Sometimes life comes at us like a fastball. Straightforward. Right down the middle. We as individuals and as a business can get into the swing of a rapid life. But then, life can throw us the old-fashioned curveball. We swing, we miss, and we are out.

Bontrager Builders Group is currently working on a large commercial project in the Pensacola, FL region. My staff along with the commercial facility’s staff meet weekly for an early morning meeting to stay in the same playbook. A few weeks ago, my construction superintendent noted how he gets everything lined up and ready to go for the coming week – and then the inevitable curveball comes in and throws the plans for a loop. Another person in the meeting commented, “You just need to learn to hit the curveball!”

That is all well and good, but what can we do to make sure our swing connects?

Break the stressing-out cycle

Issues with a project can easily cause a bit of stress. Stress can often be cyclical. Why exactly are we feeling stressed about a situation? Is it something that we can control or is it something we have to push through with the understanding that we just have to get out from under it? Stress and busyness are a normal part of our everyday life – however, we need to be cautious to not allow them to overtake us. Often, when working on projects, the list of ‘to-dos’ can quickly become a source of that stress. Our team often uses the satisfaction of completing a project-related task as motivation to move onward.

Be prepared to adapt

The motto of the Boy Scouts is “Be Prepared.” Ask any Scout or Scouter and they will quickly assure you that the best plans can quickly meet reality. (A relaxing camping trip can be quickly turned into a field test for rain gear by a passing thunderstorm.) The motto speaks more to a mindset than it does anything else. Be prepared. Make notes and plan ahead, but do so with the full understanding that you may have to pivot when it comes to execution. The day’s construction plan may call for the installation of the kitchen renovation’s granite countertops on Thursday, but you may have to work on another segment of the project if the supplier comes up short. The shortages and unpredictability seen in the building materials market have kept us on our toes recently. When issues that require a solution rear their head in any renovation or construction project – that’s ok! It’s a normal part of anything intricate. We accept the issue and work through the solution. When you’ve been in the business for more than twenty-five years, you have seen it before and you know you will see it again. You have to acknowledge the challenges of any job and tackle them with the same high attention to detail every time. Find consistency in life’s inconsistencies!

In baseball, a curveball can throw the batter for a loop. However, once it is thrown by them again and again, they can quickly dial in their swing to hit the ball out of the park. That is what the Bontrager Builders Group strives to do each day on every new construction and renovation project we are asked to undertake. Our attention to detail and ability to adapt to the tastes of any client has made us one of Northwest Florida’s premier luxury custom homebuilders. Interested in our services?

Give us a call at 850-444-9797 to set up a free consultation, or shoot us an email by clicking here. We’d love to bring your dream space to life!

If you’ve decided that you want to build a custom home, you’ve probably done a lot of research about different methods of construction, including insulated concrete forms (ICF).

You may be wondering if building your new home as an ICF structure is the right thing for you and your pocketbook. That’s where we come in. At Bontrager Builders Group, we have expert knowledge of ICF and whether our clients should consider the method. Here’s a rundown of the most important ICF facts.

First, let’s talk about what ICF construction means. When an ICF home’s concrete walls are being built, blocks made of foam are stacked into air-tight patterns between the walls. These foam blocks are then filled with concrete and reinforced with steel, making the ICF home strong enough to stand up to most severe weather.

For example, take a look at the picture below that shows the interior of a few ICF foam blocks from one of our recent projects. This photo was taken before concrete was poured into the foam blocks, but it provides some insight into what the inside of an ICF home’s walls look like. The foam blocks fit together so well that there are hardly any gaps or openings to allow outside weather or material to enter the ICF home.

Besides the concrete, the steel skeleton provides added support to the home’s walls. In addition, any electrical or plumbing elements are run through the foam blocks before the concrete is poured into them. Because of the additional strength in poor weather conditions, ICF is the ideal method by which to construct beach homes. In the long run, ICF homeowners save money in damage control and energy.

Let’s talk a little more about the long-run savings that many ICF homeowners enjoy as a result of their chosen building technique. According to Proud Green Home, because the ICF method of insulation does not leave many gaps between the foam blocks, “an ICF home can cut energy bills in half and can achieve a HERS index in the 40-50 range, which means they are outperforming existing building codes by 50 to 60 percent.” Energy bills being cut in half means that ICF homeowners are benefiting in that they are saving a huge chunk of change by building their homes with foam bricks and concrete.

As a result of Florida’s often unpredictable and severe weather, many homeowners want to have a home that stands the test of time. The ICF method can help owners achieve that goal.

We love when a client comes to us with a unique request to build something that fits their lifestyle, tastes, and passions. Because of its rustic charm and beautiful detailing, this home is one of those projects. The exterior of this home nearly blends in with the green scenery that surrounds it. This home doesn’t disturb nature, it enhances it. The green paint is not garish; it is a classic, mossy color that works well with the exposed brick accents. The brick that makes up the steps and columns of this home is a rich red color that enhances the home’s other unique characteristics.

This home’s back deck is a unique take on the classic Southern porch. Wooden chairs are placed strategically to encourage long, meandering conversations between friends and family. The back porch is screened in to prevent any mosquitos from intruding on those warm chat sessions. The ceiling is custom-made, with slabs of wood carefully covering the space. Unique lighting fixtures also adorn the ceiling, giving the atmosphere a rustic, yet modern feel. We love how open, yet cozy this back porch feels. The flooring is just the right color, brown, making visitors feel like they are truly sitting in the woods. The green walls simulating trees connects with the soil-colored flooring to create a natural experience for those sitting on the porch. The bench that hangs from the ceiling is reminiscent of childhood days swinging from the backyard oak tree.

When you walk inside the home, you’ll be greeted by beautiful wooden paneling on the walls and a contrasting wooden floor that warms up every single room in the home. The wooden features brings a bit of nature into the kitchen area and the rest of the house. The forest theme in this home strikes just the right balance. We absolutely love this spacious custom bar that is equipped to serve every guest’s preference in food and drink. The counter sinks into the wall and features modern recessed lighting to make sure that the tender of the day has the best possible space to whip up refreshing drinks. This bar is made to serve friends and family, and it is well-equipped to do so.

The kitchen extends the forest theme of earthy tones from the exterior of the home and brings it into the heart of the house. The counter tops in this kitchen are a unique green granite that emulates the trees that surround the home. The wood paneling on the walls in the rest of the house are also in the kitchen with the dark-wood cabinets providing a nice, natural contrast that highlights the rich warmth of the home. The lighting fixtures drop low and are placed over the breakfast bar while a chandelier hangs in the middle of the kitchen. The abundant lighting throughout the home also contributes to the warmth and comfort that the property exudes through every detail.

It’s all in the details, and this home has a lot of them. This custom staircase is a beautiful light wood that stands in contrast to the wood paneling on the walls that we’ve seen throughout the house. The closet beneath the staircase nearly blends in as the door is made of the same wood as the wall paneling. The other wooden details such as the cuckoo clock and the beautiful cabinetry below it serve to add depth and detail throughout the space. When we step into this home, it’s as if we’ve traveled back to a simpler time, and we love it.

Bontrager Builders Group excels at bringing architects, designers, and subcontractors together to create engaging, charismatic spaces that help businesses grow and excel. Let us know if we can help you transform your business facility into its best, most effective version of itself. Call us at 850-444-9797 to book a free, no-obligation consultation, and check out our other blogs and our photo gallery for more home inspiration!