This is probably the question that is most commonly asked but hardest to answer. For a quick response, we will probably give you a price per square foot based on recent trends. If you have a rough design you are looking at, we could spend a few days on it and give you a rough estimate.
To give you the best estimate, you need to have a completed plan and a fair idea of what you are envisioning. It typically takes 3-4 weeks to really review a plan and give a solid estimate. During this time, we are getting numbers from our team of subcontractors and suppliers based on your actual plan. We are also making assumptions about decorating decisions that have not been made yet.
Just be aware that pricing is more fluid these days. Pricing has definitely changed in the Tyler area since pre-Covid. Due to radical swings in prices and supply issues of the last few years, subcontractors and suppliers are more reluctant to set firm pricing for extended time periods.
There are many factors that contribute to the length of time it takes to build a custom home. These factors include: weather, size of the home, details in the home, supply issues, labor availability, etc.
By its very definition, a custom home is one of a kind, which means it will typically take longer compared to a tract home that is being built over and over again.
For a custom house that is between 2000-3500 square feet of living area, you can probably figure 8-11 months for the construction phase. There are always exceptions, but this is probably typical.
There are three primary ways of charging for a job: turn-key, fee-based, or cost-plus. Each has its merits, but the primary way that Christopher Davidson Homes charges is cost-plus.
Cost-plus is where all actual project costs are added up to construct your home, and a pre-determined mark-up is added to the cost. Every house is different. Mark-up percentage is typically based on the location of the project and the complexity of the project.
We have the ability to draw house plans and have done so before. Depending on the complexity of your design and possible time constraints, it’s something we can consider.
We’re also available for plan review during the design process if you are using an outside designer or architect.
The short answer is no.
The long answer is probably one of the main reasons you are considering Christopher Davidson Homes is the workmanship you have seen at one of our homes. We have years of working with many of the subcontractors and suppliers, which makes construction more streamlined. We know what to expect, and they know what we expect. This creates consistency from one project to the next.
If you have a particular subcontractor or supplier you would like to use or not use, please let us know at the very beginning. We’re flexible and want your experience to be a positive one.
When building a custom home, you basically have 4 major things to consider.
Your comfort level with the building process will determine when to select your builder.
If you have had homes built before, then you probably are very familiar with what it takes to build a home. You probably could wait until you have the first three questions from above answered before selecting a builder.
If you have never had a house built before or are just not comfortable with the building process, then selecting a builder to help with answering the first three questions could be beneficial.
Obviously, the experience of the builder is important, as well as the projected cost to build your new home. Even recommendations from people you trust can be helpful.
A major consideration that we believe is not considered deeply enough is the relationship aspect. Building a custom home is a journey. When you think about the time spent from pre-construction all the way through the end of construction, this will be a relationship that will probably last over a year. Make sure the builder you select is somebody you want to do that journey with.
There’s a good chance you will be communicating with your builder on a daily basis. There will be bumps in the road. Setbacks. Stress. You need somebody that you trust and are comfortable communicating with that can help guide you through the process.
A positive bond between homeowner and builder can make all the difference in the type of building experience you enjoy.
This is not uncommon.
We used to tell people to make sure you are getting “apple to apple” pricing. It should probably be more like “honey crisp apple to honey crisp apple” pricing. Most homeowners, when they present a plan to a builder for an estimate, have some idea of what they want their new home to look like, but they don’t know exact details. This is normal. Depending on how a particular builder prices items can show major discrepancies from one estimate to another.
For Example: The homeowner says they want granite countertops but doesn’t specify a particular granite in the kitchen. One builder prices granite that costs $70 per square foot. Another builder prices granite that costs $90 per square foot. Your plan shows you roughly have 80 square feet of countertops. That could reflect a $1600 difference on just one line item. Picture that scenario happening on dozens of line items!
Neither builder has done anything wrong in the above example. This is where communicating with a builder and understanding how they came up with their projections is crucial.
We tend to make assumptions on the middle to high side which makes the estimated price of the home higher. You could say I give you more of a worst-case scenario. Our opinion is giving you a best-case scenario opens you up to disappointment in the long run. It doesn’t give you much flexibility and room to make up financial ground if needed somewhere else in the project.
We prefer to prepare you upfront with possible costs and give you some latitude. That way, we have a better chance to come in under the initial budget. There is an art to pricing a house, and we’re definitely not perfect, but our goal is to minimize financial surprises at the end of the process.
Summary: Understand how they priced your home. The most expensive estimate could end up being the cheapest in reality.
