Preparing for the Semi-Custom Home Building Process

If the thought of building a fully custom home feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Though the end result of a one-of-a-kind home has its allure, it may be that the pressure of starting from scratch—having to make every design decision—requires more bandwidth than you have to offer. Fear not! Opting to go the semi-custom route presents the perfect balance between full-on customization and a cookie-cutter tract home, and rest assured that Sheffield provides the same quality craftsmanship for both custom and semi-custom home building.

The construction process, however, begins long before the excavator shows up on the lot ready to move dirt. Trust Sheffield to make sure that every step of your semi-custom build process is met with precision and expertise.

Start with the Location

Sheffield Homes understand the importance of location when it comes to building a home. We take into account the natural contours of the land, views, and potential for natural light when recommending the types of homes best suited for a particular lot. Our team has extensive experience in land development and can help you maximize the potential of your building lot.

We use our professional insight to visualize what could be built on the land and discuss ideas that will make the most out of its features. Our goal is to reduce land development costs while ensuring that your future home is perfectly suited to its location. We strive to create a home that fits seamlessly into its environment and takes advantage of all that nature has to offer.

Find a Home Builder

Finding the right home builder can be a daunting task. Ask for recommendations from friends and family, and research customer reviews, warranty policies, and service guarantees. Narrow down contenders by determining factors such as design styles, neighborhoods, and locations. Once you have identified a home builder, research their neighborhoods, build times, fees, floor plans, and financing options. Meet with the builder to discuss your semi-custom project, asking questions about the process and any additional costs that may be incurred. Outline your home’s must-haves to help narrow down available floorplan options, keeping in mind features that can or cannot be customized.

Schedule an Initial Meeting

The first meeting with a home builder is an important step in the process of building a custom home. During this meeting, establish the desired styles and customizations for the home build. This includes discussing foundation types, interior and exterior finishes, and extras and upgrades that may be desired. It is also helpful to refer to a list of home necessities to help answer questions about size, design, and budget needs.

Come to the meeting prepared. The home builder will need to know your budget, desired home size/ liveable square footage in order to provide accurate estimates for the project. Researching these questions ahead of time can help ensure that all necessary information is discussed during the initial meeting so that progress can be made quickly and efficiently towards building your home.

Request an Estimate

Many factors influence the construction estimate. Interior and exterior costs, as well as any upgrades or changes that may be desired, all contribute to the estimated cost of the project. Sheffield Homes’ fixed-price contracts help ensure that no unexpected over-budget costs will arise during the construction process unless approved changes are made by you—the buyer. If changes are made to the design plan after construction has begun, this can affect the price of the build. Be sure to consider all aspects of a semi-custom build before signing a contract in order to help avoid surprises during construction.

Determine Financing

When it comes to financing a semi-custom build, there are two main types of loans available: construction-to-permanent and construction-only. Construction-to-permanent loans require a 20% down payment and closing costs are paid once. On the other hand, construction-only loans cover the full cost of construction upfront, with closing costs paid a second time when the loan becomes a mortgage. Define your budget and know the amount for which you can qualify in order to plan for your semi-custom build. A contract from your builder that includes floorplans, a declared budget, and a 20% down payment of the final project cost are needed to get approved for construction loans.

Layout the Timeline

Pre-construction planning is an important part of any construction project. It takes time and careful consideration to ensure that the project will be successful. We understand this and are available to help every step of the way. Our associates can help you plan out your timeline for pre-construction, which typically takes 1-3 months. This includes finalizing architectural plans, obtaining permits, selecting materials, and making sure all necessary paperwork is in order.

Once pre-construction is complete, it’s time to begin the actual construction process. Depending upon the size and scope of the project, this can take anywhere from 6 months or more. During this time, our associates are still available to answer questions or provide guidance if needed. We strive to make sure that each project runs as smoothly as possible so that you can enjoy your new space sooner rather than later!

With nearly 50 years of experience in residential construction, Sheffield Homes has the knowledge, expertise, and established trade relationships to build your forever home. We have systems in place to keep your project running smoothly, and will communicate with you through our online project management system, CoConstruct, where you can also track the progress of your project. Call us today to schedule a consultation appointment:  303-420-0056.