HD Builders

08/19/2026

Tray Ceilings With Trusses — Plan Ahead! 🏠

If you’re using roof trusses and want a tray ceiling, this is something you need to plan before those trusses are built.

The tray can be designed and built right into the truss system. It’s typically not a huge added expense, but if you wait until the trusses are already engineered and delivered, you’ve made it a whole lot harder—and potentially more expensive.

This is a good example of a tray ceiling we planned into the trusses from the beginning.

Custom homes are all about planning ahead. The details you decide early can save you time and money later.

Proverbs 24:3 (KJV)
“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:”

08/18/2026

Plumbing in Exterior Walls — Is It a Problem? 🔧🏠

We try to limit waterlines in exterior walls whenever possible, mainly because of the potential for freezing. But sometimes, because of the layout of a custom home, you’re going to have plumbing that needs to be there.

Here in South Carolina, freezing temperatures aren’t as big of a concern as they are farther north, but we still want to install it correctly.

When we have waterlines in an exterior wall, we:

• Insulate the waterline itself
• Make sure we have insulation between the waterline and the exterior of the home
• Keep the plumbing as far toward the conditioned side of the wall as possible

Want to take it another step? Upgrade to 2x6 exterior walls.

A 2x6 wall gives you more room for insulation and makes it easier to keep plumbing protected inside the building envelope. You could upgrade only the exterior walls where plumbing is located, or go with 2x6 exterior walls throughout the entire house and increase your overall insulation package.

Is it necessary for every house? No. It adds cost. But when you’re building custom, these are the options worth knowing about so you can decide where your money makes the most sense.

Proverbs 24:3 (KJV)
“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:”

08/17/2026

The slab pour has officially started on this barndominium! 💪🏠

It’s going to be a HOT one today, but the concrete is rolling and the crew is getting after it.

We’re incredibly thankful for the homeowners who trust HD Builders to bring their vision to life. We’re also thankful for the subcontractors and crews who show up, put in the work, and make these homes possible.

Another big milestone on this build. Let’s get to work! 🇺🇸🔨

2. Bible Verse — KJV

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” — Colossians 3:23 KJV

08/17/2026

Ever wonder how we know exactly where to put conduit for a kitchen island before the concrete gets poured?

In this video, I’m breaking down the process from plans to installation. We start by reading the plans, locating the kitchen island, and using the dimensions to measure exactly where that island will land in the slab.

From there, we build and install the gray electrical conduit that runs from a wall location over to the island. Once the concrete is poured, that conduit gives the electrician a pathway to get power out to the island without having to cut into a brand-new slab.

I sped up the installation so you can see the whole process—from finding it on the plans, measuring it out, building the conduit, and getting it installed before the pour.

It’s a small detail, but it’s one you definitely don’t want to forget on slab prep. Good construction starts with good planning.

Proverbs 24:3-4
“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”

08/15/2026

Part 2 of our monolithic slab prep — she’s ready to pour! 💪🏠

We’ve passed our inspections, and this barndominium is officially ready for concrete.

As you can see in the video, we’ve got everything formed up and ready:

• Under-slab plumbing installed and inspected ✅
• 10-mil v***r barrier installed and taped ✅
• Wire mesh in place ✅
• Footings reinforced with rebar ✅
• Forms set and inspections passed ✅

One small detail that’s EASY to miss: conduit for your kitchen island power. Before that concrete gets poured, you need to have your gray electrical conduit installed and turned up inside a wall and again where your island will be located. Once that slab is poured, you definitely don’t want to realize you forgot it!

We also added a couple inches to our porches so our 6x6 porch posts will sit completely on the concrete instead of hanging off the edge. It’s a small detail, but those little details make a big difference in the finished product.

Next stop — CONCRETE! Stay tuned to see how this barndominium comes together.

“For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.” — Hebrews 3:4 KJV

08/14/2026

Friday vibes! 🙌

I love this spot in this home—the way the living room transitions right out onto the porch with the large sliding glass doors and windows above is hard to beat.

Tons of natural light, a great view, and that indoor/outdoor connection that makes the whole space feel bigger. This is the kind of setup made for spending your weekends with family and friends.

What do y’all think—would this be one of your favorite spots in the house?

“Every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.”
— Hebrews 3:4 KJV

08/14/2026

Fall is coming! 🙌

Coming up This Week at The Orchard...Opening for the Fall 2026 Season!
Thursday: Farm Stand Open 10:00 - 6:00
Friday: Farm Stand Open 10:00 - 6:00 and Cider Bar Open 12:00 - 7:00
Saturday: Farm Stand and Cider Bar Open 10:00 - 6:00
Sunday: Farm Stand and Cider Bar Open 12:00 - 6:00
Be sure to check our website for a FULL SCHEDULE all the way through December: https://windyhillorchard.com/calendar/

08/14/2026

Happy Friday, everyone! Hope y’all are having a great start to the day.

Today we’re headed to North Carolina for our annual contractor continuing education class. North Carolina requires licensed general contractors to complete 8 hours of continuing education each year to keep our license current.

You can knock it out online, but with everything we have going on, I know myself—I’d get pulled away 100 times. 😂 So I’d rather sit down, knock out the full 8-hour class in one day, and be DONE for the year.

But the real highlight of the trip? The Wandering Cup is on the way. ☕😂 One of the best coffee shops around, so you know we had to make a stop.

Always learning. Always improving. Always trying to be better builders.

“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.”
— Proverbs 9:9 KJV

08/14/2026

Ever walk through a house under construction and wonder, “What’s with the blue or purple drywall?” 👀

Those different-colored boards typically indicate moisture- and mold-resistant drywall designed for areas where you may have higher humidity or occasional moisture.

We’ll use it in places like:

• Kitchen backsplash areas
• Around certain bathroom walls
• Behind or near freestanding tubs
• Other areas where a little extra moisture resistance makes sense

But there’s an important difference between moisture-resistant and waterproof. If we’re building an area that’s going to see significant or direct water—like a shower—we’re stepping up to a proper tile backer/waterproofing system designed for that application.

So next time you walk through your house during construction and see blue, purple, or another specialty-colored board, there’s probably a reason it’s there.

And yes… I apologize for saying “a little bit” a little bit too many times in this video. 😂🤦‍♂️

Proverbs 24:3-4
“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”

08/13/2026

If I could build a house for anyone, who would it be? 🤔

Easy answer for me: Sylvester Stallone.

I grew up on those ’80s and ’90s movies—Rocky, Rambo, Cliffhanger—back when action movies just felt different. No massive green-screen sets doing all the work. The stunts, locations, and characters made those movies legendary.

Plus, from the movies he’s created, the books and projects he’s been involved with, and everything I’ve seen about him, Stallone just seems like he’d be an awesome guy to sit down with.

And come on…how cool would it be to build Rambo’s house? 😂

So Sly, if you ever need a custom home built in the Carolinas, HD Builders is ready. 🫡🔨

Who would YOU build a house for if you could choose anybody?

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” — Colossians 3:23 KJV