News

Aging In Place Hillsborough Builder, Chad Collins of Collins Design-Build, Inc. was recently honored with a STARS Award presented by the North Carolina Home Builders Association, at the annual STARS Awards gala. Awarded Best Accessible Residential Home, shines on Chad’s commitment for home plans and features that are accessible to all.

The Heritage Plan

We designed a Zero Entry home with no steps and fully wheel chair accessible. This is no easy task in a limited 2200 square foot home. Aside from our notable Green, Energy Efficient and High Performance Features, here a few Aging In Place components we implemented for our Aging In Place Hillsborough home plan:

Zero Entry all Entries

36” Wide doorways

Wheel chair accessible showers

Adjustable Shower heads

Grab Bar blocking

Single hand Toilet Paper Exchange

Accessible Sinks

Height Adjusted Appliances

Lever Door Handles

Slip Resistant Flooring

Our Aging In Place Hillsborough home plan is a wonderful, adaptable, and accessible home.

The Awards dinner was a showcase event at the 21st Century Building Expo and Conference, held in Charlotte. The STARS Awards are held to honor the strengths and achievements of major contributors to the residential home building industry in North Carolina and surrounding areas. With nearly 50 entrant categories, the winners, chosen by members of the NCHBA, read like a Who’s Who of across the state.

“It is an honor to be recognized by our peers in our industry” Chad stated. “We look forward to continuing to support the NCHBA and are humbly proud to be recognized for this achievement.”

Winners received recognition in areas such as marketing and advertising, web design, landscape design, interior merchandising, architecture/floor plan and special projects. Awards were also given to local home builders associations.

For more information about Aging In Place in Orange County NC please visit: https://orangecountync.gov/1932/Aging-in-Place-Support-Services

Collins Design-Build is a Universal Design Builder in Hillsborough.

For most of us our physical abilities change as we age. Vision begins to blur and joints begin to ache. Once-simple tasks like taking out the garbage, emptying the dishwasher or even taking a shower can become increasingly arduous.

However, not everyone living in the same home is likely to have the same needs, especially those in multi-generational households. These are the homes that can benefit the most from “universal design.”

It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, tall or short, healthy or hindered with a disability. Universal design can enhance comfort and convenience, enabling everyone to enjoy the same home even if — and when — their needs change.

Luckily, there are many aspects of universal design that are relatively simple to implement. Hillsborough NC Builder Collins Design-Build offers four areas in which this design concept can benefit virtually any home:

Bathrooms. Because a large portion of in-home accidents occur here, universal design can be critical.

Adding non-slip flooring and a grab bar in the shower can dramatically lower the risk of falls.
Elevating soap holders and shower ledges will reduce the need to constantly bend over.
Creating a barrier-free entry into the shower can make a world of difference for anyone with mobility concerns.

Kitchens. The general concept of universal design in the kitchen is to improve visibility and access.

Under-cabinet lights can add both functionality and beauty to a kitchen.
Lever-style cabinet handles are easier to grasp than knobs, especially for those who have arthritis.
Sliding shelves within deep floor-level cabinets significantly improve access to hard-to-reach areas, plus, they allow for a more efficient use of space.

Elevated, neutral-colored countertops make items easier to see, as opposed to countertops with busier patterns that can sometimes camouflage items.

Doors. For those who aren’t physically challenged, doors and doorways are not typically a concern. But for those who have mobility issues, many types of doors can be difficult — and dangerous — to navigate.

Pocket doors and barn doors are among the hottest design trends, and they are also much easier to open than traditional hinged doors.

Wider doorways and hallways can better accommodate large strollers or wheelchairs, allowing everyone to move more easily from room to room, and in and out of the house. Experts recommend 36-inch wide doors and 42-inch wide halls and stairways.

Smart Technology. Home automation is becoming a must-have feature for all new-home buyers. But it is especially advantageous for those with physical limitations.

Automated window blinds that can open and close with the push of a button (on the wall or from a phone) are particularly convenient for homes with hard-to-reach windows.

Smart appliances can be operated remotely or by voice command, providing further ease of use.
Motion-sensing lights can help reduce the risk of falling or tripping in a dark room while searching for a light switch, and they also help conserve electricity.

Remotely controlled security systems and door locks provide added levels of safety, convenience and peace of mind.

Smart thermostats can adjust to the home owner’s specific schedule, giving them a more convenient way of heating and cooling the home while saving on utilities.

Home building and remodeling professionals like Hillsborough NC Builder Collins Design-Build that have earned the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS), designations have received training on the techniques to build or renovate homes so that the occupants can live in them safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of their age or ability level.

For more about Universal Design visit www.planningtomorrow.com

About the Builder:

Chad & Emilee Collins

Chad Collins is an Unlimited Licensed General Contractor, Licensed Home Inspector, and award-winning custom home builder based in Hillsborough, North Carolina. As the founder of Collins Design-Build, Chad has earned a reputation for creating luxury, timeless custom homes throughout Orange County, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and the surrounding Triangle region. His projects are known for exceptional craftsmanship, high-performance construction, universal design, and premium client experience.

Recognized as one of the Triangle Business Journal’s top custom home builders, Chad blends extensive construction expertise with thoughtful design to build homes that are beautiful, durable, healthy, and highly energy efficient. His credentials include Accredited Master Builder, Master Certified Green Professional, and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist—distinctions held by only a select group of builders statewide.

Chad’s 30 plus year career began in building materials, retail, and field operations, quickly earning him leadership roles with local, regional, and national home builders. His ability to streamline operations, lead high-performing teams, and deliver luxury homes with exceptional quality helped him close more than $6 million in custom home projects in a single year and win the 2001 Builder of the Year award.

As the founder of Collins Design-Build, Chad has earned numerous industry honors, including National Certified Green Professional Builder of the Year, Home Builder of the Year for Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties, MAME Building Company of the Year, multiple STARS Awards, Parade of Homes Gold Awards, and multiple Best Green Built Home recognitions. His firm also builds certified green homes and ENERGY STAR homes as a standard—not an upgrade.

Chad is widely respected as a leader in North Carolina’s building community. He has served as President of the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties, Regional Vice President for the North Carolina Home Builders Association, and President of the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce. In 2018, he was appointed by the Governor to the North Carolina Home Inspectors Licensing Board.

In addition to building award-winning custom homes, Chad is a residential construction expert witness, assisting attorneys, homeowners, and insurers in cases involving construction defects, building standards, and accessibility issues. His professional background and extensive field experience make him a trusted authority in courtroom, arbitration, and litigation support.

Chad is also an approved Continuing Education Instructor for the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors and a recognized speaker for the National Association of Home Builders. He has written and taught courses on green building, construction management, and aging-in-place for contractors and university programs, including Duke University’s OLLI Continuing Education Program.

Categorized in: Awards, Collins Design Build News

This post was written by Collins Design Build