Next Tuesday, June 21st, is a very exciting day for the Donald family in Bellefontaine Neighbors and for Hibbs Homes. That is they day we will begin demolition work to clear the debris and rubble that was left of their home after the Good Friday storms that struck in Northern St. Louis County sent a 70-year-old tree crashing through their roof, destroying it.

When we first met with the Donalds a few weeks ago, they were faced with some tough decisions. Like many of the storm victims, this young family of four found themselves under-insured and they were facing either compromising space or quality in order to rebuild with the insurance money they were due. After our initial meeting, Kim Hibbs, owner and general contractor decided that rather than splitting hairs with costs and materials he would pull together a group of local construction trade partners whom he has developed relationships with to provide materials and services at a bare-minimum cost so the family could rebuild without compromises and have a home that was made to last.

When the last hammer is swung, the Donalds will have a brand new, Energy Star rated high-efficiency home. The construction partners have also come together to have the home green verified through the St. Louis Home Builders Association Green Building Initiative, ensuring better durability, lower cost of living and better indoor air quality for the family than a standard home can provide.

Kim said, “We want to rebuild the home with quality materials and at an Energy Star level,” and went on to explain that he is doing it, “because it is the right thing to do.”

Plans for the new home will not add square footage, but will provide the family with more usable living space by adding a second story in place of the damp cellar basement that the family had in their previous home. In addition to a lower cost of living and all of the benefits of living in a sustainable and energy efficient home, the house plans also include increased storm protection with a storm ready room in the basement, and will be completed using the latest in building technology and materials for a better built, more durable home.

Hibbs Homes crews and partners plan to complete the construction phase within 90-days so the family can enjoy the holidays in their new home. In the mean time father Marlon, 28, mother Sharita, 27 and their eight and four-year-old children are living with relatives who live close to their old home.

We will be tracking the progress of this very cool project here on our blog. Check back regularly to see photos, videos and updates about the construction progress!

In 2010 Hibbs Homes completed six custom home projects throughout the St. Louis area, and started a few more that will wrap up in 2011. Of the six homes we worked on, two were certified green, and all of them included some form of green building practices for increased efficiency. From additions/renovations to new home construction, we had the honor of working with a great group of clients to create beautiful living spaces. Here is a look at a few of our favorite projects from the last year.

Custom Built Home in Webster Groves – This four bedroom, three bathroom, two-story home in Webster is a Gold level verified green home. The exterior of the house features Hardier board/baton siding and stone work. To achieve Gold level status, we implemented a through caulk and seal package, upgraded insulation, Energy Star appliances and windows, low flow plumbing fixtures, low VOC paint and flooring, and a very efficient heating and cooling system featuring zoned dampers and mastic on all duct joints.

Custom Built Home in West St. Louis County – The second of our Gold level verified green homes built in 2010, this project features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a finished basement. We installed a geothermal heating and cooling system, with through caulk and seal package, and upgraded insulation for energy efficiency. In addition to upgraded insulation for higher R-values, this home also features Energy Star appliances, Energy Star windows, and low flow plumbing fixtures for greater efficiency.

Town and Country Addition and Renovation – For this project we built a new kitchen and hearth room for our clients, and made modifications to their existing laundry room and study.  The new kitchen includes Wolf/Sub Zero appliances, custom cabinets, and marble countertops.  The new hearth room features custom built-ins bookcases, a direct vent fireplace, a gorgeous boxed beam ceiling, and site finished hard wood flooring.