Should You Custom Build Your Home?

Once you’ve found builders you’re interested in, ask them for referrals from previous customers. Often, they’ll refer you to the testimonials on the website, but ask to be put in direct contact with the customers so you can ask specific questions.

Be very careful if you decide to do the work yourself, says Hector Seda, vice president of operations for Wilson Seda Builders in Pompton Lakes, NJ. “Have some sort of background or have someone guide you in the process,” he says. “Don’t go into it blind or it might end up costing you more in the long run.”

If you want to build a home but custom building isn’t an option, consider semi-custom. “You can choose an already made spec plan and modify it to fit your needs,” says Stenger. “You might like a home that was done before and can start from there.”

For example, say you like the plans for a Victorian house, but it has only three bedrooms and one bathroom, which is too small for your growing family. You can modify the plans with an architect, who can add another bedroom and half-bath. The same can be done for almost any modification you want to make, including adding windows or a porch or moving the kitchen to the other side of the room. Too many changes, however, and it might be better to create a custom home plan with your builder instead.

Above all, says Vendervort, once you make the decision to custom build a home, “you really will know you’re putting together the house that meets your family’s needs and lifestyle every way you want it to.”