The Custom Home Blog

Lake Travis View Highlights Jenkins Custom Homes In Recent Article

Jenkins Custom Homes is named ‘Custom Home Builder of the Year’

Jenkins Custom Homes proudly announced projected earnings in 2009 to exceed those of 2008. Another testament to the homebuilder’s steadfast success, even in the midst of a recession, was made at the Texas Association of Builders Star Awards, where Jenkins Custom Homes was named the 2009 Custom Home Builder of the Year for Texas.

The competition at the Star Awards this year was stiff, with many accomplished homebuilders vying for a chance at the prestigious award. “Our unique Lifestyle Analysis(c) program, an excellent website, and an amazing team were key to our success this year,” said Shan Jenkins, owner of Jenkins Custom Homes.

In addition to winning Custom Builder of the Year, Jenkins took home seven other Star awards, including Best Custom Home and Best Architectural Design. The homebuilder was also named Builder of the Year in 2006, placing it among an elite handful of custom builders in the state of Texas to win the award more than once.

The award goes to the Texas homebuilder who best displays excellence in areas such as design, construction, industry leadership, and community altruism. Jenkins demonstrates all the qualities the Texas Association of Builders seeks in industry and community involvement. Locally, Shan Jenkins serves as President of the Lakeway chapter of the Home Builders Association of Austin. Nationally, Jenkins serves as host to the Custom Builder’s Symposium tour, and is an active member of various homebuilder associations.

Bethany Jenkins, vice president of Jenkins Custom Homes, attributes Jenkins’ victory to community involvement. “We feel that the more you give to your community, the more you receive. The fact that we’ve had such a successful year is partly because we make getting involved a priority.”

Jenkins Custom Homes has been building luxury custom homes in Austin and surrounding areas for more than 15 years. Jenkins’ unique Lifestyle Analysis(c) program sets the homebuilder apart from its competition, and guarantees any project to be within 5% of the original design cost. With over 100 homes constructed, totaling more than $50 million, Jenkins has a solid track record that is now uniquely recognized through the award of Custom Builder of the Year.

Source: http://laketravisview.com/2009/12/11/jenkins-custom-homes-is-named-%E2%80%98custom-home-builder-of-the-year%E2%80%99/

The Best In Luxury Appliances Joins The Best in Luxury Home Building

Perfected through seven decades of use in professional kitchens, Wolf appliances provides the ability to make any dish possible, while Sub-Zero, the innovative leaders in preservation, keeps foods fresher longer – all while consuming less power than a 100 watt light bulb.

You can experience both of these top-of-the-line appliances – hands on and in person – at either of their two Texas showrooms: one in Dallas and the other within walking distance of the Galleria Mall in Houston. These showrooms offer a variety of cooking classes, wine tastings, training seminars, as well as use and care classes.  Just visit http://www.subzero-wolfsc.com/showrooms/ to see a copy of the current schedule, but note that the classes fill up 2-3 months in advance, so plan ahead!

Jenkins Custom Homes, the Best Custom Builder in Texas, has recently partnered with Sub-Zero/Wolf, the best in luxury appliances, giving Jenkins’ clients special attention as well as pricing.  Jenkins clients will have the opportunity to experience private cooking demonstrations with Sub-Zero/Wolf Executive Chef, Garth Blackburn, on the same appliances that they have chosen for their new home.  They will also have the opportunity for in-home use and care demonstrations by Sub-Zero/Wolf after they are in their new custom home.  Jenkins Custom Homes strives to build partnerships with the best in the business in order to deliver the best possible product.  That is just one of the reasons the Texas Association of Builders named Jenkins Custom Homes the “Custom Builder of the Year”, this year and in 2006.  Jenkins & Sub-Zero/Wolf -- a perfect partnership for today’s luxury client.

Watch the video taken in our office this week with Amy Kerr, Territory Manager for Sub-Zero/Wolf.

The Skinny On Energy Efficiency

Google's PowerMeter

When faced with building a new home, you may be surprised at the number of options available for lowering your energy consumption, and thus, your utility bills. However, some ideas are better than others, and a good rule of thumb, according to Bethany Jenkins, Vice-President of Jenkins Custom Homes, is to evaluate the product and choose those with a 2-4 year payback. One of the benefits of building a new home – as opposed to purchasing an existing – is the flexibility you have in design. Here are some of our favorite ways to control energy costs:

1. Start with a great design. Your home’s orientation on the lot, as well as the location of windows and doors, can take into consideration cross-ventilation and the direction of the sun in both winter and summer months.
   
2. Have a carefully planned “thermal envelope”. The thermal envelope is a technical term for the insulation in your home. Think of it like a thermos – the quality of the insulation is what determines how hot or cold your liquid inside remains. The same is true of your home. Putting your money into a high-density foam insulation and highly efficient windows will keep your home warmer or cooler, therefore reducing the number of times the A/C or heater has to cycle on and off.
   
3. Require high-performance mechanical systems (heating and cooling systems, hot water heaters), as well as appliances.
   
4. Employee technology when cost-effective (occupancy sensors for lights, A/C & heater, for instance).
5. Carefully placed trees can shade your house from cold winds or the summer heat, and drought resistant landscaping will lower your water usage.  A good landscape architect can design your green space with eye toward lowering your energy costs.
   

6 Tips To Successfully Making Selections

While building a new home is a fun process, it can at times be a daunting task. Making all the necessary selections (like picking out lighting fixtures and appliances) in a timely matter is the key to success. Here are some ideas to make the process easier:

1. Always keep a digital camera in your purse. When you see something you like, take a picture! This will save you time spent retracing your steps.
2. If your Builder doesn’t provide one, purchase a large binder, and then keep all your selections organized in it. While you may not be able to fit your tile samples in it, you can put the pictures you took under your “Kitchen Backsplash” tab!
3. Keep a running list of specific questions for your decorator. When you are ready, call and run through your list. Better yet, schedule a meeting! Just keep in mind that you are paying for her time; so it pays to be prepared.
4. It helps to narrow any selection down to your top 3. Once you weed out everything else, you will be better able to focus on the top 3 and make a decision.
5. Don’t wait until the last minute! If possible, stay ahead of the game so you don’t have to make your decisions under pressure.
6. Once you make your selection, be happy with it! You can second-guess yourself until you aren’t happy with anything.  Don’t worry…it’s going to be great!

Construction Proceeds on Applehead Island

Construction is moving along well on the home currently being built by Custom Home Builder, Jenkins Custom Homes, on Applehead Island in Horseshoe Bay.  The home is framed and in the beginning stages of interior plumbing and electrical work.  This home is being built for out-of-town clients who enjoy the beautiful lake setting as well as the many activities Lake LBJ has to offer. Working with the Jenkins team from out of town has been drama-free, as the clients have taken advantage of the Jenkins web-based “Guide to Picture Perfect Projects” Personal Home page to view progress, project documents, and process change orders.  With these conveniences, the clients have only had to travel into town for a few critical-stage meetings.

Construction on this custom home began in the Fall of 2009 with the bulk head and boat house.  Those are continuing, as construction on the home continues as well.

A Really Cool Golf Experience

Golf Simulator

One of the really cool items we saw at the International Builder’s Show was this digital golf simulator by Full Swing Golf.  As you can imagine, their booth was widely attended by all.  “What is it?”, you say. It is a golf simulator that allows you to play Pebble Beach or any of over 50 of the world’s best courses right in your own home theater room.

The screen works beautifully for all your home theater movies as well as most gaming systems; so, you don’t have to have a separate screen for viewing movies.  When you take your shot, the ball hits the screen and takes off into the scene.  The company claims that accuracy was their primary concern when designing it and that the experience is just like being on the course.  Our team gave it a try and said that it does have the same look and feel as being there.  Most everyone who tried it said that it was a lot of fun.

It is also customizable, in case you don’t find a course you like; and you can even play online tournaments with other system owners.  Although a little pricey, this new technology is sure to be sought after by every avid golfer on the planet.