An Overview of the Custom Home Building Process
An Overview of the Custom Home Building Process
So you’ve decided that you’d like to build a home! You’ve been dreaming about building not just any new home - but a custom home: one with the floor plan, design and finishes you’ve been dreaming of. You’ve been looking for ideas on Instagram, Pinterest, Houzz and developed your lists of “must-haves” for your home. You have all of the ideas in your head but aren’t quite sure where to start. From start to finish, this post will help you know what to expect during the process, identify key traits of a great builder and hopefully be a resource to you during your planning.
Select a Builder, Land & Architect
When should you bring your builder into the process? Ideally, your builder should be one of the first initial contacts you make when deciding to build a custom home.
A great builder will be a resource to you and will collaborate with you and your architect during the initial architectural design phase. They will be able to help make adjustments and suggestions based on timeline, budget, livability, performance and design with both you and your architect. Your builder can also help recommend a reputable architect, if needed.
Choosing your lot is also one of the first things needed to begin the process. Your architectural home plan will be heavily determined by the lot and/or land on which you’re wanting to build. If you choose to build in a platted neighborhood, there will also most likely be design covenants and guidelines your architect will need to follow when drawing the plans. Your builder can help you find lots based on your ideal location and requirements, if you do not have one already.
Determine your Priorities
Determining your priorities will help you develop the best use of the space and budget for your home. Having a conversation with your builder and architect about how you envision using certain spaces will be extremely valuable.
Make a list of your “must-haves" and begin prioritizing down from there. Would you rather splurge on top tier, Level 5 drywall throughout the house or put more of the budget into lighting fixtures? Showing photos and discussing ideal finishes or specific fixture brands will also help the builder put together an accurate budget or job cost for your home and to ensure that you are on the same page regarding expectations.
This part of the process is where you, your builder and architect will be able to further collaborate on design, function and budget.
Finalize your Budget
Your builder should provide you with an itemized budget based on your needs and wants for your home. This itemized job cost will give you the necessary budgets to start selecting the actual finishes, surfaces, fixtures and hardware that you’ve been considering during the process.
A great builder will be transparent with you when it comes to invoices and costs and should provide running job costs throughout the home building process.
Keep in mind that the scope of work or your chosen selections can change throughout the custom building process after the initial plans and these changes can affect the budget.
Make your Selections
You’ve decided to build a custom home because you want a home finished to your style. The selections and possibilities can be endless and a great builder will have resources or recommendations available to you to help with this process.
Utilizing your itemized budget, you’ll be able to choose all of the fixtures, surfaces and finishes needed to bring your vision to life. Builders with in-house design services usually have access to more unique selections and can utilize their trade discounts with vendors on items such as lighting, faucets and hardware.
A tip: start by choosing the materials that would be more difficult to change down the road first and use those as a base to determine your other selections (ie. Exterior Materials, Windows, Doors and Flooring/Tile).
Build
This is the part you’ve been waiting for. You’ve broken ground and the home is beginning to come together! You and your builder will have several walk-throughs during the process including but not limited to:
Plumbing walk-throughs (determining placement, location and functions of rough plumbing for items such as wall-mounted faucets, multi-shower fixture systems, etc.)
Electrical walk-throughs (determining placement, location and functions of electrical items such as outlets, additional recessed lighting, fixture heights, etc.)
Tile walk-throughs (lay patterns and spacing for each area of tile)
Cabinet walk-throughs (discussing rough layout, cabinet style and material and desired functions to determine cabinet drawings and specs)
Trim walk-throughs (confirming molding styles and placement, discussing any additional trim areas and materials)
The length of time needed to finish a custom home varies greatly based on size of home, scope of work, number of change orders or any material back-orders but typically ranges from 12+ months on average. Your builder should give you a estimated and contracted date for completion based on your specific project.
While your home is being constructed, your feelings can fluctuate back and forth from feeling like a lot of progress has been made to feeling like no progress has been made and back again but rest assured that your builder and their team are coordinating behind the scenes to complete your home by the contracted completion date.
Enjoy your Home
The moment you’ve been waiting for! Your home is complete and you’re now able to enjoy the culmination of all of the selections and decisions you’ve made along the way.
A final walk-through will be scheduled and a list with any remaining minor tasks will be made to ensure that your home will function just as you dreamed!
A great builder will also offer you peace of mind by providing a home warranty for a specified period of time after the completion of your custom home.
If you have any questions about the home building process or would like to partner with us to build your next home, contact us for a consultation: