Building a custom home is an intense and exciting process! We love helping guide clients through it, but there’s no avoiding a certain degree of complexity. Below, we’ve outlined the main steps with some detail, so you understand how we can work together to make your dream a reality.
1. Homesite
Finding that perfect piece of ground is our first challenge, but we have resources to assist you. It could be a homesite in a new neighborhood, an acreage site, or a tear down and build new in a prize location.
We have built between Ellsworth and Somerset on the Wisconsin side of the St. Croix River including River Falls, Hudson, Troy, Clifton, and Prescott. In Minnesota, our homes reach from Lindstrom to the north and Red Wing to the south with concentrations in West Lakeland, Lake Elmo, Stillwater, Hugo and White Bear Lake.
2. Site Walk
The land in its natural state is the canvas that your dream is built on. Visualizing how a house fits on a lot can be difficult, even if you’re building in a new development. This is where your builder comes in.
Is the ground a walkout, a lookout or a level lot? Where does the garage go? Can you get light into the basement? Is there room for an out building? Where does the sun rise and set, and in which windows do you wish to capture that awesome view? What about trees, the driveway, and utilities?
Mark has thirty years experience in designing homes that fit the land and more importantly, your dreams and budget.
3. Design
Once we’ve walked the land and established the house location, elevations and access, the initial design process takes place. We are what is known as a Design Build Custom Builder. That means we design and build each home uniquely, based on the specifics of your homesite and requirements.
You may have a floorplan sketch, a plan you found online, or we can get inspiration from a previous Main Street project. A Pinterest board or Houzz library usually help define interior and exterior style. These, along with a solid discussion about amenities and establishing a budget, are all critical pieces that inform the Design phase.
We utilize several different designers and architects depending on the project scope, and will work closely with you throughout the process so your dreams are realized!
4. Selections
Early on, we will encourage you to start making selections and showroom visits. In the building industry, “Selections” is the term for all the specific choices you’ll have for your home: cabinetry, light fixtures, siding, stonework, appliances, etc. With a custom home, you’re able to choose what fits you best!
This allows us to budget with real numbers, not allowances, and gives you access to explore the multitude of options for interior and exterior finishes. Starting early also makes the process fun and not overwhelming.
We have honed and gathered a dedicated group of vendors, showrooms, and consultants as a part of our Selection Team. As experts in their fields, they help you make decisions based on your taste and budget in a low-pressure manner.
5. Contracts, Bidding, & Financing
A small retainer fee is requested once we start drawing plans and which may include allowances for other services like surveying or soil testing. Then we will send the plans and specifications out to subcontractors for bids.
We have learned through the years that it is always best to design and bid with modesty, as there will be ample time later for upgrades. It is also important to choose what you really want from the start, so the base line and financing remain in check.
Once we’ve received bids and you’ve approved your home’s specifications, we are ready for financing and contracts. Most of our clients secure a construction loan during the build process, and then a traditional mortgage when it’s time to move in. We have a long history with a great lender that we can put you in touch with!
6. The Build
Watching the excavator’s first bucket of dirt being scooped from the basement is a wonderful moment after months of planning, meetings and selections.
Most every selection will be made by this point, even including items that are installed at the very end, like appliances. Cabinet designs are complete, flooring and tile have been chosen, and the plumbing fixtures have been ordered.
We meet on site whenever you want, and encourage you to visit often. Several formal walkthroughs happen with our electrician and other contractors. Mostly, this time is about watching the steps and stages, and getting excited as the selections you made reappear in your home.
And then, suddenly it will be clean and sparkly and new – even better than you imagined it!
