5 Phases of a Custom Home Build
There are many ways to approach a custom home building project. Some experts and builders will walk you through a step-by-step process, but it is also helpful to think about your home building process in phases. At a very high level, the home building process can be broken down into 5 distinct phases, and we’ve described each one in detail below. At this stage of the game, you have already selected a builder to work with and are entering the implementation of your agreement with them.
5 Phases of the Home Building Process
Phase 1: Discovery
Think of the discovery phase as an initial planning step with your builder. This is your opportunity to share all of your hopes and dreams for your custom home with your builder and the team. Although it’s a good idea to come to the table with a preliminary wish list for what you want included in the home, your builder will be able to help you think through other considerations, additional options and help generate ideas you may not have thought about yet.
This is also a great opportunity for you to get to know your builder a little better and for them to get to know you. It is also recommended to use this time to help set the tone for the working relationship going forward. Discuss communication styles and expectations for the entire project to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Phase 2: Design
Now you’ve reached the fun part, the design! This phase can also be daunting as this is the time where you, the home buyer, will be making a lot of decisions. However, rest assured that your builder will be able to provide guidance and resources along the way to help you make the best decisions possible. Not to mention, an experienced builder can take a vision and bring it to life by helping you think outside the box and suggesting ways to customize. At Draper Custom Homes, you can either begin by working with an architect, or take a semi-custom approach by augmenting existing plans in a way that best fits your lifestyle.
The firm you choose to work with will also conduct a site analysis, prepare for construction, create a working timeline and help establish a budget. All of these pieces are vital to ensuring a smooth process with a structured plan in place.
The design phase is closely related to the next phase of budgeting, so much so that you could almost group these two phases together in one. It is helpful to consider your budget while making design decisions and selections for finish outs.
Phase 3: Budgeting
In many cases, a preliminary budget has been established prior to signing an agreement with a builder and beginning the design phase. However, this is the time to take a closer and more detailed look at the budget. During the design phase, your builder will provide a list of items you need to make selections on. This will include hardware choices, paint colors, and all other finish-out options. Use this itemized list to allocate a cost to each and be sure your final selections do not push you out of range from your predetermined budget.
Phase 4: Construction
Let the construction begin! Once you have made it to this phase, you will begin to make more specific design decisions and custom selections. With some home builders, once the construction phase begins, no changes are made to the design without an official, signed change order in place.
PRO TIP: Ask your builder about the terms and conditions needed for making changes post-design phase.
Regardless, as long as the planning phases were done well, the construction process should be efficient and smooth. With Draper Custom Homes, you will be prompted in advance throughout each phase of the process when design choices need to be made.
Phase 5: Closing, Final, Walk-through and Move-in
After the construction is complete, you enter the closing and final walk through phase. You are now one step closer to doing what you’ve been wanting to do from day 1 -- settle in to your new, custom home! When the construction crew is finished, a post-construction clean up will be scheduled. It’s important to remember that post-construction clean up is very different than a typical house cleaning service. Your builder will coordinate this for you and once the home is clean, you are ready to do a final walk through and check for any and all possible oversights. This is also the time when your builder will walk you through what to expect for home and product warranties and overall care and maintenance information. Once all is approved, you are ready to close on the home and schedule your move-in.