R-Value Homes Blog

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) have been around for decades, yet finding a contractor who truly understands how to build with them is still surprisingly difficult, especially in Michigan. We talk to homeowners every year who did their homework on...

In January 2025, 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...

You’re thinking about triple-pane windows. You’re weighing solar panels. You’re scanning the market for eco-friendly appliances and high-performance materials. At some point in that process, many homeowners arrive at the same question: what should...

If you’re exploring the idea of building an energy-efficient custom home in Michigan, chances are you’ve already asked the question nearly every homeowner asks first: “So… how much does it cost?”

It’s a fair question. But when we talk about the cost...

Been paying attention to today’s housing market? How does your neck feel? Watching costs rise can cause a bit of pain and anxiety in the best of us. Mortgage rates are hovering just below 7 percent, concerns about tariffs on a wide range of...

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...

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...

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...

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...