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How Long Does it Take to Build a Custom Home

Building your dream home takes vision, creativity, and trust in a reliable custom home builder to bring your new home to life. Because of the level of customization and attention to detail, building a custom home often takes longer than moving into a home that has already been built. How long can you expect the custom home-building process to take? The timeline can vary significantly depending on various factors, but you can generally expect the process below.  Planning and Design The first step in building your custom home is the planning and design stage. This typically lasts anywhere from 1 to 3 months. This phase involves meeting with your architect, draftsman, builder, and interior designer to properly plan the building project based on your unique desires for your home.   The complexity of your design and the efficiency of your design team can greatly influence the amount of time this stage

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March 13, 2024
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Brick, Stone, or Stucco: What to Consider When Building a Custom Home

Choosing the right exterior material for your custom-built home is about more than aesthetics. You should also take into consideration how it affects your home’s durability, maintenance requirements, initial build cost, and long-term energy efficiency. Brick, stone, and stucco are the top three most common exterior materials we see used for custom homes. Below are the considerations you should consider when choosing the right material for your new home.  Aesthetic Appeal The overall exterior aesthetic appeal of your home is incredibly important for improving your home’s curb appeal and for ensuring that your home reflects your unique style and preferences.  Brick is a popular choice for homeowners because it’s available in a variety of colors and finishes and offers a timeless, classic look that won’t go out of style.  Stone provides a natural, rustic, and sophisticated appearance for your home, and there are various types to choose from, such as

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March 5, 2024
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Fix-Price Contract Versus Cost-Plus Contract: Which is Best When Building a New Home?

When building a new custom home, a fixed-price contract, and a cost-plus contract are two primary contract structures that homeowners and builders might consider. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on the specific situation and the parties involved. Here are some reasons why some people might prefer a fixed-price contract over a cost-plus contract: Budget Certainty With a fixed-price contract, new-build homeowners know the exact price they will pay for the completed home, which allows for precise budgeting. This certainty can be particularly important for individuals who have strict financial constraints. Risk Transfer In a fixed-price contract, the risk of cost overruns is borne by the contractor, not the homeowner. If unforeseen issues arise that increase costs, it’s typically the contractor’s responsibility to absorb those additional costs. Simplified Financial Management A fixed price means there’s no need to continually monitor and approve every expense of your custom home. This

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March 1, 2024
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The Ultimate Move-In Checklist for New Custom Homes

You have successfully brought your vision of your luxuriously custom-crafted home to life, from envisioning the layout, choosing the custom features, and experiencing a virtual walkthrough. Now, it’s time to move in and enjoy the reward of all your hard work. Moving into a new custom home is an exciting time. It’s crucial to ensure everything is in order before you settle in. Below is a move-in checklist for your new custom home. Before Moving Day Final Walkthrough with Builder or Contractor Before move-in day, your custom home contractor will have a walkthrough of your new home with you to verify that everything is completed to your satisfaction. This is your time to ensure all items in your contract have been addressed and any punch list items are completed. Utilities Before you move into your new custom home, you’ll want to ensure that your utilities including water, electricity, gas, internet,

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February 23, 2024
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Property Taxes: The Ultimate Guide for Custom Built Homes

Working with a contractor to build a home that is customized for your unique needs and vision is an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime experience. From choosing the features of your new kitchen to finding the perfect tile for your backsplash, you get to exercise your creativity and control. However, one element of moving into a new home that is not in your control, even if you’re custom building, is the need to pay property taxes. Estimating property taxes for a new custom home involves several steps. Here’s a general process to help you determine your potential tax liability and ways to potentially lower it.  How to Assess Property Taxes Determine Your New-Build Home’s Assessed Value Property taxes are usually based on the assessed value of your home. For new homes, this could be based on the value of the land plus the cost to build or the appraised value upon completion. Local

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February 16, 2024
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How to Childproof My Custom Home

The beauty of a newly built, customized home is that it can be designed with even the youngest members of your family in mind without sacrificing luxury or style. Designing a new custom home with child safety in mind is crucial for families with young children or those planning to have children in the future. Below are some child safety tips to consider. Open Floor Plans When planning the design of your custom home project, consider opting for an open floor plan. Open designs allow parents to keep an eye on their kids from various parts of the home. Open floor plans are also great for allowing natural light into your home, creating space for entertaining and embracing a modern feel. Sharp Corners When picking out furniture and countertops, look for rounded corners that pose less of a risk of injury to children. Rounded corners are also less prone to

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February 9, 2024
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Budgeting Tips for Building a Custom Home

Building a custom home is a significant investment, both financially and emotionally. Proper budgeting is crucial to ensuring that the project goes smoothly and that you end up with the home of your dreams without breaking the bank. Below are some tips to consider when budgeting for your custom home. Set a Clear Budget Upfront Before anything else, determine how much you’re willing to spend on your custom-built home. Take into consideration your savings, the loan amount you qualify for, and how much of a monthly payment you can comfortably afford. Prioritize Your Wants and Needs List out all the features and amenities you’d like in your new home. Next, prioritize them into “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves”. This will help you decide where to allocate funds and where to cut back if necessary. Factor in the Land Cost Remember that the cost of the land is a significant part of your

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February 2, 2024
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What Are Some “Hidden” Costs When Building a New Custom Home?

Bringing your custom dream home to life is a complex process, and many costs can arise, both expected and unexpected. Below is a list of potential hidden costs to be aware of. Land Preparation and Unforeseen Site Work Before construction on your new home can begin, your land must be cleared of trees and bushes, the soil must be tested to ensure it can support a home, and any gas, water, or electric lines must be discovered and relocated. Your contractor will ensure there will be proper water drainage away from your home, and any digging for a basement or filling in depressions will need to be done. Permit and Impact Fees While you might expect to pay for building permits to construct your new home, the cost can vary widely based on your municipality or region. Some neighborhoods might also charge for school, park, or road impact fees. Design

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January 26, 2024

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