Have you ever had misinformation that led you down the wrong path?
It can be quite frustrating.
And when it comes to major decisions like building a home for you and your family, it’s crucial to have all the facts.
If you are searching for your dream home – one that fully meets your family’s lifestyle, needs, and desires – then hiring a custom home builder should be a strong consideration.
So let’s clear up some common custom homebuilding misconceptions that have the potential to lead you astray.
1) It Is TOO Overwhelming
Just to be clear – building the place where you lay your head every night IS a big deal.
And it has a lot of moving parts.
You can count on unexpected delays and what seems like a bazillion choices to be made.
So how do you NOT feel overwhelmed?
The best way to streamline the process is to partner up with an experienced custom home builder. He understands what it will take to make your dream a reality.
He has processes in place that can get you successfully through to the end results you are looking for – all while minimizing the stress.
In addition to experience, search for a builder that you seem to “click” with. Communication should feel natural and transparent right from the get-go.
It’s important that you can picture working with him and that he seems to be in sync with YOUR vision.
Here are some things to keep in mind when you hire a professional builder:
- You don’t have to know everything that you want up front. A good builder asks the right questions that help you to filter through what is most important to your family.
- Understand that you WILL have time to make all the decisions and your builder will be with you through the entire process.
- What is “unknown” for you is part of your builder’s “every day.” His expertise will help you to navigate any obstacles that come up.
2) It Is Over My Budget
Accountability.
We all need it – especially when it comes to building a dream home.
To say that it would be easy to be pulled into the vortex of excitement and anticipation AND be tempted to spend more than you planned is an understatement.
But going OVER your budget should never be an option.
An experienced and trusted builder will work within it. He can direct you through decisions that will make a big difference to your wallet and he can reign you in if needed.
Thanks to the connections that a professional custom builder has developed, obtaining a construction loan is not an issue for most clients.
Keep in mind these elements of the building experience that go a long way toward staying within your budget:
- Bring pictures of what you like to the design process. When you are facing 150 choices of cabinets your builder can SEE clearly what you want and guide you to the choice that fits within your budget.
- If you know that you tend to be indecisive, communicate this to your builder upfront. This will prepare him to give you all the information you need to make decisions you can feel confident about. Change orders cause delays and can quickly add up – making you go over budget.
- A qualified and seasoned builder will make sure to be exceedingly clear on expectations. When everyone is on the “same page” stress, misunderstandings, disappointment, and financing issues are avoided.
3) I Don’t Have a Lot to Build On
Location. Location. Location.
We have all heard the importance that this plays in the value of a property.
But what if you have not found your perfect location? What if you don’t have a lot to build on?
Once again you can count on the network of contacts that your custom builder has worked hard to cultivate, to make this an easy fix.
In some instances, builders will have their own inventory of available lots that might work for you.
In addition, his established relationships with local realtors can also provide a source for desirable sites to raise your family on.
Don’t believe that you have to take on this important piece of the process all by yourself. A proficient custom builder can make this step a lot easier than you might think.
Here are a few steps that you can take to help narrow down the options:
- Do your homework. Make a list of the deal breakers when considering lots. For example, are there only certain school districts you will accept?
- Be clear on the type of topography you are looking for. If you love trees, then insist on a lot that has them.
- Go with an open mind as you contemplate locations. Your builder may have insight that you do not have. More than likely he is aware of future development plans for an area.
All Things Considered
At the end of the day, your homebuilding process can and should be a time of sweet-anticipation.
And you should not be expected to settle for less.
Don’t underestimate the expertise that a reputable custom home builder brings to the table.
Jim and the Westmont team, work tirelessly to make it a successful and enjoyable process from start to finish. But don’t just take our word for it. Check out these testimonies from our many happy clients.
