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6 years ago

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Is your Home Too Airtight?

The best Building Science Practices recommend a super tight home with the proper exchange of air between the indoors and outdoors. The moisture content of the indoor air from cooking, washing clothes, showering and bathing is almost always higher than the air outside. The correct question to ask is how you manage the air exchange for your home in your climate zone. At Nautilus, we will be happy to show you that you will love the results. For more information on how to do this. We will beHappy to show the results,... more

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6 years ago

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Insulating During a Remodel

Insulating During a Remodel It seems like every time I ask a client if they would like me to look at their insulation while I provide an estimate for their kitchen-renovation project, they look at me like I am speaking French! And yet, every time I go to the doctor they check my weight, lung sounds and blood pressure, stick probes into my ears and down my throat, sensors on my chest and back, asks me about my lifestyle habits and pretty much check me out head to toe before we even talk the specifics about why... more Insulating During a Remodel It seems like every time I ask a client if they would like me to look at their insulation while I provide an estimate for their kitchen-renovation project, they look at me like I am speaking French! And yet, every time I go to the doctor they check my weight, lung sounds and blood pressure, stick probes into my ears and down my throat, sensors on my chest and back, asks me about my lifestyle habits and pretty much check me out head to toe before we even talk the specifics about why I am there in the first place! In other words, as patients, we have been educated to accept that in order for the doctor to make a sound evaluation of the issue at hand, they will first need all the contextual data about our entire bodies before they issue a diagnosis. I mean we even expect our car mechanic to check all the fluids, break pads and tire wear when we go in for an oil change. Wouldn’t it make sense that our remodeling contractor performs the same service when we invite them over to look at our room addition plans (or kitchen or bathroom renovation)? Well, at Nautilus, we do that in due course and we don’t need to speak French to get the job done! In fact, if your home is old enough to warrant updating the kitchen or bathroom (or any part of the house for that matter), we can assure you that your insulation is out of date and warrants an inspection. First, if your home was built before 1996, it no longer meets code. That is, the rating on the insulation may not be R13 for walls, R19 for floors, and R30 for ceilings. And guaranteed, a home built before 2007 and many built thereafter, likely do not meet the industry standards for best installation practices. In other words, an independent third party did not ensure that there are no gaps, voids, compressions or overlapping. Because if any of these exist, that R Value mentioned above, goes right out the window (pun intended!) So the next time you undertake a major home improvement project like a kitchen or bath renovation, upgrade the insulation in the immediate area just as you would the cabinet and plumbing fixtures. And at the same time have your contractor visually inspect the visible insulation in the attic and under the house (standard inspection at Nautilus). As for that insulation hidden in the wall cavities, it may not be visible to the naked eye, but it can’t hide from even the most inexpensive thermal imaging camera. Like a good doctor, Nautilus will refer you to the specialist that can give your home an x-ray to ensure that the inner health of your home remains as beautiful as the exterior everyone can see. Bon Jour! less

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6 years ago

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Only in Savannah--Design Build

At Nautilus we understand there is virtually an unlimited number of questions you can ask your builder when interviewing them for construction of your renovation project or new home. At the end of the list, what you will learn is that Nautilus is the only builder in Savannah that will give you what you want most: Price Security, Schedule Security and a good warranty. Guaranteed Estimate! Easy. All day long. At Nautilus, we think every project should finish on budget. Isn’t that what the contract price... more At Nautilus we understand there is virtually an unlimited number of questions you can ask your builder when interviewing them for construction of your renovation project or new home. At the end of the list, what you will learn is that Nautilus is the only builder in Savannah that will give you what you want most: Price Security, Schedule Security and a good warranty. Guaranteed Estimate! Easy. All day long. At Nautilus, we think every project should finish on budget. Isn’t that what the contract price is for? Allowances are simply another way of spelling change order and since those are a disaster for everyone, we don’t do allowances. And since most folks agree it’s kinda hard to guarantee the price of something if you don’t know what the item is, we ask you to make timely decisions. If you don’t make the selection, we can’t price it and it is not included. But once you make your selections, we can price them, include them and guarantee the price 100% no exceptions. Fair? Guaranteed Schedule! You better believe it! No ifs, ands or buts about it; we guarantee our schedules. Here are what we consider to be 3 pretty reasonable conditions to giving you the schedule security you deserve: Because nobody ever knows how long getting a permit will take, we only guarantee the schedule after we have the permit in hand. Of course, weather delays are not included but we tell you when the delay has occurred and we document it at the time of the event so there is no surprise at the end of the project. The big one comes next--we can only guarantee our schedule if you make the required selections according to the selections calendar we give you during the design stage. Some folks still insist the project needs to finish on time even when there are outstanding decisions yet to make. At Nautilus, we believe in a true partnership with our clients. A partnership where both parties keep their commitments to ensure the on-time completion of their home. Awesome Warranties! The state of Georgia mandates builders provide a 10-2-1 Warranty: 10 years structural, 2 years mechanical deliver systems (water, electrical and HVAC) and 1-year workmanship. However, at Nautilus we would be embarrassed to build you a new home or remodel your kitchen under those terms. Quite simply we put our money where our mouth is and instead of 10-2-1 we provide 10-5-2. Every builder speaks platitudes about pride in “craftsmanship,” but are those builders willing to back up their craftsmanship in writing with warranty terms as strong as ours? Price Security. Schedule Security. Awesome Warranties! Only in Savannah. less

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6 years ago

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Blurred Lines

Blurring the Lines At Nautilus Luxury Homes, we are ready to help you update your home into the dream home you have always wanted. Or we can turn that beautiful lot by the marsh into the masterpiece you have dreamt about in Luxe Magazine. And to accomplish this, within your budget and time frame, our design and engineering team will “blur the lines” with our two favorite design elements that will take your breath away when you walk into your home and look out across the living area. The Kitchen is... more Blurring the Lines At Nautilus Luxury Homes, we are ready to help you update your home into the dream home you have always wanted. Or we can turn that beautiful lot by the marsh into the masterpiece you have dreamt about in Luxe Magazine. And to accomplish this, within your budget and time frame, our design and engineering team will “blur the lines” with our two favorite design elements that will take your breath away when you walk into your home and look out across the living area. The Kitchen is Not an Island If you need to open a door to enter your current kitchen or if you have to leave the kitchen to talk with someone in the room next door, it’s high time you updated your idea of what a kitchen space looks like and how it can function for your family in 2017. No longer is the cook relegated to a confined space in the back of the house only to leave when it is time to bring food to friends and family waiting patiently in the room next door. Knock down those walls! Raise that ceiling! Today’s kitchen is either the hub of activity where guests hang out while meals are being prepared or it is the nexus from where food and talk are passed back and forth without boundaries. By blurring the lines of the traditional kitchen and adjacent eating areas, the open space design of a Nautilus kitchen enables family and friends to come together in sharing of conversation, nourishment and life itself. Bringing the Outdoors In No, you do not have to live on the beach in Southern California to open those doors and bring the outdoors in. Whether your backyard is the march or the ocean, a jungle gym, swimming pool or turf grass with a picket fence, Nautilus will take down those walls separating you and your family from that “other life” you have in your backyard. Large plate glass windows and telescoping 16’ wide door systems (with hidden thresholds!) will blur those lines so quickly it will take your breath away. And with ceiling fans on the porch, nearly invisible overhead screen systems and non-toxic pest control misters you can enjoy your new space in the middle of summer. Blurring the lines. All of us here at Nautilus take pride in blurring the lines because when we help you increase the livability of your home, we increase the value you place on your home. And as your neighbors we want our friends to be happy. If it takes blurring the lines to help you get there, well, let’s get out the erasers! less

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7 years ago

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3 Tech Predictions for the Construction Industry

Nautilus Homes would like to share with you a glimpse of how technology is shaping the way that leading edge custom home builders will be doing business in the 21st century. According to constructionworld.org there are “3 Tech Predictions” that are already being adopted into the industry and we think you may get a “kick” out of them… or at least a good laugh! At a minimum, we hope you enjoy them. Drones Drones will and are already making an impact through improved project... more Nautilus Homes would like to share with you a glimpse of how technology is shaping the way that leading edge custom home builders will be doing business in the 21st century. According to constructionworld.org there are “3 Tech Predictions” that are already being adopted into the industry and we think you may get a “kick” out of them… or at least a good laugh! At a minimum, we hope you enjoy them. Drones Drones will and are already making an impact through improved project evaluation via aerial surveys and building surveillance. Rather than paying for security personnel, drones are able to take its place, saving companies time and money. Drones can also be used for collecting images that contribute to virtual reality or augmented reality versions of a physical place. Aside from its on-site benefits, drones can be extremely useful in the pre-planning stages, even before a shovel hits the ground. Wearable Tech On a smaller scale, construction companies are now using wearable devices like smart watches and smart clothing. In terms of safety, wearable tech has the ability to record the vital signs of on-site workers, as well as allow injured workers to signal for help. By providing a greater number of safety precautions on job sites, construction workers can now rely on wearable technology if they find themselves in a hazardous situation. Another example of how this technology helps are special alarms that automatically beep when a worker gets near a hole or edge of a fall zone. Less Tablets, More Phablets Although tablets are now commonly used on job sites, another trend coming to construction is an increase in phablets.Represented by a convergence of phones and tablets, phablets are smartphones with a larger screen size, but have the functionality of both devices. Phablets are much easier to carry and can fit in pockets, which is perfect for construction sites. They allow for the accessibility and mobility of smartphones, as well as the ability to view reports, drawings and capture digital signatures.The days of traditional paper blueprints are truly numbered, especially at the most progressive job sites around the country. So next time you hear some one say “they sure don’t build them like they used to,” you can smile and say in return “thank goodness”! less

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7 years ago

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Our Favorite Home Remodeling Trends for 2017

It has always been the Nautilus way to save our clients valuable research time, so we have scoured the web and asked the experts what this year’s hottest design trends will be. From Forbes, to House Beautiful and Remodeling magazines, to Consumer Reports, and lastly, Houzz and Trulia, this is the best of the best for the year ahead. Enjoy! Stainless Steel is out and Brass is in! Whether its appliances or hardware, say goodbye to the shiny metal finishes of the 80’s and the stainless steel of the... more It has always been the Nautilus way to save our clients valuable research time, so we have scoured the web and asked the experts what this year’s hottest design trends will be. From Forbes, to House Beautiful and Remodeling magazines, to Consumer Reports, and lastly, Houzz and Trulia, this is the best of the best for the year ahead. Enjoy! Stainless Steel is out and Brass is in! Whether its appliances or hardware, say goodbye to the shiny metal finishes of the 80’s and the stainless steel of the last ten years. - Polished or satin brass and bronze knobs, knockers, pulls, and faucets are back in a big way.- Matte-finish appliances in dark hues bring an element of drama into the kitchen. Splurging on laundry rooms. Everyone knows that kitchens and bathrooms get the big remodeling dollars, but many homeowners are seeing value in making every their laundry room look great and become more functional. According to the 2017 Houzz Home Report, people remodeling their laundry rooms of 150 square feet or more will spend an average of $2,700. If you take away appliances then that's a sizable budget to splurge on tile and other details. Cerused Woods This wood has a limed-wax finish to add color to wood while also revealing its unusual grain. It’s expected to be big for cabinets and flooring, especially in dramatic hues of black, “greige,” and dark gray. - See more at: https://www.trulia.com/blog/infographic-interior- design-style-predictions/-sthash.z8dY7ZUc.dpuf Smart Home Technology Grows Up In 2017, 33% of homes are expected to have at least one connected device and the household penetration should top 60% by 2021, according to Statista, which is a market research firm. Home security systems and security cameras are among the most desired smart tech features to consider, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ “2017 Home Buyer Preferences” report. There are now more home sensors that can detect leaks, along with other environmental conditions in the home. One of the most promising is “Wally,” which is a wireless home sensing solution that detects and alerts you to water leaks as well as significant changes in temperature and humidity. Better yet, a connected shutoff valve will turn the water off if a leak is detected while you're away from home. The shutoff valve will be available this spring through the Sears website for $200. A $99 starter kit, including the hub and sensor, is out now. less

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7 years ago

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Being the Client Advocate...

It is YOUR window to look through… After attending local and national builders shows we end up getting several calls a week from different building material suppliers all wanting to sell me its product, especially window manufacturers. But at the end of the day all that matters is that YOU like the view looking out of your house, when you look through that window. When Nautilus builds or remodels your home, we will only be working with you for a short period of time. Then after your house is built, you... more

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7 years ago

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A Higher Performing Home

How do we define sustainable? - Something you can afford.- Something that gives you value.- Something that focuses on your priorities. Nautilus is not the one defining sustainability, but rather the Nautilus client defines what is sustainable to their budget. When asked to describe their luxury dream car, most people would describe a high end vehicle with a sleek design and a great entertainment system. The focus is usually on the visuals and the feel of the vehicle. But do you know what is under the hood... more How do we define sustainable? - Something you can afford.- Something that gives you value.- Something that focuses on your priorities. Nautilus is not the one defining sustainability, but rather the Nautilus client defines what is sustainable to their budget. When asked to describe their luxury dream car, most people would describe a high end vehicle with a sleek design and a great entertainment system. The focus is usually on the visuals and the feel of the vehicle. But do you know what is under the hood of your dream car? The same concept applies to choosing the design features of your future home or renovation. Many people do not focus on what you do not see in the house, which are the “bones” of the home and normally the high performance aspects of the project. Nautilus prides itself on beautifully designed, but highly durable homes. We excel in building a great looking home that is built to code and has a lot of luxury features in it, but we also focus on the “bones” and mechanics of the home and how that affects the performance for years to come. We like to refer to our design/build method as “building BEYOND the code.” Someone that comes to Nautilus Luxury Homes can expect this type of service throughout every step of the process. For instance, we use: - Higher quality foundation/slabs- Higher quality framing- Higher quality heating and air conditioning, designed by a mechanical engineer to obtain better air quality for your family, fresh air exchange and higher energy efficiency- Greater quality insulation- Radiant barrier decking on the roof- Tank-less water heaters Does this all cost more than a home just built to code?Yes it costs more than a home built to code.But this is an unfair standard by which we should judge our pricing compared to code based pricing. Some questions you may be asking yourself: What does “code” stand for anyways?What is the building code there for? The building code is only there to insure the survival of the occupants in the event of a structural failure in the home. It does not even exist to insure the survivability of the home itself. A home built to code can be totally destroyed and not salvageable in the event of a natural disaster or devastating circumstances. It is only designed to make sure the occupants get out alive. Don’t you expect more out your high end luxury home? So what else does a higher performing home get us? LONGER WARRANTIES The standard warranties in the industry are 1 year on workmanship, 2 years on mechanical, and 10 years on structural.Nautilus Luxury Homes far exceeds this. We put our money where our mouth is and provide a 2 year warranty on workmanship, a 5 year warranty on mechanical systems and 10 years on the structural. Does a higher performing home built with longer lasting products make it a more sustainable home? Yes. Durability is an important aspect of green and sustainable building. One of the prisms that Nautilus first looks through is how we can build a higher performing luxury dream home without adversely affecting the client’s budget. First, we check and see whether or not the higher performing aspects are in the labor or material. For the most part, labor is extremely variable, both in the cost and the quality, and the quality is not where we cut corners.We recommend spending the money on the delta that results in a higher quality material and does not cost any additional labor. Take for instance radiant barrier roof decking that was mentioned earlier. The only additional cost to radiant barrier roof decking is in the cost of the decking itself. It does not cost any additional money to install the decking, but the performance characteristics of radiant barrier roof decking are there and undeniable and we believe the Nautilus client deserves it. When you partner with Nautilus during the journey of building your dream home, we will constantly strive to provide you with many valuable features, as were mentioned above. Then, you are able to decide what is most important based on your priorities. less

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7 years ago

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LIVING ON WATER? CONSTRUCTION ESSENTIALS TO SURVIVE THE STORM (WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK); Part 4

Part 4 of 4: Low Maintenance Products In this final segment of our 4 part series, “Construction Essentials to Survive the Storm”, we look at low-maintenance products for your new or renovated coastal home. While many of us very much enjoy working around and on our homes, most of us prefer to have this as on optional activity and not a requirement because our home is falling apart. To mitigate against wear and tear, Nautilus recommends its top 5 exterior materials designed to withstand salty air,... more Part 4 of 4: Low Maintenance Products In this final segment of our 4 part series, “Construction Essentials to Survive the Storm”, we look at low-maintenance products for your new or renovated coastal home. While many of us very much enjoy working around and on our homes, most of us prefer to have this as on optional activity and not a requirement because our home is falling apart. To mitigate against wear and tear, Nautilus recommends its top 5 exterior materials designed to withstand salty air, sand, and wind with little maintenance. 1. Sherwin William’s Duration exterior latex paint is hands down the best paint for coastal homes. But, since the durability of paint hinges as much on it’s proper application as the paint itself, this will have to be the focus of a future article. 2. Aluminum or vinyl cladding on all our wood frame windows and doors. We get the beauty of the wood frame (which can be stained or painted) on the interior side of the window or door while the cladding on the outside is truly maintenance-free. 3. Nobody wants to paint that wooden handrail summer after summer and none of us like the way they block our view of the ocean. Nautilus prefers the nearly invisible, no-maintenance stainless steel cable rail system we include standard on all our homes. For more information on this product, visit http://www.atlantisrail.com/ . 4. No coastal home would be complete without a deck and our favorite, hands-down are IPE low maintenance decks with stainless steel fasteners. For more information on this product, visit http://ipedecking.com/ . 5. Fiber cement products like James Hardie siding or old-fashioned Eastern white cedar shingle are time tested and really hold up in coastal climates. For more information on James Hardie, visit https://www.jameshardie.com/ . Remember, being prepared for living on the coast is essential, especially during active hurricane seasons or during those “pop-up” storms we are all too used to. Do not get caught off-guard by using less-than-proper materials when building a new home or renovating an existing one. If you are still wondering about the best building practices for your upcoming new home, just ask Nautilus how we can get you started on your safe and secure dream home today! less

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7 years ago

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Living on Water? Construction Essentials to Survive the Storm (Without Breaking the Bank); Part 3

Part 3 of 4: Wind Damage Protection In Parts 1 & 2 of our series, we discussed strategies to protect your home from rising water due to flooding or storm surges and from water penetration through the roof and walls respectively. This third segment is dedicated to safeguarding your home from wind damage that occurs with +100mph winds by looking at 3 critical components. First, design and materials considerations for such protection include: an aerodynamic roof-line combination of hip/gable shapes and making sure... more

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Is your Home Too Airtight?

Is your Home Too Airtight?

Insulating During a Remodel

Insulating During a Remodel

Only in Savannah--Design Build

Only in Savannah--Design Build

Blurred Lines

Blurred Lines

3 Tech Predictions for the Construction Industry

3 Tech Predictions for the Construction Industry

Our Favorite Home Remodeling Trends for 2017

Our Favorite Home Remodeling Trends for 2017

Being the Client Advocate...

Being the Client Advocate...

A Higher Performing Home

A Higher Performing Home

LIVING ON WATER? CONSTRUCTION ESSENTIALS TO SURVIVE THE STORM (WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK); Part 4

LIVING ON WATER? CONSTRUCTION ESSENTIALS TO SURVIVE THE STORM (WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK); Part 4

Living on Water? Construction Essentials to Survive the Storm (Without Breaking the Bank); Part 3

Living on Water? Construction Essentials to Survive the Storm (Without Breaking the Bank); Part 3