Now that you have decided to custom build, what is the first step in beginning the process?  Find

A)   An Architect

B)   A Building Lot

C) A Contractor/builder

 

When you have decided that building a custom home is right for you, what should you do first? Find an architect or designer? Buy that “perfect” building lot? Or select your contractor-builder? Although there is NO right answer, having a builder, who you trust, with you from design, to lot selection, to building will minimize disappointment, save time, and increase satisfaction.

 

Cindy and Mike Newbury had purchased a large corner lot in a lovely community of customs homes. They had fun spending numerous hours leafing through pages of house designs, cutting out pictures of homes that caught their eye, and sketching their new home. They hired an architect, shared their ideas, and had their vision drafted into a complete set of plans. All that was left was to hire a builder and have their custom home built. So with a ready-to-build lot and thousands of dollars of blueprints in hand, Cindy and Mike began their search for a builder. What they found were three very reputable builders, but, after walking the lot and reviewing the plans, each told them the same disappointing story. The home they wanted to build was not going to fit within the building envelope of their lot.  Each builder explained that while their building lot was   certainly large enough, between the set-backs and the surrounding wetlands, the buildable area was smaller then the footprint for the total house. The news was so disappointing that Cindy and Mike decided to put the project on-hold indefinitely.

 

It is not necessary to begin with selecting a builder. And every story does not end the same as Cindy and Mike’s. However, if you select a quality builder, he can assist with lot selection, since all building lots are not “good” building lots or suitable for certain home designs. A quality builder can assist with a design that will fit your property or help you find a property that will fit your design. Since he has probably built many houses, he can often make design suggestions and even recommend architect/designers with whom he has worked. He can visualize your home from the blueprints; he can see the best placement and angle of your home on your property; he can tell as he walks and looks at the property the effect slope will have on house design and drainage. The builder is key to having your custom home become a reality, so, if possible, select the builder early in the process.