Building A Custom Home
The Process from Start to Finish
by Marla J. Ottenstein

   For some, the thought of building a luxury custom home can be overwhelming, but by hiring the right builder, everything falls into place. Building a sound foundation based on trust is the most important piece of the puzzle. The other pieces automatically fall into place when the general protocol described below is followed.
   With a plethora of decision points along the way, each step in the schedule is a ‘milestone’ in the building process and an important point of communication between the builder and client. It’s imperative to communicate throughout the process to make suret here are no surprises.
   The big distinction between building a luxury custom home and an expensive, yet production orientated home is the sophistication and complexity of the selection process,” says Al Sanchez, president of Gibraltar Homes of Sarasota. “The key is to have proper documentation of all of the buyer’s selections before building the home.
   “When building a custom home, the client has hundreds of decisions to make, therefore, we have several pre-construction meetings between the buyer, architect, builder and project superintendent and interior designer to make sure that the actual selections match what the client wants,” says Sanchez. “Room-by-room, we discuss the selections and document everything in writing. All of our sub-contractors are also required to review the scope of work with the superintendent prior to commencement.
   “We advise our clients to try and make all their selections and customization pre-construc-tion. Once the construction process begins, every change could potentially create a problem, and just like the domino effect, one change effects another and so on,” says Sanchez.
   First things first – choose a reputable builder who is qualified to handle the complexity of building a luxury home! Everything else pivots around this decision. Make sure you trust the builder 100 percent and that there’s chemistry from the start!
   The builder needs to be involved from day one. Hiring the builder before the architect is easier and more economical for the simple reason that the builder has lots of experience and technical insight into the building process. Don’t put the cart ahead of the horse.
   Choosing an architect who can translate the client’s visions into reality is the next critical step. Just as each project is different, and different builders fit with different clients, the same goes for choosing an architect, landscape designer, pool and hardscape designer and interior designer.
   “Once we’ve established the relationship with the customer, we obtain as much information about size, style, budget, likes and dislikes as possible,” says Steve Murray, vice president of Murray Homes of Sarasota. “We build an impression of the type of home the client wants by putting together an actual portfolio of photographs, magazine advertisements and pictures and ideas that the client gives us. Then we give the client a list of two or three architects to choose from that we feel would be the right talent and personality fit.”
   Once the players are in place, it’s time for the first meeting between the client, builder and architect to establish the premise for the home and the initial budget. “Preliminary drawings” of the floor plan are drawn up with the size and flow of the home designed in correlation to the client’s needs. These hand-drawn drawings go through several revisions before being made into architectural Computer Aided Design & Drafting (CADD) drawings.
   The next milestone is for the builder, architect, client and interior designer to layout the standard furniture pieces onto the CADD-generated floor plan taking into account furnishings for particular rooms, varying proportions of furniture in relation to the room and any existing pieces the client wants incorporated into their home. Based on the furniture layout, adjustments – expanding or adding space – are made to the original CADD drawings.
   Subsequently, the revised CADD drawings go to the “60 percent” phase detailing the exterior elevations, roof design and window placement. The builder now plans the roof truss lines and the landscape, pool and hardscape designers are brought-in.
   At the 60 percent stage, a preliminary take-off of the hard surfaces – carpet, stone, wood and tile – is planned in order to make slab projections. At this stage, based on the projected square footage for windows and doors and flooring selections, the builder breaks down all the numbers and is able to prepare a more definitive budget. The fee structure for 90 percent of custom homes is based on “cost plus builder’s fees.” This way, the client sees updated invoices on a monthly basis and is always in the loop when the budget is adjusted.
   After the take-offs are done, interior architectural detailing and structural planning, such as niches, ceiling details, floor tile diagrams, columns, kitchen and bath plans, built-ins, HVAC, electrical and plumbing…etc., are planned. If the client is using an interior designer, now’s the time that they get involved.
   After the truss detailing and take-off drawings are done, it’s time for the architect to generate what are known as “100 percent” drawings. These drawings are essential for the structural engineer, HVAC, electrical and plumbing subcontractors and land survey team to work off of to complete the structural planning for the home and to certify the plans for permitting.
   If the home is being built in a private community, the builder will get the exterior elevations and materials approved by the community architectural review board before obtaining county and state permits.
   People often cringe when they hear the word “permitting,” but it’s a breeze for the builder who is meticulously prepared and organized. The more complete the drawings – structural, HVAC, roof truss, driveway curve cuts, pool and fence, to name a few – the easier the permitting process. Manufacturer’s data, including: window and door specs, paint colors, roof tiles and hurricane compliance plans, should also be included in the packet, as well as the builder’s notice of commencement.
   With permits signed and ready to go, it’s time to start placing orders, finalize construction schedules and build a house! For the next 12-months, with hundreds of different activities involved, the client can choose to what degree to be involved or not.What is important is that the builder has a pulse on the entire project and that the company oversees every step of the construction progression.
   Different environments present different challenges. In Florida, it is imperative that the builder be proactive and knowledgeable about mold and water infiltration and what to do to prevent them.
   The house is built – but before it becomes a home, there are a series of extensive quality checks and assurances to ensure that everything is operational and that all the pieces of the puzzle fit together perfectly.
   At Murray Homes, a third party inspection service is involved throughout construction.The same company handles the post-construction warranty service. “It’s our way of making sure our team is doing the job we’ve hired them to do, as well as making sure our homeowners are happy during and after the homebuilding experience,” says Murray. “After the home is completed, the third party provides fast and efficient customer and warranty service that upholds our high standards of excellence.”
   “Warranty service is the perfect arena for reinforcing a builder’s commitment to his customers,” says Sanchez. “We want to make our customers happy – no matter what it takes! If there’s something we can fix on the spot, consider it done; if it’s a warranty issue, we help make the calls to the appropriate subcontractors or appliance companies to have the problem solved. In fact, we offer a two-year service, which blankets many one-year appliance warranties during the second year.”
   Building a luxury custom home doesn’t end after the client takes their final walk-through. Luxury custom homebuilders all agree that customer service and care is the key to building a long lasting, trusting relationship with their homeowners. A satisfied and happy homeowner is their best asset. ”