Building a custom home is an exciting endeavor, but it requires careful planning and preparation. Here are five essential steps to take before contacting a builder:
- Plan Your Budget:
- Begin considering your budget from the moment you start dreaming about your new home.
- Develop a realistic idea of how much you can afford to spend and how much it will cost to build.
- Look into construction loans and mortgages early on to understand your financial limits.
- Assess costs for land, architects, contractors, materials, appliances, and interior features1.
- Know Your Design Style:
- Before contacting a builder, have a clear vision of your design preferences.
- Consider architectural styles, room layouts, and specific features you want in your home.
- Research design trends and gather inspiration from magazines, websites, and social media.
- Find Land with Utility Access:
- If you haven’t already secured land, look for a suitable plot with access to utilities (water, electricity, sewage).
- Consider factors like location, neighborhood, and proximity to amenities.
- Make sure the land you like is feasibly able to work with within your building budget. Flat land means lower foundation costs, conversely, land with big slopes can add significant cost to the foundation.
- Many times it is best to have a builder look at your lot before you buy it to give you an idea if it is a good lot to build on.
- Contact Your Local Building Department:
- Understand local building codes, zoning regulations, and permit requirements.
- Consult with the building department to ensure compliance with all legal and safety standards.
- Hire the Right Experts:
- Choose a reputable builder who aligns with your vision and has a track record of successful projects.
- Look for a builder that gives a true cost rather than an estimated price per square foot. Many builders will tell you a price per square foot without ever seeing plans and developing specifications. Remember that without bids based on plans and specifications any numbers given are not relevant to your project, and many builders give unattainably low estimates to get your business only to raise the price during construction through change orders.
- Most builders will charge an engagement fee to cover their expenses during the planning and budgeting phase. This is usually a nonrefundable fee that covers the builders’ time and effort in case you were to change your mind after planning has been finished. This fee is usually rolled into the builder’s construction fee if you begin construction.
- Consider hiring an architect or designer to create detailed plans for your custom home1.
Remember, building a new home is a complex process that requires patience and thorough research. By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to embark on your custom home journey!