Ready to build your custom home, but have no idea where to start? No worries– as a project coordinator and custom home designer, I’ve got a simple checklist on how to get started making your dream home become reality.
1. Know Your Budget
There are several things to keep in mind when determining your custom home build budget. Your contractor should be able to give you a general idea of the home cost based on blueprints and your personal design preferences. However, you might need to factor in lot/land pricing as well as utility and infrastructure installation if they are not included in the contractor’s estimate. Your construction loan officer can explain to you the ins and outs of this process.
2. Select Blueprints
As a general contractor, it is critical to have accurate blueprints in order to calculate a precise building estimate. Of course, there will be factors that come up in the building process (in my several years of experience, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll want to upgrade your countertop surfaces when the time comes– even if you’re planning on a certain budget from the beginning). In order to get as close to realistic in our estimating process, it is helpful to have a general idea of finishes in addition to the floorplan.
(If you need a place to get started, I often point clients here.)
3. Hire a General Contractor
There are so many factors to consider here, and I’ll go into that in another post. Many clients think cost first (which, of course is a valid consideration); however, I advise to get several estimates if you are unfamiliar with the builders in your area. I personally would never hire a general contractor without seeing some of their previous work and asking community members (and local loan officers) for recommendations. I’d also ensure they have the appropriate insurance certifications in place. You’ll want to select someone in your price range, but who also has a reputation for quality and a compatible personality. Make sure to review and sign contracts carefully.
I often hear remarks on podcasts, blogs, etc. about general contractors being an unnecessary expense in the building or remodeling process. I acknowledge that I am a totally biased source (having grown up with a general contractor parent and now working for a small company general contractor). However, I think most people who do not have personal experience are lacking critical information regarding insurance liabilities, the rapport and relationships that general contractors have spent years building with licensed trades, as well as general knowledge that they have learned whether by schooling or experience that just isn’t available to the general public.
4. Build your Home!
Well, let your contractor build it, but enjoy the process!
Depending on your builder, you may be quite hands-on in the process, or you can elect to just watch the fun. At our company, we tend to let the homeowner determine their level of involvement, while leading the behind-the-scenes structural components. I offer binder templates and checklists as guidelines for the many, many decisions that will have to be made in the custom home build process. However, some clients have the design eye, and come to us with most details selected before we even begin. Others opt to have in-house design services, where we present a few options and they select their favorites.
The beginning of the build may seem anticlimactic, as not many of us find concrete and lumber very exciting. But soon you will find that the paint, flooring, hardware, plumbing, cabinet layout….. decisions get tedious. So start preparing yourself now to tire of questions, and don’t be afraid to research and ask advice of your builder and/or designer.
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