Customizations to floor plans, window schedules and dormers are all feasible within the AvrameUSA system. The first step is to sketch out what you envision on top of an existing floor plan to assess for feasibility. From this sketch, we can provide feedback. We estimate hours, per your designs, at $150/hour. Sometimes you can choose an existing drawing, which has a flat change fee associated. On average customizations take between 4 to 20 hours. See customizations for more information (within floor plans).
The Avrame concept was developed in Europe and has offices in Estonia. The AvrameUSA team has designed and engineered kits to be compliant with US building codes. AvrameUSA sources, packages, and ships all kit parts domestically. Our facilities are located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Yes! No matter your floor plan, you always have a top collar tie that is structurally required. Because this is LVL material and not architectural lumber, you will want to wrap the beam in a finish material of your choice for aesthetics. The roof side beams can also be finished and exposed though it is not recommended and usually cost prohibitive.
We have a Duo75 mock-up available for scheduled site visits at our fabrication facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Duo is not a model home but is finished to show the level of materials our system offers. We have a portion of the mock-up unfinished to be able to best discuss the structural components with visitors. Even if you’re interested in a Trio, the Duo can be helpful to visit as it is approximately the same size as the second level of a Trio.
As clients finish their homes, some may be available for site visits on a quarterly basis or nightly rentals. Be sure to follow along at AvrameUSA on Instagram for updates. If you plan to be in the area, we would love to connect in person! Please allow 2 or more days to schedule your site visit appointment to ensure availability.
The best place to follow along with current builds is our AvrameUSA Instagram page. Some US clients are documenting their builds along the way as well. Soon, there will be Avrame homes in the US available for nightly rentals as well.
We have two engineered foundation options in the US.
- A standard crawl space design is included with our plan sets. This is with four perimeter walls and center support for the floor load. This is designed for a flat plot of land. For a Trio, the foundation is typically an 8” foundation wall with #4 rebar on 12” vertical centers and 12” horizontals (single mat). The footings are typically 36” wide and 12” deep on the two sidewalls and 24” wide on the gable walls.
- A basement option that can be added to your plans ($1,500) which can work on a sloped lot. This includes a custom floor plan based on how you plan to use the basement space.
Due to the way our structural truss is engineered, a slab foundation is not feasible with the AvrameUSA system. Other custom options are possible, such as a pier and beam system, but would require custom engineering and soil samples ($1,500-$3,000).
AvrameUSA no longer offers a strip-footing foundation design for the following reasons.
- Most building departments to not allow an open foundation
- Freeze thaw and plumbing related issues are more cost effective with a crawlspace
- Vermin-related issues are eliminated with a crawlspace
- Insulation requirements are mitigated with a crawlspace
Permitting is your responsibility. In your research phase, you should become familiar with local limitations for building shape and size as well as permitting requirements. Most building departments will have a checklist you can review. Our team is happy to look at your checklist and provide feedback on what our sets cover versus what you are responsible for on your side. After you engage in the drawing phase of our process, you will have your plan sets from us, along with anything you need to supplement, to use to apply for permitting.
Our basic floor plan is available for this purpose. This should provide you enough information to gain initial approval.
Upon permit approval, you may select and reserve an available kit delivery week (minimum 8 weeks out), with a $1,000, non-refundable, ship date hold. Payment is applied towards your kit. Once your ship date is 6 weeks out you will be required to pay your 50% production payment. (We are currently scheduling for 2022 kit ship dates)
In the US, it is not necessary to hire an architect or engineer for your project in most cases. We have full sets of engineered plans and architectural drawing available and a team you can work with for customizations.
Heating and cooling is up to you and not part of our kit or plan sets. Our recommendation is a mini-split wall or ceiling mounted unit that is optimized for heating and cooling. The way we have optimized the living space in the AvrameUSA home does not leave a lot of extra room for a full ductwork forced air system. There are other options such as electric baseboards and various types of stoves you could consider. You may also consider a ceiling fan in the open vaulted areas of your home to help with airflow.
MINI-SPLIT
PROS
- Low purchase and install cost
- Heating and cooling in one unit
- Can run unattended
CONS
- Relatively low cost of operation until you hit sub-zero outside temperatures at which point, you kick over to straight electric heat
PELLET STOVE/WOOD BURNING STOVE
PROS
- Low operating cost
- No propane or NG
- Relatively low purchase price
CONS
- Can’t leave them alone for more than a few days (pellet)
- Would need a secondary electric heating source for the abandoned time periods
TRADITIONAL FURNACE
PROS
- Even instant heat
CONS
- Higher install cost
- Needs propane or NG
- Second floor heat runs are problematic
- Valuable space you give up to install
Radiant heating is wonderful, though sometimes cost prohibited. Our engineering includes using a floor truss as part of the structural system, thus a mud-radiant system with 2 x 2 sleepers is the recommended approach for this. There is an under-mount system with a reflector shield as well, however it requires a bit more space. In that floor joist you would have little room left for insulation and have a loss of efficiency. There are some options here and we would be happy to discuss this further with you.
NOTE: We do not have a slab-on-grade foundation engineered for this kit at this point, thus radiant heating through a slab is not possible with the AvrameUSA system.
To ensure affordability, you need to source insulation in your local area. Your local jurisdiction will have insulation requirements for your area, which you should familiarize yourself with. You have a cavity between 6 to 12 inches (floor to exterior) to work with for insulation, depending on the site plan. This provides lots of options for insulation like rigid foam, spray foam, batting, blown glass, etc. It really depends on the R-value you are looking to aim for. You can reach very high with a spray foam insulation as well. Or you can spray a few inches and then fill in with another type. Your builder may be able to provide some feedback on what works best in you area.
We do not offer financing directly through AvrameUSA. Most clients have found success seeking a construction loan (some loans will allow you to bundle land and home together). One key element to keep in mind when talking to lenders is AvrameUSA is not a prefabricated, modular, or tiny home. It is really a traditional stick-build home, with full sets of architectural and engineered plans, that sits on a fixed foundation. Simply stated, we offer a sophisticated materials order kit with accompanying plan sets. It may be necessary and beneficial to you to educate your lender on the AvrameUSA flexible building system.
An initial payment of $3,500, plus any customization or additional drawing fees, is due at the engagement of the drawing phase. The payment is non-refundable and is applied towards your final payment balance. Then, upon securing a permit, you may select and reserve an available kit delivery week (minimum 8 weeks out), with a $1,000, non-refundable, ship date hold payment (applied to your balance). At six weeks out from your ship date 50% of your invoice is due as kit production begins and the final balance is due when your kit is ready to be shipped.
We have money-saving opportunities for qualified AvrameUSA home builds. If you make your home available for marketing or site visit purposes, you can receive compensation or discounts for your efforts. We also offer multiple discounts starting at 3 or more kits of the same size and floor plan. This discounts starts at 3% and goes up to 10% for 20 plus units. This offer pertains most often to developers.
Yes, AvrameUSA kit can easily be finished to be an off-the-grid home. The nature of the roofing easily allows for solar panels. You will be responsible to source solar equipment and other off-the-grid options locally.
All AvrameUSA kits are engineered, sourced, and packaged in the United States. The kits are prepared and shipped from our facilities in Salt Lake City, Utah on a flatbed truck.
You and your team would greet the truck upon arrival at the site and unload the components and building materials directly onto your site. A construction forklift is required. Estimates for delivery range between $2,200 to $7,800, depending on proximity and accessibility. Click here for a Shipping Map
Depending on your build schedule, location of your land, comfort level and potential exposure to weather elements, you may consider having a pod or storage container on-site to hold materials while you build. AvrameUSA homes are designed to be assembled quickly. With efficient planning, you may not need storage on-site at all.
No, we do not sell plans only. Because of our custom engineered and fabricated hardware plates, which are factored into our plan sets, our minimum package is our Structural Kit. The Structural Kit includes permit drawings, assembly instructions and structural lumber and hardware.
Connecting two AvrameUSA homes is possible! Custom engineering and design of connection structure, as well as materials, should be all sourced and hired locally versus through the AvrameUSA team.
There are many variables in the timeline but here are the basic steps with the AvrameUSA team.
- Introductory call and research phase.
- Builder Zoom call of the structural assembly. Your builder/framer joins this call if you are not using an owner-builder approach.
- AvrameUSA provides a bid based on the kit options and any customizations (redline mark-up required) to the plans you request.
- The drawings phase is initiated with receipt of initial payment ($3,500) and customization fees, nonrefundable. (New projects are currently booking 3-5 weeks out. Once begun, 3-8 weeks depending on customizations for final sets)
- Final plans delivered to you, digital and hard copy. You submit for a residential building permit. This step can take a few weeks to a few months depending on your jurisdiction, start early.
- Kit production and scheduling a ship date Upon permit approval, you may reserve an available kit delivery week (minimum of 8 weeks out), with a $1,000, non-refundable, ship date hold. Payment is applied towards your kit. Once you ship date is 6 weeks out you will be required to pay your 50% production payment. (New projects currently scheduling for early 2022 kit ship dates)
- Shipping from SLC upon final payment. (1-7 days)