Category: California home builder

As one of the worst fire seasons on record sweeps across California, many are facing the threat of losing their home – or are sequestering inside to avoid smoke. As drier, hotter conditions escalate, these outbreaks pose a greater threat to communities in harm’s way. Displacement is inevitable for many, and quality of life is still severely impacted for everyone else. Fortunately, there are many steps we can take in the near term to mitigate the risks of fire damage to our homes — and stay healthy in the event we need to hunker down. From the outside in, these are some of the key fire...


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Not surprisingly, one of the primary concerns of the modern homeowner is the health and safety of their family. And it makes sense: even before shelter-in-place restrictions, the average American already spent up to 90% of their time indoors. Our current era has introduced new motivations for a healthful approach, and has brought some key wellness-related trends to the forefront in new custom homes. Fortunately, at Clarum, this was a priority for us long before COVID-19. One of our values is to create healthy environments: we’re committed to going beyond aesthetics when it comes...


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The 2020 Solar Mandate is here The news has been swirling for months but the day is finally here. Effective January 1, 2020 all new residential home builds must live up to the standard of Zero Net Energy. This initiative is part of California’s ongoing commitment to transition away from centralized power. The new plan aims at having 50% of California’s electricity come from clean energy sources by 2030 (NYT). It’s an ambitious goal and requiring new home construction to include solar energy is a big part of making it happen. As the calendar year moves to 2020, builders are scrambling to...


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We’re here to support you in navigating the process of building a custom home in Silicon Valley, by helping you set a course of action and understand what potential challenges lay ahead of you. Take the long view Deciding to build a custom home in Silicon Valley is an involved process. It’s important to start off on the right foot by: Understanding the progression of a construction projectChoosing the right team of professionals; andHaving a clear vision of what you need from a home Be patient with the process Throughout this process, keep in mind that it takes time....


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We're honored to be featured in Home Builder Digest as the second best custom home builder in San Jose. Of the fifteen builders represented, we are one of only two with expertise in passive home building. Check out the article to learn more: https://www.homebuilderdigest.com/the-best-custom-home-builders-in-san-jose/ At Clarum Homes, we can answer your all of your questions with the greatest confidence. Give us a call at 650.322.7069 today to learn more about our custom home building services.


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You know you want to build a new custom home and you know where you want to build it. Now it’s time to pick a builder. What to look for exactly? These ten questions will help you better understand their operation, level of experience, and history in the market place. 1. How long have you been building in Silicon Valley? Hiring a custom home builder is similar to hiring a team of long-term employees. You should review their work history, skills, and years of experience. A deep understanding of the local area can make a big difference in moving your project forward. 2. Can you give...


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If you live in California, you're probably well-versed in the concept of water conservation, especially in the Valley. Everyone knows a big swath of lawn to water and mow isn't a great reflection of a sustainable ethos. In fact, drought resistant and water-efficient landscaping is even mandatory in some jurisdictions like Menlo Park. What you may not know, is that passive homes take a commitment to environmental conservation up a big notch. Passive and extremely high-performance homebuilding considers the entire impact of the home on the landscape, including the reverse – the effect of the landscape...


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It’s no wonder that residents in California are inspired by nature: between gorgeous coast lines and breathtaking mountains the Golden State provides a landscape unlike any other. With this in mind, it makes sense that some of the most enviable homes in Silicon Valley are inspired by natural elements. In fact, incorporating materials found in nature and designing your home to soak up the benefits of your natural environment is good for your health—both physically and mentally. At Clarum, we work with our clients to design homes that blend in seamlessly with the unique California landscape—all...


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One important consideration for your family's health and comfort is the prevention of mold in your new home. In the natural world, mold serves a valuable role. Inside the home, however, it’s anything but healthy. Mold produces allergens, irritants, even toxic substances, and can cause serious health problems. Control moisture, prevent mold While mold spores can be found almost anywhere; these actually aren’t harmful in themselves. The problems arise only where they can find a moist place to grow. So, the key to preventing mold? Controlling moisture. There are several ways to do this when...


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Planning your home construction One of the first steps to building a new house is establishing a comprehensive and accurate timeline for completion. And if you’re planning a new custom home, you should think high-performance from the start. With all of the new green, sustainable technology available, you have an incredible array of options for building a new home that will greatly reduce your energy and water use. Plus, high-performance homes are healthier, smarter for the environment, and a great long-term investment. There are two distinct phases to consider when establishing a homebuilding...


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