The custom home builder’s job is, in simple terms, the following: Deliver the ideal home you’ve always wanted. But, to arrive there, you have a couple of different paths to choose from — the more traditional architect-builder path, or the design-build path. Each approach has its advantages and also its potential drawbacks. Custom Home Builders — The Solo Architect. An architect’s job is to design an ideal home based on your needs and desires.

When the plans are completed, you then have to search out a builder who is capable of turning those plans into the actual home you’re going to live in.

It may also require you to contract any number of specialists for things like cabinets, counters, or tilework.

There can be a lot of headache involved when you bring in multiple teams who are not coordinated and supervised by someone who understands the big picture.

Another Potential Problem

In the real world, money is a limiting factor.

Builders have to deliver on the construction of those plans, and they know there’s a price tag on every inch of that design — every type of wood, every cabinet door, the carpet you choose, each specially shaped sink, the curve in the staircase, the fantastic light fixtures, and so on.

It sounds like a dream come true — a smart home with solutions to every inconvenience that owners of conventional homes are all too familiar with. A fully automated home sounds cutting edge and innovative; all those features and technological gadgets may seem like a really good idea. They could be fantastic, without a doubt. But, there’s a lot to consider before setting out to design a home around technological conveniences. It’s important to be realistic about both the advantages and disadvantages that smart home solutions could bring to your dream home.

Let’s talk about some of the advantages.

Smart Home Solutions — Wireless Technology Provides Endless Possibilities

There are all sorts of available gadgets and smart functions available on the market to make your home “smart,” to increase convenience and control of your home’s features, by automating the functions partially or entirely.

Here are some examples of popular smart home solutions:

Security Features

Cameras and motion sensors can monitor your home’s exterior 24/7, and they could alert you to any disturbances on your property. Some are even “smart” enough to distinguish humans from animals.

Insulation is a really important part of constructing a comfortable home, and that insulation is rated, evaluated, and regulated by this deceptive little number called R-value. Used to commercially rate insulation, the R-value was adopted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect consumers against unfair, deceptive, or misleading sales claims.

The R-value information for home insulation products has to be displayed on many types of marketing materials, and at the point of sale, in the hope that disclosure will prevent consumers from being misled by false statements about insulation efficiency.

But, this rating is out of date and doesn’t work very well. Let’s discuss the reasons it’s not an effective measurement.

R-value: A Metaphor

We’re at a social or business gathering, and I hand you a paper Dixie Cup.

While you’re holding it, I pour it full of piping hot coffee.

You shout in pain because it’s REALLY hot, so I give you another cup to put the first cup in, which provides more material between your hand and the piping hot coffee.

When you set out to build your dream home, it’s supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime type of event — it should be a positive experience from start to finish, something that’s handled smoothly and professionally from beginning to end. When you work with a design-build firm, you guarantee that your dream home is going to be handled by one team the entire way through, that there are no chances for things to get confused or go off the rails when work is handed off from your architect to your contractor to your various subcontractors.

What Building a Home Looks Like When You Don’t Choose Design-Build

To start with, the conventional build process requires you to find the right architect, one with a solid resume, someone who understands what you want and can draw up plans that fit exactly what you have in mind (or who can help you come up with a design if you’re not sure what you want).

Working with someone who has experience teasing out the intangibles of your dream home, someone you can communicate well with, someone who listens and carefully and helps you to realistically achieve what you want, can be a real challenge.

For the sake of explanation, let’s assume you do find the right architect and he or she designs your dream home, something you are totally satisfied with.

How much does it cost to build a house? Depends on what you’re building. The cost to build a house in Texas varies widely, and the variation only gets worse when you get into custom home building. As we exclusively build custom homes, a house we build may be anywhere from $300,000 to well over a million. Though I’ll happily give you a range based on data from HomeAdvisor.com, the truth is, this information probably isn’t going to help you much. According to the above website, the average national price to build a home is about $300,000, but a custom home is generally going to cost significantly more than this.

You also have to keep this in mind — national numbers like these take into account houses that are much, much cheaper than you’re probably looking to buy and houses that are much, much more expensive than anyone except the very rich can afford.

Our clients tend to have high incomes, but very few home builders are building houses in the 8-digit range, and those numbers, combined with extremely low numbers from certain types of prefabricated homes, can throw these averages off and really make them kind of useless.

Of all the things my clients struggle with when it comes to their home, building materials rank near the top. A lot of customers come to me and ask, almost right off the bat, how much I charge per square foot, and I have to politely explain why worrying about the cost per square foot to build a house is nonsense.

But even for those who understand that the quality of the materials dictates how much the house is going to cost, I still think there can be a big disconnect between how much a certain material or component costs, the quality of it, and how that will affect the home in the long run.

Building a house is complicated — it takes a long time, it’s an involved process with many steps, and, because you’re building a custom house, working in the custom pieces and making sure everything is going to work exactly as planned within the design can be more time consuming than one might expect.

A lot of customers wonder how long it’s going to take to build their house, having heard horror stories about custom builds taking months or years longer than they should have.

I think the best way to approach this question—“What’s the cost per square foot to build a house?”—is through an analogy. And really, when you apply the line of thinking behind this question to any other product, you start to realize how ridiculous it really is. Let’s say that you want to buy a custom computer—and you’re going to have Local Computer Guys build it for you.

You drive down to Local Computer Guys, you tell them you want a custom computer, and they’re in—they can’t wait to build you something that blows you away.

So you ask (what seems like) a straightforward question:

“What’s the price per square inch for this thing?”

Local Computer Guys just stare at you. They say, “Well… that’s not how this works. You’re paying for the components of the computer!”

“It has nothing to do with the amount of space in the machine!” they tell you in a huff, “It’s all about the cost of the pieces! Three high-end processors are going to cost you quite a bit more ‘per square inch’ than three low-end processors.”

“Once you choose the components, then I can give you a price per square inch, I guess… but it’s kind of meaningless.”

The Cost Per Square Foot Is Vastly Different Between a Mercedes and a Kia, But That’s Because the Quality Is so Different

The process of building a home is very different than buying an existing home (to say the least), and many people are understandably confused by the financing aspect — new construction loans work a little bit differently than loans for existing properties, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of your reach (or that buying an existing home is your only option).

The main point I want to get across about new construction loans is this:

Don’t let the added complexity of getting a construction loan deter you from looking into building over buying.

Look, I get it—buying has a few advantages over building. You get to move in right away (the whole process is obviously faster), and, well…

Honestly, that’s kind of it.

People will tell you that buying an existing home is cheaper than building a home (and frankly, if keeping things cheap is how you look at home buying, you might want to shy away from building a new home). Maybe that’s true on the front end—it may look like you’re saving money over building a new home.

But are you?

Older homes have problems, many of them hidden. Even a home that’s only a couple years old may have a few surprises for you that end up costing you down the line.

I get this question all the time: How long does it take to build a house. Or, more accurately, people ask me this: How long will it take to build my house? It’s a great question, and it’s something that we’ve gotten down to a science (as any great design-build firm should). For most of our customers, this is the first time they’ve built a home. Unless you’re in the construction industry yourself, no one would expect you to know how long the process takes or what it involves.

So, I’m going to give you our answer up front (our answer because we design and build custom homes much faster than the rest of the industry), and then I’m going to walk you through the process.

We Usually Finish Custom Homes in 4–5 Months

This is about 30% faster than the standard in our industry, but this should give you some idea of what to expect.

Maybe you’re sitting at your computer or on your phone or tablet right now and you’re wondering: “How long does it take to build a house? Why does it take so long to build a house?”

Maybe 4–5 months seems like a long time. Maybe you’ve heard times as long as 12 months or more to build a custom house.

In an ideal world, this wouldn’t be an issue, but here in Texas, homebuilding is unregulated.

What does this mean? It means anyone can build your home — and the same goes for design. They don’t have to pass any tests or answer to any regulatory boards to ensure they know what they’re doing.

They also don’t have to take continuing education courses, and they are rarely penalized if they build a low-quality house or if their design has small flaws, or even severe ones.

Now, this isn’t to say builders are out there building houses that collapse in a week — we still have building codes in each city here in Texas (though they differ from city to city).

These building codes are enforced to greater or lesser degrees, depending on your city, and they ensure you’re not moving into a deathtrap.

That being said, they’re not robust — these codes are in place to make sure your family is safe, but they won’t stop you from being inconvenienced or paying a small fortune to fix an ongoing issue.

It’s also pretty common to run into selective code enforcement, where an inspector will let certain builders slide on some areas of the building code while enforcing others.

An outdoor fire feature can help your family enjoy the great outdoors long into the winter. This time of year is amazing, with it’s cool nights and beautiful air, why wouldn’t you want to be outside? Adding an outdoor fire feature may be just what your home needs.

There are a variety of fire features available today. Let’s take a look at a few…

Wood Burning

A wood burning fire pit is like having a contained campfire right in your backyard. Warmth, ambiance, crackle of the wood….this type of fire pit provides it all. Wood burning fire pits have a lot of advantages, however, it’s important to be aware of the maintenance. You will have to regularly chop wood or buy firewood at the store. You will also have to have a dry, covered area to cover the wood….and unfortunately, insects are attracted to wood piles.

Propane

Propane fire pits are very convenient. You can have a beautiful fire within minutes. They are offered in a variety of decorative layouts. Faux wood, rock pebbles or glass are a few of the options available. With the convenience, there are always a few drawbacks. It can be expensive to maintain your propane tank. You also run the risk of running out of propane while entertaining. These are just a few things to consider before making your decision.

Are you planning on building a lake front home? Great! There are a few things to consider before you settle on a plan. Living on a lake is different than living anywhere else, so build a home that suits the setting. Let’s look at a few tips…

Focus on the Water: Your house should focus on the water…that’s the point of the location. Depending on your land layout, you may consider building a multi-level home to fit a slope, or you may have flat land that will allow for a variety of options. You are going to spend a lot of time outside so make your house a part of the surroundings.You don’t want your home to look like it should have been built in residential housing development, rather you want a home that suits the lake.

The Lake is your Front Yard: The front of a lake home faces the lake. Curb appeal is important, but when you are at the lake, the majority of the time, your home will be viewed from the lake. Your curb appeal can still be attractive, but spend most of your resources on the lake side. Create terracing, landscaping, and beautiful walkways by the lake. You will also want to put your most used rooms, kitchen and living, on the lake side of your home.

Let’s look as some tips on building a modern home…

A modern home is distinct with clean lines, simplicity and lots of light. Modern houses have a range of styles Bungalow, French Eclectic, A-Frame, Craftsman, Art Deco, Neo-Classical, Neo-Victorian, Neo-Eclectic, Neo-Mediterranean, Neo-Colonial, Postmodern and Contemporary. If you want to ensure you are getting the modern look you want, take a look at these tips…

The Design

Functionality is key for modern homes. The design is usually based around function. Technology and minimalism take a front seat on modern homes. The design is often concrete, steel and glass. Some modern houses have a smooth and streamline look. Do your research to get an idea of what your top priorities are and what look you love.

Function

The number one component in a modern home is functionality. Don’t design a house that looks great, but doesn’t flow with your lifestyle. You need to really consider what you need first. You will love your home if it suits your real life, day to day.

Colors

Neutral colors reign in modern homes. You can choose any colors you like, but pastels are not generally used in modern homes. Neutrals coupled with bright, bold accents tend to be the modern way. The key is to make sure your colors are complementary and well balanced.

Let’s look at some tips of what not to do when you remodel your home. If you are planning a remodel of your home, it’s important to talk through a lot of different areas. Remodeling can be a frustrating time, so it’s crucial to set your expectations appropriately.

Expecting perfection: Remember that your remodel is being done by a person, not a machine. There may be slight imperfections in your final product. The contractors, usually, do the very best job they can and work to make as perfect a result as possible.

Postpone planning the budget: Plan out your budget before you ever begin. You do not want any surprises in this area. Look at what you want verses what you can afford. Plan accordingly with your contractor.

The cheapest bid isn’t always the best

• An affordable price is important, but you don’t want to automatically take the cheapest bid. There could be a reason that the bid is so low. Some contractors are not properly licensed and their prices are lower to camouflage this. It is crucial that you ensure your contractors have the appropriate licensing needed. Choose a contractor not only on the bid, but also on references and quality of work.

Affording the home of your dreams is quite feasible if you follow a few tips. Decide what is most important to you and go big in those areas. In other areas, try to be conservative. You can build a beautiful home without going beyond your budget. Planning is key…if you plan properly, you can save tremendously.

Bigger Isn’t Always Better

A smaller home is automatically going to be more affordable. That doesn’t mean you can’t have all the features and space you want. You just need to consider if you need a family room and a formal living room. Do you need a formal dining room, a breakfast nook and bar stools in the kitchen? Trim out what you don’t need and plan a home that has really usable space.

Design According to Building Materials

Building materials were created a certain size to make it easy build and have less waste. This works great if you have 8 foot x 16 foot wall, but not so great if you have a 9.5 foot x 19 foot wall. The same goes for structural lumber. If you can build your rooms a size that makes sense according to building materials, you significantly reduce waste which equals money in your pocket.

We have some tips for remodeling your kitchen. The kitchen seems to be the heartbeat of the home and if you are remodeling, you definitely want to get it right. There are several things to consider before starting. The options have come along way in recent years, so you will have a lot of decisions to make. Let’s take a look at these tips

Functionality

You want to be efficient in your new kitchen and have a natural flow. Think about how you will use this space. If you have a lot of space to work with, you will still want your working area to be close and functional. No one wants to walk a great distance to grab one more thing from the refrigerator. Many try to plan their kitchen with a working triangle between the sink, the range and the refrigerator. If you make the distance equal between these three, your kitchen will naturally have a nice flow.

Lighting

Lighting is critical when planning a kitchen. You want even lighting to ensure the inviting, yet functional look you want. Make a statement with a big light fixture over the island. This can be a fun area to show some personality while providing functionality. Another area for needed lighting is under the cabinets. Placing lights under the cabinets will ensure that you don’t lose any light that the cabinets may block.

Building an energy efficient home can save you money as soon as your home is completed. Utility costs can be the second highest bill for a homeowner, the first usually being the mortgage. By building your home with energy efficiencies from the start, you will be a step ahead on the cost of running your household.

It’s important to look at all areas of your home to ensure you maximize the efficiency of your home. You need to look at the exterior, heating and cooling, water management, and lights and appliances. Let’s look at each of these…

The Exterior

• Make your home as air-tight as possible – seal any gaps, cracks, around pipes and

  vents

• Insulation – don’t skimp here…insulate your home as well as possible
• Energy efficient windows and doors – this is a huge area to help keep the cold or heat out

Heating and Cooling

• Install a high efficiency HVAC system to maximize performance
• Insulate ducts in attic areas as well as crawl spaces
• Ensure that the equipment and ductwork are properly sized to optimize performance

Water Management

Let’s look at some tips for building a custom home. Building a custom home can be a dream come true. You can place everything just where you want it. The flow can be made to work exactly as you would like for your family. There are many benefits for building a custom home. We’d like to give you a few tips on some areas to think about when building a custom home.

Do your research when buying raw land

• Many times you have your perfect piece of property picked out before beginning to build. You may want a large piece of land, maybe you are wanting waterfront, or you just want the perfect location. Something you need to consider is what it will cost to prep the property. Do you have to put in a well or septic system, or do you have to work with the city to get lines ran to your land? All of these areas need to be thought through and added into the budget.

Be ready to adapt your design to fit your building site

• Each building site has specific characteristics that you may love, yet they may also make it more difficult to build your dream home. If your waterfront property makes it difficult to have the size home you would like to have, you may have to modify your design. If you bought within a neighborhood, you will have to look into their criteria for building…some are very particular. Your lot may have beautiful, mature trees that you would be better to incorporate into your landscaping, rather than take down. Thinking through working with your land rather than against it, will save you money and heartache down the road.

Master Suite – Upstairs or Downstairs? This is a common question for couples when building a home. This is something to really think about because depending on which season of life you are in, your answer may differ.

Upstairs Master

When building your dream home, you want everything to be perfect. Placing your master bedroom upstairs may be exactly what works for your family.

Pros

• All bedrooms on one floor
• Close proximity to small children
• All personal rooms upstairs; public rooms downstairs

Cons

• Harder to go up and down stairs as you get older
• Noisy if you have older children

Downstairs Master

Considering your master bedroom downstairs? Take a look these pros and cons to help you decide if this is the right placement for your family.

Pros

• More comfortable to navigate as you age
• Easily accessible
• Usually higher resale value

Cons

• Can be worrisome if you have small children upstairs
• Takes up square footage if you are building on a certain size lot