CUSTOM HOME DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
A successful new home construction project starts long before breaking ground. Most custom home builds derail at the very beginning because many residential general contractors lack a structured project management system.
Without a plan, builders often allow unrealistic timelines to compromise the construction schedule. To ensure your dream home stays on track, we follow a proven, reliable custom home building process. Below is our signature 12-step new construction framework, guiding you from initial architectural design to the start of building your dream home:
1
Discuss overall square footage needed, # of bedrooms, baths, garage size, etc. Discuss budget based on those rough parameters. Determine site location and review existing conditions:
- Is there an existing structure on-site?
- Is the site in a Flood Zone? (Will need Elevation Certificate to determine if in the actual Flood Plain)
- Visit the site to review conditions, discuss goals and offer ideas.
2
Enter into a Development Agreement, at this point a fee of $10,000 is due. This stage includes:
- Site Survey and Elevation Cert.
- Soil testing (to determine type of footer needed, this is typically only for flood zone areas)
- We will verify all set-backs, zoning issues and the FEMA issues (if any).
- From your ideas and requests, we will then create a schematic plan with options for your approval. Includes 3D renderings, up to 2 major design changes or 60 days, whichever occurs first (major design changes include building foot print, square footage, # of rooms). Finishes and the minor, non-structural design parameters are not in process at this stage.
- Provide a quote for tear-down of existing structures (if any)
- Provide a general budget range (there are still a lot of unknowns due to engineering at this stage but this typically serves as a go/no-go milestone)
3
Once the schematic design is approved, we will move into structural design involving an engineer. There will be an additional fee due at this point based on size of project and engineering required.
4
House design presented – includes 3D renderings, floor plan with electrical and plumbing layouts, elevation views to show roofline, door and window locations. At this stage, the plans are 75% complete, NOT permit ready.
5
Based on the approved house design and with notes we have taken from our prior discussions with you about your finishes, we will complete the written Scope of Work. From all of that, we are now able to develop a budget range for the job.
6
Present the written proposal to you
7
Make changes as required by you (if any), adjust budget if needed
8
Enter into contract
9
Finalize plans and apply for permit
10
Make selections of all items needed for exterior and interior finishes
11
Hold pre-construction conference and schedule production
12
Start the job!
Please let us know if you would like to schedule a time to meet us at your site or at our offices!