People from all over the world move to Central Florida every year due to its amazing climate, growing economy, and diverse communities. As a result, new construction housing is increasing throughout the area as more and more people are finding that building a custom DeLand home is a great investment. DeLand is a small, quiet town that’s just a short drive from Orlando and the Atlantic coast. As a result of its convenient location, it’s becoming a popular place for both young professionals and retired seniors to settle down.
The decision to move to Florida is an easy one, but choosing whether to buy an existing home or build a new property can be a tricky question depending on your unique situation. Many consumers believe building a home is significantly more expensive than buying an existing home. However, at Atlas Homes, our goal is to make building high-quality, custom, DeLand homes an affordable option.
If you’re considering a custom DeLand home, there are a few things you should know before you begin the building process.
You’ll Want To Think About Energy Efficiency
DeLand residents enjoy plenty of sunshine and average high temperatures in the 80’s and 90’s for most of the year. While the warm weather means plenty of time for outdoor activities, it also means that energy efficiency is a critical component to saving money on your utility bills.
Reducing energy bills doesn’t require expensive solar panel installations. Incorporating energy efficiency into your DeLand home is a cost-effective way to reduce cooling costs as well as energy dependence. Open floor plans, double pane windows, fiberglass doors, and high-performing HVAC systems all play a role in improving the energy efficiency of your home. The longer your home is able to maintain its internal air temperature, the less energy you’ll consume, and you’ll ultimately reduce the amount of stress you put on your air conditioning unit.
Many big-box builders don’t specialize in energy-efficient design, so it’s important to find a building partner that incorporates energy efficiency directly into their standard floor plans.
Make Sure To Choose The Right Lot
Selecting the right location for your DeLand home is one of the most important decisions you can make. If this is a home that you’re planning to live in for the next 15 to 30 years, you’ll want to be sure you love the location.
Additionally, the quality of the lot can also impact your home’s longevity, so you’ll want to conduct a soil analysis and landscaping evaluation as well. Your custom home builder can help evaluate the quality of the land to ensure it’s suitable for building as well as identify any setbacks or easements that might restrict the size of your home.
Expect The Process To Take At Least 5 Months
Building a new home obviously takes more time than buying an existing property, but all parties involved obviously want to complete the project as quickly as possible. However, most would agree that quality matters more than speed. Building a custom home takes anywhere from 5 to 8 months on average, but in some unique cases it may take up to a year or longer.
The time it takes to complete the project is ultimately contingent on the project details. For example, building during hurricane season may result in weather-related delays. The more detailed or customized your home is, the longer the project might take. Making changes to the home design or interior during construction can also result in significant delays. If you’re hoping to have the project completed as quickly as possible, it’s important to define your requirements upfront and stick to them. Working with your custom home builder to define your interior customizations before work begins will help ensure your project stays on track. However, changes are a natural part of the process, and for many people, getting things just right is worth the additional time.
You’ll Need To Be Involved In The Process
As the customer, you’ll need to take an active role in the home building process both before and during construction and stay highly engaged in the project. There are many decisions that you’ll need to make, which is why it’s essential to work with a home builder who prioritizes communication.
When making such a significant investment, you’ll undoubtedly want to stay up to date on the project plan and ensure that the build plan is following your requirements. When looking for a contractor, choose one that treats you like a partner and set expectations upfront around communication. Frequent communication helps ensure you and your builder can navigate any hurdles that pop up along the way and that your project goes as smoothly as possible.
You Should Be Clear On Warranty Details
There are usually several different types of warranties offered by custom home builders, so you will want to understand the details regarding what your building partner offers. Warranties can be complicated, so if any element seems unclear, ask your home builder to sit down and explain the terms and conditions. The length and terms will vary depending on the contractor you choose, but below are some common types of warranties available to consumers who decide to build a custom home.
- Structural Warranty – This warranty is offered by the homebuilder and covers the initial product obligations, continuing obligations, and quality of the product.
- Builder Warranty – This warranty covers different components of the home’s permanent infrastructure. This could include the structural foundation, electrical wiring, or even plumbing.
- Manufacturer’s Warranty – Many of your home’s brand new appliances will come with a manufacturer’s warranty, which will cover repairs or service.
Finding The Right Contractor Is Key
There are many residential building contractors in the area, but not all of them specialize in energy-efficient design. You want a builder that is not only transparent but knows how to build Florida homes that last. When selecting a contractor, it’s a good idea to conduct a thorough interview process, ask for references, and evaluate previous work. Price, warranties, and communication style are all important, as well. A good builder will show you different floor plan design options and work with you on customizations. The end result should be a home design that you love and a reasonable project timeline.
Building a new DeLand home is certainly a worthwhile investment. Take the extra time to educate yourself on what to expect and be sure to familiarize yourself with your new community. Building a home can seem stressful at times, but once you get through it, you’ll have a brand new home in a small town just a short drive away from some of Florida’s most beautiful beaches!
If you’re looking for a DeLand custom home builder that prioritizes quality, affordability, and energy efficiency, contact us at Atlas Homes today. We’ve been serving the DeLand area since 2014. We strive to provide each and every customer with a unique and memorable building experience.