Ten Tips Before Building a Custom Home

Most of the costly mistakes on a custom home in Charlotte are made before anything is built. These are the ten things we tell every family in Myers Park, SouthPark, Weddington and across the region before they begin. 1. Choose the builder before the lot

A homesite can look perfect and still hide steep grades, poor soils, tree save rules or setback limits that change what you can build. Bring your builder in before you close on the lot. Read more in Homesite Evaluation Before You Buy. 2. Set a total budget, not a build price

Land, design fees, permits, site work, landscaping, pools, furnishings and a reserve all belong in one number. Families who plan only for the build price are the ones surprised later. 3. Keep a reserve

Hold back money for choices you have not made yet. Custom homes change as you walk through the framing, and a reserve lets you say yes to good ideas without stress. 4. Finish the design before you start building

Most change orders come from decisions made too late. Complete drawings and selections up front mean a firmer price and a steadier schedule. See Mitigating Change Orders Through Clarity. 5. Design for how you actually live

Walk through a normal Tuesday: school drop-off, cooking, working from home, guests. The rooms you use every day deserve the most attention. 6. Spend on what you cannot change later

Structure, foundations, water management, windows and roofing are hard to upgrade after move-in. Finishes can be updated; the envelope usually cannot. 7. Plan for the Carolina climate

Humidity, summer heat and heavy storms shape everything from roofing to drainage. Ask how the builder handles moisture and water around the foundation. 8. Think about the next twenty years

Wide halls, a main-floor suite and space for an elevator cost little on paper and a lot to add later. 9. Meet the person who will run your job

On a small-volume firm like ours, the founder is involved in every home. Ask any builder who will be on site each week and how often you will hear from them. 10. Check references and permits

Visit finished homes, speak with past clients and confirm the builder is licensed in North Carolina. Real references tell you more than any brochure. Start with a conversation

If you are looking for a Charlotte custom home builder, see our services, try our cost calculator or contact us for a private consultation.