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Why Trilogy
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If you’re in the market for building a home, choosing a contractor is one of the most important decisions you can make. At Trilogy, we believe the key to turning a house into a home is honesty and transparency. Since we’re in the construction business, one of the best things we can do is to help educate potential homeowners about the building process. Let’s take the mystery out of it! With this in mind, here are some of the top questions we’ve been asked as homebuilders.
Q: What’s the maximum deposit on construction a contractor can require?
A: While the amount contractors ask can vary, in California they should not request more than 10% down of the base price or $1,000 — whichever is less.
Q: How do you pick a reputable contractor?
A: First, make sure they are licensed. Ask to see their “pocket license” (a small plastic card version of their license) and ID, and make sure their trade matches the work you need to be done. You can go to www.cslb.ca.gov to find out if their license is in good standing. If they have a website, check it for reviews. You can also ask the contractor for past client testimonials and to see a portfolio of their work.
Q: Can the builder put you on a waitlist if permits come in late?
A: Yes. The permit process can be a long one and can experience delays. (Side note: Trilogy doesn’t do this! We currently don’t have a waiting list, and we don’t move you down the list if there are unavoidable delays. Each project is ready at different times, we start when everything lines up.)
Q: Can a home builder raise the price before the house is completed?
A: It’s important to read your contract carefully before signing. Many builders will include an allowance for unexpected costs. Make sure you understand and agree to those terms before you commit to the builder. Furthermore, when a builder uses a “unilateral contract,” they can find a way out of it and cancel. Luckily for our clients, Trilogy will always be transparent in our True Quote process.
Are you concerned about rising construction costs? Many potential homeowners debate whether or not to build a home due to fluctuating prices. But with Trilogy’s True Quote, you’ll know exactly how much your build will cost long before you break ground. We offer total transparency, so you can feel at ease. We think taking the guesswork out of the construction process helps offer our clients peace of mind.
At Trilogy we focus on “Building a Higher Value.” This motto has been the core of our work since 1967, and we’ve incorporated it into every home we construct. It’s why we’re known as a premium option for building custom homes—and now Palisades Homes—in Butte County. Contact us today to find out more!
What does “age-in-place” mean? In construction, it entails home design that allows residents to age comfortably without making significant modifications as they get older. Think of it as a plan for the future! And as a certified Aging in Place builder, Trilogy has a wealth of information to share with clients about how to achieve this goal.
One sure-fire way to build an age-in-place home is to use a universal design. If you’re not familiar with this, it’s a term used for the creation of products or an environment (such as a kitchen, bathroom or entryway) accessible to all people. In residential construction, it means building a home for those who have a wide range of abilities or disabilities that is adaptable to their physical needs over time. By doing this, it ensures residents of any age can live comfortably. This makes it easier than ever to have peace of mind knowing your home is ready for the future.
Are you considering building a semi-custom or custom home to grow old in? The key to aging in place successfully is making the right selections. If you’re not familiar with the term “selections” in construction, it describes paint types, finishes, hardware, and other elements of the home which go beyond the structure. This includes items like the kitchen sink, ceiling fans, and other fixtures.
Trilogy would love to help you build an age-in-place house. Whether you’re thinking about a custom build or one of our semi-custom Palisades Homes, we can offer advice on how to design for your future needs. The residents of Butte County have been counting on Trilogy’s home-building expertise for over 50 years. And as a member of the community, we take pride in helping them stay in their homes well into their golden years. For those who lost their forever homes in the fire, know that we are here to help you rebuild with your golden years in mind. Contact us today to find out more about what we do to help!
It’s no secret Trilogy is a big fan of life hacks in construction. These small home design tweaks help make our client’s everyday routines easier and add value to their homes. And after 50+ years in the business, we’ve found quite a few to pass on.
One of the most important life hacks in construction comes down to your selections. These are the sink styles, shutter colors, and pantry paneling you choose to incorporate into your home, usually in alignment with your family’s preferences and needs. For example, many future homeowners are interested in creating a kid-friendly house design. And the good news is, it’s easy to create a stylish and functional space through well-planned selections.
When designing with children in mind, the first thing to do is select durable materials. Work your way from the ground up, starting with floor coverings. It may sound obvious, but avoid softwood floors like pine which can chip or scratch easily, and opt for tougher hardwood or engineered wood. Laminate and vinyl are good picks for high-traffic areas, while carpet may work for bedrooms in need of a cozy feel underfoot. Choose scratch-resistant kitchen countertops like quartz which doesn’t stain easily and cabinets made of tough wood like hickory.
If you’re building a custom home, design with your family’s routine in mind. For example, if you’re planning on having a pool, you might want to include a bathroom with a shower off the garage so kids can rinse off after swimming. Got small humans and pets? Incorporate a mudroom entry into the floor plan. If the kitchen is the heart of your home (and your activities with the kids), Trilogy can advise you on counter heights suitable for a range of different ages. Finally, an appliance cabinet is one of our favorite home hacks, since it keeps kitchen appliances away from little ones and leaves more room on the counter.
Custom houses aren’t the only residences able to incorporate these life hacks. If you are looking for a semi-custom home, take a look at some of the fun and functional floor plans from our Palisades Homes collection. We offer three different floor plans and four different styles so you can find the right combination for your needs and taste. Whether you are designing with children in mind or not, we’d love to help you make the most of your future home.
As a family-owned business, Trilogy is proud to build other families their forever homes. Contact us here today to find out how Trilogy can help make your home design dreams a reality!
“Less is more” is the popular slogan behind the modernist design movement. Modern home design style often features open living spaces adorned simply with minimal home decor. Sleek and refined, it relies on making a statement through a few key design choices in construction and selections, with chic finishes like marble, streamlined furniture resembling art, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
While the words “modern design” suggest, well, modernity, this trend actually began over a century ago. We can thank the Germans and Scandinavians for introducing the world to minimalistic art, architecture, and design through the Bauhaus movement. Modernism prized functional beauty above all else in the creation of objects that were ornamental and served a purpose. For example, a dining room might feature a simple table with clean lines and no ornamentation. This style experiments with building materials like steel, concrete, and wood for construction and furnishings.
Ever heard of a “monochromatic color palette”? It might sound like a mouthful, but it describes a color scheme based on the shades of one color. To decorate, pick a base hue along with lighter tones and darker shades of the same color. For example, a modern design style in the living room might use different shades of brown, ranging from rich chocolate to beige. Or try “tints” by adding white to the primary color. Remember, the goal of monochrome isn’t to be blah or boring–it’s a subtle way to make a statement through neutral colors.
Once you’ve chosen a color scheme for your modern design, it’s time to play with textures. Traditionally, it engages the senses: the shine of bright copper, the cool touch of marble, and the earthy sound of wooden floors underfoot. Think kitchen cabinets fitted minimally with chrome hardware, hovering above a countertop made of concrete. Furniture often combines steel and leather, with low silhouettes like floor-grazing couches. Pair these with rugs made of natural materials like jute or wool, and introduce glass elements in coffee table tops, mirrors, and decor to complete the look.
If you’re thinking of building a home with Modern style, contact us at Trilogy. We’d love to show you our version of Modern design and other styles from our Palisades Homes collection. In addition to Modern, these homes come in three other design styles: Coastal, Farmhouse, and Tuscan. Explore these options to find the best match, whether you choose a semi-custom or custom home.
Contact us here today to learn about this design style and unique floor plans for our Palisades Homes. Ask us for inspiration, or build a Houzz Ideabook to share with us!
Just say the word “farmhouse,” and it conjures images of shiplap walls, whitewashed wood, and well-loved furniture. Cozy comfort is the hallmark of farmhouse style. It’s one of the most welcoming design choices out there, encouraging guests to sit for a spell and stay awhile. Adorned with beautiful basics like slip-covered sofas, rustic wooden tables, and woven baskets, it harkens back to simpler times.
Ever wonder where farmhouse style came from? If you guessed from actual farmhouses, you’re right! This design goes way back across the pond to Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. Farmhouses were built to shelter farmers and were made from readily available local materials like wood. They were designed to have big kitchens for cooking and equally large porches to sit on and unwind after a day spent on the land. Later, farmhouse style migrated to America and has grown in popularity thanks to home renovation and design shows.
In this design style, neutrals are key. The farmhouse aesthetic relies on soft, muted hues like white, cream, beige, and light gray. The exception is the time-tested combo of black and white. Many farmhouse followers opt for black hardware along with black doors and windows to make a statement. Otherwise, subtle hints of color can be introduced through decor, furniture choices and textiles like quilts.
Natural materials rule this roost. Think straw baskets, cotton slipcovers on furniture, and well-loved marble side tables. A rustic wood farmhouse table is the heart of any country kitchen, and other wood accents tie rooms together.
One of the best parts about farmhouse style is you don’t have to live on a farm (or even in the countryside!) to decorate with this finish. It’s easy to take traditional elements and modernize them to work in both rural and urban environments.
When you’re thinking about choosing selections for your custom or semi-custom home with Trilogy, here are some of the most popular elements of a Farmhouse finish:
Thinking about building a semi-custom home with Farmhouse style? At Trilogy, you’ll find all of these features and more in our Palisades Homes Farmhouse Finish. And just in case you want to explore other styles, our Palisades Homes line offers three other design styles: Coastal, Modern, and Tuscan. If you want Farmhouse style in a custom home, ask us how to incorporate it into the design and selection choice.
Ready to do some house homework for your future Palisades home? Trilogy is happy to help! Contact us here today to learn more about the design styles for our semi-custom homes.
Ah, Tuscany. This sun-kissed area in central Italy has inspired art, books, movies and even a design style. Known as the birthplace for the Italian Renaissance, it’s no wonder homeowners want to incorporate la bella vita d’italia in their homes.
The timeless, old world style of the Tuscan region is rich with colors inspired by the countryside. Think sunflower fields, vineyards, and olive groves galore. These cheery yellows, deep burgundies, and leafy greens play well with other earth tones in the Tuscan palette.
If you’d like to incorporate Tuscan style into your home, start with traditional materials found in Italy. Cool marble, oil-rubbed bronze, and brightly painted terracotta tiles will add instant depth to any room. Embrace the look of rough-hewn exposed beams on the ceiling. Or utilize exposed brick around a fireplace or hearth to add more texture to your design.
The goal of this rustic style is to create a warm and inviting space through decor, comfortable furniture and rugs. Often filled with antiques, art, and natural touches, a Tuscan home is both romantic and quietly elegant.
Here are some characteristics of a Tuscan Finish:
Are you thinking about building a semi-custom home with Tuscan style? Trilogy would love to show you these features and more in our Palisades Homes Tuscan Finish. Plus, our Palisades Homes line offers three other design styles: Coastal, Modern, and Tuscan. So you can compare styles and find the best match for you.
There’s also the option to include Tuscan style in a custom home build, too! Ask us for ideas on selections, or build a Houzz Ideabook to share with us!
Want to find out more about our Tuscan finish? Trilogy can help make your Italian dream home a reality. Contact us here today to learn about this design style and unique floor plans for our Palisades Homes.