Is A Custom Home For You?

March 1999

By Bill Rauser

If you haven’t found your dream home, going the custom-home route may be your answer. Plus, a house that is made-to-order is an easier and more exciting process than you think—and a certain way to maximize quality and choices.

Contrary to popular belief, building a custom home is not something reserved for the rich or famous. With proper planning and a well-selected team, almost anyone can own a custom home, whether modifying existing building plans or starting from scratch with a vision and a dream.

For your convenience, here are some steps to assist you in the most important part of the custom-home process: selection of the right team to work within your parameters to create your dream home.

Step 1: Select your preferred “process.”

For those who choose the “design-build” process, remember that when the builder and architect are one and the same, the designs and creations are limited. The tendency is for the builder/architects to shy away from the more complex designs, leaving you with a product that may not be what you wanted.

For those who choose the “bid” process, the old saying, “you get what you pay for,” often proves to be true. A homeowner will clearly be disappointed with inferior materials and inexperienced project managers.

For those who choose the “team” process, you will work with an architect and an experienced builder. In their joint effort to give you the best, the architect will put your dreams on paper in a creative but “buildable” design, and an experienced builder will welcome the opportunity to build unique designs and contribute ideas to the design process.

Step 2: Research the players and choose.

Whether you are choosing an architect and builder separately, or just a builder, the following factors should be considered: rapport and relationship, reputation and resources, company size and management philosophy, flexibility and warranty.

Rapport & Relationship — Plain and simple, do you like the person you’re interviewing? Is he/she a sales agent or an owner? Do you feel you can establish a productive relationship, rooted in open communication, with the management who will be responsible for your project?

Reputation & Resources — Be sure to evaluate the company or individual’s experience and track record—specifically with custom homes. Years in business are only one indication of a good company. Check the references of homeowners and subcontractors to evaluate professionalism, performance and quality of work. Learn whether the architect and builder stick to a quote or come in way over budget despite no significant changes by the homeowner? Remember, too, an experienced builder has a vast knowledge of materials, resources and buying power that far exceeds that of an inexperienced builder or the do-it-yourselfer.

Company Size & Management Philosophy — Be sure to ask who will be on site to manage your project and the level of his or her experience. Some builders are one-person companies that hire subcontractors on an “as needed” basis. Others are large companies with full-time employees and overhead to cover. And still others are small enough for hands-on management by a company principal, yet large enough to have ongoing relationships with subcontractors and enough full-time staff to ensure the project stays on track.

Flexibility — Remember, this project is your project. Select an architect and a builder who listen to you and who welcome your ideas and questions. Just as important, choose an architect and builder who listen to each other, indicating that both are flexible and confident in each of their areas of expertise. Finally, see if the architect and builder will assist in the selection of your lot to ensure that what you want to build is just right from the very beginning

Warranty — Evaluate the builder’s warranty program. The most confident builders guarantee their own work for life and give you that warranty in writing.

Keep these suggestions in mind during the initial phases of your building process and you’ll find that building a custom home is hardly the nightmare you may have imagined. In fact, your experience will be pleasant and exciting and will result in a dream (home) come true.

Bill Rauser is president of Rauser Professional Contracting. He can be reached at 410-833-3883 or br@rauser.com.

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