Lots can go quickly, but rushing into making a purchase decision can risk making the rest of your custom home building process a headache. Our clients often ask the same question when we start: “How long does it take to build a custom home?” What they often don’t realize is that picking the wrong lot when building custom homes can completely change the process altogether, adding unnecessary time to the overall build and risking the integrity of your dream home. To ensure your custom home building process goes well, you should ask the right questions, work with a team of experts, and take your time picking your lot.
Quick Summary
Getting contractor teams involved earlier can ensure the right questions are being asked.
Luxury custom home builders will often conduct feasibility studies to ensure the lot is the right site for your dream property.
Picking a lot is not a process that should be rushed, but it is just the beginning in answering the question: how long does it take to build a custom home?
Building Custom Homes Starts with the Right Questions
Working with a realtor can be a great place to start when looking to purchase a lot in Bethesda, but ultimately, working with a contractor team that builds custom homes is the best way to guarantee that what you envision for the property is possible. Always start with your needs. What do you want to do with the property?
Questions to Consider
What's the purpose for the site?
Not understanding the intention behind the plot can lead to poor location choice that limits your ability to use the land in the way you need to. As the choice high-end custom home builder, we know there can be many reasons someone chooses to build a home in Bethesda.
From starting a venture to building a custom home right for your family, understanding the reasoning behind the lot will guide key decision making. After over 20 years of experience working on a number of different types of sites, we know it’s important to recognize every purchase has its own unique purpose.
Do you plan on staying at the property full-time, part-time, or not at all?
How much time you plan to spend on the property can change what your needs may be. Full-time families may need to consider school zones and neighborhoods; rental properties you never reside in may be better if located near certain urban centers.
What features of the community will enhance your experience?
Each neighborhood in Bethesda offers something different and unique. We work with you to find a lot that suits your needs, from the proximity to urban centers to the ability to take full advantage of the land.
Once these questions are answered, it shifts the conversation because each reason will have a unique set of zoning, location, and size requirements. Working with a team that’s experienced in custom luxury homes has the added benefit of a feasibility study that ensures your project’s success.
Luxury Custom Builders & Feasibility Studies
Based on what your goals for the property, luxury custom builders often conduct a feasibility study to ensure that the land is the right fit for the home they create for you. A feasibility study is a thorough assessment of a proposed project to determine its likelihood of success. Feasibility studies include the evaluation of local zoning laws, environmental factors, utility access verification, and the overall suitability of the land for its intended purposes. This process can save a lot of headaches in the future, expediting how long it does take to build a custom home.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Custom Home: Plot Picking
We always encourage clients to take their time during this stage. Choosing and buying the right lot generally can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to finalize. The variability depends on the availability, budget, and the type of property you want.
Once the land has been selected and bought, it’s time to design the home. Designing a home can take two to eight weeks. While production builders offer pre designed plans that can shorten this stage, high-end custom builders often take longer because architects create a home from scratch.
Layout planning
Room sizes
Exterior style
Structural considerations
Electrical and plumbing plans
Ready to learn more about this stage? Click this link for an overview of the entire custom home building process.
Conclusion
While it can be tempting to rush into a good deal or that “perfect” spot, picking the right plot is instrumental in laying a good foundation for the rest of the home building process, and working with the right luxury home builders can dramatically improve how long it does take to build a custom home.
Your team should know how important it is to build a custom is to you. Ready to learn more about the custom home building process? Reach out to our luxury custom home builders and start the process of building your dream home today.
