5 Common Fears of Building a Custom Home

Building a home is a big project. There are many factors that can make it a scary experience. Today we’re taking a look at 5 common fears of building a custom home and how you can avoid these issues occurring before you get started with the build! 

1. Lack of Quality Work 

You should expect a certain level of quality in the work and craftsmanship of your home. After all, you’ll be living there for many years to come! Thinking about the quality of your home can be overwhelming, especially if you plan on entertaining. If your home doesn’t turn out exactly as you’ve imagined it, you’d be embarrassed to invite friends and family over. 

That’s why it’s incredibly important to find the right builder! You can avoid this fear and all other common fears of building a custom home by taking your time to find a builder that’s focused on superior quality. One way to tell if you’re going with the right builder is if they discuss their quality during the interview process. If they shy away from discussing quality, you should consider other builders. Quality should always be the #1 focus from your builder.

2. Not Moving in on Time 

You’ve likely met people who have built a custom home and haven’t been able to move in on time. “The builder started weeks late”, “they’re still waiting on materials to arrive”, “it’s only going to be a few days later than planned”, are a few things you might have heard from friends or family members who chose a custom build. Some builders will make promises they can’t keep, which often leads to disappointment. 

To avoid this problem from occurring when you build your custom home, ensure your builder has a guaranteed start and completion date. A credible builder will have a building schedule available to you from the beginning. This demonstrates their organizational skills and will show you that they’re more than prepared to get you into your new home on time or ahead of schedule! If you don’t hit your guaranteed move-in date, the builder should be paying you!

3. Too Many Decisions 

Having to make too many decisions is one of the most common fears of building a custom home. Decisions making isn’t everyone’s strong suit and the thought of picking the right backsplash for your kitchen or whether or not the range hood you’ve chosen will be vented can be anxiety-inducing. 

An easy to way approach this fear is by working alongside a design-build team. They will be available to take the weight of decision-making off your hands and will work with you to ensure you’re happy with how your home turns out. Our in-house interior designer keeps each design decision organized so all of your needs are met throughout the custom build. 

4. Unforeseen Costs

We’ve all been there. You’re excited to buy something new and when it comes time to cash out, it’s a much higher number than you had initially expected. Once you’ve set your mind on a certain price, you’re not going to be thrilled to spend more. If you’re vetted a few different builders and went with the cheapest quote, you might realize that their initial quote didn’t include the eavestrough or they priced the cheapest materials (ie. laminate countertops when you really wanted quartz). Having to deal with additional costs can be extremely stressful, especially if you have to run back to the bank to ask to borrow more money. These types of mistakes will not only be frustrating but will also cost you more money in the long run because it will push your move-in date back even further! 

You can ensure this doesn’t happen to you by settling on a fixed price from the beginning. Look over the builder’s contract in detail so you know that every single aspect is accounted for. Typically, our Fixed Price booklet is 60-80 pages long, depending on the house. Building a custom home is exciting but don’t let your excitement and eagerness to get started with the build cloud your judgment when it comes to cost. 

5. Issues Communicating With the Builder

Not all builders are hands-on. Many look for shortcuts that can save them time and money, ultimately lowering the quality of their work. You might fear that your sink hasn’t been installed properly or come to find that bi-fold closet doors were installed when you wanted swinging doors. Will your builder stick to their word and be open to communicating about what you want in your home? 

Luckily, you can ease your mind by using a software program that will link you to your builder, their trades and vendors. That way, you can always keep an eye on what’s going on during the build and you’ll have everything in one place. If your builder doesn’t want to provide you with access to this information, that should be seen as a red flag. You should always have control over your build and you’ll find builders that are happy to communicate with you throughout the entire process! 

Choose the Right Builder

After taking a look at these 5 common fears of building a custom home, you’ve probably realized how crucial it is to choose the right builder. 
Contegrity Contracting is focused on bringing your dreams to life. They strive to create unmatched relationships with each homeowner to provide them with a custom home they will truly love. Read some of our client’s testimonials and get in touch today to discuss your custom home!