Building a House

[erikbj]

Last year we built our second house. I would agree with the comment about going out and checking the work on a regular basis, we found a number of mistakes on the framing. We stopped by almost daily.

But you get everything you want (as long as you can afford it). My opinion is findkng the right lot....we found a great one. I would have rather of found a 20 year old house on a great out and spent $100k updating it....if we didn't find our lot.

As for budget, we ended up $100k over our original quote. So be prepared to spend a lot more than what you start off with

 

[cowgirl836]

fairly certain a coworker is building a type that OP is looking at right now. Showed pics of how fast it was going up. The builder is part of Parade of Homes this year so it seems legit. Coworker is a smart person so I assume they did their research.

Two years living in our custom build now and happy with what we got. I will note that the builder promised on time and on budget and other than having to prod the last couple weeks on time, they were right. We did not go over budget. I find the idea of going six figures over budget completely ridiculous. Whomever you go with, first talk to people living in homes they've built. See what they say.

Whatever you do, stop by often and take pictures. We did find a couple mistakes/things we hadn't realized such as us thinking that sunroom doors were in the plan when they were not. We had missed it when finalizing the plan. So you're not only double-checking their work, you're checking your own. We took a ton of pics before drywall went up so we could reference the wiring locations and such down the road.

 

[psychlone99]

Not to hijack the thread, but we're also considering building. My questions at this point relate to shopping for a lot. We expect this to be our forever home, so we want a location that we love.

I'm strongly tempted to start looking now and buy when we find the one, even if we may not build for several years. Thoughts? Recommendations?

 

[cowgirl836]

Not to hijack the thread, but we're also considering building. My questions at this point relate to shopping for a lot. We expect this to be our forever home, so we want a location that we love.

I'm strongly tempted to start looking now and buy when we find the one, even if we may not build for several years. Thoughts? Recommendations?

our lot was owned by the builder we were interested in. We had been interested in the area for a while but thought all the lots were taken. Just by chance we found out they were held but not necessarily taken. So we met with the builder to see if we wanted to work with them. Walk-through of in-progress homes went well and then walking through lots......I knew when we walked through our lot that that was it. We looked at a couple more to be sure, but it was kinda like meeting my spouse and wedding dress, ha. Just knew that was the one.

That seems to be fairly typical in our area that new developments open up and lots are quickly bought and held by the builders. So you may have to sort of simultaneously shop. There was also a restriction in our neighborhood (again, common to ones we looked at) that once you bought a lot, you needed to build within two years. I would start now by going to Parade of Homes or similar events to start getting an idea of the market, builders, and what you like/don't like. Along with regular open houses and showings. Realtors at those events can also give you an idea of where lots may be available. One thing that I think really helped us stay on target $$$$-wise was going into the process knowing exactly what we wanted in a floor plan after seeing enough homes.

 

[dirtyninety]

don't finish the basement. industrial chic.

 

[stevefrench]

Not to hijack the thread, but we're also considering building. My questions at this point relate to shopping for a lot. We expect this to be our forever home, so we want a location that we love.

I'm strongly tempted to start looking now and buy when we find the one, even if we may not build for several years. Thoughts? Recommendations?

Most newer developments, say some new neighborhood in ankeny or west Des Moines, will have a timeline on building on the lot if you just purchase the land now. It will be something like "land must be occupied within 1 year, 2 year, etc. from date of purchase". Get away from the newer hot development areas and you'll have more flexibility with restrictions on how and when you can build on the land you purchase.

Unless we have another housing bust, land will continue to get more expensive. Buy sooner, build when you're ready to if you find somewhere that this is a possibility. Location is the most important thing. Any house can be modified, but location, commute, school district, etc. cannot.

 

[HogueNation]

No experience with model or prefab homes. However, I do have experience with Moulton and Classic Builders. I would steer as far away from them as possible. Heard too many horror stories and unfortunately experienced a couple myself.