Steps to Building a Custom Home
Tags: before you build
Are you thinking of building a new home and don’t know how to get the ball rolling? Whether you are ready to start moving dirt as soon as possible or planning for the future, it is helpful to understand the process of building a new home and what to expect. For decades Sharp Homes has built custom homes for Wichita residents and the surrounding areas. With our extensive home building knowledge, we provided this outline of the steps to building a custom home.
Preparing for the Building Process
Before you can start building your new home there are several steps you’ll need to complete.
- Choose a home builder
- Design or choose a floor plan
- Pick a location for your new home.
There is no right or wrong order to these steps. You may have the land or lot purchased before you choose a builder, or know what builder you will use before you find a location and that is okay. You may even have the perfect floor plan designed before finding either a builder to construct it or a plot of land to put it on.
What to Expect
One constant through this stage, and the entire home building process, is communication. It is vital to the success of your project to communicate to your builder your questions, requirements, and needs. It is equally important that your builder communicate back with you on budget, design, and questions they have in a timely manner. The design process hinges on an accurate and honest dialogue about expectations and possibilities.
Once you have a builder, a floor plan, and a plot of land to build on you are ready to sign a contract and start construction. This stage can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple years, but typically is 1-2 months.
During a New Home Construction
Once contracts are signed construction can start within 1-4 weeks, depending on your financing or construction loan. As your home is being built, you will be asked for final decisions on materials and fixtures based on the budgets and allowances in your initial contract.
What to Expect
As the construction phase goes on, you will have the opportunity to inspect your home and make sure what is being built meets your expectations. Typically there will be changes requested where what is built doesn’t exactly match the plans or initial pricing. These changes come in a variety ways, such as the homeowner changing their mind, encountering a previously unknown obstacle during construction, or even a supplier product change or delay and should be expected throughout construction. The builder will work with you and the applicable tradespeople to ensure the process moves smoothly.
After construction and final inspections are complete you are ready to move in and enjoy your new home! Depending on the size of your home, construction typically takes 5-8 months.
Steps After Custom Home Construction
Finishing construction of your home does not mean that your relationship with your builder is over. Most home builders will offer a home warranty plan for a set time after construction is complete. This warranty typically lasts one year. They may opt to offer the warranty “in house” by their own employees, or through an independent home warranty company. The purpose of the warranty is to guarantee that everything in your new home is up to par throughout the full year. Often there are small items that appear within the first year that the builder is happy to repair or replace.
From start to finish, communication is crucial between the homeowner and the builder. Reliably communicating with your home builder guarantees that you can manage expectations and reality.
Choosing Sharp Homes for Custom Builds
The custom home building process can be daunting to many homeowners. Understanding the steps to building a custom home and working with a qualified professional can make building your dream home exciting and rewarding. If you’re looking to build a custom home in Wichita, rely on Sharp Homes for unmatched craftsmanship. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and we’ll help you get started on the perfect home for you.
