Selecting a
custom homebuilder
“We felt like your crew cared as much about the project as we did. As corny as it may sound, anyone could build us a house, you built us a home.”
Your home is where you spend a significant portion of your time. It’s also a significant financial investment. Arrowood believes there is no substitute for research when selecting an experienced, quality custom home builder who will collaborate with you. Talk to others who have been through the process, ask your realtor or other trusted advisor for references, and visit prospective builders’ websites to see if their work aligns with your vision. Then, schedule an in-person meeting to discuss your project in detail.
The following questions can help you guide the conversation:
-
How long have you been in business and how many custom homes have you built in this area?
-
Who will be in charge of my build and how often can I expect to hear from him or her?
-
Will I be able to make changes during the build? If so, what does that process entail?
-
Do you have experience building the type of home I have in mind?
-
May I take a tour of one of your finished projects?
-
Can you provide me with a list of references to contact?
Establishing rapport with your builder is almost as important identifying one who has the technical expertise to complete your project to the highest standards. Custom home building takes time, and you will be in close contact with your builder for the duration. Find a team that understands your goals and respects your input and time. Careful consideration, combined with trusting your intuition, will help you make the best choice as you embark on this exciting process.
What to expect
A select few people choose to build a custom home, and even fewer will do it more than once. We want to take the mystery out of the process and the best way to do that is to shine a light on what is involved. Our process begins by holding a discovery meeting with Arrowood’s team and its client.
The questions below open a very important dialogue that clarifies expectations, establishes roles, and defines the project.
-
Some clients come to us with Pinterest boards and color swatches, while others look to us for direction. Either way, this is the time to determine your design preferences so we can create a look and feel that you will love.
-
How you plan to use the home is a big consideration. A rental property may require lock-out options and more durable, neutral finishes. On the other hand, a primary residence can reflect more personalized choices.
-
A successful build starts with a good plan. While Arrowood is well versed in this foundational work, clients often come to us with blueprints, an architect, or both. We are pleased to work with your existing resources and invite you to bring them to the table.
-
Do you need a dedicated home office? Do you want to use green building products? Is an abundance of natural light a must? Your list of wishes and non-negotiables will inform everything from initial planning to final design.
-
Every client lives differently, and their home needs to reflect and support their lifestyle. Whether it’s a state-of-the-art wine room or a large living area for entertaining, we leverage insight about you to create a home that is as functional as it is beautiful.
-
There is no greater teacher than experience. For clients who have built more than one custom home, understanding what went well and what did not allows us to ensure a smooth, enjoyable process.
-
Budget is obviously a major consideration in a custom build project and will drive every decision, from square footage to finishes. The location is also important as zoning requirements or HOA rules may dictate your home’s size and/or the features that can be incorporated.
-
With your end date in mind we will work backward and establish critical milestones and deadlines for your project. This conversation will cover topics including change orders, sourcing needs, and weather, all of which can impact both timeline and budget.
-
Professional-grade kitchen appliances. Custom plaster finishes. State-of-the-art smart home technology. We enjoy learning how each client defines attention to detail…and then we make it their reality.
-
Communication is such an important part of the build process. Some clients ask for weekly updates and some are comfortable with less frequent check-ins. Understanding your comfort zone allows us to align with your expectations starting on day one.
