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According to Chapel Hill home owner, she and husband pondered at length on just what they wanted to do with their 1986 ranch home of just under 1,600 square feet. They loved their location and were certain they wanted to keep their Chapel Hill address, but they greatly needed more space for themselves and their two young children. They discussed the function of the needed space, and computer-savvy husband put their ideas into a plan in a CAD software program.

“Once we had a solid idea of what we wanted, we went online to find a builder.” “We contacted three, met with two, and decided on Chad Collins of Collins Design-Build, Inc. Chad was very detailed and comprehensive in the estimate he gave us. He was also very down to earth and approachable. We definitely got the feeling that he would be open to involving us in the building process… We weren’t so sure about that with the other builders we talked with.”

“I was impressed with the fact that they had given so much thought as to what they wanted,” adds Chad. “They showed me the plan they had sketched, which was for an addition of 1,000 square feet. This was almost 40% more living space than they already had. I made some suggestions and took the plan to an engineer to ensure its structural stability. It was an exciting project for me, because they were open to green, sustainable, and accessible practices, and they wanted the addition to blend in with their original home so that neighborhood passers-by wouldn’t even realize new space had been added. It was a challenge that I knew I could accomplish well, and also one that I was sure I would enjoy being a part of.”

The Collins Design-Build team got started on the project in the Summer and finished in the Fall. The result of their efforts was a lovely new master bedroom with a vaulted ceiling, private sitting area, and a wonderful walk-in closet with built-in cabinetry; a master bath with a separate water closet, a double-headed shower, and stunning tile work; an inviting sunroom; an office nook; and a playroom with a loft for the kids to use as their very own retreat.

“It feels like we doubled our space. We love it!”

The home owners also loved that Collins Design-Build was so unobtrusive throughout the renovation process. Only one (decaying) tree was removed from the yard and all of the shrubbery surrounding the home stayed intact. Durable fiber cement siding was used on the addition and was also used to replace the existing wood fiber siding, and roofing shingles were installed/replaced with 25-year warranted architectural shingles. These products provided a seamless look to the home’s exterior. Inside, the flooring of an existing hallway was replaced with site-finished oak hardwoods to match the ones installed in the new sunroom/office nook/ master bedroom, providing a look of interior continuity.

The home’s crawlspace and attic were insulated with spray foam and completely sealed by the Collins Design-Build team to make the home as energy efficient as possible while also preventing the development and spread of pollens, allergens, and organic growths throughout the house. Even the support beams used in the addition were green… Engineered i-joists disliked by termites were utilized throughout construction.

“The sustainable products Chad used added higher value, and we’re saving money on utility bills as a result of their installation. We wanted a sustainable home and Chad delivered it. We’re very pleased, and we absolutely recommend Chad and Collins Design Build.”

“My experience allowed me to move smoothly through the Chapel Hill building permit phase and the environmental watershed issues I encountered,” says Chad. “Education is key in these arenas as well as numerous other areas. I’m proud to say I make industry education a priority. If I wasn’t knowledgeable when I met with them, I wouldn’t have been able to make their addition/renovation green, sustainable, and accessible. I’m happy I could help them. Every project is inspiring and I look forward to each one.”

Chapel Hill Builder, Collins Design Build wins NCHBA STARS Award:

Collins Design-Build Wins STARS Award for Best Renovation Addition from NCHBA
Raleigh Area Green Custom Home Builder and Remodeler Recognized for Achievement in Remodeling Industry

Chapel Hill Builder Collins Design-Build, Inc. won an award from the North Carolina Home Builders Association of Raleigh, NC. The award was presented earlier this month at the 21st Century Building Expo STARS Award gala at the Omni Charlotte Hotel.

The STARS Awards are a centerpiece of the 21st Century Building Expo and Conference—the premier building expo and conference in the Southeast. Each year, the gala salutes the outstanding professional performance of North Carolina Home Builder Association members spanning from Asheville to Raleigh to Wilmington, with the presentation of the prestigious STARS Awards.

The STARS Awards program honors the achievements of builders, associates, REALTORS®, media and advertising professionals, and many others who make major contributions to the residential home building industry.

It’s fun and inspiring to watch TV shows about home design and remodeling – everything from the latest looks in countertops to whole-house remodels. And YouTube and other online video sites are chock full of helpful how-tos and demos to assist home owners through countless do-it-yourself projects.

There are relatively simple home projects that can be completed by DIYers, such as hanging pictures, interior painting, caulking, and changing door knobs and cabinet pulls. And, home owners with the correct tools and a higher skill level should be able to tackle some aesthetic work such as installing crown molding.

But it’s also important to know when to stop and hire a professional.

Remodelers can tell you lots of funny stories about siding installed upside down – and sometimes scary stories involving do-it-yourself electrical wiring gone awry. So before you buy the latest or trendiest gizmo for your home, ask yourself a few questions.

How much do you know?  Replacing the exhaust fan over your oven with a built-in microwave looks like a reasonably simple swap. But if you notice your kitchen lights are dimming when you zap your popcorn, you’ve probably forgotten that the microwave, unlike the exhaust fan, uses a lot more energy and likely needs a dedicated circuit. A remodeling professional knows that.

What if it doesn’t work? That YouTube do-it-yourself video may make a tilework project look doable, but will YouTube give you your money back if you don’t lay it straight? Professional remodelers may not know everything, but they do take responsibility for everything they do.

Are there any unintended consequences? In today’s increasingly efficient and more air-tight homes, it’s more and more important to look at the house as a system. Your new windows are keeping out drafts, but how are they affecting your home’s air quality once the “natural ventilation” of the leaky old ones are gone?  Do you need to look at mechanical ventilation systems?  If so, how big? A professional can tell you.

How do you know if it’s right for your home? A professional remodeler can advise you on products, finishes and appliances that match your lifestyle, location, house size and budget and help you avoid spending money without a reasonable payback on either resource expense (energy and water, for example) or the sale of your home when you are ready to upsize or downsize.

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