You’re more established in life and have lived in very nice homes over the years, but you’re ready for that remarkable Custom Home that you’ve always dreamed of, your “Forever Home.”
You can see it already: the perfect kitchen, the cozy outdoor space, and the beautiful details that will make it uniquely yours. You’ve probably saved Pinterest pages and many photos along the way that uniquely define your style. But here’s a question that trips up many aspiring homeowners: Who do you call first—the builder or the designer?
Most people think it’s the designer. After all, how can you start building without a design?
Not so fast. Let’s look at Sarah and Josh’s story to see why starting with the builder is the key to success.
Sarah and Josh’s Big Dream
Sarah and Josh had been imagining their perfect home for years. They wanted it all: an open-concept living area for entertaining, a spa-like bathroom, a grand entry, and floor-to-ceiling windows everywhere.
With excitement and a designer on speed dial, they jumped headfirst into the planning process to get all their dreams on paper.
“Let’s add built-in bookshelves here.”
“Can we move the mudroom to this side?”
“Let’s make the primary closet just a little bigger and add an island.”
They spent over 6 months tweaking every inch of the plans and spending a lot of money with the Designer to draw what they wanted. By the end, they had a masterpiece: a home full of custom touches, luxurious upgrades, and everything they’d ever wanted.
Reality Hits
With their completed plans, Sarah and Josh set out to find a builder to bring their vision to life. They couldn’t wait to get started.
And then, the bad news hit. Their dream home was going to cost nearly double what they’d budgeted.
Their designer had given them a rough estimate of the project’s cost. But designers aren’t construction experts—they don’t factor in fluctuating market conditions, material costs, labor expenses, or site-specific challenges. They didn’t do anything maliciously; they just don’t perform costing every day like a builder does.
Sarah and Josh were heartbroken. They’d poured so much time, effort, and money into plans they couldn’t afford to build.
The Right Way to Build a Custom Home
If Sarah and Josh had started with a reputable builder, their story would have ended differently. An experienced custom home builder would have guided them through every step of the process, from understanding their goals, desires, budget, and timeframe. With this information, the reputable Custom Builder would work with the Client and the Designer directly to plan a home that meets all their criteria and, most importantly, is within their budget.
“The Custom Home Builder should be the conduit and leader to establish the team that creates a design that balances their dreams with their financial expectations.”
By involving a builder early:
– Budget Comes First: The builder helps you understand what’s achievable within your budget and can provide realistic cost projections for your ideas.
– Collaborative Design: Builders collaborate with designers to ensure plans that align with your budget, lifestyle, and overall goals.
– Clear Timelines: A builder can provide a realistic construction schedule, helping you stay on track to move into your dream home on time.
– No Surprises: With a builder’s insight, you can avoid unexpected expenses, delays, or compromises that often come from designing without their expertise.
A Success Story
Imagine another couple, Emma and Carlos. Unlike Sarah and Josh, they reached out to a reputable builder before starting the design process. They interviewed the builder, and the builder interviewed them, because to ensure success, there should be a match. When there is a benefit to both parties to work as a team to achieve a successful outcome, the experience is more seamless and enjoyable for all involved.
The builder worked closely with them to prioritize their must-haves while staying within budget. Instead of overspending on extra square footage and features that didn’t benefit their overall vision, they invested in thoughtful, practical upgrades, such as energy-efficient systems and timeless finishes.
By the end of the process, Emma and Carlos moved into their dream home—a home completed on time and on budget that exceeded their expectations in every way. They had a wonderful and fun experience with their builder because it was a team effort. From the first meeting to the final walkthrough, their builder kept their goals in mind and worked to ensure the entire process was smooth and stress-free.
The Takeaway
Starting with a builder is the smart choice and the right choice. A reputable builder brings clarity, expertise, and peace of mind to the custom home-building process, saving you time, money, and heartache.
What We Strive to Do
At Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes, this is precisely what we strive to do every day, and with every client. Everything we do is intentional and in place to ensure success. We aim to guide you through the custom home-building process with expertise, transparency, and dedication throughout a fun, efficient process. From setting a realistic budget to collaborating on a design and ensuring timely, high-quality construction, we’re here to turn your dream home into reality—seamlessly and stress-free.
“Let’s build something extraordinary together.”