Tips for Building Your New Home: Advice from the Pros – Pt. 1

Thanks to modern building practices and a slew of near endless options on the market, a prospective homebuyer’s ability to create the home of their dreams is more attainable than ever. From tile to drawer pulls, paint colors to fixtures and everything in between, builders today make it possible to design a home that fits you and your family like no other. With places like Copperleaf Community, finding the right place to build is a no-brainer. Just get started with a builder and the community will be here waiting with family-friendly recreation, thoughtful designs to keep your family safe and resources for your building journey.

Who better than a builder to explain some of the insider concepts of building a home from scratch? Prospective Copperleaf families are lucky enough to work with three highly respected homebuilders – Richmond American Homes, Lennar Homes and DR Horton Homes – who create the dream homes our community is made up of.

We spoke with these experts to get the inside scoop on some of the lesser-known thoughts when building your own home.

What questions should a new homebuyer ALWAYS ask their homebuilder?

Our experts say that asking a builder about their experience is really important. Find out how long a builder has been in the business of creating homes. Ask them to make the case for choosing them: this is, after all, a big decision! And show you’re serious by asking for an explanation of what, exactly, goes into the base price of a home. If you’re stumped on where to begin, start with questions regarding warranties covering structural, interior and exterior areas of the home.

What are some red flags to keep an eye out for?

Similar to asking about a builder’s experience, keep a keen eye and ear out for information about a builder’s reputation. If they have countless customers singing their praises after decades in the industry, that’s a great sign. If you hear grumbling and dissatisfaction, or worse, if there is bad press or negative reviews of the builder available online, take note.

Can I keep an eye on things as the home progresses?

Our builders welcome you to stop by the home site and to see how things are going. Sometimes, these visits can alert builders or homebuyers to potential issues that may arise down the line, or unexpected challenges that must be tackled. Just remember to wear a hard hat and always check with your builder first. There may be some circumstances or stages in the building process where it is not safe for you to enter.

What’s the biggest mistake first-time homebuyers often make when building a home?

The number one mistake is compromising when it comes to your builder. If you compromise on a builder then you are almost always compromising on quality. When it comes to your first home, and especially if you’re building from scratch, the importance of being guided by a professional cannot be overstated, our experts say. By asking the questions listed above, finding a reputable builder with a good track record, and ensuring they keep you informed every step of the way. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and continue asking them throughout the entire process!

What are builder incentives?

Builders will sometimes offer incentives throughout various stages of the building timeline. These incentives can include landscaping, money towards upgrades (like stainless steel appliances or stone countertops) or even additional square footage such as an added sunroom. It’s always a good idea to ask if there are any incentives available and take advantage of them as they come along. These incentives are great because you would not typically be offered them in a resale home.

In Part 2, we’ll look at the more logistical aspects of building a home from the ground up, including the types of features to request, what may not be worth the money (depending on your needs), and how customized you can get with your future home.