The REEF team was asked to design and build a  contemporary home, with clean lines and modern  finishes in Truro.  The owners worked with Jim Hagerty our lead designer and developed a clean contempory look using high quality, low maintenance materials.  The project  moved over to the construction team a year ago and REEF's building team did agreat job executing the plan. The owners wanted to recover their investment quickly and put the house on the market as  soon as the landscaping work was complete.  The results - a full price offer within 2 weeks of hitting the market!  The owners have just purchased a second property and have engaged the team at REEF to design and build a second custom home!   The outer cape offers great investment opporutnities, especially with new, high quality construction, and a beautiful contemporary design.   If you are thinking of designing, or building a custom home in Truro, or anywhere on Cape Cod, consider a team with proven results!  Consider REEF Custom Builders!

     The State of Massachusetts is going to adopt a new building code starting in January 2017.  Since 2010, the building code has changed several times and many of those changes were dramatic and have resulted in significant increases in the cost of new homes, remodeling and additions throughout the state.  Designing and building on Cape Cod was further impacted by the adoption of the "Windborne Debris Zone" which required the use of impact resistant windows  and doors or storm shutters for all homes within 1 mile of the shore.

   The changes that are forthcoming with the 9th Edition of the Massachusetts Building Code (780 CMR) in 2017 are not quite as dramatic for new custom homes, and some of the changes serve to reduce the cost of design and construction. For instance, the "Windborne Debris Zone" will now be eliminated, and the geographical areas requiring impact resistant windows and doors will be substantially reduced.

There are some things that will add costs.  The 9th Edition will require more stringent design and construction methods for homes located in flood zones.  The new mapping available, allows officials to clearly determine a "Coastal A" flood zone, which is subject to wave action of 1.5-3'.  The code will now require design and construction of homes resistant to wave action in this zone, which can dramatically increase engineering and construction costs.   The State is also slated to adopt the "Existing Building Code" which will have substantial impacts on the design and costs associated with renovation and remodeling projects, as it provides different thresholds which can trigger other improvements not required in the past, such as insulation, mechanical systems, or structural systems, which were previously considered "grandfathered" or "non-conforming conditions.  2017 is the first year this Existing Buildng Code will come into play and we will wait and see where the true impacts are of these new regulations.

If you are considering designing or building a custom home on Cape Cod, this code change is something you will want to pay attention to these code changes as they will definitely impact the final cost and design of your new Cape Cod Home!

 

Here's a good summary of the pending code changes from the Board of Building Regulations and Standards: Summary of 9th Edition Building Code

 

We are very excited to be able to share photos from another one of our recent waterfront custom home projects in Chatham. This project was built on the existing froundation of the previous home on the property, and the site offered numerous challenges in permitting and during construction.  The design is meant to allow unfettered views of the lake, and provide an open and airy feel within the main living areas.  This project was a challenge for our design and building teams - but the results speak for themselves.   If you are considering designing or buildign  a custom home in the Chatham area, REEF has the exptertise, talent and resources to make your ideas a reality.

 Click Here for Chatham Lakefront Retreat Gallery

You've been coming to the Cape your whole life, isn't it time you stayed?

 

 

We are so excited to share the photos of the waterfront custom home that REEF designed and built in Brewster!  This project had several challenges, limited space, conservation restrictions, but the results speak for themselves.  Simple, clean, tasteful design by Jim Hagerty, REEF's princpal designer and great execution by our entire contract team.  Starting with the demolition and foundation, right through the finishing details, our team gave 100% on this project and the results speak for themselves!.  If you are considering designing or building a custom home on Cape Cod, let REEF provide the design expertise, teamwork and craftsmanship  to turn your idea into reality!  You've been coming to the Cape your whole life, isn't it time you stayed?

Click here to see the gallery on Facebook: Brewster Beach House

Interior trends are changing quickly, and we are fortunate, as a designer and builder of custom homes, that we get to see broad spectrum of styles and selections in the new homes we build.  There are some exciting trends in color, materials and style this year and we came across this blog as we were doing our research. Natural fabrics, neutral colors, and simple style are the consistent themes this year.   Click Here  to Check out the latest for Fall 2016 Interiors 

When designing and building your Cape Cod Home, the interior selections are one of the major items that should be considered early on in the process.  A coordinated plan, with tasteful selections, furnishings, and paint colors can create that timeless style that is quintessential Cape Cod!

As you might know, much of Cape Cod has been under a moratorium for new gas services for the last year or two.  This week, National Grid provided an update on their construction plans!  National Grid will begin construction on new pipelines in 5 towns as early as November 2016, and are looking at a completion date of early 2019.  

Currently, if you live in Dennis, Chatham, Brewster, Orleans, Easthan and Harwich, you are unable to connect to existing gas mains for new homes or additions, with the exception of new connections for outdoor grills or emergency generators.  This has been difficult for builders, and homeowners alike, as many people have had to install large above ground or underground propane tanks on their property.  

Bottom line - it looks like things are underway and the end is in sight!  

 

Here's a few fun links of various project that we have been working on this summer.  We have several jobs finishing up, and are starting our next round of custom home projects for the 2016-2017 building season!  Our design team has also been very busy with new custom home  projects as we approach the fall.  

Click below to see what we've been up to!

 

REEF's Summer Vacation

 

 

If you are considering designing and building your Cape Cod Custom Home - REEF has the experience and team to make your dreams a reality! 

"You've been coming to the Cape your whole life.  Isn't it time you stayed?"

 

 

We're gearing up fpr another busy year here at REEF, and we wanted to show you some of the projects we are working on! We have a few waterfront homes in the design stages right now and it looks like our design team is having some creative fun with these new home designs! Let us know what you think!

 

Can't wait to see this custom design built in Chatham this fall #designbuild #capecodbuilder #chatham

A photo posted by REEF Custom Builders (@thecapecodbuilder) on Jul 28, 2016 at 2:39pm PDT

 

Our next cape cod beach house in the planning stages #capecodbuilder #beachouse

A photo posted by REEF Custom Builders (@thecapecodbuilder) on Jul 28, 2016 at 2:19pm PDT

 

The quality and craftsmanship that goes into every one of our homes is directly propotinal to the quality of our team of employees and contractors.  Despite having built over 1,000 homes here on Cape Cod, I often say our people are still our best credentials.   One of the people we are very proud to work with is a painter named Marcos DaSilva.  Marcos, and his team at Top Quality Painting have been key players, especially when it comes to making our homes look beautiful on the inside and outside.   Marcos takes pride in everything he does, and works tirelessly to ensure that the REEF homes get every minute of attention they deserve.  I cannot tell you how many times Marcos and his team have worked until 11:00pm or even later to makes sure our projects are done on time, and with the highest level of attention to detail. 

   Marcos and his family, originally from Brazil, have made Cape Cod their home and we are very proud to annouce today that Marcos has obtained his U.S. Citizenship. It is a priviledge to work with people of Marcos's dedication, integrity and talent.  Congratulations Marcos!

 

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!