Welcome To the Exciting World of Custom Home Building...
We put the fun back into building a home of your own!
Welcome to Custom Home Building
Building a custom home is an exciting experience. A great deal more of your time, thought, and personality will go into your home simply because you and your family will make many of the decisions usually made by your builder. Your own mental scrapbook of housing ideas can be arranged to create a new home that is uniquely yours.
During our first meetings, we will listen as you describe your new home, beginning with budgetary considerations and general features and gradually becoming more specific and more detailed. Based on what you tell us, we can select from our files those floor plans that approximate your description. In some cases an existing home plan is an ideal place to begin. Occasionally, it is simpler to start with a blank sheet of paper. We will work with the most appropriate method for your needs.
As these preliminary plans develop (at 1/8-inch scale) we get closer and closer to seeing your home on paper, just as you want it. Our experience has been that the design phase usually requires three to five (*virtual) meetings. While it is important to proceed quickly with all aspects of your new home, we want to be absolutely certain that we design it carefully, fully incorporating the features you desire. (*fill out the contact form at bottom of page to request your free house planning guide)
A home for every family...
When you are satisfied that you have made all the adjustments and changes you want, we are ready to have working blueprints (at 1/4-inch scale) drawn. Working drawings are necessary for final pricing (trade contractors will prepare their bids based on these prints) and they are ultimately used for the construction of your home. In addition, they allow you to view the plans in even more detail.
The cost of these drawings will depend upon the size and complexity of your new home. This expense is part of the cost of your home and is credited to you at closing. However, design fees are distinct and separate from the earnest money deposit referred to in our sales contract.
If you have not made final decisions in certain areas, for instance, appliances, tile, floor coverings, an allowance will be included in the pricing. This provides you with more time to consider your selections or perhaps work with a decorator, while at the same time a definite price for the new home can be set. If the allowance for a particular category is $1,500 and your final choices total $1,650, you will pay the additional $150 when you sign the order. If the total is $1,400, the difference will be credited to you at closing.
The cost of these drawings will depend upon the size and complexity of your new home. This expense is part of the cost of your home and is credited to you at closing. However, design fees are distinct and separate from the earnest money deposit referred to in our sales contract.
If you have not made final decisions in certain areas, for instance, appliances, tile, floor coverings, an allowance will be included in the pricing. This provides you with more time to consider your selections or perhaps work with a decorator, while at the same time a definite price for the new home can be set. If the allowance for a particular category is $1,500 and your final choices total $1,650, you will pay the additional $150 when you sign the order. If the total is $1,400, the difference will be credited to you at closing.
Selections
If you prefer, we can make a recommendation for you, subject to your approval. Based on our knowledge and experience we can provide a choice of product or material appropriate for the style and price range of your home.
Please note that some of the details of the home will be determined outside of your or our control. Building codes, engineering, and homeowner association requirements will influence the plans for your new home. We will point these out and discuss them with you.
Changes are possible throughout the process. However, once blueprints have been drawn, engineering completed, and a building permit obtained, even a minor change can necessitate redrawing, re-engineering, and re-approval by the building department and homeowners association. These extra steps are costly and cause delays in starting or progressing with construction. To avoid this, we encourage you to take full advantage of your design meetings to think out loud about your home and arrive at a plan that expresses your new-home dream.
Do not hesitate to ask for an explanation at any point. We expect and welcome your questions.
Please note that some of the details of the home will be determined outside of your or our control. Building codes, engineering, and homeowner association requirements will influence the plans for your new home. We will point these out and discuss them with you.
Changes are possible throughout the process. However, once blueprints have been drawn, engineering completed, and a building permit obtained, even a minor change can necessitate redrawing, re-engineering, and re-approval by the building department and homeowners association. These extra steps are costly and cause delays in starting or progressing with construction. To avoid this, we encourage you to take full advantage of your design meetings to think out loud about your home and arrive at a plan that expresses your new-home dream.
Do not hesitate to ask for an explanation at any point. We expect and welcome your questions.
To request more information on how we may assist you with your new home, please fill out the form below and we will also send you "THE HOMEPLANNER GUIDELINE"