Historically, and in some cultures, multi-generational homes were the standard. As traveling became more commonplace and work opportunities expanded, adults tended to leave the nest, straying from their childhood neighborhoods and staking out new territories, sometimes far away from their roots. With housing costs on the rise and working from home increasingly an option, housing trends are once again changing, and the idea of multi-generational living is on the rise.     What is multi-generational housing? Basically, any combination of adult generations living under the same ro ..read more

Living in Connecticut, you can expect an average of 37 inches of snow per year! Although a fresh coating of snow over the yard may look pretty, it can potentially cause damage to your home. Learn a few effective ways to keep your property safe during a typical winter storm in New England. Have a Working Heat Source Snow forms when the temperature of the atmosphere is below freezing. A functional heating system in your home is important to keep out the cold and prevent frozen pipes. When the water inside a pipe freezes, it expands and could lead to a crack or burst with potentially dangerous re ..read more

Given that you spend approximately one third of your life sleeping, it makes utmost sense to tailor that primary bedroom to your own personal whims and desires.  Sure, a lot of that time is spent eyes-shut and unaware of your surroundings, but aren’t those moments just before nodding off, and as soon as your eyes blink open, some of the most important in terms of your well-being?  You’re going to want the first thing you see when you wake up and the last thing you see before your nightly doze to live up to your every expectation, otherwise a fitful night of dissatis ..read more

The American Dream: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. For many people, home ownership is an integral component to all of those three aspirations. It is also a huge financial commitment, and what with market volatility and the threat of a global recession, is now a good time? And how does one know?   According to some experts, the “right time” to buy a home is whenever what you want is financially viable. This is true, especially when you can treat the purchase, even in part, as a growth or investment opportunity. Despite temperamental market fluctuations, prices are pretty muc ..read more

Measure twice, cut once.  Even better, measure thrice.  the importance of thorough pre-planning before committing to an irreversible outcome cannot be overstated.  That said, once the finances are settled and the contracting agreements signed, mapping out rooms, hallways, storage, and their desired layout can be really fun.  This is where you and your design team can really begin the process of creating a home with all the elements that you’ve been waiting to achieve in your dream home. So fundamentally, it’s obvious creating a good floor plan is critical.&n ..read more

If recently the term “Boomer” has taken on a negative connotation in certain contexts… well, what hasn’t?  But Baby Boomers, that generation born between approximately 1946 and 1964, have a tremendous amount of buying power.  And right now, they are the ones that are phasing into a period that might put custom home building foremost on their minds.  They’re a savvy lot, this demographic, and while you can never generalize preferences ubiquitously over an entire segment of the population, this generation does display some predilections that are worth paying att ..read more

It’s a daunting scenario, embarking upon building or remodeling your home.  There are so many components, it might seem difficult to know where to start.  So like anything, a great strategy is to ask questions…. but what questions?  What should you ask your designer team to ensure everyone is one the same page?     To begin with, your first “question” shouldn’t be a question at all, but a determination of your budget and time frames.  Certainly, this can be phrased as a question, but  you must keep first and foremost ..read more

It seems like no matter what you do, the party always ends up in the kitchen.People gravitate towards the enticing smells and refreshing tipples most easily accessed from there, so you know you have to make sure this room is as gorgeous as the rest of your home.But at the same time, durability and functionality are a huge part of kitchen design…. especially those constantly used surfaces: your countertops.   There are a lot of options in this category, and just as many opinions as to which is best.To choose the best countertops for you, first determine your priorities and usage.Alon ..read more

How common are floods in Connecticut? According to Stacker, we’re the 14th most at-risk state for property flooding. Connecticut homes are prone to floods all year round, whether caused by heavy rainfall, a blizzard or snowmelt. Structures located along the shoreline and near lakes or rivers can be even more susceptible to flooding. Floods can cause a full spectrum of damage to your home. Some of the most common issues include structural damage, mold and electrical issues. If you experience flooding in your home, here’s what you should do and what you should avoid. Don’ts After Flooding When y ..read more

Choices, choices.  Nowadays, there are more choices for almost everything.  More than most people know how to deal with.  And when you’re talking about building or remodeling your home, the array of options out there can be overwhelming.  That’s why at By Carrier, we want to make those decisions as easy as possible, proving why we are the best choice to create your ultimate dream home.   First and foremost, you need to choose a company you can trust.   We have over fifty years of experience in this business, so we know our stuff.&nbs ..read more