R-Value Homes Blog

Is your dream in good hands? Designing a custom home is about building a home that performs well, feels good to live in, and stands the test of time. That kind of home doesn’t come from guesswork or generic plans. It starts with a process that...

Thinking about buying land in Michigan to build your dream home? That’s exciting! You probably already know that the land you pick will shape almost every decision that follows. It’s the canvas for your vision, but it’s also full of potential...

Building a custom home in West Michigan is an exciting and deeply personal journey. Choosing the right builder is just as important as the design itself, and knowing a few tips for selecting the best home builder in West Michigan can help you start...

Building a custom home in Grand Rapids is an unparalleled opportunity to create a space for your family tailored to your particular needs and goals that you can cherish for many years to come. However, it’s also an investment—and likely to be one of...

Last month, my family and I spent a week in Guatemala building homes for families in need (see picture below). The experience made me reflect on the expectations we have for our own homes.

The families in these Guatemalan villages were overjoyed...

"Why are you charging me for a quote when another builder gave me one for free?"

We hear this question a lot, and honestly, it’s a great one. But here’s the thing: not all home price quotes are created equal.

You might assume the free quote you got...

One of the first questions people ask a custom home builder is: “When can you start?” or “When do you have an opening in your schedule?”. If you have ever asked some form of that question, there’s a good chance you’ve followed up with another one:...

You’ve probably heard that an ICF home is more efficient than others. Here’s a quick crash-course about ICF homes. Maybe you’ve even come across figures like 32% to 44% energy savings. But how accurate are those claims? And is a net-zero home really...

You can’t unknow something. If you are happy with the status quo, maybe it’s best to skip this post and move on. If you read this, you may end up like me: convinced it is unethical to build a home you know will have hidden problems. 

You’re thinking...

Some people would like to be involved in the construction of their new home beyond just writing a check and picking out colors. If that's you, this is the blog for you.

Maybe you have that can-do attitude that built America that we see all over...