Greenside Blog

Long Beach Lake House

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 20:10:00 GMT

Take a look at the renderings of our new project in Long Beach Indiana. This lake house will be constructed into the bluff along lake Michigan!

Greenside starts another project in Forest Hills

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:55:00 GMT

The Forest Hills neighborhood of Western Springs will see another project from one of the areas premier custom builders. Greenside Design Build is starting its 3rd project in the last year in the desirable Western springs neighborhood. Located on Fair Elms Avenue, this new custom home will incorporate coastal style architecture with hints of farm house detailing. Forest Hills is a popular location for redevelopment and new construction because of its location in the Village, proximity to Forest Hills elementary school, and availability of large in town lots. Contact Greenside today to find about our available properties in Forest Hills or other Western Springs locations.

Greenside builds custom ceiling treatments

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

John & Mike built this custom groin vault ceiling for one of their clients. The homeowners wanted a "wow factor" for their foyer and this ceiling treatment will surely deliver. One of the benefits Greenside delivers to their clients is the ability to self perform specialty carpentry projects, like a groin vault, and save their clients mucho dinero! Throwing the ol' tool belt on and actually building something is one thing many of these "cell phone builders" can't do but to the Greenside guys it's part of job well done.

Before After

Land & Homesites wanted

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:53:00 GMT

Greenside Design Build is always looking for opportunities to aquire raw or developed land. If you own vacant undeveloped land or a "tear-down" property, the time might be right to sell. Consider the benefits of eliminating the burden of property taxes and upkeep and the ability to free up assets for retirement or reinvesting.

The owners of Greenside Design Build have over 35 years combined experience in land acquisition and development. We have developed a reputation for innovative design and take pride in the solid working relationships we have established with local governments where we have built and developed.

If you own land or represent an owner of land in Greater Chicago or surrounding areas such as Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Naperville, Western Springs, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, LaGrange, Downers Grove, we would love to hear from you. We will consider both urban and suburban sites and will protect brokers.

If you have land and would like a free assessment on its potential contact:

John Fullard
Phone: (630) 863-8669
Fax: (630 689-9436

Micheal Conneely
Phone: (630) 913-1385
Fax: (630 689-9436

6475 Joliet Rd, Suite B
Countryside IL 60525

Should we build or buy an existing home?

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:50:00 GMT

Savvy home shoppers compare brand new custom homes with pre-owned homes. When shopping for your new home there are certain factors to consider so that you can make the best decision for you and your family. Lately, we have been looking at this question while counseling some of our clients and I wanted to offer you a few comparisons between a brand new custom home and a pre-owned home.

Here are a few:

Warranties: The biggest purchase you make should not come with risk and worry. With a pre-owned home, do you really know what you are getting? What if the seller didn’t disclose everything they were supposed to? Greenside Design Build will give you the security of a written 2 year builder warranty, and a team of professionals who are dedicated to your home buying satisfaction. We are here long after construction is complete. What’s that piece of mind worth to you?

Energy Efficiency: A Greenside Design Build Custom Home includes many new and improved energy efficiency features and products that most pre-owned homes do not have. For instance, superior insulation, high-quality heating and cooling systems, dual glazed Low-E windows, and water saving fixtures that meet today’s more strict codes will provide comfort for your entire family as well as cost savings for you. If you buy a pre-owned home, you have to live with poor insulation, drafty windows, and an old HVAC system, all of which could need to be repaired or replaced.

Better Design: Do you really want to settle for something that is not quite want you want or that almost meets your needs? Today’s designs feature wide open floor plans, game or media rooms up, down, or in a walk-out basement, decorative ceilings, kitchen islands and bar tops designed to fit your family’s needs. When you go custom, you are essentially the designer using our expertise to guide you along. Let’s design a home exactly the way you want it and then move into it after it is sparkling clean. Don’t mess with settling on a preowned home and then dealing with all the mess and stress with a remodel- it could end up costing you more in the long run.

If you need more help deciding if a new home is the way to go for you, Contact us today at 708-505-9606

Check out our latest "Before & After"

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 01:21:00 GMT

This Western Springs ranch received a major facelift from Greenside Design Build. By working with architect Jeanette Graziano of G.O. Architectural Design, Greenside brought this dated ranch to life! John & Mike doubled the living space for this family while giving them a home with superior curb appeal. Contact Greenside today to see how we can design your home addition project!

BEFORE

AFTER

How to find the perfect lot for your custom home

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 02:21:00 GMT

The lot acquisition process can be challenging. Building sites come in an infinite variety of sizes and shapes. As you narrow your selection of home designs, be mindful of the homes’ depths and widths as compared with the dimensions of the lot. Consider local covenants and codes as they relate to side yards and setbacks.

In addition to the size and shape of the lot, consider its slope(s) and choose a Sloping lot home design if necessary. If the lot slopes from one side to the other, it is wise to position the home with the garage on the higher elevation. If the lot slopes front to back, consider an English basement or a walk-out basement.

Other factors to consider when choosing a building site:
1. Is the lot a “buildable” lot
2. Is the lot incorporated to a town or village or is it in an unincorporated area of the county?
3. Is sewer & water available or is it well & septic? Are electric and gas utilities available?
4. What are local building codes with regards to lot coverage and F.A.R (floor area ratio)
5. What is the school district and what are the specific elementary, middle, and high schools?
6. Price
7. Most importantly, Location, Location, Location!

Having a reputable custom home builder and/or real estate broker on your team is one of the most important steps in the search for the perfect lot. Greenside Design Build has assisted many of our clients in finding the perfect lot for their dream home in towns like Honestly, Naperville, Western Springs, Clarendon Hills, Glen Ellyn and Lagrange.

Hinsdale Home Builder uses unique Kohler "tea-for-two"

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 02:02:00 GMT

Being a true custom home builder means that every home that is built is unique. This is one of Greenside Design Build's mantras. That is why we install unique finishes and fixtures into our homes. One of our latest custom home projects calls for the Kohler "Tea-for-two" oversized cast iron tub to be installed in an undermount application. This will be installed in a beautiful master bath where a typical "run-of-the mill" application is to install a fiberglass or acrylic tub. Our clients wanted a unique look that had clean lines and a seamless integration with the master shower.

Greenside builds custom houses, on spec and to suit, for discerning homeowners around the western suburbs and city of Chicago. Contact us today for a free consultation and land acquisition assessment today!

Important steps for winterizing your home.

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 01:50:00 GMT

Fall may be here now but the cold weather is coming. Take these steps to winterize your home in preparation for old man winter:

Step #1: Clean the Gutters

Once the leaves begin to fall, you will need clear gutters to allow rain and melting snow to properly drain. Clean out gutters by scooping out loose debris, washing out the gutter with a hose, and flushing out the downspout. Clogged drains can lead to ice dams, where backed up water freezes and causes water to seep into the house.

Step #2: Insulate Pipes

Cold weather can spell disaster for exposed pipes. And as anyone who has experienced it already knows, a burst pipe can be a nightmare. To protect your pipes, wrap and insulate them with heating tape. Check for leaks and cracks so that minor repairs can be made before Jack Frost causes major damage.

Step #3: Disconnect the hose from the spicket

Winter temperatures can plummet. Any residual water left in your hose can freeze and damage your silcocks even if the are self siphoning.

Step #4: Insulate Your Home

Cut heating costs this winter by checking the insulation in attics and basements. Proper insulation keeps heat from escaping and keeps your home warmer. The Insurance Information Institute recommends that attics be kept 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the outside air to prevent snow from melting and re-freezing, which can cause significant damage to your roof. Well-insulated basements can help prevent pipes from freezing.

Step #5: Clean Out Chimneys, Furnaces, Boilers and humidifiers

Before winter arrives, have your chimney, boiler or furnace checked. Servicing them once a year can prevent smoke and other damage to your home, helping to ensure your home stays warm. Make sure to keep your home's temperature at 65 degrees or higher to prevent pipes from freezing.

Step #6: Seal Windows and Doors

Make sure that your windows and doors are properly sealed by double-checking the weather stripping. Use weather stripping and caulking around windows and doors to prevent heat from escaping in cold months, saving you money on your energy bill. This is also the time to put up storm windows, if necessary.

Custom Home Builder in Dupage County

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:12:00 GMT

When looking for one of the top custom home builders in Dupage County, look no further than Greenside Design Build! The owners of Greenside have been building custom homes and renovations in Dupage County for over a decade. Whether you have a Dupage County kitchen remodel or a Dupage County new custom home to build, Greenside Design can deliver the home of your dreams. Our pricing is always competative and our work is finished to a superior standard. Contact us for a free consultation today!

Greenside Custom Home In Clarendon Hills

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 21:01:00 GMT

Greenside Design Build's newest development will be a spectacular new custom home in the heart of Clarendon Hills. Located on one of Clarendon Hills scarce over sized lots and in the Hinsdale school district, this home will feature unique design features and plethora of upscale amenities. Call Greenside today for more information about this unique opportunity!

Greenside handpicked for Houzz website!

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:37:00 GMT

Greenside Design Build work has been hand picked by one of the desingers for a featured Ideabook on the homepage of the Houzz website today! Greenside is committed to staying on the leading edge of design and craftsmanship. We appreceiate having our work recognized. View the webpage: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/474276/list/15-Ways-to-Design-With-Copper

History may repeat itself....again

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 02:34:00 GMT

During the upcoming 4th of July holiday weekend many people will be enjoying parties, back yard barbecues, and of course fireworks. Another pastime that some people enjoy on this holiday weekend is, oddly enough, house hunting! For the owners of Greenside Design Build, this holiday weekend has historically been one where they sell a home or contract with a new build to suit client. If you are contemplating building or buying a new home or looking to renovate your existing home into your dream home perhaps this weekend you can continue the Greenside tradition! When looking For a high quality custom builder you can trust, anytime is the right time to contact Greenside. We would like to wish all our Greenside Design Build friends, clients, and colleagues a safe and happy 4th of July weekend.

Greenside gives clients the power !

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 01:55:00 GMT

During the recent strong storms that ravaged the Western suburbs of Chicago and the power outage that followed, clients of Greenside Design Build enjoyed the security of a back up generator that Greenside included in their new custom home package.The entire town lost power for two days but the homeowners still enjoyed A/C, a cold refrigerator, a hot shower, internet connection, and a T.V. that worked!

Most new home buyers have a long list of features and amenities they want in a home. Hardwood floors, professional stainless steel appliances, vaulted ceilings, whole house audio, crown moldings, wine cellars...the list goes on. One amenity every home buyer should consider is a back up home generator. The piece of mind and convenience a back up generator can provide a homeowner is immense. Especially when the home theater and 1000 bottle wine cellar is tucked into the newly finished basement. Sometimes the battery back up sump pump is just not enough.
Contact Greenside today to find out more about a back up generator for your new or existing home.

Builder First, Architect Second

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:31:00 GMT

Many people, in the Western suburbs of Chicago, who make the decision to build a new home or build an addition to their existing home often start the process by hiring an architect.While many local Chicago architects have a great sense of design and technical know how, they too often put a clients budget "in the back seat" and over design the plans. As a result the client has to go back to the drawing board to scale back the plans. We see this scenario happening with more frequency in last few years.This mistake can be avoided if the client selects a builder to be part of their team BEFORE visiting an architect. That way, the builder can work together with the Architect and act as a "second pair of eyes" to keep the project scope on budget. We at Greenside Design Build are definitely proponents of Builder First, Architect Second. We have been building and remodeling homes in the city and suburbs of Chicago for over a decade. For more information and a free consultation about your new project contact Greenside on the web or directly at: 708-505-9606