If you want a new home, but aren’t interested in a cookie-cutter house, you may want to work with a custom home builder. A custom home builder creates one-of-a-kind homes for clients who want a home with special features or a unique floor plan.

There are many advantages to working with a custom home builder, including the ability to create a home that is uniquely yours. With custom home building, you have more control over everything from lot selection to room size. However, building a custom home is generally more expensive than building a more generic home.

What Do Custom Home Builders Do?

Custom home builders create unique houses. Unlike production builders, who usually build homes from stock plans on land they already own, custom home builders usually build on a lot you own, and are also able to build a home from your own unique plans. In addition, custom home builders are more likely to build fewer, high-end homes, while production builders construct many homes at a variety of price points.

Finding a Custom Home Builder

It’s important to do research before hiring a new home builder for your project. The Better Business Bureau can provide some information about builders in your area. In addition, recommendations from friends, family and acquaintances can be a valuable resource.

You’ll also want to look into other projects the builder has completed. If possible, try to tour one of the builder’s homes. Look at everything from the quality of the finishes to the look of custom features, and ask plenty of questions about the owner’s working relationship with the builder. It’s especially important to pay attention to the quality of the construction, as cost-cutting in this area can lead to significant expenses later on.

Before hiring a builder, you’ll also want to develop a budget and get estimates from companies you are considering hiring. Custom home building can be expensive, and it’s critical that you and your builder are able to communicate clearly about what you can afford. Factors such as your lot, the size of the home and the quality of the finishes will all affect the cost of your home. While the cost of custom home varies wildly, you should expect to between $200 and $400 dollars per square foot for your new house.

Building Your Custom Home

Finding a custom home builder is only one step in the home construction process. That’s because building a personalized home involves many hands-on decisions, including finding a lot, hiring an architect and securing financing. You’ll also need to obtain building permits, and may need to deal with installing a septic system or adding connections to utilities, things you don’t have to worry about with a production home. However, if your budget is right and you have the patience to deal with a potentially long and frustrating process, building a custom home may be the path to the house of your dreams.