How To Get Started With The Custom Home Building Process

The preconstruction stage of custom home building is one of the most exciting and misunderstood components of the process. Since there are so many moving parts, it can be very confusing to know where to begin — especially for a first-time builder. Selecting a lot, choosing a custom home builder, and finalizing your design are all important pieces, so which should you do first? By developing a comprehensive understanding of the entire process, you’ll be able to better estimate the time required to make your custom home a dream come true.

If you’ve been considering building your own custom home for a while, but don’t know where to begin, below are some tips to help you get the process started.

Determine Your Budget And Financing Options

The first and most important step in the home building process is determining your budget. Establishing your budget upfront will make the decision-making process much easier down the line. Average new construction homes can cost anywhere from $80 to $200 per square foot, and that doesn’t include any additional cost components such as the lot, landscaping, fees, and taxes. This isn’t meant to discourage you or suggest building a new home isn’t affordable – it just simply means it’s important to establish your budget so you know what you can afford so you go into the planning process prepared.

Items To Consider When Planning Your Budget

  • New home construction costs
  • Lot/land costs
  • Fees and taxes
  • Landscaping
  • Design
  • Interior decorating

Some or all of these costs may need to be factored into your budget. However, working with a good custom home builder who already has spec home designs and land available can help you reduce or combine some of these fees.

How To Secure Financing

  • Review Your Credit – Use a free credit checking app or request your full report from one of three major credit bureaus.
  • Speak To Lenders – Research lenders online or contact a mortgage broker to evaluate interest rates.
  • Determine How Much You Can Put Down – Review your finances to determine how much money you can afford to spend upfront. Remember this money must remain liquid throughout the home building process.

Establish A Timeline

Building a new home can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months, so it’s important to be clear about your timeframe. Timing your move can be tricky, especially if you’re looking to sell an existing home. Evaluate your situation and ensure you have enough funding to support your current living situation while your new home is under construction.

Also, take seasonality into consideration, as building during hurricane season can lead to delays and disruptions. Once you’ve established an ideal move-in target, you can be better prepared to determine a project kickoff date.

Choose A Custom Home Builder

There are so many custom home builders on the market, it can be very difficult to differentiate their product offerings or know who to trust. Don’t believe us? Simply Google “Custom Home Builder Near Me” and you’re likely to see dozens of results.

Choosing a custom home builder isn’t always a straightforward process. Contractors vary by pricing, experience, customer service, reputation, and quality. To further complicate things, custom home builders often use subcontractors, which also need to be evaluated. As a result, thorough research is usually required, and Googling “Custom Home Builder Near Me” isn’t likely to cut it.

What To Look For In A Custom Home Builder

  • Solid Communication – Building a home may be one of the largest investments you’ll make in your life. You want a partner who is transparent and communicates throughout the process.
  • Capabilities – You want to ensure your custom home building partner has expertise in the specific type of home you’re looking to build. Look at a home builder’s portfolio to get a sense of previous projects.
  • Experience – Check their references and past client testimonials to ensure they have a consistent track record of delivering high-quality products and delighting customers.
  • Insurance and Licenses – Ensure your vendor has updated Florida building licenses, general contractor licenses, and residential contractor licenses. They should also carry adequate general liability, workers compensation, and builders risk insurance policies.
  • Warranties – Ask about the length and coverage of the warranties offered by your home builder.
  • Subcontractors – Ask your prospective home builder about the subcontractors they use throughout the construction process and the manner in which they evaluate their qualifications.

Choose Your Lot

Choosing a lot is often one of the more complicated aspects of the process, but your home builder should be able to guide you through it. If you have your eye on a piece of property, your builder can help you evaluate it. Your builder should also know of all the available lots throughout your target area. When selecting a lot, there are a number of factors to consider, including:

  • Location – Proximity to work, amenities, school district, etc.
  • Lot size – Will it support the size of the home you’re looking to build?
  • Landscaping – Is the land currently suitable for building or will it require landscaping before construction?
  • Utility Access – Availability of public water, sewage, cable/Internet, and trash pick-up.
  • Neighbors – How much distance is necessary between your home and your neighbor’s home?

Start Your Design Process

Thinking about what you want your custom home to look like can be overwhelming. Oftentimes, home builders will have spec homes or floor plans that can be used as a starting point. It’s a good idea to sit down and make a list of all of your requirements

Make Lists

Separate your must-haves from your nice-to-haves. Consider the minimum number of bedrooms, full bathrooms, and garage spaces you want. Once you’ve identified all your requirements, prioritize them by importance. Making lists will really help you when it comes time to align your project design with your budget.

Determine Your Layout

Once you have a good idea about the size of the home you’re looking to build, you can start planning your ideal layout. Think about whether or not you prefer an open floor plan or a private floor plan. Consider how many entrances you’d like to have as well as how your indoor and outdoor spaces should flow.

Check Out Ideas Online

The best way to determine what you like and don’t like is by looking at other homes. Browse through your builder’s portfolio of projects for some ideas, or check out Redfin.com and Zillow.com to see what you like about other homes on the market. You can also try looking on Pinterest for creative kitchen, bathroom, and/or bedroom ideas.

Building your dream home doesn’t have to be stressful, especially if you’re working with an experienced contractor. Getting started is often the hardest part, but once you do, the process can be fun and enjoyable. If you’re looking for a reputable, experienced custom home builder in Central Florida, contact Atlas Homes today!