Frequently Asked Questions:

1- What is Zero Energy Ready and What does it mean:

Zero Energy Ready Home or ZERH refers to a home that is designed and constructed to achieve high energy efficiency and be “ready” for a renewable energy system, such as solar panels, which can bring the home to net zero energy consumption.   ZERH is so energy efficient that, with the addition of a renewable energy system, it can produce as much energy as it consumes over a year.  

What are the key features that make up a Zero Energy Ready Home:

• High Energy Efficiency:  Our homes have enhanced insulation, air sealing, and advanced HVAC systems to reduce the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling.  
• High-Performance Windows:  Double-pane low E windows are used to reduce heat loss and improve insulation.  
• Efficient Appliance and Lighting:  Energy-efficient appliances and LED lighting systems minimize energy consumption.
• Water Efficiency:  Water-saving fixtures and systems to reduce water heating needs.
• Solar-Ready:  The home is equipped with electrical systems (pre-wired) and roof structures to easily accommodate solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.
• Healthy Indoor Environment:  Advanced ventilation systems ensure indoor air quality by filtering pollutants and maintaining proper airflow.

2- What is heat pump technology:

Heat pump technology is an energy-efficient system used for heating and cooling homes from one location to another using a small amount of electricity, making them more efficient than traditional systems that create heat through burning fuels like gas or oil.

3- What does Garbett do to make a home Solar ready:

The home is equipped with electrical systems (pre-wired) and roof structures to easily accommodate solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.  This means the infrastructure to add solar, one of the costliest parts of the process, is done for you.

4- Why can’t I make changes to a home that isn’t finished:

We operate on a highly streamlined process to build our homes quickly and efficiently.  We have set designs, materials, and construction schedule for each home.  Allowing changes would disrupt this efficiency, slowing down the process, leading to delays, potential mistakes and increasing labor costs.  All of which would drive our pricing up drastically.  

5- Why can’t I make changes such as moving a wall:

• Efficiency and Speed:  We operate on a highly streamlined process to build our homes quickly and efficiently.  We have set designs, materials, and construction schedule for each home.  Allowing changes would disrupt this efficiency, slowing down the process, leading to delays, potential mistakes and increasing labor costs.  All of which would drive our pricing up drastically.  
• Standardization:  By using the same floor plans, material, and construction techniques, we can quickly replicate homes without needing to retrain our trade partners for each customization.
• Pre-fabrication and bulk ordering:  We often order material in bulk or even pr-assemble some components off-site.  Any change would disrupt these processes and delay timelines.
• Cost Control:  One of the primary advantages of production home building is our ability to keep prices low.  We can negotiate bulk discounts with suppliers and trade partners based on large quantities of standardized materials and designs.  Customizations increase costs due to:
• Higher material costs:  Special orders for custom material break the economies of scale
• Increased labor costs:  Any deviation from the standard design often require more time, effort, and skilled labor, driving up labor expenses.
• Unpredictable expenses:  Custom changes can lead to unexpected costs, complicating our ability to maintain fixed price points.
• Logistical Complexity:  Customization introduces logistical challenges into the construction process.  Changes in design or materials can require additional coordination between various teams, including architects, engineers, trade partners, and suppliers, which can complicate scheduling and lead to additional inspections.  Additionally, this can delay construction and complicate compliance with local building codes.  
• Coordination Issues:  Altering a floor plan or material could involve change multiple elements (e.g., electrical, plumbing, or structural components)
• Marketing and Model Home Strategy:  We invest heavily in our model homes to showcase specific designs.   These homes are carefully designed and furnished to highlight our offerings.  Allowing changes dilutes this standardized marketing strategy and can confuse potential buyers who might expect a certain look and feel. 
• Limited Expertise in Custom Building:  We specialize in volume building, not custom homes.  Customization requires a different skill set, often involving more direct collaboration with architects and designers, which are not a part of our business model.  We focus on quantity, quality and efficiency while custom builders or smaller builders specialize in bespoke or “custom made” homes which are much, much more costly.  
• Risk of Over-Customization: Over-customizing a home can also reduce its resale value.  If a buyer adds too many unique or personal features, it may not be appealing to future buyers, making it harder to sell the home down the line.  We prefer to stick with more neutral, universally appealing designs to maintain marketability.  

6- When can I close on my home:

Depending on the stage of construction at which you purchase your new home, dates are typically given to our customers once countertops are installed.  Although we have our process dialed in, we understand that anything can happen along the way that may cause us to not close on time if we’ve given a closing date out prematurely.  Like at time of contract for a presale home, as an example.  We prefer to commit to a closing date when we know for a fact that you can plan your life around that date.  We understand the importance of this and that is why we prefer to be cautious rather than to guess or to make promises we may not be able to keep.  

7- What can I expect to pay for my utilities each month:

Of course, this is going to differ from one household to the next.  Factors like family size and your lifestyle have a great effect.  If a standard homes costs $1,500 to $2,500 per year in energy bills, a Zero Energy Ready Home could reduce those costs by $600 to $1,200 per year.   Zero Energy Ready homes typically consume 40 to 50% less energy than a standard new home built to code.  This can result in significant utility savings even without adding a renewable energy source like solar panels. 

8- Why can’t I get a lower price/incentive if I don’t use an agent:

A real estate commission is a professional fee.  It is compensation paid to a real estate agent or broker for their professional services in facilitating the sale, purchase, or rental of a property.  Since real estate agents and brokers provide specialized expertise and services, their commission qualifies as a form of professional fee, much like fees charged by other professionals (e.g., attorneys, accountants, consultants).  The commission is paid only to a real estate agent or broker and cannot be taken from the price of the home or as any other concession.  

9- Why can’t I select ceiling fans or my own lighting fixtures:

You may have heard the saying that “lighting is the jewelry of a home”.  Because there are so many fan and lighting options on the market today, we couldn’t possibly offer enough to suit everyone’s needs.  Since this is such an important and personal part of making a house a home, we have arranged a 10% discount with our lighting partner exclusively for our home buyers.  Once you close on your new home you can go select your very own jewelry to fit your style and budget.  

10- Why doesn’t Garbett apply foundation plaster:

While some builders do offer foundation plaster, they may not warrant it.  We have found that plaster looks good for a year or two but then most of the time it isn’t maintained properly and begins to look bad.  Since we don’t warrant foundation plaster after the first year, we feel it would be best for our homeowners to have this done after closing with a company who specializes in this and ensure that the work is warranted.  

11- Is the Solar paid off or leased:

The solar is purchased and added to the mortgage of your home just as any other option you may add, such as cabinets.  

12- Why don’t you have a “packet” of what is offered in the design center:

It would be impossible to have a packet with all the thousands upon thousands of options available at the design center.  Design selections are incredibly personal and can vary from one buyer to the next.  There are so many flooring, cabinet and countertop options available that we have an entire design center that can cater to your needs and budget.

13- Why is the incentive tied to your preferred lender:

Our incentives are tied to our preferred lender because we believe they are the best in the business.  As a matter of fact, our preferred lender is in the top 1% in the country for customer service.  We know that when our preferred lender says you can move forward with your new home purchase, they will get you a loan to fit your needs and they will not only close on time but there won’t be any last-minute surprises.  We are putting our trust in our preferred lender and the ability for them to perform for us and for you.