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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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