Welcome to Metzler Home Builders

Is it better to build, move or renovate our home? While we hear this question many times, there is no clear-cut answer. Every home is unique, and this impacts the response to this question. Additionally, each home occupant sees their surroundings in different ways, which adds nuance to determining what is best for you. Let’s explore some things you will want to consider as you move toward a decision.

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Build

Building a new home has several benefits. One of the most significant is that you are working with a clean slate. You can select the location, architectural style, layout, and finishes. There are wonderful options to choose from, and our team is ready to guide you through that process. When you build a new home, product warranties are included and everything is clean and new.

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There are a lot of selections to make when building a new home, and this can feel daunting for some people. Finances can also play a factor when thinking about transitioning from one property to another. How much do we need for a down payment? How are payments handled during construction since we are paying our current mortgage? We and our trade partners are happy to provide guidance with these questions.

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Move

While moving could include moving into a newly built home, this section looks at relocating into an existing home. The decision to move can be based on factors beyond your control, such as property restrictions, structural concerns, uncomfortable surroundings, or modifications that are too costly. Other factors are within our control, such as wanting more space to expand the family, or wanting to downsize. Since there’s no construction involved, transitioning from your current home to an existing finished home allows for a shorter time frame from making the decision to move to the actual move-in date. There are also fewer decisions to make, which appeals to some people.
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Renovate

Remodeling or adding on to your existing home has unique challenges and benefits. Here are a few things that are worth your consideration – While some features of your home may not have monetary equity, they may be invaluable for you. What things will I miss if I move from this home? Are there a few spaces that need to be updated or expanded, or does the entire house need to change? Would a more functional layout solve our challenges, or do we need more space? Do we have enough property to expand to meet our needs and wants? Will we need to move out, or can we live in our house during the renovation?

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There are a plethora of additional reasons you may consider. Whether you build, move or remodel, there’s help available. If you are debating what is the best option for you or your family, our team of professionals is here to guide you. We would enjoy journeying with you!

Post By: Tim Zehr

Welcome back to another episode of Behind the Build, a series to take you behind the scenes with the Metzler Home Builders team.

In this episode we sit down with Mrs. Nancy Craul.

Watch the Episode HERE

As a review from our overview newsletter on regulations that will affect your build, stormwater management in its simplest definition is to manage the rate and volume of rain water as it “runs off” impervious surfaces. One of the challenges with stormwater management as it relates to residential building projects is that the interpretation and enforcement of the regulations can vary greatly from one municipality to another.

To understand stormwater planning as it relates to single family home construction, let’s explore the concept of a “small project” or “minor stormwater plan”. These types of projects are typically defined by the total impervious or disturbed area that a project will create. For example, a municipality may constitute anything under 5,000 square feet of new impervious area as a “small project”. Some times that limit may be 2,500 square feet or 1,000 square feet.

This would mean anything at that threshold, or under, can be managed under a straight forward process that does not involve the need for surveys or hiring engineers. A builder or contractor can easily handle the design and permitting process in house. There is typically a worksheet with preset calculations to determine the size of your stormwater facility in order to handle the amount of additional impervious area. There would then be some standard details showing how to construct the facility (rain garden, infiltration trench, etc.)

In most cases, these simplified approaches to managing stormwater will work well for a building addition or outdoor living spaces. Generally, it is difficult to get an entire new home build to fall under these guidelines but in some municipalities it can work. (Think smaller footprint home built within 50 to 75 feet of the road – less total driveway and roof area.)

In most cases when building a new home, you will need to engage in a fully engineered stormwater plan. Unfortunately, there isn’t much that is simple or straightforward about that process, unlike the “small project” or “minor stormwater plan” approach described above. We’ll dedicate another newsletter or two to explain major stormwater planning.

Until then, know that we are here to help educate you on planning and building your new home or addition/renovation project.

​Post By: Jordan Metzler

In this next segment on the impact of regulations on home construction, we are looking at how building codes affect your home. Building codes have a long history, with the earliest example dating back to ancient Babylonia. The Code of Hammurabi, circa 1792-1750 BC, is inscribed on a basalt pillar over 7 feet tall. It included provisions for builders to be held responsible if their work led to harm or death. From their earliest beginnings through today, the primary focus of the building codes is saving lives.

Some current background may be helpful. Here in Pennsylvania, there is a statewide building code, the International Residential Code (IRC), which guides the construction of one- and two-family dwellings. This code is published by the International Code Council (ICC), and is updated every three years. As of today (6/12/2025), we are following the 2018 IRC code. The enforcement of the 2021 ICC code is near, but more on that later.

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The IRC provides provisions for construction with industry-standard materials while also allowing for other materials that meet the necessary engineering standards. The 44 chapters of the IRC include sections about natural lighting, material capacities with snow weight, power distribution, wall finishes, and energy efficiency. The 20 appendices can be utilized when considering unique aspects of construction like solar-ready construction, tiny houses, or straw bale construction. During the construction of your home, an ICC-certified building inspector will inspect your home at specific points of construction to ensure the construction is meeting or exceeding the requirements of the code.

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The enforcement of the 2021 IRC code goes into effect in Pennsylvania on July 13, 2025. After that date, any building permit submitted to a municipality will be subject to the 2021 ICC codes, with a few exceptions. While the triennial code changes affect home costs, the impacts of the 2021 IRC are less significant than in some years. (See the Estimated Costs of the 2021 IRC Code Changes by Home Innovation Research Labs, Inc.)

We certainly understand if this sounds confusing, and we are here to help. That’s where trusting an experienced builder like Metzler Home Builders, who has in-depth knowledge of the building code, offers value. Feel free to contact us with your code questions. Or leave the code details to us and focus your energy on important things like choosing the best countertop for your kitchen.

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Post by: Tim Zehr

Welcome back to another episode of Behind the Build, a series to take you behind the scenes with the Metzler Home Builders team.

In this episode we sit down with Nate “the great” Buckwalter.

Watch the Episode HERE

​ Earlier we took a look at a few different categories of regulations that can affect your building project such as zoning, stormwater and building codes. This week we will take a closer look at how zoning laws and regulations impact how and what we can build in residential construction.Zoning Ordinances create rules around dimensional allowances (setbacks, lot coverage, building height, etc.) as well as the “use” or function of the property. One of the ways this works is that throughout a municipality there will be different areas (Zones) designated as Residential, Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial or Recreational Use. This naturally keeps like or similar uses in certain areas of a specific township.In residential zoning, there will often be several classifications within a specific municipality such as (R1, R2, R3 Zones) These residential zones will typically have different setback requirements based on the lot sizes that they are designed to create. Higher density zoning is typically reserved for areas that have public water and public sewer infrastructure available. It is much more practical to create smaller building lots when a well and septic system isn’t required to serve the home as these obviously require more land to be developed. Aerial Image of Parkside at Lampeter currently under Construction Regarding planning a build on a single lot, the most impactful zoning regulations will often be the building setback requirements, lot coverage requirements, and building height. Building setbacks simply dictate the distance your home must be placed from front, rear and side property lines, this ensures property distance from neighboring homes and keeping homes situated safely back from the street.Lot coverage requirements are typically a percentage allowance that your home and another other impervious surface is allowed to take up relative to the entire lot area. Building Height limits are pretty self-explanatory and are generally around 30-35 for most residential zoning areas. If you are exploring a custom home build, let us help you navigate the zoning regulations that will impact your build.​ “Zoning has been the most influential innovation in American land-use regulation—and one of the most controversial.”​ ​— Jane Jacobs, paraphrased from The Death and Life of Great American Cities Post by: Jordan Metzler

We live in an undeniably global world. Our access to products and services impacts our lives, from the variety of food in our stores to the vehicles we drive, from the clothing we wear to the lattes we sip. Whether we realize it or not, individuals around the world touch our lives. ​Don’t worry—this post is not directed at politics or economics—at least, that’s not my intent. I hope that we can all become slightly more aware of how we rely on people around the globe. ​​ The homes we build, renovate, and inhabit are impacted by our global connections. From the tools at our fingertips to the materials used to construct our homes, the places we call home are enhanced by these connections. Here are just a few examples. Our Canadian neighbors provide a significant amount of lumber for the construction industry. Some steel, aluminum, cement, and gypsum, a key ingredient in drywall, are imported. Roofing shingles, vinyl siding, fuel for deliveries, and a plethora of other items are impacted by the oil industry. Even copper, which is used in plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, while mined in the U.S., saw a net import reliance of 45% in 2024 (according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and its Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025 report). Have you ever admired Calacatta marble from the Apuan Mountains in Italy? What about ceramic tile? While some tiles come from Italy, imports from India, Spain, and Mexico typically top the list. ​ While this list could continue ad nauseam, I hope these examples provide awareness that we no longer build or live off the land directly around us. So when you’re turning on a faucet or peeling a banana, remember that others around the world make it possible. May we all become more mindful of our global citizenship. Post by: Tim Zehr

Welcome back to another episode of Behind the Build, a series that takes you behind the scenes with the Metzler Home Builders team.

In this episode we sit down with Derick May.

Watch the Episode HERE

The residential construction industry is not for the faint of heart! We are governed by many different layers of regulation and codes. Most of these rules and regulations make a lot of sense at a high level, but some become confusing and challenging to navigate in practice.

Adding to the complexity for builders, contractors and our clients is the issue of how these different regulations get interpreted and enforced. Within Lancaster County alone there are 60 different municipalities whose zoning officials, engineers, and building inspectors often have distinct and unique views on the rules and regulations they enforce.

For the purposes of this series, we will start with a broad overview of several different segments of these regulations we must meet, and dive deeper into certain categories as we go.

Zoning

Local Municipalities have Zoning Ordinances in place which govern things like “setback lines” – ie how close a dwelling or other type of building can be to its property lines, as well as “lot coverage” – ie what percentage of area buildings, driveways, patios, etc. can take up of the overall property size, and “building height”

These regulations are typically broken down into zones in a specific municipality to keep a level of uniformity and as well as strategy in future land use.

Stormwater Management

We’ll just scratch the surface here and take a deep dive in some later newsletters. Stormwater management in its simplest definition is to manage the rate and volume of rain water as it “runs off” impervious surfaces (roof areas, patios, driveways, etc.)

Ultimately the management of stormwater is a critical and necessary component of any building or development project. I believe we can all agree to protecting our downstream neighbors as well as the streams, rivers and eventually the Chesapeake Bay where our rain water ends up.

We will look closer at how these regulations affect, specifically “scattered lot” building, where one lot is being developed to build one custom home.

Building Codes

It’s hard to believe that roughly 25 years ago there were many places we built homes that didn’t require any building plan reviews or building inspections during construction. It is certainly a positive development to ensure a minimum standard of structural integrity and safety is being met in residential home building.

Many of the building code changes of the last decade have focused more around “energy code” updates and the requirements of making a home “tighter” and more energy efficient.

The reality is that some who are looking to build may have more familiarity or understanding of these terms and concepts than others, that’s ok. We are here to help! At Metzler Home Builders we have spent the last 20-25 years gaining greater understanding of building codes and zoning requirements, and the last 10+ years navigating the evolving and often complex regulations related to stormwater management on single lot construction.

We are here to help you understand what you need and be your partner and advocate as we guide you through these processes.

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“Regulations, like bureaucracy, tend to strangle creative effort. But [WE] must be a master of them, bending them to serve the art rather than allowing them to dictate mediocrity.”

-Frank Lloyd Wright

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Post by: Jordan Metzler

We regularly receive inquiries for various renovation projects, ranging from window and door replacements to whole-house remodels and second-floor additions. Over the years, we’ve observed shifts in the types of renovations requested. Here are the top five ideas we’re seeing in 2025.

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• Primary Suite Renovations

How we begin and close our days is important to our well-being. Our surroundings play a large role in how we feel. Updates to our bedroom and bath can help lift our spirits. Even maximizing closet storage can have an impact. Having a comfortable space where we finish the day, rest well, and refresh for each new day is vital to how we interact with those around us.

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• Multigenerational Living

Requests for multigenerational living spaces—whether you consider it an in-law suite, granny flat, elder cottage, or accessory dwelling unit (ADU)—are on the rise. With the rising cost of senior living accommodations, many families are considering this option. The financial, emotional, social, caregiving, and intergenerational benefits of multigenerational living are well documented. However, here in Lancaster County, zoning regulations impact what can and cannot be constructed or used as a multigenerational space. Contact us for assistance navigating these regulations.

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• Kitchen Expansion

When it comes time for kitchen modifications, the debate is whether to work within the existing kitchen’s confines or expand into existing or new areas. Frequently, working within an existing kitchen space is like moving sand in the desert; no matter how much you shift things around, the same challenges remain. Expanding your kitchen space provides more functionality and creates the opportunity for more features, such as double ovens, larger cooktops, and walk-in pantries. Additionally, warm wood tones are making a comeback as painted cabinetry moves out of the limelight.

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• Whole House Remodels

For many of us, the need to refresh our homes is stifled by not knowing where to begin or end. Every space needs something. A whole-home renovation can be a viable solution, allowing the renovations to occur over the shortest overall timeframe and, often, resulting in the lowest financial output. Whole home renovations can include both interior and exterior changes. These types of renovations have the challenges of finding space to live and storing your belongings while the work is being done. Some people chose to move out of their home; when this is not an option, phasing becomes a practical solution. Phasing increases the cost, so limiting the number of phases and the amount of time between them minimizes any cost increase.

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• Exterior Refresh

Updating your home’s facade has immediate appeal. Enhancing curb appeal isn’t only important when planning to sell—it’s vital to how you feel about your abode. Driving down the street and smiling when you see your home has a significant impact on your well-being. This isn’t just limited to the front of your home; refreshing all sides, including the outdoor living spaces, impacts the peace you feel with your surroundings.

Post by: Tim Zehr