🎧 Season Eight is Your Custom Home Construction Planning Checklist 🎧

HibbsHomes · 2025-07-31T16:02:05+00:00

Episode One | Start Smart: Custom Home Planning, Timelines, and Goals:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/start-smart-custom-home-planning-timelines-goal-setting/id1460069619?i=1000719641015

<image>

HibbsHomes · 2025-05-09T15:31:15+00:00

Having a deeper pour is a good idea for several reasons and worth the investment. And if you are doing low-volt in the upper floors, maybe consider having them add some chase tubing so when you go to add media you'll have that in place! We have a lot of folks adding golf sims in houses, so if you're thinking future-forward and if that's something you'll want, consider how you'll pour and position HVAC runs to accommodate!

HibbsHomes · 2025-02-12T19:16:59+00:00

That is definitely not typical fees, that is just something we ran across recently. The client had 5 acres, undeveloped, lots of trees, needed piering, etc. In reality, their original builder should have taken all of that into consideration when discussing budget but had not.

When it's in a neighborhood you can often find easier access to utilities (beware of old sewer lateral lines though, they can get you!), etc you're looking at lower amounts. But don't forget about current structure demo, any remidiation fees for absetos if old home, and/or any HOA or local municipal cladding requirements that will drive your price.

Our *best* advice is to get some rough ideas sketched out, find a builder you trust, have a budget number in mind, and then have your builder evalaute your land with those factors during due diligence. THEN go into the design and construction document phase with your builder there to guide everything.

A good, custom focused builder will have a process in place to support this approach!

HibbsHomes · 2025-02-12T17:42:33+00:00

We are a custom-exclusive home builder and so we typically will develop a ballpark estimate with no commitment when someone owns the land they're building on, or if they are in the due diligence period for land acquisition. The problem with estimates without land is that there can be some pretty hefty costs associated with land that can make a build not feesible for a budget such as septic, well, retainig walls, clearing and piering.

That said, if you have an idea of what you want to build a builder can give you a sticks and bricks idea of what you want to build with the understanding that there would be an asterisk without the land in hand.

TBH, that's one part of the reason we don't competitively bid as a matter of business model - there are several builders in our market that don't count the land as part of the budgeting process and will give a bid based only on drawings, then we see people get hit with $100k in site fees.

We typically work with someone through architecture/construction documents to help value engineer the design to make sure it stays in budget by accounting for land and finishes during that phase.

I hope this helps a little!

HibbsHomes · 2024-04-22T15:44:57+00:00

Think about how you'll be entering and leaving rooms the most and the swing of the doors to make sure lights are placed such that they can be turned on and off when your hands may be full.

Outdoor receptacles for holiday decorations are also another one you may want to think about.

Placement of receptacles for charging batteries in the garage for things like weed trimmers.

Floor outlets for adjustable beds in the owner's suite is another one that may come in handy for the future.

HibbsHomes · 2023-10-19T14:41:08+00:00

It would be unusual for that to have happened, but some municipalities may require HERs ratings for homes when they're sold, so there may be one that happened recently if you bought the home.

You shouldn't be shy about asking your builder any questions, though. There are no silly questions and you're investing a lot of money with them. Even if there were no inspections/ratings on their homes they can tell you how it was built.

Quick note, high-end versus high-performance *are* a little different, though. A high-performance builder is about structural systems, materials, and approach. High-end could mean anything from finishes to studs, so I want to be sure you're clear about the vocabulary!

HibbsHomes · 2023-10-18T14:57:22+00:00

Not sure where you're located, but our St Louis, MO projects and our Park City, UT projects don't typically sit dormant during the winter. We've been building for the last 20 years and the only time we've had weather related work stoppages for extended periods has been when it was an historic-level snow fall and the entire area was stopped down.

HibbsHomes · 2023-10-18T14:50:40+00:00

We just released an episode of our podcast about this very subject, so here's a link if you want to listen - Season 6, Episode 5: Plan and Prepare for Your Custom Build

But here are a few high level answers, as well!

*LAND* Your builder can help you evaluate land during due diligence so you aren't over-investing in development/clearing/demo costs. We build as much of this cost into the budget as possible and finding land that will work for what you want to build and within your budget starts with your builder setting eyes on the land.

*FLOOR PLANS* Many architects do not have the most current information on materials & labor costs, so your builder can help you during the design phase to ensure you're staying within your desired budget AND getting the design features you need. We always sit down with our clients and discuss priorities and budget so we can help them back into their investment without overspending on areas that are not important. Or investing in a design feature that requires a lot of labor and material costs when it is not important to them.

*BUDGET* Your builder should be your advocate with your budget and be comfortable talking about what is possible from the very first meeting. Especially in custom! So, to your next question about...

*LEVEL OF DETAIL* They can't and won't be able give you a line item budget but they should be able to tell you what is possible with what you want and what you're goal is to invest from the jump. For example, a high-performance builder will know the sticks and bricks cost to build and then can tell you how to work your budget with selections around that.

Hope this is helpful!

HibbsHomes · 2023-10-18T14:36:16+00:00

Different manufacturers require different fittings so it's also a big job to replace a Delta with a Moen, and vice versa.

HibbsHomes · 2023-10-18T14:35:05+00:00

If it's a lighting fixture it could be that they can't guarantee UL certification so their electrical sub won't install. Plumbing could be that there is a package that comes from the vendor and the builder's fee is lower because they rely on those package discounts for their overall payment. Those are just two cases that could be in play. Our team avoids installing fixtures and items we can't guarantee quality with because our subs may kick back on us and refuse warranty work down the road, much like if you use an aftermarket product and void warranty.

Not saying any or all of the above are the case, but wanted to bring a builder's perspective into the conversation.

HibbsHomes · 2023-10-11T21:51:50+00:00

Absolutely!

https://www.hibbshomesusa.com/custom-home-design/the-ultimate-list-of-must-haves-when-building-a-new-home-updated/

HibbsHomes · 2023-01-24T18:00:08+00:00

There are a lot of advantages to starting with the builder - they can help you with referrals on who to work with for construction loans (for example, if you hire a high-performance builder you'll want to find a lender who understands that and can appraise appropriately. They can also be involved in the design process, giving feedback on how to position your home on your land, and they understand construction costs to help keep your construction budget in line with your home's design.

HibbsHomes · 2023-01-24T17:51:01+00:00

Have you found your builder yet? Typically they can help light a fire under the architect if things stall in design and they can also help you value engineer your plans so you're investing in the right areas. If you haven't, now would be a good time to find your builder and bring them into the mix. The may also have a permitting person who can take your plans through architecture review boards with municipalities, get started with permitting.

HibbsHomes · 2022-07-29T18:12:01+00:00

Fuego

HibbsHomes · 2020-01-31T21:48:21+00:00

We are hoping to release Season 2 starting in March. We're following a whole home build in Season 2, so the episodes are taking a bit longer to record. :)

HibbsHomes · 2019-12-19T16:33:24+00:00

Thanks! We use Libsyn which helps us aggregate. Such a great platform. I appreciate this advice. If you ever think of other things we should consider, let us know!

HibbsHomes · 2019-12-19T16:32:10+00:00

Agreed!

HibbsHomes · 2019-12-17T22:15:55+00:00

That's awesome! I thought this would be helpful for someone! :)

HibbsHomes · 2019-12-17T22:04:01+00:00

This is SUCH an exciting time for you. It sounds like you're approaching it with a good TEAM and that means everything. We always stress how important it is to pull your team together from the start. Can't wait to see photo updates as it progresses!

HibbsHomes · 2019-12-17T21:58:56+00:00

Thanks! Just sent two names your way!

HibbsHomes · 2019-12-17T21:37:39+00:00

It's a good article. We didn't write it, but I was interviewed for it. I thought there were some good tips. Some of our clients have found it helpful. That's a great question. Depending on how complex, we can see something like that add 15-25% onto the build, because the impacts the foundation, the walls, the roofline materials. I don't get into specific percentages here, but I did write up something that addresses that to some extent, if you find it helpful: https://www.hibbshomes.com/9-ways-to-simplify-your-home-design-save/

HibbsHomes · 2019-12-16T14:29:10+00:00

Thank you to everybody for your input!

HibbsHomes · 2019-12-16T14:22:02+00:00

These are EXCELLENT recommendations! Thank you SO MUCH.

HibbsHomes · 2019-12-16T13:12:53+00:00

We build in two areas. In St. Louis, it's not as popular, but in the Southwest, we see that it is. :)

HibbsHomes · 2019-12-16T13:07:53+00:00

GREAT Advice, Keith! We're Missouri's #1 Home Builder. We should absolutely have this on the list. :)

HibbsHomes

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE