This roundup of custom home building FAQs answers some of the most common questions people have about making their dream homes a reality.
Is it worth it to build a custom home?
In most cases, yes, it’s better to build a custom home than buy an existing house or a new construction minimally customizable property, like a spec home. The biggest reason is how much control you have. When you build a custom home, you have a say over everything, including:
It’s worth it to build a custom home from a financial perspective, too. Even accounting for downturns, average home sales prices have increased almost 2000% since 1963. To learn more, check out these seven reasons why it’s worth building a custom home.
Is it more expensive to build a custom home?
The upfront costs of building a custom home make it more expensive than buying an existing one. But over the long term, a custom home is often the cheaper option. There are plenty of factors to consider. For example, building on raw land instead of a lot (that is, a parcel of land ready to build on) adds costs such as surveying and maybe even running new utilities.
But your custom home will be built with the latest materials and modern construction methods. That means long-term savings through energy efficiency, no upgrades to worry about, and the protection of a home warranty. Such advantages don’t come with an older house, which is why homeowners Debbie and Ken of West Virginia chose to build a custom home instead of taking on a renovation.
How much do custom home builders charge?
Some custom home builders charge estimated construction costs plus a build fee. Some charge a flat fee, and others charge a percentage of the construction costs. No matter which way your custom builder charges, they should help you stay within your budget.
Reputable builders practice price transparency by itemizing the costs of all materials and services so there is no mystery to cost and no surprises. They should also spell out how you will (and won’t) be charged should something unexpected happen during construction. And the best builders offer you a price guarantee that the cost of your home won’t change once your contract is signed, unless you change something or the cost(s) of site improvements to your lot create a variance based on individual site characteristics.
Is it cheaper to build a kit home?
Yes, but the tradeoffs are steep, to the point kit homes aren’t a viable option for many who want a custom home. Kit homes are just that, premade kits shipped to and assembled at the build site. Though there have been impressive advancements in home prefabrication, kit homes present limited customization options compared to a stick building, the standard process for building a custom home.
Kit homes also risk creating extra steps (and costs) in the build process. You’ll likely have to hire or become your own contractor to prepare the land and run utility hookups. When you add those expenses to the price of a kit home, the upfront costs climb quickly. Learn more about the pros and cons in this breakdown stick built vs. modular and manufactured homes.
Where do I start if I want to build a house?
Start by finding your builder. As The Washington Post points out, involving your builder from the start saves you time, money, and stress. A quality homebuilder understands every part of the process, from finding land to pulling permits. Builders also have decades’ worth of knowledge and resources they can leverage for you, such as volume discounts and relationships with lenders who specialize in custom home financing.
When searching for a builder, look for one who takes a partnership approach. Custom builders depend heavily on referrals, so it’s in their best interest to understand your needs and deliver an outstanding experience.
Should I buy house plans online?
Probably not, though it’s easy to see the appeal of buying house plans online. It’s convenient, lets you move at your own pace, and saves you hassle of dealing with pushy salespeople (a red flag you should watch out for with every custom homebuilder). But there are three stronger reasons not to buy house plans online:
Is it better to buy a house or build your own?
Building a custom home is one of the most exciting projects you can take on. It’s also one of the most challenging, loaded with decisions to make and new terms to understand. We’re to help. Our experienced team of specialists will lead you through each stage ensuring your needs and desires are achieved while managing the process and decision-making with you.
TV shows may make home renovations look exciting and fun, but in reality they can take a lot of time, money, and stress to get what you initially pictured. So, consider the tradeoffs carefully. Reputable builders like Schumacher Homes have a proven building process to ensure everything goes smoothly and is planned out making the process simple, and as hassle-free as possible. And when working with a real custom builder, you’re in control. So, you can start with one of their many house plans from leading architects and then change as much or as little as you’d like.
About Schumacher Homes
Schumacher Homes, based in Canton, Ohio, is America’s largest custom homebuilder, with operations in 32 markets in 12 states across the country. The National Housing Quality award winning company has built over 20,000 homes, customized to fit each family’s lifestyle, since its founding by Paul Schumacher in 1992. Schumacher Homes takes each customer’s inspiration and gives it a home. Each Schumacher Homes location includes a one-stop shopping design studio and model homes displaying the latest in architectural and product trends. Stop in today, be inspired and receive your no obligation price quote.