During the building process, you will work with Lafontaine Enterprises on various selections for exterior and interior items. These selection meetings occur every 2-3 weeks as we progress through the building process.
Is a custom home more expensive?
No. A custom or semi-custom home should not be any more expensive than buying a new home already completed. The selections you make for the various items in the home will determine the ultimate cost. A quality builder will develop and adhere to a budget for your home, and effectively manage to that budget.
For the cost of the home, buyers usually find that their ability to make selections and build a semi-custom or custom home creates much greater long-term satisfaction than buying a “spec” new home that is already built – with someone else’s selections.
How long does it take to build a custom home; isn’t it a long process?
The custom home’s built by Lafontaine Enterprises are typically completed in about 5 months. The process is not longer simply because the house is a semi-custom or custom home. If the selections are made promptly and if the process is managed well by the builder, the timeframe should be around 5-6 months for a 1,500-3,000 square foot home.
Aren’t custom homes only for bigger, more expensive (ie. “million dollar”) homes?
No. Semi-custom and custom homes can be built at any price range. Most larger and expensive homes are custom, but moderate and less expensive homes can definitely be built as custom homes. Lafontaine Enterprises specializes in building custom homes from $250,000 to $500,000 and higher homes.
What makes a good custom home builder?
This is a critical question that each buyer needs to assess. Lafontaine Enterprises believes that a good custom home builder has the following key traits:
Responsive, quality customer service. A good builder communicates regularly and completely, and is thorough in their explanations to customers about the building process
Quality sub-contractors and a strong relationship with those sub-contractors. A new home is only as good as the partners who perform the work. Therefore it is imperative that a builder have long-term, established and solid working relationships with each contractor. Lafontaine Enterprises benefits from long-standing relationships with quality local contractors.
Flexibility. In the home design and construction process, a quality builder will work with client’s to meet their needs and expectations within the budget established between the builder and the client.
Insight. Good builders will bring their expertise to the custom building process and work with the client to consider options as the building planning and construction process progresses.
Strong financial management. Good builders will also establish and adhere to a budget, so that a building project meets the clients budget needs. A good builder will also present options with cost implications to clients so that they can make informed decisions during the process.
Where do I find a house plan?
The first place to start is with the Builder. Lafontaine Enterprises has 10 plans to build a semi-custom home. Clients can build from one of these existing plans, or we will tailor these plans (ie. a “semi-custom” home) to meet client needs.
Additionally, LEI staff will work with you to locate a plan or plans with an architect or on the Internet that meet your needs. After you find a plan, LEI architects will produce the final drawing and design. Or if you wish, the LEI architect or your own architect can create a truly Custom plan from scratch.
I’d like to build a custom home, but don’t know how to finance it?
Construction Loans are available from a variety of local lenders and mortgage institutions. We will help find the financing solution that best meets your needs.
How do you make all of those selections?
“Selections” of various items by you are what makes a custom home “custom” to you. You have control and influence over the items that are selected for your home.
Lafontaine Enterprises recognizes that clients want to make the selections, but not from hundreds of different items. That is were we help you out. We give you a set of samples to choose from when making your selections. This provides you with options and the ability to make the selection, but does not overwhelm you with unlimited choices. If you do not find what you want in our selections, in most cases you can then go another supplier to make your selections
The selection process is often presented as a “scary” part of building. It does not have to be this way. We strive to make the selection process straight forward and easy. Our approach is to make "selections" in smaller more frequent meetings throughout the building process rather than requiring you to have only own or two selection meetings where you make all of your selections at once.
What is the difference between a “custom” and “semi-custom” home?
It is really a matter of semantics and labeling, but in general this is the distinction:
A Custom home is a home that is drawn for you by an architect from start to finish, with no present plan in place. The plan is truly customized by the architect for you. A semi-custom home is one in which you tailor or tweak an existing home plan providing for a smaller level of actual customization.
Do I have to build on your Lot or can we find our own lot?
Its your choice, we can build on one of our existing home sites or we can build on a lot that you have. If you are interested in a Custom Home but do not have a home site, we can assist in the search for a lot as part of our custom home services.