As a property owner and investor looking to build or rebuild homes in the beautiful Berkshires, access to top-notch building materials will be the tipping point for your project: a mere ordinary project or a project of enduring beauty. Through thorough research and inquiry from the locals, you can get materials that are beautiful and impart lasting value to your property.
Why Quality Is Important in Investment Properties
As you build or rebuild a property, the quality of the materials you utilize dictates both short-term expenses and long-term rewards. Quality materials endure use, appear more attractive with age, and require fewer maintenance repairs. This equates to increased property value and more appeal to potential buyers or tenants down the line.
For investment properties alone, durability cuts down on maintenance expenses and maximizes net yield. A solid foundation, weather-resistant facade, and well-installed systems ward off expensive repairs that devour profit margins.
Where to Source Top-Shelf Building Materials in Berkshire County
Berkshire County provides a wide array of sources for obtaining investment-grade building materials. Locally available suppliers tend to have products ideal for the region’s climate and architecture.
Local wood yards provide wood products that are suitable with the traditional New England appearance prevalent across the Berkshires. These companies typically stock both commodity materials and specialty items like reclaimed barn wood, which adds character to a project as well as being green.
Stone yards around the region supply a variety of local stone, perfect for foundation laying, walls, and landscape elements that integrate into the local environment. The materials are good-looking. They are low maintenance and look good for decades.
Sustainable building materials are a specialty of many suppliers in the region, including:
- Lee-based supplies providing reclaimed wood and flooring from previous buildings
- Pittsfield stores retail energy-efficient windows with New England winter standards
- Great Barrington entrepreneurs haul locally quarried stone and locally manufactured insulation that is sustainable
- Stockbridge suppliers provide locally milled wood from sustainably managed forests
- Lenox retailers retail recycled metal roofing that is durable
Working with Local Craftspeople
One benefit of constructing in the Berkshires is proximity to experienced local tradespeople familiar with the area’s building traditions. These experts can assist in finding materials that are consistent with the architectural heritage of the region yet compliant with contemporary building codes.
Local wood craftsmen, stone masons, and metal fabricators in Berkshire County create items that combine traditional artisanship with contemporary durability. Utilizing these craftsmen often results in unique, higher-quality pieces that add value and appeal to property.
Berkshire Winters Demand Weather-Resistant Materials
The Berkshires experience seasonal weather fluctuations from heavy snow, freeze-thaw conditions, and humid summers. This kind of climate demands weather-resistant materials.
For the roof, metal and slate withstand snow loads and ice dams better than common asphalt shingles. Although they are more expensive to begin with, they can last decades longer and require fewer repairs.
Windows must be both energy efficient and good-looking. Double- and triple-pane windows are optimum and should include low-E coatings to minimize the transfer of heat, but coordinate with traditional architectural design.
Exterior siding materials must be able to handle moisture and temperature fluctuations. Fiber cement, nicely finished cedar, and stone veneer are all good performers in Berkshire weather and will remain attractive for decades.
Cost vs. Value: Making Smart Material Choices
When selecting materials for investment properties, consider the cost versus the value. The lowest cost will most likely pay the least in the long term.
Consider lifecycle costs when evaluating materials. Factor in expected lifespan, maintenance requirements, and energy efficiency alongside the purchase price. Materials that reduce utility bills or require less frequent replacement often justify higher initial costs.
As an example, quality hardwood floors cost more upfront but last twenty more decades and increase property value. Similarly, a metal roof can cost twice as much as asphalt shingles but will endure three to four times longer.
Sustainable Materials: Meeting Market Demands
Today’s buyers and renters assign more value to sustainable building practices. Products that save natural resources are more likely to sell for a premium and bring good tenants.
Look for FSC-certified wood products, produced from sustainably harvested forests. Recycled and reclaimed materials not only reduce waste but also contribute a unique character that will engage many buyers within the Berkshires’ market.
Energy-efficient materials like properly rated insulation, high-performance windows, and reflective roofing engage green-conscious buyers and reduce operating costs.
Building Codes and Material Selection
Berkshire County building codes influence material decisions in investment properties. Although codes ensure safety and long-term durability, they sometimes limit availability.
Work with area code-knowledgeable contractors to select materials that are code-friendly without compromising quality or aesthetics. In some cases, historic district codes will further limit material choices but will usually end up with properties that are maintained in value through consistent neighborhood standards.
Final Thoughts
When choosing materials for investment properties in the Berkshires, look beyond today’s trends. Materials that harmonize with the area’s architectural heritage resist fleeting style trends to retain their allure longer than materials tracking short-term design fads.
Natural stone, fine wood, and heavy metals acquire character with age instead of just deteriorating. These materials commonly grow in perceived worth as they age, unlike synthetic materials that can look out of date in a few years.
Effective material procurement for investment properties relies on having good knowledge of providers and contractors. Connect with trusted building professionals who understand the unique requirements of Berkshire properties. Ready to start your investment property journey with materials that will last the ages? Contact Cohen + White Associates today at (413) 637-1086 for guidance on constructing or renovating in the Berkshires with enduring quality.
