R-Value Homes - West Michigan

06/12/2026

“Cost per square foot” might be the most misunderstood number in home building.

And it’s costing people a lot of money.

• It hides major cost drivers.
• It ignores your site.
• It doesn’t reflect your selections.
• And it gives a false sense of certainty.

A better approach? Start with alignment about your priorities and then design.

We break it all down here.

➡️ https://www.rvaluehomes.com/blog/can-i-price-my-custom-home-by-the-square-foot

06/05/2026

Comparing 2 products here! We have been using a black fabric from Pro Clima: Fronta Quattro, and then their Tescon Vana tape that’s black for UV resistance.

Since we needed such a small amount, I decided I was going to try the Benjamin Obdyke products on this project. They have a black UV fabric as well and a black UV tape.

Both tapes, the vana and the hydroflash have acrylic adhesive.

The Benjamin Obdyke hydroflash tape is self-sealing around nails, unlike the Pro Clima. I want to compare the two products for you now that we’ve put them in.

Tescon Vana from Pro Clima:
- This is a v***r open product. The tape sticks really well.
- You can see it’s sticky on the back side, but not rubbery, so it doesn't self seal around nails. But this stuff sticks like mad!

Hydroflash from Benjamin Obdyke:
- Has a bit of a shine to it. It is not v***r open, or “not as” v***r open. So that’s one of the downsides to it.

Another thing we’ve noticed is this tape doesn’t stick to it quite as well. About five minutes after you put the tape up, there are spots where the tape has pulled away (see in the video). It does not stick well at all. You have to go back and hit it again.

The HydroFlash from Benjamin Obdyke is rubbery, which means it self seals, but it does not have any stretch to it, which makes it difficult to stick, and the adhesive isn’t quite as good.

That’s just my evaluation of what is going on.

Interested to hear if anyone else has noticed this or has compared the 2 products?? Let me know! ⬇️

06/02/2026

Years ago we learned not to take for granted that people would be smart about where they put things.
No matter how simple we make it for them.

These signs help, but absolutely nothing replaces being present, and interacting with the delivery people and tradesmen face to face.

It is tempting to coordinate a home build via text and email, without ever being onsite......but it probably won't give you the results you are looking for.

Face to face, coupled with a written record, is the best method. Not just for building homes, but for building relationships.

05/29/2026

I recently purchased this brand new duplex as an investment property…and while it looks sharp overall, it also highlights some of the biggest differences between a typical builder-grade home and a true custom build.

Just a few things I talk about in this video:
• Exterior grading and drainage issues
• Builder-grade vs custom finishes
• Trim, tile, and cabinetry differences
• Why small details matter for long-term durability

The visual impact of this home is impressive, but when you slow down and look closely, you start to see where corners were cut and where custom craftsmanship makes a huge difference.

I recently purchased this brand new duplex as an investment propert...

05/28/2026

Health, Comfort and Durability. That is what we prioritize in all of our homes. Your family’s well-being comes first. Our homes are built for clean indoor air, balanced humidity, and provide a safe space for generations.

This is just another step we take. Bringing in a high capacity dehumidifier allows us to make sure the wood stays at a moisture level of under 12% - this is for several reasons. The most obvious one being no mold growth and another reason is little to no drywall pops or cracking.

Building healthy homes in West Michigan since 2004

05/22/2026

I'm blown away!

What took me years of study, trial and error, networking with other builders, and an insane amount of dedication to know instinctively is a piece of cake to summarize now.

Try it yourself: in ChatGPT, type in: "How do I build an energy-efficient or net-zero home in West Michigan?"

Then try: "Pros and cons of building a house with insulated concrete forms (ICF)"

While I don't think it got it all right, it is very good. Scary good.

That said, the concepts are one thing, and the ex*****on is another.
For now, the details still require experience, not experiments.
•What tape for which application
•How wide
•What installation sequence to use
•How to brace an ICF gable end full of windows and 30' tall
•What concrete mix to order from (insert supplier here) when the weather is (insert here)
•And on and on

Details like this are not worth taking chances on, and where our experience will continue to make a difference for our clients.

If you are looking to build your forever home, and do not want to be someone's guinea pig, or take the chance that AI is hallucinating; then R-Value Homes is the builder for you. We have the most experience in West Michigan not only in ICF installation, but also in healthy home building, zero energy homes, and natural building materials.

But if you are the type of person that wants to DIY, please do your research.....thankfully you have a headstart!

05/21/2026

ICF becomes far more compelling when ownership is measured in decades rather than months.

I hear from homeowners years down the road about how blown away they are in energy savings, without mentioning all the health and durability benefits ICF provides.

ICF quietly wins.

Upfront cost is easy to measure. Long-term cost requires patience and experience. This is where ICF begins to separate itself.

Some of the benefits show up on utility bills. Others show up in comfort, maintenance, and durability over decades. A few are difficult to quantify, but are mentioned so consistently by homeowners that they are impossible to ignore.

If you want to learn more about ICF vs traditional homes, check out our blog:
https://www.rvaluehomes.com/blog/icf-vs.-traditional-homes-costs-benefits

05/14/2026

Passive solar ☀️ Let me show you how it works at my house!

It’s a little after 4pm. See how the shade line is a little below our windows? The awning is designed so that it is shaded when the sun is high in the summer. (June 21 - Dec 21) Meanwhile we get a lot of free heating from the sun in the winter!

Passive heating in the winter and passive “cooling” in the summer!

➡️ Building better is not only possible; it is the responsible thing to do.