As part of our discussions with prospective clients and those that become customers of Balsitis Contracting, we get a number of questions on a regular basis. With that in mind, we’ve put together some of the questions we receive most often and share responses to assist you in planning to build a new home.
If looking to build a house and if funding is in place, what should be done first?
The first step is to find a lot. At Balsitis, we can assist you in this endeavor, as we know the area, the realtors, and developers, plus have a general pulse on what is available.
When buying land, what should you look for if you want to build on the parcel?
It is necessary to confirm the zoning use that is needed before purchasing. It is also important to plan ahead for costs often overlooked, such as well and septic, connecting to city utilities, driveway, and landscaping to name a few.
What is the typical process for building a new home?
We encourage people to build their team first, starting with finding a builder they like. The selected builder should be able to help find a lot and an architect suited to your goals. You may also want to consider hiring an interior designer and a landscape designer. At Balsitis, we assist in those aspects of the process as well.
What advice do you have for finding the right team to build a home?
We suggest hiring the builder first. Too many times, we are approached by a potential client that has drawings and wants the project “bid out” only to find the initial budget is significantly less than the actual cost. If we’re involved from the beginning, we can help guide the process starting with a review of the schematic design to give the client an idea of the budget. That way, design revisions can be made early without the owner falling in love with a home design only to find they need to eliminate their favorite parts in order to reduce the project scope.
What advice do you have for choosing the right new home design and layout?
There are many influences on a home design, starting with the lot and lot orientation to streets, views, and landscape conditions, like trees and slope. The next step is to establish scope (size), complexity, and finishes. Homes with many angles or corners, curves, and an abundance of windows leads to complex structural issues, which typically adds to cost. Homes with high ceilings (over 9’), oversized doors and windows, and expensive interior details (finishes) will raise the square footage cost exponentially.
Is it worth using an interior designer to assist in choosing fixtures and finishes for a new home?
At Balsitis, we offer a hybrid system. We can definitely work with the client’s interior designer or if the clients are good decision makers and know what they want, we have expert Selections Coordinators that can guide the owner through the process. Coordinating this activity in-house makes the transition from selections to ordering and installation much smoother, whether an interior designer is used or not.
What are some challenges with building a new home that most people don’t think about?
The fear that you can’t control the budget. Too often, the owner thinks they are at the mercy of the builder and when prices come in too high, they believe the solution is to go to a different builder. When in fact they have only put the cart before the horse. We avoid this by having an in-depth conversation, establishing the “program,” and then communicating the program to the architect. The architect will be very happy they are getting accurate information in order to take the design to completion and keep it within the budget. Also don’t be afraid to request revisions with the architect and ask for ways of “Value Engineering” the structure and mechanicals.
Are there any advantages to building vs. purchasing a home and renovating?
Starting with a clean slate has its advantages, like limitless design possibilities and the ability to bring in different building and mechanical technologies. Advantages to renovating could be lower cost, comfort level with the area (schools, friends, local businesses, etc.), mature landscaping, and keeping the things you like best about your home’s character.
How long does it typically take to build a new home?
A sliding scale would need to be used based on scope, fit, and finish. However, a 2,500 square foot home and under can typically be completed in seven to nine months with proper planning. A 7,500 square foot home and up would likely take 12 to 30 months.
What is the average cost of building a new home?
You could expect to see a cost range from $250 to $450 and up per square foot based on goals, scope, complexity, and finishes. We always ask our clients on a scale from 1-10 what level of “finishes” they are looking to use? It’s a quick and easy way to identify from the owner’s perspective. Finally it is important to keep in mind that costs are controllable. Avoiding surprising costs takes proper planning and collaboration up front with the builder and architect, which are key to a successful project.