Buffington Homes- The Zucker Residence

HISTORY Fortunately, their first Kiawah home, built on Ocean Course,
attracted many future clients. This home also received their first
It was 1985 when PRISM AWARD for the Best Resort Island Home. Since 1997,
Dan Buffington started his the company has been a consistent quality winner in both National
construction career and Regional construction industry “Academy Award Contests”
partnering with a so to speak.
well established
developer in his May, 2009, marked the year when they won the prestigious
neighborhood in Wall Street Journal’s Dream Home Award. Since then, the
Diamond Bar, California.
company has won a total of ten(10)
The property consisted of National Best in American Living Awards (BALA). Six of the
over 288 acres of hills and eight wins were achieved with different architectural firms. Many
canyons. It was deemed a of the judges have commented that achieving six of their awards
“Significant Environmental with distinct architects reflects favorably on their construction
Impact Area”. capabilities. The point is that honors were achieved without leaning
Due to that designation and on a single. talented, architectural firm.
the areas’ desire to preserve
the native infrastructure, While honors are flattering, homeowner satisfaction is their
there were an unusual number of restrictions for construction. Grading greatest source of pride. Because of this, they committed
had to be stopped when certain species of birds and black resources to resolve a long-standing service and maintenance
salamanders were migrating. There were many geotechnical problem on the island. Homeowners had repeatedly asked for
challenges which took time to resolve. The building code required that help with their home’s routine care after move in. Most are not from
California Live Oak trees be nursery grown verses cutting them down this part of the country and do not know what should be done to
and planting new ones. Landform grading was used to keep the maintain their homes. Nor did they want to search for someone to
natural landscape of rolling hills and deep canyons. Currently, 135 do the work while on vacation. Trevor, their oldest child,
large, custom homes from 5,000-19,000 sq ft are nestled in implemented a program exclusively for their clients called the
those hillsides amidst riding trails and undisturbed nature. Yearly Preventative Maintenance Program. The team provides
Maintenance throughout the year. They start the year off with a
After deciding that the fast lane life in California put their three written whole house inspection.
children and family values at risk, the Buffington’s moved to Kiawah
Island, SC in 1996. Clients have said this represents the greatest insurance. They
know their builder is the most familiar with the details in their
home. He also has a vested interest in maintaining it
to the highest standard for as long as they wish.

ABOUT US The companies’ mission is to do everything they can
We Build It as it should be built. to build your home as they, themselves, would want it
done. This is why they confidently say:
Dan’s technical background
predisposes intellectual For generations,
curiosity about building We Build It As If It Were Our Own.
technology. He felt there had to be
more effective solutions to prepare The Buffington’s
our homes for the area’s harsh
environment.

To that end, In 2005, he started a
dialog with
The US Department of Energy
at the Oak Ridge National
Labs in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Eventually, Buffington Homes
constructed a test facility in
Hollywood, SC which is one of
three locations in the United States devoted to determining the best
building envelope products. There are sensors on every wall which feed test
results back to the lab in Tennessee.

This testing station is the field laboratory for evaluating moisture and air
intrusion on various materials and insulation. The study measures indoor
and exterior wall viability over extended periods of time. The data derived
from this project has changed the way they build their homes. This cutting-
edge research has provided their company with advanced techniques and
proven remedies for addressing the challenging climatic problems our
geography presents with hurricanes, intense humidity, mold and harsh sea
salt. To the best of their knowledge, no other builder in the
area has demonstrated this level of concern and commitment to his building
quality.

Accountability – The Process

• The Builder is responsible for Continuing Education resulting in a practice of Cutting Edge of
Building Technology

Buffington Homes - the Department of Energy research building facility, NAHB Builder 20, Green Building Certified

• An in-depth Microsoft Project schedule

All team members have agreements that tie into delivering on time according to that schedule.

• Scopes of Work for all Trades --- contracts define the requirements for each group.

The trades know what is expected of them. Their signature holds each company accountable.
Your Superintendent has

• Construction Checklists - every construction category

This process is simple but it helps to consistently deliver a quality product. Samples are included in this
section.

• The entire team is copied on a Weekly Progress Report with pictures.

. Your on-site Superintendent sends you, your architect and interior designer, a weekly report detailing
the progress made during the past week, work expected to be done the following week, and any
questions or concerns that need to be addressed. An example of our typical Weekly Progress Report is
included in this section.

• Online System = everyone is on the same page. Communication is the key factor

to managing the construction of a custom home. The Supervisor also maintains all information
within the Online Access System.

Subcontractor Contracts for
every trade

Tied to the Scopes of Work

Example of Key Elements Sub-Contracts– Scope of Work - Framing

Highlights

• Performed only by employees.

• Must cooperate with team--work concurrently.

.

• Site Cleaning – a back charge of $250 per incident without limitation.

• Draw Requests – Monday - for payment that Friday.
Only for work performed and approved the week before the request.

.
• Change Orders – no payments unless a signed change order before the work is started.

• No alcohol or drugs – any violation results in subcontractor termination!

• Smoking and/or other tobacco products not allowed within the building structure.
No radios or “horseplay” on jobsites.

Sample Subcontractor Scope of Work Framing
Roof
• Apply, glue, and nail all exterior and roof plywood sheathing
• Chimney to be balloon framed.
• Ice & water shield valleys on roof before wrap.
• Staple continuous string line along edges of wrap to prevent wind damage.
Fire blocking
• Open web truss systems fire blocked no area larger than 1000 square feet exists.
• Fire blocking at all dropped soffits.
• Provide fire blocking top of all chases, including fireplaces.

• Subcontractor Signature ______________________________Date_____________

Step by Step Construction
Checklists

SAMPLE PROJECT CHECKLIST

PRE-WORK INSPECTION REPORT FOR FOOTING
PRE-WORK INSPECTION: (to be completed prior to beginning work)

 Plans have been picked up and signed off.
 Sub-contract has been signed by Sub-contractor.
 Building Permit has been issued and approved. Plans are on site.
 Work area is clean and free of debris.
 Site is cleared and pad cut.
 Surveyor has staked house on site.
 Verify that foundation structural plans and dimensions match architectural plans and elevations.
 Straightness and alignment of surveyor staking has been verified.
 All setbacks, bay windows, fireplaces, porches, stoops, stairs, pool, etc., are clearly marked and dimensions checked.
 If a block masonry foundation is called for, the elevation of the top of footing should be in 8” increments below the top of the

block to prevent the need for cutting block.
 Area is cleared and ready for concrete truck access.
 Driveway is covered with mulch or stone.
 Structural Steel has been ordered.
 Floor truss system has been ordered.
 If a block foundation is to be built, the concrete block, mortar, rebar, and sand has been ordered.

Date: _______________ Project Manager ______________________________
Trade Contractor ________________________________

Online Control and
Communications System

Online Control System – Team Access:

Original plans, every modification
Selections with photos
Budget
Project Schedule
Weekly Status Report
Changes
Service after move in:
Yearly Preventative Maintenance
inspection and service records

Who has access and how?

From web portal, mobile phone, iPad.
Anywhere Internet access.
Homeowner, Builder, Architect,
Designer – each has password

Online Access all Selections
Whether On Job, Shopping, Reviewing

Integrated Sink and Countertop Bathroom Walls
Calcutta Luna

Marble Floor
Honed

•Sconces
•23.6”H x 5.3”W



Yearly Preventative
Maintenance Program

Yearly Preventative Maintenance

-One complete written Inspection each year.

-Service HVAC, Elevator, Water Heaters and
Generator. Ensures warranties are
managed.

-Power wash home every six months and clean
windows in and out.

-Comply with window manufactures wash
schedules- every six months.

-Reseal stone countertops; Clean dryer vents.

-Lubricate all windows, door hinges, garage
and locks.

Yearly Preventative Maintenance

-Vacuum refrigerator coils

-Varnish front door system and
garage doors

-Wash Electronic Air Filters

-The original Subcontractors repair
the systems they installed.

-Full service for your home’s
lifecycle.

YEARLY PREVENTATIVE SERVICE FOR THE LIFECYCLE OF YOUR HOME

Buffington Homes delivers a single source yearly service option exclusively to our clients. From move in on, your home requires a schedule of
necessary preventative services. Window manufactures have specific wash schedules in order to preserve their warranty. Our program
handles that and much more. Your heating and air conditioning, elevator, generator and other systems must be maintained. As your builder,
we have the ability to bring the original sub-contractors back so they can quickly repair systems and construction that they, personally,
installed in your home. The benefit to our continued service starts with utilizing that online database we create where your original budget,
plans, installation specs down to past service history is maintained. Whether it is a paint color or a roof leak we have all of the information.
This also ensures original warranties are not overlooked.

A homeowner urged us to provide this program when he said, “Our cars have preventive maintenance programs and our multi-million dollar
homes don’t. We are not from South Carolina. We don’t even know what has to be done and when.” Today, our Preventative Maintenance
Program includes a yearly written inspection and scheduled maintenance on all systems as well as other necessary services to insure your
home investment is protected and potential problems do not get out of control.