General Questions about I & J...

How long has I & J been in business?

I & J has been in business since December of 1999.

How many houses has I & J built?

I & J has built over four hundred houses in the state of Virginia.

In what areas has I & J built/will build?

I & J has built in the counties of Albemarle, Louisa, Fluvanna, Madison, Greene, Orange, Augusta, Amherst, Buckingham, Nelson, Mecklenburg, Appomattox, Rockingham, Culpeper, Goochland, Spotsylvania, and on the Chesapeake Bay. We will build in almost any county in central and southern Virginia.

What does I & J offer that other builders do not?

I & J offers a combination of custom home design, a low down payment, construction loans, a turnkey contract, and a professional and friendly staff.

What are the advantages of building over buying an existing home?

The advantages of building over buying an existing home are many. You are able to custom design your dream home, either from an existing floor plan or from scratch. Also, when buying a new home I & J can provide a 2010 warranty (ten years) that you may not get when buying an existing home. The myth that building a new home is always more expensive than buying an existing home is not always true. Recently the price of land has dropped significantly, allowing new construction to become that much more affordable. There is also another myth that buying an existing home is always quicker and easier than the headache of building a new home, which is not always true. With I & J, our turnkey operation allows us to finish your project on time, problem free.

Can I & J assist me in selling my existing home?

Yes, I & J can assist you in selling your existing home. We are licensed Realtors and the owner Ian Jackson has been in the Real Estate industry for over 27 years and has literally sold thousands of properties. Also, I & J will endeavor to have the seller move out of their old home and straight into their new home, without having to find accommodation in-between.

Modular and Stick Built Homes...

What is an off-site built modular home?

Modular homes are constructed in a climate controlled environment using state of the art engineering and assembly line techniques. The modular manufacturers that I & J works with use the same brand name building materials and build to the same building code requirements as any local “on-site builder.” State or independent third party inspectors carefully inspect each home built by these manufactures. Modular homes are shipped to the building site on two or more carriers, erected on a foundation, and then completed by our qualified construction team.

How does a modular home differ from a “manufactured or mobile home”?

Manufactured homes, sometimes referred to as mobile homes, are built to the HUD Code, a national code for manufactured housing. The HUD Code, unlike conventional state building codes used by modular home manufacturers and site builders, requires manufactured homes to be built on non-removable steel chassis. Many neighborhoods exclude manufactured homes but accept modular homes because they are built to the same code as site-built homes.

Will visitors be able to tell the difference between a modular and stick built home?

Once your home is installed on your site foundation, structurally, it's no different than any other one in the neighborhood. In fact, your home will be stronger and more energy efficient. Most floor plans will defy any visitor to tell that it was constructed off-site.

Is there any difference in insurance rates or resale value?

Modular homes generally qualify for the same rates and maintain the same valuations as any those built on-site. Their on-going energy savings can sometimes give modulars a competitive edge when they come to market.

Are modular homes energy efficient?

Yes, the modular manufacturers that I & J works with are ENERGY STAR^® partners and committed to using energy efficient building methods and materials. Our homes are built standard with 2” x 6” exterior walls and R-19 insulation, R-30 blown-in ceiling insulation, warm edge thermo pane low-e glass windows, and insulated exterior doors.

I hear a lot about "Green" building. Are modulars green?

Green building is a practice of using sustainable materials and designs in new construction.  Yes, modular homes are by their very nature green.  Assembly in an enclosed indoor environment contributes to reduced waste of material at the factory and at the job site, lessens the environmental impact on the land and the community where the house is being delivered, and allows for a tighter built structure to maximize energy efficiency - all of which are key components to green building standards.  For more information, visit www.nahb.org/greenbuilding.

The Building Process...

Explain I & J’s entire building process.

1.) I & J’s building process start by the client coming into our offices to start to design their dream home and floor plan.

2.) While in the design stage of the home, the client will to go a mortgage broker to find out amount of a loan they qualify for (If they are using a loan).

3.) While in the design stage, I & J will find the client a piece of land of their liking to build on (Unless they have found or already own their own piece of land).

4.) Once the plan is finalized, our price for the house, along with the site works, and land is presented to the client.

5.) Once the contract is signed, the client puts only $1,000 down. The documentation is then given to the mortgage company and to I & J’s bank for the construction loan.

6.) After the client has received final approval from there mortgage broker, I & J will buy the land on behalf of the client.

7.) Construction starts, and depending on the design of the house, it finishes anywhere between five to nine weeks.

How long does the entire building process usually take?

From signing the contract to completion of the house, it usually takes four months to complete the entire building process.

Financing...

Does I & J offer financing and/or construction loans? How does the financing work?

I & J will put the client in touch with a reputable mortgage broker that they know, have done lots business with, and trust. They also have a line of credit with their bank and will provide construction loans for their clients. Visit/Contact Carl Heimlech at www.cheimlich.com.

How much will I need to put down as a deposit?

You will only need to put down $1,000 upon the signing of the contract.

When will my repayments begin?

Repayments usually being the month after you have closed moved into your new home.

The Design Process...

How does the design process work?

The design process starts by coming into I & J’s offices and sitting down with our chief consultant. He will design your dream home in a 3D computer generated software, where you will even be able to walk through your home, just as if it were built.

Do I have to have my own floor plan?

You can either pick from a wide selection of I & J’s floor plans or bring in one of your own.

To what extent can I customize my home and/or floor plan? Will I be able to choose my own finishes?

You are able to customize your home as much as you like and choose from our selection or from your own finishes.

Our Builders Warranty...

Are I & J’s homes covered by builder’s warranties? If so, what kind of warranty?

I & J’s warranties are the standard warranties required by Virginia Law, which last for one year. Upon request I & J will provide an extended 2010 warranty, which lasts between two and ten years.