If you’re reading this in April of 2020, your life is probably somewhat different than it was two months ago. The world is going through changes thanks to an unprecedented virus that has gripped the world. And yet, the world keeps turning and here at Villa Custom Homes, we’re doing our best to stay on course and continue building beautiful homes for our clients. So we thought we might put together a short guide on some things to keep in mind when looking for your custom home builder.
Consider the Role of the Custom Home Builder
First of all, you’ll likely be having quite a few conversations and meetings with your custom home builder, so it’s good to understand what our role is and how you can make the most of your experience. Building a home is a large investment and one that you should not exactly take lightly. You’ll likely be working with a custom home builder anywhere from 6 to 12 months, depending on several factors. For this reason, clear communication and trust are key elements.
So what is our role?
- A custom home builder will talk to the customer and figure out their vision, their doubts, their budget, and even some of the questions they may have regarding the building process itself, how we work, materials we use, etc. A big part of any builder’s role is to make sure that you understand the process and how things will progress. Transparency is key.
- A custom home builder will also handle any contracting and subcontracting. Most builders have contractors or workers they know and trust to do their work for them. As a customer, make sure to ask your builder about this. Find out who they work with and how they work with the subcontractors.
- Builders will also aid in the design and development of the home. Some builders have in-house designers that help clients improve on or alter any design changes they may need. Special requests—in terms of architectural designs, materials, etc—are also discussed.
- The custom home builder and/or designer will take care of obtaining the necessary permits for building. The builder also acts as a go-between for the inspectors, governing jurisdictions, and the design team if necessary.
- Most custom home builders will ensure that all materials are high quality, are checked, and are what the client requested if applied.
- The builder will oversee and manage all aspects of the home building, as well as monitor the cost of the project. This includes ensuring all permits are approved and current all while keeping you up to date with any changes.
- The builder and their designer will also take care of final inspections, ensuring there are no building deficiencies.
What to Look For In a Builder
There are plenty of builders out there but it’s important for you to find the one that will best fit your needs. There are a couple of things to look for in a builder, including:
- Their past work
- Most builders will have a repertoire of work they have completed in the past. A simple internet search can help you in getting to know a builder and the style of homes or kind of building they do. Many times, builders will have specialties or signature characteristics that characterize their homes. Here at Villa Custom Homes, for example, we do a lot of rammed earth homes and Southwestern style architecture.
- Also, check past work of similar scope or style. If you want to get more specific, take a look at projects that might be of similar size and scope. If you’re looking for a bigger home build, you want to make sure you have hired a builder that can take on a large-scale project, has the right contractors and is able to design a beautiful large-scale home.
- Communication
- As mentioned above, you will be working with your builder anywhere from 6 to 8 months, so it’s important for you to work with someone you can communicate with. Take some time to ensure your builder is able to communicate all the necessary information and process as well.
- Their building process
- When it comes to engaging in a custom home building project, you want to make sure you understand the process and how the builder works. Ask about their particular process, their time frame, etc. Knowing how the builder works from the beginning and understanding their workflow will put you at ease throughout the process.
- Talk to past customers
- In today’s world of interconnectedness, it is not difficult to find people that have used a business or reviewed a business. If possible, try to talk to people that have worked with a builder in the past. Get their insight. Ask them questions about their satisfaction level. This might provide you some good additional research.
The Villa Custom Home Promise
Here at Villa Custom Homes, we not only specialize in Southwestern style homes but we also do a lot of home renovations and additions. Our unique skill sets allow us to build both conventionally with wood frame and also many alternative construction methods like Adobe, ICF, and of course, Rammed Earth. This has made us incredibly versatile over the years in our ability to adapt and accommodate the client and their needs and vision.
When it comes to budgeting, we are one hundred percent transparent as to what you are paying for, the cost of materials, cost of subcontractors, and more. You don’t have to worry about surprise fees or hidden fees.
Finally, our rammed earth homes are not only a specialty in the Southwest but they take a considerable amount of experience and understanding to build correctly. Part of our name and legacy lies in the fact that we understand how to build long-lasting homes made of Earth’s most naturally abundant material. We also utilize many authentic building materials and features such as wooden posts, vigas, latillas, corbels, cantera stone, and many more. Ready to take the first step towards building your dream home? Then give Judd, at Villa Custom Homes a call, today!