Reading Time: 5minutesColder weather is moving in! Let’s talk about the heating on your multifamily developments. Heating is one of the most energy-consuming aspects of any project. As a developer, you know that there are different options, gas or electric. However, when it comes to choosing which option, it’s always ideal to select the most efficient and
Reading Time: 4minutesIt’s no wonder that BASE4 continues to rank high on the list of Best Architecture & Engineering Firms for hospitality- and multifamily-focused projects! Here at BASE4, we believe in a PRODUCT mindset—bringing standardization and manufacturing principles to an outdated system. We get the job done faster, cheaper, and better! We are architects & engineers rethinking the way
Reading Time: 3minutesModular and offsite construction are considered great options for their numerous benefits, like reducing waste, cost-effectiveness, faster construction, higher quality control, and flexibility. These types of construction offer many advantages in various areas of the building process. As a result, more developers and builders are adopting these cost- and labor-saving methods. In addition, modular projects can
Reading Time: 3minutesAre architects the reason for high prices in the construction sector today? Architects charge big, but who can blame them? They are in a service industry, incentivized to design uniquely beautiful projects. The more time spent on a project, the more creative and unexpected—the better, right? With high architectural prices and designs that do not consider current construction prices,
Reading Time: 5minutesAs a developer, many things come to mind when coordinating a project, from the construction type to who will manage the project. With the current labor shortage and delays in construction, other critical items need to be considered. One prominent question is who will be the General Contractor (GC) on my project? Developers and builders are always looking
Reading Time: 4minutesOne of the most prominent complaints tenants and hotel guests make is about noise in their rooms. Outdoor noise transfers into rooms by traveling through exterior building walls via any areas vulnerable to sound penetration. HVAC systems create noise, so choosing the right system can help reduce noise in your rooms, whether a hotel or an apartment building. Read
Reading Time: 4minutesEvery tenant and guest deserves a quiet space. But it’s not just the outside noise you need to be aware of—flanking noise does exist! The most common sources of flanking noise are electrical outlets and ductwork. In this article, you’ll learn more about each and how to stop that hidden noise. Read on! What is Flanking
Reading Time: 5minutesTenants and guests often complain about noise! There might be noise from the outside coming in or noise moving in from adjacent units. The good news! There are practical and economical ways to block noise from the start! Read on! The right combination of building materials, system designs, and construction methods to provide the most
Reading Time: 5minutesWith the soaring cost of building materials, developers, builders, and contractors want the best floor system to build faster/cheaper for their projects. Luckily, you have options! Read on! Moxy Hotel – Omaha, NE. Picture courtesy of Hawkeye Hotels and New Generation Construction (NGC) A floor framing system is a set of structural elements that supports a
Reading Time: 4minutesWe at BASE4 believe in a PRODUCT mindset—bringing standardization and manufacturing principles to an outdated system. Lox Apartments – Midwest, USA We are architects & engineers rethinking the way buildings get built. Our team works with developers and general contractors to rethink traditional building methods by infusing innovative technology, forward-thinking design, and offsite manufacturing principles to build projects
Reading Time: 4minutesAs a developer, you must make difficult decisions in order to keep costs low, especially now with inflation rates, materials shortages, and delays. From the design process to the construction of your project, you must decide which direction to go when it comes to the materials to use in your development. So today, we dive
Reading Time: 5minutesThe U.S. has a severe housing shortage due to home prices and rents soaring nationwide. Home prices have increased more than 30% over the past couple of years, making homeownership impossible for millions of Americans. So why is this happening, and what can developers do about it? Why is this happening? According to the Freddie Mac
Reading Time: 3minutesThe National Multifamily Housing Council noted that the apartment market had recorded its sixth consecutive quarter of tightening conditions. Labor shortages, rising interest rates, and supply chain issues are currently affecting construction timelines. How have these challenges impacted the timeline to complete your Multifamily Project? Read on! A project built in 12 months in 2013 now
Reading Time: 4minutesDemand for building materials remains robust while the world continues to push through the pandemic. However, the lasting effects of the pandemic and the associated mitigation efforts, have impacted the production of materials and equipment through factory slowdowns, factory shutdowns, and quarantines. As a result, equipment and material lead times and cost increases have impacted the
Reading Time: 4minutesApartment developers are subject to a variety of regulations at all levels of government. According to research by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), the regulation imposed by all levels of government accounts for an average of 40.6% of multifamily development costs. The highest average cost is
Reading Time: 4minutesUsing robots on the jobsite is technologically savvy, but more importantly, speaks to a commitment to safety and productivity. Robots can perform those repetitive and dangerous tasks increasingly unappealing to skilled laborers. Indeed, automation via robotic technology might be a solution to the labor crisis and a draw for young people to rejoin the construction
Reading Time: 4minutesYou keep hearing about how important good amenities are for a successful multifamily development. As a result, developers are putting more thought into outdoor areas, whether a roof, a terrace, or a courtyard. Adding an indoor or outdoor pool is an expensive investment, but is it still one you should consider? Swimming is the fourth most
Reading Time: 4minutesWhat are transportation costs? Transportation costs are all the expenses related to the transportation of raw materials, finished products, and employees. Have these affected building materials costs? Read on! The price of truck transportation of freight increased 2.9% in May and has climbed 25.8%, year-over-year. Long-distance and local motor carrying prices are up 28.2% and 18.4%, respectively,
Reading Time: 4minutesBuilding materials costs have soared in the past few months, and so have equipment prices! Due to shortages prompted by pandemic-related supply chain issues, increased global demand, labor disruptions, and extreme weather, we continue to see an increase in construction costs. Here’s an updated look at building materials prices. According to the latest Producer Price Index
Reading Time: 3minutesDemand remains strong in most regional markets across the U.S. As a result, the need for housing keeps rising. First-quarter data from RealPage shows historically unprecedented demand, occupancy, and rents in the multifamily market. What is the forecast for the Housing Market? Read on! Renters leased 700,000 additional apartments last year, more than doubling the five-year
Reading Time: 5minutesThe hospitality industry has undergone a seismic transformation since 2020. This period of change is set to continue through 2022 and 2023, with shifts in demographics and technology. Developers: Read on for good news updates in the hotel sector! According to CBRE’s latest 2022 Hotel Horizons forecasts, US major market revenue per available room will increase
Reading Time: 4minutesRapidly rising interest rates and increasing construction costs have decreased builder confidence. With construction costs at an all-time high, you may be thinking it’s not the right time to move forward with new development deals, but that may be a mistake! Great opportunities may lay ahead for developers who are ready. Read on to find out why.
Reading Time: 3minutesFor several years, apartments have been shrinking in size, partly because smaller units are more profitable for property owners. However, as the number of US renters increases, so does the demand for larger units. How can you meet the market need while remaining profitable? Read on! The building efficiency ratio represents the share of net
Reading Time: 4minutesThe rise of remote work has substantially affected where and how people live, as seen in the changing relationship between housing and commute times. Homebuyers have placed greater importance on affordability and space than proximity to work. Where’s everyone going? Read on. Suburban housing markets are seeing high demand and rapidly rising prices, forcing some buyers
Reading Time: 4minutesThe amenities found in a multifamily development have become the YES factor for tenants. Amenities such as a pool, fitness center, business center, indoor court, game room, dog park, and outdoor grilling and dining areas are just some of those great add-ons that can boost your project. It’s time to amp up your multifamily development with some
Reading Time: 3minutesWith the rise in popularity of multifamily developments, new market trends have disrupted the industry. Pools, playgrounds, and dog parks remain the overall top amenities in communities. But how are renter preferences changing as it relates to in-unit amenities? Read on! Shifting the population away from urban areas is still a significant trend in multifamily product development
Reading Time: 3minutesModular construction in the U.S. has grown significantly in the past few years. The increased productivity and lower costs are the driving factors to embrace modular construction. Builders have found ways to construct faster, safer, and reduced labor costs—modular construction is the key! Our team partners with developers and general contractors to rethink traditional building
Reading Time: 4minutesMultifamily building developers and owners are looking for cost-saving design solutions that can boost the value of their properties. One strategy to consider is integrating or adding solar photovoltaics (PV). Should you add this feature to your next project? For real estate developers, now is the best time to install a solar energy system in their
Reading Time: 3minutesNearly 90% of GCs are experiencing project delays! Supply chain problems, labor shortages, and permitting delays make it nearly impossible to build. In addition, building materials prices continue to soar. Photo created by bearfotos – www.freepik.com Many construction materials and commodities are seeing double digit year-over-year cost increases with steel and diesel experiencing some of the
Reading Time: 3minutesMarket confident for multifamily housing improved during 2021’s fourth quarter and exceeded normal seasonal patterns.1 Average asking rents rose $10 in February, reaching another record of $1628. At the end of 2020, significant rent decreases occurred in large metro suburban areas, small metro suburbs, and non-metro/ non-micro counties (rural areas). One year later, there has
Reading Time: 4minutesElectric vehicles (EV) are becoming increasingly popular across the U.S. Clean-powered, environmentally-friendly EVs are here to stay. Electric cars are gaining momentum with growing concerns over climate change and living more sustainable lives. Do you need this amenity in your project? Read on. EVs require specialized charging stations, which must be planned early in your design.
Reading Time: 3minutesWith materials costs soaring at a record pace, developers must get creative to meet proforma budgets. Fire Dampers are regularly included during the design process and can be more expensive than you think. Do you really need them? What is a Fire Damper (and is it required)? Fire dampers are passive fire protection products used in HVAC
Reading Time: 3minutesWe know we are in volatile times, where supply chain issues and labor shortages are frustrating. Building materials costs have soared at a record pace, and rates keep increasing. Still, the market needs you to build! Demand for apartments remains strong, and the national occupancy rate has been at or near record highs. With these
Reading Time: 4minutesThe forecast for townhouse constructions remains strong, especially given the growing numbers of homebuyers looking for medium-density residential neighborhoods. One popular option is the urban village, offering walkable environments as well as other attractive perks and amenities. Should your next multifamily project be a Townhouse design? Read on! Townhouses present a potential solution to the high-density living
Reading Time: 4minutesThe construction market is struggling to meet the demand for apartment properties, experiencing some of the lowest vacancy rates in their history. As America’s suburban areas grow due to increased migration from major cities into secondary markets, garden-style apartments have exploded in popularity. What is a Garden-Style Apartment? A garden-style apartment community, sometimes called a low-rise apartment complex, consists
Reading Time: 4minutesWith building materials costs soaring at a record pace, builders, contractors, and developers are exploring alternative framing methods. Softwood lumber has an especially high price tag, and many are switching to cold-formed steel (CFS). Is it time to convert your project from wood to steel? Residence Inn Hotel-Clayton, MO Lumber Prices are Soaring—What Can I Do? The Producer
Reading Time: 3minutesSupply chain issues and labor shortages are frustrating many developers right now. Still, there is a high demand for mid-rise apartment buildings. Have you considered alternative designs to meet the current challenges while saving on your budget? When it comes to mid-rise developments, both the podium and wrap designs offer some good solutions. Read on! What
Reading Time: 4minutesBuilding materials costs soared at a record pace last year due to pandemic-related troubles that overwhelmed global production and supply chains. According to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) report, costs of materials are still sky-high. Here’s an updated look at building materials prices. Building materials prices increased 20.3%, year-over-year, and have risen 28.7% since January
Reading Time: 4minutesDesigning multifamily properties requires a gentle balancing act. Developers who play it too safe might not make the right move they need to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Those who go too far risk turning away from potential renters. Creating an atmosphere of comfort, charm, and functionality within the project’s budget is the goal. Read
Reading Time: 3minutesDemand for apartments remains strong, and the national occupancy rate has been at or near record highs for the last six months. The apartment market experienced robust growth in 2021. Last week we talked about how the demand for market-rate apartments in 2021 soared far above the highest levels on record. Now, the multifamily market continues to
Reading Time: 3minutesMultifamily remains one of the more attractive property developments within the real estate market. Despite the complex economic conditions that 2021 left us with and the demographic shifts caused by migration patterns, multifamily housing has become the strongest market in real estate for investors seeking stable and attractive returns. This has pushed the multifamily market to record-breaking
Reading Time: 4minutesApartment developers are finding ways to adjust existing common spaces and amenities to make residents feel comfortable. In addition, with work-from-home and remote work models being the new norm, multifamily developers are looking to adapt. So, as the end of the year approaches, here’s what to include in your next multifamily project! Apartment amenities are non-essential
Reading Time: 3minutesThe hotel sector is coming back! Another quarter has gone by, and the sector is showing a strong Q3 (third-quarter) compared to a year ago. The multifamily market is staying strong! We are seeing several trends for this market moving into the new year. Multifamily is experiencing record-breaking rent growth and occupancy rates. How Did
Reading Time: 4minutesThe significant labor shortage currently happening is the major pain point affecting home costs and production in construction. The construction sector has lost more than 1 million workers, and almost all areas of the construction industry are experiencing project delays due to skilled labor shortages. Labor shortage equals longer project schedules and higher project costs. Here
Reading Time: 4minutesThe BASE4 team has worked around the globe, providing us with a wide range of expertise in quality standards, specifications, and international best practices for design. We at BASE4 believe in a PRODUCT mindset—bringing standardization and manufacturing principles to an outdated system. With this approach, we continually optimize the process to build faster, cheaper, and
Reading Time: 3minutesThe construction industry—despite technological advancements—is still largely fragmented and struggles with a shortage in skilled labor and productivity. The industry is having a hard time building at a price point that makes sense for developers who want to meet the demand for equitable and accessible construction development. Cost is arguably the strongest factor of the construction
Reading Time: 3minutesThe 1.3 trillion-dollar construction field currently lacks a strong team of leaders to innovate and build for tomorrow. The shortage of skilled leaders in this industry is a national crisis. Yet, the field cannot attract enough bright leaders because today’s students want to go to college, leaving many of the typically technical trades lacking new
Reading Time: 4minutesThe real estate market has changed during this past year, and the current trend in the Multifamily Market is the demand for larger units. For several years, apartments were shrinking in size, partly because smaller units are more profitable for property owners; we wrote about this in our Sizing your Apartments article. Now, developers around the U.S. are
Reading Time: 3minutesThe multifamily industry is experiencing record-breaking rent growth and occupancy rates. We’ve noticed increasing building activity in the multifamily sector. Here is what is coming for 2022. According to new data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau, multifamily housing construction helped push overall housing starts up 3.9% in
Reading Time: 5minutesProviding proper ventilation is a crucial component of multifamily building design due to its effects on occupant health and comfort. Ventilation ties the whole HVAC system together. Without ventilation, there is no way for the indoor air to refresh and re-oxygenate itself. What’s the right set of “lungs” to put in your building? A Breath of
Reading Time: 4minutesToday we expand on the previous article about HVAC systems and discuss the pros and cons of the three most common ones for multifamily developments. Knowing which system to install can be confusing, so let’s answer some of your questions. It is important to choose the right HVAC system for your project. Picking the wrong HVAC system for
Reading Time: 4minutesPeople are spending more time indoors, so it’s important to provide good quality ventilation and air conditioning systems for them. With the development of a multifamily project, you need to decide on the type of HVAC system to install before the project starts. Knowing that this decision will have long-term effects, it’s important you know
Reading Time: 3minutesThe residential industry accounts for one-fifth of America’s energy consumption with the largest part of that consumption going toward the project’s heating. Most buildings run on multiple fuels such as natural gas or propane to power furnaces, boilers, and water heaters. What if the project’s heating could be done with a more efficient and economical option
Reading Time: 3minutesThe National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has a complex code structure to regulate fire safety according to different categories of occupancies. As you know, multifamily projects are trending, and developers need to know how these complex codes affect the project. When it comes to fire safety codes, there’s one thing that all developers ask, “Do I
Reading Time: 4minutesHomebuyer migration patterns continue to change. We are aware that affordability and job opportunities have always been important factors of migration. Now, according to the latest Home Building Geography Index (HBGI) released by NAHB, Residential construction continues to shift toward the suburbs and lower-cost markets, especially in the multifamily sector. Multifamily residential construction grew by
Reading Time: 3minutesThe pandemic has shifted builders’ views toward offsite construction, but there’s more to the story! The increase in builder interest in offsite construction methods has also been driven by supply chain challenges and the shortages and rising costs of skilled labor. Offsite construction is here to stay, so don’t miss the chance to jump in on
Reading Time: 3minutes“My architect is too slow to respond!” “My design schedule just got extended!” “Three more months to permit!” Developers, constructors, and builders hear about delays every day, and we understand your pain. After all, time is money, and in today’s high cost environment, unnecessary delays are not an option! Conventional thinking only increases costs, schedules,
Reading Time: 3minutesWith the increase of hotel projects in the last few months, we kept a close eye on what is happening in the hospitality industry. Today, we discuss the latest talk for hotel developers—the apartment-style hotel brand, stayAPT Suites. stayAPT Suites: Redefining Long-Term Lodging This brand was launched in 2020, and it has already opened five hotels
Reading Time: 4minutesThe housing crisis is not slowing down, and developers continue to focus on the multifamily market! Multifamily investment volume increased by 34% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 to reach $52.7 billion, according to CBRE. Apartments accounted for 36.6% of commercial real estate transactions in the first half, making it the top performer. To accommodate for the demand, developers are choosing
Reading Time: 3minutesThe world is changing! Apartment complexes with community ground-floor work areas have been trending, especially since the onset of the pandemic. This booming multifamily trend is called the Live/Work Apartment! Let’s Talk about Live/Work apartments! A live/work unit is defined as a single unit (studio, loft, or one or two-bedroom) consisting of both a
Reading Time: 3minutesWe’ve all seen lumber prices make major news, but what’s happening with other material prices might surprise you as well. Building materials costs are rising at a record pace this year. As lumber prices begin to decline, builders face some of the steepest materials price increases in history. Nonresidential construction input prices are up 23.4%
Reading Time: 3minutesWe are architects & engineers rethinking the way buildings get built. We at BASE4 believe in a PRODUCT mindset—bringing standardization and manufacturing principles. With the product-centered approach, we continually optimize the build process to be faster, cheaper, and more efficient. BASE4 | Helping Developers Build Faster I have a project I want to discuss!
Reading Time: 4minutesDue to the pandemic, the construction sector lost more than 1 million workers, and almost all areas of the construction industry are experiencing project delays. According to the Labor Department, the industry is still down 238,000 workers from pre-pandemic levels as of June. Also, the Associated General Contractors of America have noted that many contractors
Reading Time: 4minutesWe have all seen the headlines! Lumber prices have dropped 50% in the last two months, reassuring everyone in the building sector. Does this mean the lumber packages for your next project will be 50% cheaper? The answer might surprise you; read on. Lumber dropped about 5% week-over-week in July, trading at $650 per thousand board feet. Following
Reading Time: 3minutesHotel developers are looking for a way to attract new customers while cutting costs. We have seen it before with dual-branded hotels, but is it possible with three hotels on one site? The answer is “Yes, it is!” The use of the multi-brand strategy has gradually grown in popularity in the U.S. over the past decade.
Reading Time: 3minutesOne of the most significant details that many developers overlook when diving into offsite delivery is transportation liability. Read below and get to know a term that will help you save millions in damages. There are several key processes needed to get a modular unit from the factory to the finish line. The modular box is assembled in a
Reading Time: 3minutesWhen you think “prefab,” you often think of prefabricated parts like walls and trusses. Prefabricated bathrooms offer a more developed solution that can increase your speed-to-market. A bathroom pod is a factory-made bathroom unit that comes pre-installed with mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Once manufactured, it is shipped to an end construction site, ready to use.
Reading Time: 4minutesThe pandemic slowed sawmill production, supply chains, and factory operations, causing a shortage of construction materials in the United Stated. Now, with the reopening of the economy, builders have returned to the job site following months of lockdown to encounter an alarming materials shortage. What can be done about this? Shortages of materials are now more widespread
Reading Time: 3minutesThe demand for new housing products right now is strong, but aside from traditional financing challenges, there’s a factor stopping developers—and that is rising construction costs. As a developer, you need to take advantage of every opportunity to make a project profitable—LIHTC might be that opportunity. Read on! LIHTC stands for Low Income Housing Tax Credits. It provides
Reading Time: 3minutesYou want to start a new project; however, the current economic situation is making you rethink which direction to go. Financing could be a solution, but which type? Today we talk about HUD financing. When you hear of a ‘HUD PROJECT,’ this typically means the HUD Section 221 (D4) Program is being used. HUD is an acronym
Reading Time: 3minutesWe are currently facing an imbalance between supply and demand. Rising building materials costs and low inventory have caused the price of an average, new single-family home to increase by $62,300 since April of last year. Skyrocketing prices mean people cannot afford to buy homes, driving down the pace of recent home sales. Will this alarming trend continue? Read on? According
Reading Time: 3minutesIf you are thinking of developing a Horizontal Apartment, you have probably thought about which community amenities to include for the overall project. It’s the era of change in multifamily housing design, and a few updates to the standard multifamily formula could drive up rent, increase occupancy, and lease-up, and ultimately get you the best return on investment (ROI). A
Reading Time: 3minutesFor the past year, developers have innovated to stay afloat during the economic standstill and pandemic-related production challenges. 2020 accelerated the need for the AEC sector to make better use of available technology. Now that we are coming out of crisis mode, which of these revenue-boosting Tech Trends should you keep in your toolbox? Two
Reading Time: 4minutesMuch has changed in the multifamily market due to COVID-19, including apartment sizes, amenities, and moving trends, but how do rental rates continue to change? Now four months into 2021, we notice the fluctuation of rental rates even within the same city. Apartments experienced an unprecedented bifurcation of rental rates over the past year, showing extreme differences among
Reading Time: 4minutesKeeping up with trends and updates of 2021, today I talk about a term used in development—Opportunity Zones. Not sure what it is and how you can benefit from it—read on! What is an Opportunity Zone? An Opportunity Zone is an economically-distressed community where new investments, under certain conditions, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment. Localities
Reading Time: 3minutesMaterial shortages are a widespread concern for all U.S. industries—the multifamily building industry being one. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the rise in lumber prices in the past year has added $35,872 to the price of an average new single-family home and $12,966 to the market value of an average new multifamily home.
Reading Time: 5minutesLately, we’ve talked a lot about multifamily products–this is where most of our work has been in the last year. We see an interesting trend popping up–over the last 4 weeks: a dramatic increase in the number of hotel projects moving again! It was certainly a rough 12 months for hotel development, but we see some great signs
Reading Time: 3minutesAs you already know, we are engaged in the 4th Industrial Revolution, and it’s hard to keep up with the many innovations in the construction industry. We know you can’t afford to fall behind on this—that is why this week, I give you a brief overview of robotics and how you can leverage automated modular methods to
Reading Time: 4minutesFor the past two weeks, I have discussed elevators—if you need one and what type? Now for the fun part! Today I download everything you need to know about Modular Elevators. What is a Modular Elevator? Modular elevators are turn-key, commercial-grade elevators that are manufactured offsite for speed and quality. They arrive on-site with a prefabricated structural body containing a
Reading Time: 4minutesLast week we spoke about elevators—if they were needed or not! Since projects often require elevators, today we are going to describe the different types. Elevators are designed and fitted according to the building’s population capacity and code requirements. In the past, most elevators had to be controlled through a centralized machine room. Today, most elevators
Reading Time: 3minutesLately, I have discussed amenities for multifamily projects. Now it’s time to talk about elevators! Does your project need one? If so, how do you select one? I am here to help. Do I Need an Elevator? Elevators are the most common way to provide inclusive access to multistory buildings. They are often the only way residents with
Reading Time: 5minutesBuilders are struggling right now to put up entry-level homes at a reasonable price. The high costs of land, labor, materials, and regulation make building low-cost homes less lucrative for developers, shifting the market towards rental properties and apartment communities. With the current migration to the suburbs, renters are looking for additional space and a
Reading Time: 4minutesAs discussed in a previous week’s newsletter about trending amenities, many aspects of American life have been significantly impacted by the pandemic, changing the way we live and work. Due to the shifting economy, rise in remote work opportunities, and desire to relocate to less densely populated areas, people have decided to move. Where is everybody going? Around
Reading Time: 4minutesThe world of multifamily amenities has significantly changed in the past year and renters are willing to pay more if it means living in a unit that has premium amenities and upgrades that make their day-to-day lives easier and more enjoyable. In a Schlage and Wakefield Research survey of 1,000 U.S. multifamily renters, 86% of millennials say they
Reading Time: 4minutesAs an avid AEC futurist, I frequently address the need to move from archaic construction methods to embrace all forms of construction technology. Enter Robots—perhaps the coolest technology of them all! But can they help you? A Robot That Parks My Car? With an automated parking system, it is possible! An automated parking system is a
Reading Time: 3minutesDue to the challenges of the pandemic, the prices of construction materials are skyrocketing, and developers are trying to find safer and better ways to build. Back in a 2019 newsletter, I reported that construction costs had increased OVER 40% since 2013. While last year saw a less dramatic increase, the cost of construction continues to rise. COVID-19 has
Reading Time: 3minutesThe demand for suburban multifamily dwellings, along with the rising costs of materials, have motivated developers to look for ways to build more units at a cheaper cost. It’s time to consider your building density! What is housing density? It’s the number of housing or dwelling units per acre of land. Different housing types require different densities,
Reading Time: 4minutesThe high demand for multifamily buildings right now coincides with rising construction costs. What are some ways developers can mitigate the high cost of building? The answer might be in smartly sizing your units! Developers want to build a great building with lots of amenities and large units, but at a certain point, all that extra space results in
Reading Time: 4minutesBack in my August newsletter, I stated that wood prices were up 140%. Since then, the numbers have gone up and down, and then back up again! Lumber prices that were around $600/tbf five months ago are now over $900/tbf. Commodity prices are three times higher than before the pandemic. The pandemic is upsetting global supply chains in
Reading Time: 3minutesThe pandemic shook up how we live and boosted migration from the cities to the suburbs. Therefore, the multifamily market is set to drastically improve in 2021. But how can you build apartments and mitigate rising construction costs? After several months of shelter-in-place orders, the desire to have more space and the potential for more people to work remotely
Reading Time: 3minutesToday we dive into one amazing technological advancement that can help rent out your apartments before they are built and keep everyone safe while doing it! Virtual Reality Increases Pre-Leasing Speed. Virtual Reality (VR) is a Game Changer! VR is not just for video games—this technology has huge potential for getting your apartments leased even before
Reading Time: 4minutesWhat does BASE4 Do? There are very few days that go by that I don’t get this question, so I guess this explanation is long overdue! Here’s the short answer: We are architects & engineers rethinking the way buildings get built. Our team works with developers and general contractors to rethink traditional building methods
Reading Time: 4minutes2020 was a tough year for the Commercial Real Estate (CRE) sector with Office, Retail, and Hotel capital markets getting hit especially hard. However, there is some good news—today I want to tell you about the opportunities for 2021! Yardi Improves Their Forecast for 2021 Supply Source: Yardi Matrix Several weeks ago, CBRE and Yardi Matrix
Reading Time: 4minutesIn the past few months, I have talked about modular and offsite construction. Still, when people think about “modular” construction, they imagine one of two things: man-camp temporary structures or multi-story stacked apartment and hotel projects. The truth is that an offsite delivery method can be effective for nearly any type of building product depending on
Reading Time: 5minutesIt’s not just in the movies—robots are now a reality. Until recently, construction was one of the least digitized and automated industries in the world—but times may be changing. Robots, drones, autonomous vehicles, and 3D printing are some of the new technologies being lauded in the media. While exciting, many of these inventions are not
Reading Time: 4minutesThe growing demand for mid-rise apartment buildings is creating both challenges and opportunities for developers. Land keeps getting more expensive which means maximizing densities is more important than ever! When multifamily developers evaluate a new potential apartment site, they must assess what type of building will be the most efficient based on density, parking, and unit count.
Reading Time: 4minutesHousing prices are skyrocketing right now, and developers have an opportunity to meet the need. But with high construction costs and fewer skilled workers, what’s your next move? In this article we discuss the potential in the multifamily market and how industrialized construction can get you building faster, cheaper, and better than ever before. Supply
Reading Time: 3minutesIndustrialized Construction is the future. It is the only way to address the major problems in construction right now—the never-ending project cost increases, systematic labor crisis, consistent schedule overruns, and rampant inefficiency. Get My Masters in Prefab Regardless of what people say, construction is not an easy sector to “jump into.” To be successful and
Reading Time: 4minutesYour apartment has great STC wall ratings, so why are you still getting lots of noise complaints from tenants? The STC of a wall is only as good as its weakest link. Today in our 3-part series on Keeping Apartments Quiet, we’ll highlight a few of the most common causes of hidden noise pollution and what you can
Reading Time: 4minutesDon’t we all want to learn how to keep tenant noise complaints to a minimum? Today’s Part 2 of Keeping Apartments Quiet will show you how! Wall Composition to Reduce Noise Pollution Sound waves travel through walls, infiltrating the adjacent rooms. Wall composition is critical to absorb sound and dampen the volume heard on the