23 Jan Things to Be Aware of Before Building a Custom Home

If you’ve been thinking about building a custom home, this post is a must-read! 

We hear a lot of questions related to custom home builds. 

So, today, we wanted to share some vital information about what a custom home is, what the building process involves, and tidbits of insight that will help make planning this process a whole lot easier! 

When it comes to custom homes, there are essentially two options: 

• 100 percent custom build that starts entirely from scratch 
• A ‘spec’ home that is modified to suit the home buyer’s wants and needs 

Let’s dig a bit deeper into both of these options and look at some pros and cons of each. 

A 100 percent custom home means that the buyer is in charge of finding and purchasing the lot. In many situations, the buyer is also responsible for hiring an architect to design the home and finding a builder to construct the house.

When working with our team, this isn’t the case. Dahl Custom Homes manages the design and construction so that you don’t have to worry about figuring out these, often complex, logistics. 

Pros of Building a Custom Home From Scratch 

• You have total control as far as lot location is concerned. 
• You have complete control of dictating the home’s size, layout, and virtually every element that exists in the house. 
• Your home is designed and built to meet every ‘must-have’ item on your list. 

Cons of Building a Custom Home From Scratch 

• You are responsible for finding and paying for the lot – typically all cash or construction financing. 
• The turnaround time for the design and build process is longer than customizing a ‘spec’ home. 
• Your ‘must-have’ list might be more common than you think, eliminating the need to build a home entirely from scratch. 

Now, let’s talk a bit more about the second option – customizing a ‘spec’ home. Simply put, a ‘spec’ home is when a home builder/home developer purchases the lot and designs and builds the house ‘speculating’ about the potential buyer’s wants and needs and plans and builds the home around those parameters. 

Pros of Building a Spec Home 

• You don’t have to worry about securing and paying for your lot, and there are more traditional financing options available.  
• The turnaround time is much quicker than a 100 percent custom-built home. 
• You can ‘make it your own’ by selecting finishes throughout the home. 

Cons of Building a Spec Home

• You don’t have as much creative say as you would with a 100 percent custom-built home. 
• Your options are limited to the available spec homes. 
• Your dream location may not be available. 

As you can see, there is an equal number of pros and cons for each custom home option. One isn’t better than the other, as it genuinely comes down to your specific needs, wants, and budget. 

The good news is that our team is experienced in supporting clients with both options! 

If you’re still feeling unsure about what option is best for your unique situation, please reach out. Our team is here to help answer any questions you have and will guide you through the process to ensure you feel 100 percent comfortable and confident with the path you choose. 

Again, please reach out if we can assist. We are here to help!