Business View Magazine | Volume 8, Issue 7

36 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 8, ISSUE 7 You’d be surprised how many people go into the process with a specific budget in mind, saying to an architect or designer, ‘design me something beautiful’, and then they get a price tag at the end that is double their intended budget. That generally happens because they didn’t have a builder involved in the design phase to keep them tethered to their budget. Most architects don’t provide that kind of detailed pricing information as they go along. They want the product to be beautiful, and they’ll generally do whatever the customer asks for. We are there to help keep everyone focused on the same objectives during the design phase, including budget.” With current homebuilding trends incorporating smart home technology, Ashland works with an outside company to keep up with the ever- changing options. Webb recounts, “It’s funny, 10 years ago, we would prewire for speakers and security systems in every home. Now everything is proprietary and most of it is wireless and centrally controlled from your phone or your iPad. The technology changes so quickly, and with us only building a couple houses a year, it is difficult just to keep up with the newest innovations. So we rely on our subcontractors to keep up with the trends and supply our customers with the right products for their specific needs.” He adds, “We basically make an introduction and then get out of the way to let them design the right system for each customer. They exchange ideas directly, and they communicate on price directly. It’s important for us to understand where we add value to the process. On things like this, our value is in finding reliable partners for our customers to work with, and then facilitating communication between the parties.” Other current trends include outdoor living, cooking areas, and pools. The home office has also become popular, as more people are working remotely. Ashland Custom Homes will work with their customers on green initiatives