The Custom Home
building process is easier than you think -- We make the selection
process manageable and easy to understand, and guide you through the process.
You can afford a
custom home -- Semi-Custom and Custom homes are not more expensive,
more complicated or more time consuming. Semi-Custom and Custom homes are also not
exclusively for "more expensive" (ie. Million $$ homes). We can build a
complete custom home for as low as the uppper 200's.
You can finance a
custom home -- We can take care of the financing of a new
construction home. With a just a down payment, we proceed with the custom home
construction and close.
You can build a
custom home quickly -- The timetable to complete most of our custom
homes is 4-6 months.
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 he
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 is 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?
Lafontaine Enterprises typically finances the semi-custom and custom home projects for
our clients. Upon making a down payment, your custom home is built and then the final
payment is exchanged at closing much like a regular home purchase process.
If we are building a custom home on a home site that you already own, we may use a
“construction loan” to finance the custom home building process. 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
disctiction:
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.
