Architectural Designs

Is it that much trouble to build a home from scratch?

I am in the market for a new home but can't find a ready-made house that has everything I am looking for. Having a house built from scratch is really the only way to have all my specifications met, but friends and family who have had their houses built in the past all talk about how horrible their experiences were (mainly with the builders). Is it really that bad? Also, is it significantly more expensive to build a custom-designed home than a regular cookie-cutter one?

Public Comments

1. I can't say about the whole house, but we had a large addition put on ours. It was a pain in the butt. Back and forth with the builder and the architect, getting all the paperwork done correctly. If there is a change from the original work, a new work order has to be drawn up. It was worth it in the end, but there is a lot of decision making, planning and setbacks (time, money, etc.). Guess it depends on how bad you want the custom home vs. buying one and fixing it up the way you want. Can't say for sure about the money, but my guess would be that anything with the word "custom" in it is more expensive. Good luck!
2. There are some real clowns out there building homes. I have worked with quite a few myself and I'll bet the homebuyers were MORE than frustrated on a few occassions. I believe the single most important part of this is picking the right construction company. This may or may not be the one with the best smile or the cleanest truck, or the nicest showroom! Check at least 10 references from the last couple of years - preferrably the last 10 houses they have built - NOT their list of preferred customers who will give them a glowing recommendation. You want to find out how the company is at scheduling, staying on budget, overcoming unforseen obstacles, planning, and workmanship. It is definitely more expensive to custom build a home from scratch because it requires more talent and work. In order to get the home that is right for you - it may be worth it. Another good idea would be to check with the better business bureau, and the local courts to see if the construction company has been sued and how they handled the situation if they were. Good Luck!
3. It can be a huge hassle and cost you much more then its worth. A design/build firm might help. Because they are both the designer and builder, you have less problems.
4. i build houses, and i'm building one right now in south carolina. for me its much better to build than to buy. one is that its new. two i know every board and nail in the house. three , by doing it myself, im not giving a contractor a wheel barrow full of profit. to me the hardest part is the red tape of permitting and mother may i. i sleep better at night knowing that im not saddled with someone else's problems and headaches. plus the fact that i designed the house the way i like. you could try owner builder, and hire people to do the work and cut out the middle man .
5. Yes, Absolutely, A Full Time Job! Many first timers have a vision of huge savings but end up spending more to to errors, inexperience and poor planning. It is a huge pain in the rear.
6. A custom built house can be significantly more expensive than a cookie-cutter one. BUT You might be able to keep the costs under control if you require the contractor to leave the interior unfinished and finish it yourself ( if you're handy, that is) Things like plumbing and electrical have to be done by professionals under most building codes, but any idiot can nail up drywall and finish and paint it. Same with things like flooring. It depends how important money is and whether you're willing to put up with the mess for several years while you finish what the contractors could do in several weeks.
7. Its more expensive to get your own custom made house built depending on what you what. Unless you have LOTS of money and can pay the price the builders want you to pay then you can forget it. If the builder know you are limited on money then they are not going to build the house exactly the way you want it unless you are Oprah or Bill Gates then any builder will meet your needs.
8. Presently it costs more to build then buy one already done. A LOT MORE.