North Georgia and southwestern North Carolina construction and building design resources from Judi Smith Designs, Inc.

Building a home incurs the greatest financial burden most people will face in a lifetime and few envision how complex the process is until they are tangled in a jungle of restrictive covenant, building codes, zoning ordinances, design options, vendor and contractor choices and so on. Yet, most states do not have a licensing requirement for residential building designers. When a new home or addition is in your future, a specialist in the discipline of residential design is your best choice to guide you through the design/building experience. Accordingly, it makes sense to secure design services from a qualified experienced source - a professional member of the American Institute of Building Design.

Since 1950, AIBD has provided building designers with educational resources and has developed nationwide design standards and a code of ethics for the building design profession. Today, AIBD is a nationally recognized association with professional and associate members in 47 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Azerbaijan, and throughout Canada. Its chartered states societies are active in their respective legislative arenas and work to promote public awareness of the building design profession.

AIBD is also meeting the challenge of the future by educating members about new and improved building materials and 21st century technology that will impact how we live in the future. In response to the ever changing needs of the design profession, the AIBD Board of Directors has recently established the National Council of Building Designer Certification (NCBDC), and has charged its leadership with overseeing the Designer Certification Program. For those who have chosen the professional of building design, there is no greater evidence of competency than achieving the status of Certified Professional Building Design (CPBD). Application for this credential is available to building designers - both professional members of AIBD and non-AIBD members - who qualify.

Alternately, the credential of Professional Building Designer is the highest classification level which a professional member of the AIBD can attain. To qualify, an individual must first possess a minimum five years of educational and professional experience. As with the CPBD credential, a Professional Building Designer must subscribe to a scrupulous code of professional ethics. Equally significant, both require a commitment to professional development through a continuing education policy.

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Since 1950, the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD), the nationally recognized association of Professional Building Designers, has provided its members professional and educational resources, and has developed nationwide design standards and a code of ethics for the building design profession. Today, the AIBD represents professional and associate members in 46 states and throughout Canada and abroad. Its chartered societies are active in their respective legislative arenas and work to promote public awareness of the building design profession. The AIBD is also meeting the challenge of the future by educating members about new and improved building materials and technology that will impact how we live in the future. In response to the ever changing needs of the design profession, the AIBD board of directors has established the National Council of Building Designer Certification (NCBDC), and has charged its leadership with overseeing the Designer Certification Program. For those who have chosen the profession of building design, there is no greater evidence of competency than achieving the status of Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD). Application for this credential is available to building designers - both professional members of the AIBD and non-AIBD members - who qualify.

Alternatively, the credential of Professional Building Designer is the highest classification level that a professional member of the AIBD can attain. To qualify, an individual must first possess a minimum of five years of educational and professional design experience. As with the CPBD credential, a Professional Building Designer must subscribe to a scrupulous code of professional ethics. Equally significant, both require a commitment to professional development through a continuing education policy and provider program.

Councils

· House Plan Marketing Association
· National Council of Building Designer Certification

House Plan Marketing Association

The House Plan Marketing Association is an independent council established to address the concerns of the pre-drawn home plans market. The principal goals are to ensure the consuming public of the highest quality product, reduce copyright infringement by educating the design community and consumers alike, provide an honorable, low cost and non-disruptive means for the resolution of copyright disputes between designers.

National Council of Building Designer Certification

The AIBD endorses and encourages its members to be a Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD) under the National Council of Building Designer Certification (NCBDC). The NCBDC program is the only certification for residential and light frame building designers in the nation. The certification program has been certifying building designers for over 40 years and measures a designer's qualifications on a nationally recognized level. This program is a true test of an applicant's complete understanding of residential and light frame building design. Certification allows designers to demonstrate professional capabilities and is a designation of professional excellence.

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The National Council of Building Designer Certification is committed to:

* Improving the Ethical and Quality Standards of Residential Building Design
* Assuring the Public Trust by Nationally Testing and Accrediting Professional Building Designers
* Adding Value to Every Residential Design Project a Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD) Undertakes

Peace of Mind.

Enjoy the benefits of a nationally recognized level of performance and the confidence of a safer investment.

The National Council of Building Designer Certification... your family is in good hands.

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Finding the appropriate building designer for your project is not a difficult task. The steps are similar to those you'd take in locating any qualified professional. First, you'll need to compile a list of potential candidates. Start by asking friends, relatives and business associates if they've worked with building designers in the past, and ask for a referral. Check the yellow pages in your telephone directory under "Building Design", "Residential Design" or "Home Design" for designers in your area, too.

Many residential contractors and design/build firms will have a building designer on staff, or they may regularly use the services of one nearby. A weekend "scouting" drive within a 15-mile radius of your home may yield a few solid leads. Keep an eye out for homes which are similar in design to what you have in mind. If you see something appealing and construction is not yet complete, look for a job sign posted at the site. The building designer's name and phone number may be listed, which you can easily jot down. If the home is occupied, a quick knock on the door at a respectable hour might result in a referral from a flattered homeowner.

The best way to compile a list of potential building designers for your project is by contacting the national offices of AIBD at 800-366-2423. AIBD can provide you with a list of names and phone numbers of professional members in your general area, or direct you to the AIBD chapter in your state which can provide that information.

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The journey to your "dream home" can take an unfortunate wrong turn if drawings are less than thorough and specifications are left in limbo. Contractors routinely refer to construction documents to justify an action. Any resulting squabble can bring construction to a screeching halt while high-priced attorneys iron-out a settlement. A Professional Building Designer tries to avert such conflicts before work begins: first, by exploring design solutions with their client on paper, and then by meeting with contractors bidding on the project to answer any questions regarding a specification or drawing detail.

Be it a new home, addition or renovation, thorough planning and good design go hand in hand. The American Institute of Building Design exists for that reason. We strive to promote national unity I the design profession; to improve design educational standards and methods; and to increase public awareness of the building design profession. Why not secure the services of a qualified, experienced specialist for your next building project: a Professional Building Designer who is a member of the American Institute of Building Design.

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The Union-Towns Home Builders Association members have pledged themselves to the highest standards of ethics adopted by the Ethics Committee of the Association. Each member cares enough to belong to an organization that is dedicated to the highest standard of quality in the industry, working together to increase the confidence of the consumer through education and association.

When you choose one of our members, you have the assurance that they subscribe to the Bylaws of our Association as set forth in our Code of Ethics.

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The Home Builders Association of Georgia (HBAG) is part of a three-tiered federation of organizations who share a common mission: to serve the housing industry and provide expanding opportunities for all consumers to have safe, decent and affordable housing. Individual members join local associations, which in turn are affiliated with the Home Builders Association of Georgia and the National Association of Home Builders.

This structure enables the association to address regulatory issues and insure representation of the housing industry at all levels of government. Portions of each member's local association dues go to support HBAG & NAHB. The role of the HBAG is to support the local associations throughout the state of Georgia, advocate for the housing industry at the state level and act as a liaison between the local and national organizations. HBAG provides numerous educational programs, produces several publications for members, and maintains standing committees for Government Affairs & Regulatory Affairs. HBAG also recognizes the service of outstanding association members with the Hall of Fame and Builder, Associate & Executive Officer of the Year programs.

Your continued support of your local home builders association is critical to the continued growth of the housing industry and your business, ensuring the concerns of builders are heard in the State House and on Capitol Hill. Together we can make a difference!

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NAHB is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association whose mission is to enhance the climate for housing and the building industry. Chief among NAHB’s goals is providing and expanding opportunities for all consumers to have safe, decent and affordable housing. As “the voice of America’s housing industry,” NAHB helps promote policies that will keep housing a national priority.

Founded in 1942, NAHB is a federation of more than 800 state and local associations. About one-third of NAHB’s 235,000 members are home builders and/or remodelers. The remaining members are associates working in closely related fields within the housing industry, such as mortgage finance and building products and services.

The association is member-driven, with a professional staff of more than 300 in Washington. More than 2,800 members serve on the association’s board of directors, which elects the association’s Senior Officers and helps set the association’s agenda.

NAHB's various groups analyze policy issues, take the industry’s story to the public through the media and other outlets, monitor and work toward improving the housing finance system, analyze and forecast economic and consumer trends, and educate, train and disseminate information to members. The association also represents the industry’s interests on Capitol Hill and strives to ensure that housing remains a national priority when laws are made and policies are established. NAHB also works with federal agencies on regulations affecting the housing industry in areas such as mortgage finance, codes, energy and the environment. Finally, the association strives to shape decisions of the courts, by becoming involved in litigation on land development, environmental, and construction liability matters, such that laws and regulations may be interpreted favorably for the housing industry.

NAHB’s builder members construct about 80 percent of the new homes constructed each year in the United States.

NAHB’s Annual Convention and Exposition, known as the International Builders’ Show, is one of the largest building projects showcases in the country, attracting more than 100,000 attendees each year. The 2008 show will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, Feb. 13-16, 2008.

NAHB’s affiliates include the NAHB Research Center, which develops, tests and evaluates new materials, methods, standards and equipment to improve the technology and the affordability of America’s housing; and the Home Builders Institute, NAHB’s workforce development arm, which develops and administers a wide range of educational and job training programs.

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If you're in the market for a new home, you should shop for your builder as carefully as you shop for your home. Whether you are buying a condo, a townhouse, a house in a subdivision, or a custom built house, you want to know that you are buying a good quality home from a reputable builder. Here are a couple of tips to help you choose a builder.

Make A List of Possible Builders
Once you have thought about the type of house you want, you will need to find a builder.

*< with check First, builder? a for look you should where want, house of type the about thought have>Contact your local builders association to obtain a list of builders who construct homes in your area. You can also look on HomeBuilder.com, NAHB's official new homes listing Web site.

* Look in the real estate section of you local newspaper for builders and projects. Looking through the ads and reading the articles can help you to learn which builders are active in your area, the types of homes they are building, and the prices you can expect to pay. Make a list of builders who build the type of home you're looking for in your price range.

* Local real estate agents may also be able to help you in your search. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations. Ask about builders they have dealt with directly, or ask them for names of acquaintances who have recently had a good experience with a builder.

Do Your Homework
Once you have a list of builders, how can you find out about their reputations and the quality of their work? The best way to learn about builders is to visit homes they have built and talk with the owners.

* Ask builders on your list for the addresses of their recently built homes and subdivisions. Builders may even be able to provide names of some home owners who would be willing to talk with you.

* Drive by on a Saturday morning when home owners may be outside doing chores or errands. Introduce yourself and say you are considering buying a home from the builder who built their home. Talk to several owners, and try to get a random sample of opinions. The more people you talk with, the more accurate an impression of a builder you are likely to get. At the very least, drive by and see if the homes are visually appealing.

* When you talk to builders and home owners, take along a notebook to record the information you find and your personal impressions about specific builders and homes. Doing so will help you to make comparisons later. Some questions you can ask people include: Are you happy with your home? If you had any problems, were they fixed promptly and properly? Would you buy another home from this builder?

* Usually, people tell you if they are pleased with their homes. And if they are not, they'll probably want to tell you why.

Shop For Quality and Value

Look at new homes whenever you can. Home shows and open houses sponsored by builders are good opportunities to look at homes. Model homes and houses displayed in home shows are often furnished to give you ideas for using the space. You may also ask a builder to see unfurnished homes.

When examining a home, look at the quality of the construction features. Inspect the quality of the cabinetry, carpeting, trimwork, and paint. Ask the builder or the builder's representative a lot of questions. Get as many specifics as possible. If you receive the answers verbally rather than in writing, take notes. Never hesitate to ask a question. What seems like an insignificant question might yield an important answer.

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If you own a home, no matter what its age, sooner or later you may join the millions of people who remodel their homes each year. Perhaps it was that moment when you realized that avocado green and harvest gold are no longer the "in" colors for today's trendy kitchens. Or maybe you had an epiphany one day as you stood in line to use your own bathroom. Whatever the impetus, the thought has crossed your mind: Maybe it's time to remodel. The reasons for remodeling are as varied as the projects we undertake.

Some of these include:

* Adding more space
* Upgrading cabinets, counters, appliances, and fixtures.Creating a floor plan that's customized for your lifestyle
* Improving energy efficiency with new windows, doors, insulation, and climate control systems
* Increasing the resale value of your home

Where to Begin

The first step is to develop an idea of what you want to do. Write a prioritized list of your needs and wants. Look at magazines and Web sites and collect pictures of what you like. The more clearly you can envision the project and describe it on paper, the better prepared you'll be in making your decision.

Think about traffic patterns, furniture size and placement, colors, lighting and how you expect to use the remodeled space. If your decision to remodel involves creating better access for someone with limited mobility, you may want to consider contacting a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist.

Figure out how much money you have to spend on the remodeling job, furnishings, landscaping or any other cost you might incur. For different financing options, view here.

Choose Your Options

Once you have created a list of what you would like out of your home, the next step is deciding how to accomplish your vision.

Hire a Professional. The best way to ensure your home dreams become reality is through the work of a professional. These remodelers are of the highest integrity and standards in the industry. See the professional remodeler difference.

Can you do it yourself? For the handyman or woman, a do-it-yourself project is both rewarding and cost-effective. However, more than 30% of all jobs remodelers perform come from failed do-it-yourselfers. Go here for a thorough checklist to make sure you are ready for the job.

Should you move instead? Your needs may exceed what you can or want to do with your existing home. Learn more about the costs involved with moving versus remodeling.

If you’ve decided you want to hire a remodeler, learn how to choose a professional, avoid contractor fraud, and make your dream home reality.

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Blairsville – Union County Chamber of Commerce
Towns County Chamber of Commerce
Union-Towns County, Georgia Home Builders Assocation
Georgia Society of the American Institute of Building Design
The National Association of Home Builders
The National Council of Building Design Certification
American Design Drafting Association
National Association of the Remodeling Industry
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Chapman & Chapman CPA – Certified Public Accountants – Blairsville, GA
Hughes Accounting – Full range of Accounting Services – Blairsville, Hiawassee, GA

Please Note: The links to the above entities are for your convenience only.
Judi Smith Designs, Inc. does not have any financial or other interest what so ever in the above entities