5 First Steps in Building a House
Are You Building a Home in Greenville, SC?
We understand how overwhelming it can be to start from scratch when building a home. There are a lot of decisions to be made, from your square footage and style, to the Builder you hire. That is why we have created a 5 Step Process to kick-start building your new home!
1. Determine What You Need From Your Home
It sounds strange at first, but everyone utilizes their home differently. Find what truly matters to you by making a list of priorities, room by room. For some, a large kitchen is essential. Others might prioritize an entertainment or craft room. Then, list the features that would make those rooms fit your lifestyle needs. Whether it is a built-in wet bar for hosting, extra windows for more natural light, or an outdoor space to connect with nature, there are many special features that will make your custom home truly fit your needs.
2. Choose a Square Footage and Architectural Style
To choose your square footage range, revisit the list you made in Step 1. Use the list of rooms (living spaces, bedrooms, bathrooms, and auxiliary spaces) and combine the average square footage of these spaces to get a rough total square footage. Our design team will be happy to assist you in calculating this total accurately later on. Next, consider how many levels you prefer in your home. This will influence the architectural style and rule out some options. In the end however, architectural style will come down to personal taste. Create a collection of images showcasing the styles you are interested in (Pinterest is a great tool for this, or you could even make a physical mood-board). You can narrow down your selections from there, but your floor plan, budget, and the characteristics of your lot will play key roles in shaping the final architectural direction of your home.
3. Know Your Budget and What It Will Get You
It is important to determine your budget, but it is just as important to know what you can achieve with that budget. Take a look at the prices per square foot provided below and use your estimated square footage to identify the Types of Home Builders in your price range.
$100 or less/sq ft. | Prebuilt, Manufactured or Modular Home
$100–$200/sq ft. | Tract Home with Minor Modifications
$200–$300/sq ft. | Semi-Custom Home
$300–$500/sq ft. | Custom Home
$500–$700/sq ft. | Luxury Custom Home
4. Location, Location, Location
Decide your preferred location. Do you see your home in the rural countryside or a developed neighborhood with a pool and HOA? Would you rather be in a new subdivision or an established neighborhood? Once you know the answers to these questions, you will be well-equipped to choose the lot for your dream home.
5. Choose a Contactor
Once you have established your priorities, budget, square footage, architectural style, and land purchase, it is time to find a builder. Here are a few key questions to ask a potential Contractor:
- Are you properly licensed and insured? Know if the builder meets the necessary standards for safety and legality.
- What is your price per square foot? Determine if this builder aligns with your budget.
- Are you a Fully Custom Builder? Ensure the builder offers the level of customization you desire, as many limit finish options.
- Are you Design-Build or do you work with an external Architect and Designer? Ideally, the builder handles everything in-house to minimize miscommunications.
- What does your Process look like? Ensure a clear outline from start to finish, including timelines.
- Are you Fixed-Cost or Cost-Plus? This is crucial for budgeting and avoiding surprises. For more information, read our blog post about Fixed-Cost vs Cost-Plus.
Here's one last tip: When comparing quotes, be cautious about selecting the lowest bid without a detailed plan, specified products, and a guaranteed fixed cost. Ensure a clear scope of work is defined to prevent unexpected costs down the line. At Ferguson Builders, our Professional Services Agreement allows us to create your floor plans, renderings, and detailed specifications at a guaranteed fixed cost for your project. This ensures transparency and agreement on the final build price before you sign the construction contract.