SIX PHASES OF CONSTRUCTING A CUSTOM HOME

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Dreaming of crafting an exclusively tailored home, covering aspects from layout and floor plan to finishes, appliances, and interior design, is a substantial undertaking. If you're pondering the prospect of constructing a custom home but feel unsure about what to expect or how to begin, this guide provides valuable insights. Dive into our essential six steps of the custom home building process.

 STEP 1:   SELECT AND ACQUIRE A LOT OR REAL ESTATE

The first step in building a custom home involves choosing a plot. Our dedicated realtors can help you with this.  This crucial stage significantly shapes the entire construction process, impacting elements like your home's size and its placement on the site. Take sufficient time and engage in comprehensive research before concluding the selection of the lot for your new home. Some essential factors to ponder before making a lot purchase include:

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Understand the buildable area of the lot. 

Not all space on a lot is suitable for construction.  Various factors can impact the usable space for the actual home:

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• If you're building in a community with a homeowner's association, there may be guidelines on building size, home placement, and aesthetic requirements.

• Understand their are setbacks, variances, and environmental regulations associated with the lot. These factors can influence the placement of your new home on the site.

• Consult with your local jurisdiction or talk with one of our professional surveyors to identify any easements or peculiarities.

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Did you consider priorities in green, passive, or sustainable buildings?

If sustainability is a priority for your custom home, the lot's location and the placement of your home on the property are crucial. Optimizing solar orientation is key to moving closer to achieving net-zero energy.

Did you assess the presence of an existing structure on the lot. In competitive markets, it's common to buy a lot with an existing structure?

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If your lot has an existing structure, consider how it may impact your custom home building process. While tearing down the structure is possible, it may extend your timeline and affect where you can place your new home.

The lot selection process involves careful consideration. If you've found a lot that meets your criteria, it's advisable to proceed with the purchase. Once you've acquired the property and it's ready, you can move forward with your custom home build.

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STEP 2: ESTABLISH A BUDGET FOR YOUR CUSTOM HOME

Now that the lot has been acquired, it's time to initiate the actual custom home building process. To ensure a seamless custom home build, it's crucial to determine a budget and if your not quite sure we can help you with this. Here are some tips to assist you in establishing a budget that suits both you and your neighborhood.

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• What amount would you ideally prefer to allocate? Identify a comfortable spending limit for your custom home.

• Is it realistic? Consider the practicality of the identified amount concerning your family and home-related goals. While a custom home involves a substantial expense, setting the budget too high may have negative implications for your family, while setting it too low can limit your home's potential.

• Does the neighborhood align with the budget? Research the intended building area. Does your budget align with the cost of other homes in the neighborhood? If your planned expenditure significantly exceeds the average market value of other homes, the neighborhood may not support your budget.

• Ensure financing is attainable for that budget. Confirm with your lender that financing for the budget is feasible. Building a custom home often requires a construction loan, which operates differently from a traditional home loan. Consult your financial advisor or local lender to determine if you can secure financing for your envisioned budget.

With a secure budget in place, proceed confidently in the custom home building process. We'll help you with establishing a budget in advance which will provide clear guidance on the possibilities and limitations when designing and constructing your home.

 

STEP 3:  ASSEMBLE A TEAM FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

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Already working with a designer or architect?

Fantastic! Quality design-build firms and/or custom builders such as ourselves are amenable to collaborating with your existing team to ensure your envisioned home becomes a reality. Genoa Designs, for instance, embraces flexibility in working with external architects as part of our established process.

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Understanding the Design Timeline for a Custom Home

For those new to custom home building, it's important to recognize that time is needed for both the design and construction phases of your custom home. Opting for a custom home reflects your desire for decision-making autonomy in design, layout, finishes, and even environmentally conscious options such as building a green or passive home. While the result is a truly unique home, the customization process takes time.

In general, anticipate the design phase of the custom home building process to span between 4-8 months. During this period, you'll collaborate with us or a builder of your choice to:

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• Develop and finalize design plans, which we can assist.

• Select finishes for your home.  We have designers on standby if you need help.

• Confirm additional project details and drawings for your custom home.

 

Frontloading the decision-making aspects of your custom home's design allows us to execute the construction phase seamlessly on a meticulously organized timeline.

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STEP 4: NOW LET’S BUILD

With a finalized design, selected finishes, and prepared drawings, it's now time to commence the construction of your custom home! The duration of custom home construction varies based on the home's size and the scope of the project, typically spanning between 12-15 months. As your build progresses, here is a broad overview of the steps you can anticipate in the construction process:

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• Site preparation: Leveling and preparing the lot for new construction.

• Foundation and framing: Constructing the structural framework for your new custom home.

• Installation of interior systems: Installing plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems.

• Insulation and drywall: Initiating work on the interior components, including insulation and interior wall construction.

• Flooring, cabinetry, tile, plumbing fixtures, and paint: Incorporating significant interior finishes, giving your home its distinctive form.

• Fixtures and appliances: Adding the final touches to your custom home, including the installation of lighting, fixtures, and appliances such as washer and dryer, oven, and refrigerator.

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STEP 5: NOW IT’S TIME TO CLOSE

At last, following months of meticulous planning and construction, your home is on the verge of completion! With fixtures and appliances in place, the final steps of the dynamic building process are underway. Here's what you can anticipate from us:

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• Completion List. We'll walk through your new home with you, where we'll go over any finishing touches still left to do, and make sure everything has been completed to your expectations.

• Final cleanup. We'll finish up any leftover items from the completion list and then perform a final cleanup to ensure your home is spotless and ready to move in.

• Get your keys! Your home is finally ready for move-in. Now, you’ll get your keys and you’ll be able to enjoy that brand new custom home, tailor-made to suit you.

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STEP 6: WARRANTY IS WHAT WE UPHOLD

The custom home building journey extends beyond the moment we hand over the keys. As a premier Builder we offer warranties to ensure the ongoing maintenance and enhancement of your home for the years ahead. While warranty offerings vary among builders, here's what you can anticipate from a reputable design-build firm like Genoa Designs:

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• Full year warranty: Genoa Designs provides a comprehensive full year warranty for all our custom home building clients. Our commitment is to ensure your comfort and peace of mind in your new home, standing by our work not only during the build but for years after its completion.

• Warranty and service department: Recognizing that no one understands your home better than the builders who constructed it, Genoa Designs has a dedicated department exclusively for our warranty clients. We remain available to offer service and support even beyond the warranty period, addressing any needs that may arise.

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The custom home building process, though intricate and lengthy, becomes rewarding and enjoyable when you choose an experienced design-build firm that prioritizes your goals and needs. For those considering a custom home in the Georgia and North Carolina area, Genoa Designs could be the ideal match. We're eager to learn more about your project—reach out to initiate a conversation!