Build & Design
Custom Homes
Begin with the parcel. Everything else depends on what it can support.
Sequence
- Parcel due diligence.
- Design and engineering.
- Budget with contingency.
- Permits with the correct authority.
- Construction and inspections.
Budget honestly
Site costs — clearing, grading, utilities, driveway — vary widely. Hold a contingency.
Choosing the team
Most custom homes involve a designer or architect, a licensed general contractor and engineers for structure and site. Verify the builder's North Carolina license, ask for references from completed homes, and compare proposals on the same scope — allowances for finishes are where bids most often diverge.
Agree in writing how changes are priced and approved during construction. Change orders are the most common source of budget drift.
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