OUR BUILDING PROCESS
At Blue Green, we take listening seriously.
The Right Way to Start Building Your Custom Home
It’s important not to fall in love with the “perfect house plan” only to discover later that you can’t afford it. The key is to avoid putting the cart before the horse.
Start by finding a builder you trust. Share what kind of home you want to build and where. From there, your builder can give you a ballpark estimate of what that type of home typically costs. Once you understand your realistic budget, you can then find a suitable lot and move forward with confidence.
A Step-by-Step Guide to the Custom Home Process
1. DEFINE WHAT YOU WANT AND WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD
Share your vision for your new home—what you’re looking for, your priorities, and your must-haves. Work with your builder to determine a realistic budget and the appropriate size of your home. This is not a step you should do on your own; your builder’s experience is essential here.
2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOCATION
Find and secure a lot or property that fits your goals.
This may be:
• A cleared, ready-to-build lot
• A lot that needs clearing and development
• A property with an existing home that will be removed
• Or a property where you may keep the existing home and add onto it
Consult your builder before purchasing a lot so they can help you avoid costly surprises.
3. SELECT OR DESIGN A HOUSE PLAN
You can work with a design professional such as:
• Your general contractor
• An architect
• A home designer
You may also find a suitable plan online. Your builder should review any plan with you to ensure it works well with your lot, budget, and local requirements.
4. RECEIVE YOUR FINAL ESTIMATE
Early in the process, you’ll receive a ballpark estimate to guide your decisions. Once your house plans are finalized, your builder will provide a more detailed and accurate estimate.
This is not a fixed price, but it should be a careful and honest attempt to reflect the real cost of building your home. While it may not be exact, it should be within close range of the final total.
5. SIGN THE CONTRACT TO BUILD
With finalized plans and a detailed estimate, you’re ready to move forward with a construction contract.
Typically, you should expect to provide a deposit of 15–20% of the estimated project cost to begin work. This deposit serves as working capital for your project and will be applied toward your final draw. All project funds are kept separate from other jobs.
6. BEGIN CONSTRUCTION
The building process starts with a preconstruction phase lasting approximately 2–3 months. This may include:
• Engineering
• Permitting
• Site development
• Utility coordination
If you’ve already completed some of this work under a preconstruction agreement, you may be able to start sooner.
Once construction begins:
• Smaller and midsize homes typically take 8–9 months
• Larger or more complex homes may take 10–11 months
7. FINISHING TOUCHES
The final month includes:
• Punch list completion
• Final inspections
• Final draw
This is when your home is prepared for move-in and all final details are addressed.