Building a custom home is an exciting venture, allowing you to tailor every aspect of your new living space to your preferences and needs. However, for many, it can seem like an intimidating process. At Shoal Creek, we understand that choosing to build a custom home requires a significant commitment of your time, resources, and finances. To alleviate some of your concerns, we are diving into a list of the ten most frequently asked questions about building a custom home.

1. I WANT TO BUILD A CUSTOM HOME. WHERE DO I START?

When building a custom home from the ground up, it’s common for potential homeowners to feel lost at first! The first step is to research and decide what you want from a custom home. Are you looking for a luxury neighborhood and gated community? Do you want a house near the city or something private and secluded? Deciding what’s important to you in a location, home, and community can help you decide on the best plan and neighborhood for you.

When building a custom home at Shoal Creek, we help our potential homeowners flesh out what they are looking for so that we can meet their needs and desires. Understanding your necessities, desires, and wish list will help you prioritize your floor plan design, lot selection, neighborhood, community, and more. The first step is always to make a plan!

2. IS IT MORE EXPENSIVE TO BUILD A CUSTOM HOME?

Not necessarily. The cost of a custom home varies widely depending on location, size, complexity, materials, and labor. In today’s market, you’d be hard-pressed to find a move-in-ready home at a much lower price point than a custom home, especially when you consider the additions, changes, remodels, and renovations that you would need. Often, you may find the cost of building a custom home comparable to a move-in-ready home.

3. HOW DO YOU PICK A GOOD LOCATION/LOT?

Choosing the lot that works best for your home plan and wish list can be challenging! It’s tough for some to look at a blank lot and picture their dream home there. The first step is to decide what location you want to live in. A team of experts can help you determine the functionality of a specific property lot so that you can focus on your requests for the backdrop and foundation of your home.

When choosing a location, you need to consider your lifestyle. If you have young children, you’ll want to consider the neighborhood, local schools, nearby amenities, and more.

On the other hand, some potential homeowners prioritize their environment, desiring to be surrounded by nature for privacy. If you want a custom home by a golf course, lake, or a green mountain view, you’ll want to consider all the lots, communities, and luxury neighborhoods in Birmingham, AL, that offer those things.

4. DO I NEED TO HIRE AN ARCHITECT AND DESIGNER?

Selecting both exterior and interior design elements for your custom home can feel overwhelming if you do it on your own. Often, your building team will help you bring your floor plan to life. Professional architects and designers can guide you through the building process to help you achieve the custom home that you’ve been dreaming of.

In our luxury neighborhood at Shoal Creek, our residents fully control the design choices and aesthetics of their custom homes. From modern, contemporary homes to European chic, our many architectural styles can inspire your dream home.

5. WHAT IS A SITE VISIT?

A site visit is when your construction team visits the lot of your custom home. Site visits usually happen when entering a new construction phase, such as drywall going up or tile installations. During these visits, a team of experts evaluates the quality of the building process to ensure that your custom home is being built to code and by the state’s standards.

Additionally, you are often welcome to visit your site. It’s usually best practice to call your builder and schedule a meeting or inform them you’ll be stopping by. If you’re building in a gated community, you may need to get guest permission from the luxury neighborhood to be able to enter.

6. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BUILD A CUSTOM HOME?

On average, custom-built homes take several months to over a year to complete. Ultimately, the construction timeline of your custom home will be determined by the size, floor plan, and other design elements you choose, in addition to weather conditions and the efficiency of the construction team.

Builders devote their time to several months of planning, production, and completion to ensure quality. Building a custom home is no small feat and should not be rushed. It’s best to set an expectation of a timeline beforehand. That way, you and your builder know what a reasonable move-in date should look like.

7. HOW DO I FIND THE RIGHT BUILDER FOR MY CUSTOM HOME?

Finding the right builder for your custom home project is vital to its success. Start by researching builders in the area where you want to build. Review their portfolios, online reviews, customer testimonials, credentials, and anything else demonstrating their ability to fulfill your vision. Schedule meetings with potential builders to ask questions and discuss your project, budget, and timeline, and pay attention to their communication style, transparency, and willingness to accommodate your needs.

8. WHAT PERMITS AND REGULATIONS DO I NEED FOR A CUSTOM-BUILT HOME?

Navigating the permitting and regulatory landscape can be intimidating, but it is necessary to ensure compliance with local building codes, zoning regulations, environmental requirements, and homeowner association rules. Your builder or architect should be able to help you understand and obtain the permits and approvals required for your build.

9. CAN I MAKE CHANGES TO THE DESIGN DURING CONSTRUCTION?

Most builders will allow flexibility and modifications to some degree when constructing a custom build. However, if you make big changes, especially those that interrupt construction that is in progress, you may incur additional costs and delays. Be sure to communicate any desired alterations as soon as possible.

10. HOW DO I ENSURE QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP IN MY CUSTOM HOME?

Quality control is paramount in custom home building, so you want to ensure you find a reputable builder with a track record of delivering high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. If you choose your own builder, be sure to request references from past clients and that they have experience working in the area. You may even be able to visit completed projects.

Once you have chosen the best builder for your new home, be sure to communicate with them throughout the process and ask questions.

Choose the Right Builder for Your New Home Build with Shoal Creek’s Network of Reputable Builders

Building a new custom home is a unique and rewarding experience that allows you to create a living space that reflects your personality and values. The efficiency and peace of mind for your new home build will come from choosing the right builder.

Shoal Creek has a network of reputable builders for your use. Contact the home-building experts at Shoal Creek for guidance in finding the right builder for your project.

Choose Shoal Creek In Birmingham, AL, for Your Custom Home Build

If you’ve finally decided to begin your new home build, Shoal Creek has everything you are looking for in a luxurious and idyllic neighborhood. Contact us today, and we can answer all of your questions about site preparation, choosing a builder, and more. Let us help ensure your vision of a perfect home comes to life.  

Call our team at (205) 991-4653 to schedule your visit and see what possibilities await within our gates.