ANYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NEW CONSTRUCTION

Where do you build?
GGCH has built approximately 25 homes on the North Shore, including Glenview, Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, and Highland Park. While our luxury home building and remodeling business is concentrated in those communities, we welcome the opportunity to build in the village of your choice.

When should we call Glenn Gutnayer Custom Homes?
If you are building a new custom home, please call us as soon as you have a property under consideration, even if you have not yet submitted an offer to purchase. We will meet you at no charge at the property to discuss the building codes as well as the home square footage, style and features of interest. We highly encourage you to bring photographs or magazine clippings of your favorite homes and architectural styles.

If you are considering remodeling a home, please call us at the beginning of the project development phase so we can work with the architect in incorporating the most cost effective construction methods to achieve your design goals.

Do I need my own architect?
Over the years, Glenn Gutnayer Custom Homes has built luxury homes designed by numerous prominent architects. We are very willing to work with the architect of your choice. We enjoy the process of forming working relationships with new architects, and believe everyone benefits by sharing of design and building experience.

If you do not have and architect we can highly recommend architects to you. Our recommended architects have vast experience in providing sophisticated designs and services at an affordable fee. Glenn Gutnayer Custom Homes, together with our recommended architect, have won several design- build awards.

What are the different ways to hire Glenn Gutnayer Custom Homes?
The process starts with several no cost consultations with you. Once there is a general idea of the size and scope of the project, we will provide you with an approximate cost of construction. The next step is for you to contract for our services. We offer you two options for engaging our services:

Fixed Cost basis - We will quote to you a total cost for your project, subject to signed change orders that occur during construction. This process assures the homeowner that his costs are known and affordable up front.

Cost Plus GC Fee basis - Often the cost plus GC fee is a slightly less expensive way to build. By eliminating the markup for unforeseen events that the GC must build in on a Fixed Cost basis, the homeowner may save those "prepaid" dollars if they are not used.

With either method, the personal involvement of Glenn Gutnayer in all phases of your project keeps our overhead to a minimum, and we pass this savings on to our clients.

How do I know that my payments to Glenn Gutnayer Custom Homes are secure in these economic times?
We do not require payments in advance for our services. Our company receives payments after installation and as work progresses. If advance deposits for custom ordered materials are required, the Owner may pay Glenn Gutnayer Custom Homes or the supplier directly. We also recommend the homeowner makes payouts through a title escrow company, whose business is to protect the homeowner's financial interests.

How do we know we will get a good value building with you?
Glenn Gutnayer Custom Homes places great efforts in keeping overhead to a minimum. In addition, to keep labor costs down, we take multiple bids for every trade. For material selections, we you will be directed to suppliers discovered over years that offer beautiful products at an affordable price. The proven result is that our homes cost less than those by competitor builders, while they maintain a premium in the home resale market.

How long does it take to build a custom home?
It usually takes from 10 to 14 months, depending on the size of the house, the speed at which homeowner decisions are made, and the lead time for items selected by the homeowner.

You may find other builders claim they can build quality homes in 6 or 7 months. Please note that fine finishes require a certain time for installation and curing to insure the quality of the home over many years. "Rushing" of construction will lead to avoidable defects later on.

What tradesmen do you use?
We take great pride in continually sourcing out and working with the most talented and reliable craftsmen who are affordable in price. We work only with trades that have been in business for many years and who, through their quality of work, are active and viable today.

What kinds of inspections take place during construction?
The city conducts at least 20 different inspections during the process. These include foundation, rough framing, rough heating, rough plumbing, rough electric, insulation, final heating, plumbing, electric and carpentry and final grading and property drainage. Glenn Gutnayer Custom Homes works closely with these inspectors to assure the longtime safety and quality of the home.

Do you build "green"?
If we are tearing down a house, we have been very successful in selling all usable building parts including, gutters, HVAC equipment, kitchens cabinets, plumbing etc. to homeowners and remodelers for reuse. All remaining materials are placed in dumpsters for reuse by a certified recycling company.

Due to our experience with many newest "green" features and products, we will recommend which ones make the most economical sense. For example, we recommend spray foam insulation and energy star rated windows on all houses. Eliminating energy leakage in this manner achieves the most energy savings and the greatest "bang for your buck". During the design process, we will discuss with you other "green" products such as water saving toilets and plumbing faucets, electric saving lighting products, energy saving heating and cooling systems and building products with recycled content. Here's a link to help you understand better how homes become green .

Why should we hire Glenn Gutnayer Custom Homes?
We take great pride in approaching the home building business like no other builder. For us, our homes are three dimensional sculptures to live in. Aesthetically, our homes:

• Combine art and craftsmanship, such as faux painting curved and textured walls.
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• Integrate the essential design characteristics of the time period and architectural style of the home, whether historic or contemporary.
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• Integrate interior with exterior design.
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• Contain texture and layering of finishes and materials.
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• Have interior spaces with drama and charm.
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• Have walls that interplay between straight lines and curved lines.
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• Are proportioned for comfort and relaxation.
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• Have walls and niches suitable for displaying artwork.
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• Having landscaping appropriate to the architectural style of the home.

What are your warranties?
We offer a full one year warranty on all material defects within our homes. 1 and 2 year extended warranties are available for a fee. In addition, our appliances and equipment manufacturers offer extended warranties of 2-5 years at no additional cost.

Do you offer other construction services?
Yes. We offer the following additional services.

• Full remodeling services. From kitchens to additions, we do it all!
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• Construction Management Services. Let us be your representative to the architect and builder to insure the construction means, methods and materials you have contracted for are properly being installed.

How do I set up a free design consultation?
Still have a few questions? Please call Glenn Gutnayer at 719.374.5396 or email him at Glenn@GlennGutnayerCustomHomes.com.