The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography.  Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2016.  A “Best Of Houzz 2017” badge will appear on winners’ profiles, as a sign of  their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.

The new year is a great time to do research on upcoming trends in our industry. If you follow any residential design news, this is the time of year for industry trade shows, such as the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the International Builders Show (IBS) These shows often feature the leaders in new technology, trends and style that will influence design and style of your custom home, renovation or addition project for years to come.

Here are a few links to 2017 trends that we have come across over the last few weeks. Looks like Color and Texture are definitely on trend if you are considering designing, building, or renovating your home.

2017 Design Trends - ElleDecor

Pantone's 2017 Color Trends

Vogue's 2017 Design Trends

If you are considering a custom home, addition, renovation or other project here on Cape Cod, please consider our team here at REEF!