Dreaming of building a home that perfectly reflects your unique style and needs? Beginning the custom home building process could be the perfect way to turn that vision into reality.
When it comes to deciding between a custom home or a production home, the choice can be challenging. While production homes offer a quicker and potentially more budget-friendly option, they lack the level of personalization and flexibility that comes with custom building. Custom homes allow you to tailor every detail to your specific needs and preferences, creating a truly one-of-a-kind living space.
Building a custom home can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it’s also a complex undertaking. This guide will walk you through the steps to build a custom home, address common concerns, and highlight the many benefits of hiring a custom home builder, like Old Town Design Group.
Stages in Custom Home Building
1. Site Evaluation
The first step in building your custom home is finding the perfect spot to build. Whether you have somewhere in mind or need help finding it, the team at Old Town Design Group will be by your side. We are preferred builders in many of Central Indiana’s most sought-after communities and have a number of lots available on which to build. Already have your ideal home site and need us to take it from there? We’re happy to build on your lot, too.
Our team begins by analyzing your chosen lot, utilizing laser technology to assess and determine home placement, water issues, and grading or fill needs.
We have decades of experience helping homeowners design the perfect home for their land and enjoy the process of helping you imagine what could be on the empty canvas of your lot.
2. Design & Planning
The next step in any custom home build is designing the floor plan and exterior elevation elements. During this phase, you’ll work with in-house architects and designers to develop a layout and style that fits your personality and meets your lifestyle needs.
When you choose to build with Old Town Design Group, your Core Team will get to know you, your lifestyle, your goals, your desires and work with you to create innovative floor plans that reflect your style and tastes. Your Core Team includes a New Home Consultant, who will be by your side from your first consultation to the day we hand you the keys to your new home. Your team also includes a designated architectural designer, construction manager, and interior designer – all of whom are available for questions and concerns throughout the building process.
We work closely with you through the entire custom home design process, answering any questions while providing knowledge and experience to guide decision-making along the way. Our goal is to help you design a home that you will love for decades to come.
3. The Details
Once the overall design of your home is in place, it’s time to focus on the details. This is where your creativity and personality can really shine. This is also when you can expect to receive a construction timeline and final price for your custom home.
4. The Build
This is the exciting part – watching your dream home come to life!
The construction phase involves site preparation, foundation work, framing, electrical work, plumbing, and more. When you build with Old Town, you can expect to communicate regularly with your construction manager throughout this phase. Our goal is to maintain an open line of communication to keep you updated and make sure we’re addressing any concerns or questions as they arise.
We provide you with 24-hour access to BuilderTrend, an interactive project management system, so that you can be informed throughout the build process. With this platform, you can track your home’s progress, make selections for certain aspects of the home, submit questions, and conveniently store all of your legal and financial documents in one secure location.
5. Fit and Finish
For most of our homeowners, this step is the most fun. It involves visiting the Everything Home Designs’ studio and working with your interior designer to select finishes, materials, textures, colors, and more from a wide range of high-quality, luxury materials to customize every aspect of your home’s interior. Your designer will help you stay withing your budget while helping your personality shine through in your selections.
6. Celebrating Your New Home
Once your new custom home is complete, your Core Team will provide you with a new home orientation. You will tour your home with our experts, who will be happy to answer any questions along the way. This allows us to help you become familiar with all the different features of your new space before your move in day.
7. Beyond the Build
We support you long after move in day! We offer a complete home warranty, along with a dedicated team of experts to help you take care of your new home. We schedule two walk-throughs in the first year – a 45-day walk through to ensure everything is up to your standards and an 11-month walk through to ensure you have the time to submit a warranty claim should anything not work properly within the first year.
Timeline for Building a Custom Home
The timeline for building a custom home can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the design, size of the project, and weather conditions. Generally, you can expect the process to take anywhere from 12 to 18 months in Central Indiana.
Common Concerns About Building a Custom Home
It’s natural to have questions and concerns when considering a large investment in such a significant project. We hope these points help to allay your concerns:
Cost: The cost of building a custom home in Indiana is generally greater than the cost of building or buying a production home. However, the increased cost reflects the level of personalization, the higher quality of materials used, and any luxury features you may choose. Custom home financing options are available to help you manage the expenses. Old Town Design Group also provides you with a firm, fixed price so you don’t have to worry about surprise costs popping up during your build.
Time Commitment: Building a custom home requires time and patience. It’s best to have a plan in place for living arrangements, costs, and storage for your belongings during your build. Regular communication with your builder is also key to staying informed and on track. Working with a builder who prioritizes communication, attention to detail, and transparency throughout the process is key to a successful custom build experience.
Unexpected Issues: Even with careful planning, unforeseen issues can arise during construction. It’s good to be aware of potential issues and discuss them with your builder so you can avoid the stress of an unpleasant surprise. As a reputable custom home builder in Indianapolis, Old Town Design Group has the experience to identify potential challenges and navigate them effectively in a timely manner.
Benefits of Building a Custom Home
The benefits of building a custom home far outweigh the initial investment. Here are just a few reasons why it might be the perfect choice for you:
Building a Dream Home: A custom home allows you to create a living space that perfectly reflects your lifestyle, taste, and needs.
Increased Value: Custom homes are often considered a good long-term investment, with the potential for significant appreciation in value over time.
Quality & Control: You have complete control over the quality of materials and finishes used in your home. Forget planning to remodel in 5 years, like you would with a production-grade home – your custom home can be everything you’ve always wanted and be future-proofed so you can love it and live comfortably in it for decades to come.
Energy Efficiency: Building a custom home allows for the incorporation of energy-saving features for a more sustainable and cost-effective living environment.
Finding the Right Custom Home Builder in Indianapolis
Choosing the right Indiana custom home builder is the most critical step in the process. Look for builders with experience, expertise, a good reputation, and an open communication style. This will allow you to begin your build with confidence that every aspect of the construction process will be handled with care.
We hire only the best of the best and are proud to be known for our attention to detail, commitment to building lasting relationships with homeowners, and excellence in design and construction. If you’re ready to embark on the exciting journey of building a custom home, our team would love to schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your vision and goals!
We can guide you through the process, answer your questions, and help you turn your vision of the perfect home into a beautiful reality. Contact us today to start the conversation and take the first step toward life in your new custom home!
Want custom quality, but need a home right away? Looking for the perfect home site in Zionsville? We have several luxury homes available for sale now in some of Central Indiana’s most desirable communities, as well as a handful of available lots in Holliday Farms and Promontory of Zionsville!