Whether you’re considering building a custom home to become part of a much sought-after neighborhood or if you want to build a custom home to fulfill your wildest dreams, choosing to build a custom home comes with a different set of expectations than choosing to buy a pre-existing one. As a preferred custom home builder, we keep prospective homeowners informed of these expectations from the first consultation, throughout the building and design process, to the final walkthrough. If you think building a custom home is what you want to do, here are a few things you should expect as you get started:
1. You’ll need to determine a detailed budget.
Contrary to popular belief, building a custom home is not necessarily more expensive than buying a newly built or existing home; however, sourcing all the materials on an individual basis instead of in bulk can be overwhelming if you’re not prepared. For this reason, it’s important to determine a detailed budget before you sign a contract. If you don’t already own land, you’ll need to finance the land purchase prior to construction. In addition to budgeting for typical material and labor costs associated with a custom home build, you’ll also want to budget for a building permit as well as the appropriate insurance coverage for during the construction period. Another good rule of thumb is to set aside a little extra (10% of your total budget) to give yourself breathing room in case you want to add to the original blueprint (like an outdoor fire pit) or if something unexpected comes up.
2. You’ll need to have a plan in place.
Planning your home from the foundation to the roof will save you time and money. It will ensure that all materials will be available when needed and you won’t have to rip out a newly built structure to accommodate a preventable change. Our designers work closely with prospective homeowners to develop a concept and choose finish materials so there are no surprises once we break ground.
3. You’ll need to decide which custom home builder best fits your vision.
If you already have an idea of the type of home you want to build, you can begin searching for home builders who design similar residences. Not all custom home builders are the same. You’ll want to choose a builder whose style aligns with your vision and can accomplish it in a time frame you’re comfortable with. Communication is important. If you want to be very involved in the process, look for a builder who understands your expectations and is happy to meet them. If you prefer to be more hands-off, look for a builder who can draw up a number of different plans and is willing to take the lead without a lot of direction. If you’re focused on cost, a builder who is analytical and dollar-oriented will make sure you stay on budget. If you want your home to be unlike any other, a builder who thinks outside-of-the-box and takes advantage of areas of opportunity is right for you. Once you have a builder you think you like, check their references and visit examples of their work to see the quality in-person before you finalize your decision.With experience and design expertise, McCamy Construction is ready to custom build your dream home! You can use our architects or your own and be assured of excellent taste and craftsmanship to suit your lifestyle. Our design professionals will help plan every detail from start to finish making the building process unlike any other experience. Whether you have a precise idea of what you want, or need to explore the possibilities, talk to us. Schedule an appointmentto get started.
One thought on “What to Expect When Building a Custom Home”
I really like the tip to have a plan in place. When you’re undertaking something like building a house, if you don’t have a plan, you’re planning to fail. Budgeting goes right along with that. I love the advice though, so thanks for sharing!
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I really like the tip to have a plan in place. When you’re undertaking something like building a house, if you don’t have a plan, you’re planning to fail. Budgeting goes right along with that. I love the advice though, so thanks for sharing!