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There are many reasons why steel is the superior choice vs wood:
1) Fire: Steel is non-combustible.
2) Strength: Steel is stronger, more durable, higher precision and stable vs wood.
3) Termites/Mold: Steel does not create a food source for termites, rot or mold growth.
4) Sustainable: Steel is the most recycled material on earth which reduces:
Dwell Ultra homes are designed from the ground up to be nearly impervious to fire. It is estimated that up to 90% of structures catch fire due to airborne embers entering attic vents, eaves, and soffits during a fire event. Dwell Ultra's sleek, minimalist modern design intentionally eliminates these sources of ignition, and all exterior materials are non-combustible. Dwell Ultra homes exceed the highest level requirements of a Wildfire Prepared Home, a program of the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.
At Dwell Ultra, we engineered our homes using superior materials and advanced processes to significantly reduce construction labor and landfill waste. The result is a non-combustible, long-lasting, and nearly maintenance-free home, all at an initial cost comparable to a quality-built wood-based home. We believe a Dwell Ultra home is a much better investment, as wood homes require repetitive painting, termite treatments, and are susceptible to rot, mold, and fire. Additionally, the Dwell Ultra home design opens the possibility for lower fire insurance rates. We believe our clients benefit more by investing in better materials rather than labor.
The Dwell Ultra design is ideal for hilly terrain and significantly reduces the environmental impact on the build site. The design typically eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming excavating, compaction, and grading permits. The elevated concrete slab allows easy access to plumbing, and all materials used in the foundation, skeletal structure, and exterior are non-combustible. If desired and if your lot permits, Dwell Ultra homes can be built slab-on-grade, which may offer some cost savings.
The build time for the complete enclosed lockable shell is typically 4-5 months after permit issuance, with an additional 3-4 months for interior build-out.
Yes, but the ADU overall footprint would remain the same and there would be a reasonable engineering & drawing change fee.
Yes, if you also add a primary residence at the same time or if you only want a 1,200 square foot primary residence you could designate the Dwell Ultra ADU as a primary residence.
No, but it is possible to save a lot of money if you would like to finish the house once it has reached the completed lockable shell stage and has passed local government inspection.