Building a custom home is a massive undertaking. Whether it’s your first new build or you’ve been through the process in the past, creating a home from scratch is intimidating. As a home builder in the Twin Cities metro since 1989, we specialize in helping homeowners navigate the ins and outs of construction. Read on below for an overview of the first steps of building a custom home, from vision to blueprint!
Cast a Vision
Before doing anything else, your job as the homeowner is to cast your vision. Research, browse Houzz, visit home tours, make Pinterest mood boards – dream big! To help discover your style and needs, ask yourself questions like:
- What design am I drawn to?
- Which spaces make me comfortable?
- How would I describe my style?
- What features would ease my lifestyle?
- Where do I want to live?
- Is this my forever home?
- What is my budget?
Finances First
First things first, before you meet with anyone, it’s essential to get your finances in order. Setting a budget you feel comfortable with is the keystone to every decision – it determines the scope of our options. Whether you’re selling a home first or securing a loan, you’ll need to get your ducks in a row prior to making any other plans.
Builder Selection
Once you’ve secured financing and established your budget, it’s time to find your team! Selecting the right contractor for you and your project is the most crucial decision you make. When weighing your choices, we recommend asking yourself the following questions:
- How long has the contractor been in business?
- What’s their reputation with former customers?
- How do they approach working with subcontractors?
- Who will guide us during planning and selections?
- Who will be responsible for project management?
At Andrus Built, our team is experienced in the ups and downs of construction. Big or small, every single project is monitored by our owner, Doug Andrus. Before starting the company, Doug worked as a framing carpenter, roofer, and sheet metal installer – he’s done it all!
When considering potential subcontractors, we employ the utmost care. Many of these partnerships are long-term collaborations with people we respect. Aside from their superior skills, each subcontractor brings attention to detail and a shared goal of making each customer’s experience as pleasant as possible.
Time to Meet
After you’ve found ‘the one’, it’s time to meet in person. During this initial meeting, we’ll get a feel for each other and discuss your custom home vision. We’ll also talk about your design style, must-haves, lifestyle needs, budget scope, and timeline. Lastly, our team provides an overview of the overall home-building process and our specific service expertise.
The Blueprint
We’ve met and decided that working together is the right path; now it’s our turn to take the reins! Our task is to take your vision, needs, and input, and combine them all to create your dream home. We’ll sketch out thorough plans and then walk you through the blueprint. The last step? Getting your approval and signing on the dotted line to make it official!
What’s Next?
Ready to get the ball rolling on your dream home? Connect with Doug to start making plans – he’d love to talk!