How to Select Your Custom Home Builder
Your custom home builder is responsible for bringing your dream home to life. It’s important to work with someone who takes the time to understand your vision, and has the talent and skill to bring it to life. Learn how to pick the right custom home builder for you with these 5 steps.
Step 1: Consider your dream custom home
The first step is to determine what you’re looking for in a custom home. Making a list of your priorities and ordering them will facilitate decision making throughout the entire home building process.
Some common items that are often high on the priority list include:
- Location. Would your family be happiest in the city or the country? Is proximity to quality schools important?
- Land. Does your family spend a lot of time outside or have pets that need space to roam?
- Floor Plan. A great floor plan can help bring your family together while also offering extra privacy.
- Community. A welcoming neighborhood can turn into lifelong friendships.
- Style. Though custom homes are tailored to your family’s unique taste, it’s important that you work with a builder whose style you appreciate.
- Price. Of course, it’s important to find a custom home builder that can provide you with high value for your price range.
Step 2: Decide whether you want to live in a new home neighborhood or build on your own lot
Many custom home builders build exclusively in their own private neighborhoods. There can be many advantages to these neighborhoods, including increased privacy and security, shared amenities, a tight-knit community, events, and more. Some neighborhoods are more family-oriented or built to fit specific interests, which can be great for families looking for a like-minded community.
At Norfleet Homes, we primarily build within our three communities, but will also sometimes build outside of those developments. Our newest neighborhood, Woods of Alchrist, features homes built on at least 5 acres of land to cater to horse owners. Our other communities, Finley Woods and CountryWay Town Square, offer privacy and community amenities, including pools and fitness centers.
Step 3: Browse custom homes on builder websites
Many home builder websites offer the details of each available floor plan, and some even provide virtual tours of homes they have built. You can take a virtual tour of many of our custom homes by community here.
Step 4: Visit the showrooms of potential custom home builders
Visiting the showrooms of the custom home builders that you are interested in will allow you to get a full picture of your options to properly compare. When you visit a showroom, a custom home builder should:
- Show you the floor plan options that align with your needs and budget
- Help you gain a full picture of all costs associated with building a new home
- Explain all of the steps involved in the building process and its timeline
- Show you different upgrade and customization options
- If you will be living in a neighborhood, information about amenities and the community
- Answer any questions that you may have
Step 5: Revisit your priorities
Once you’ve visited the showrooms of the different custom home builders you’re considering, it’s time to revisit step one. What are your priorities in building a custom home, and which builder is the best fit to help you achieve those goals? Answer that question, and you’ve found your custom home builder!
Build Your Dream Custom Home in North Central Florida with Norfleet
Our three neighborhoods are designed to offer a unique, community-oriented living experience to our residents.
Woods of Alchrist. Think that a new home neighborhood means sacrificing space? Think again! Woods of Alchrist was designed so that each custom home is built on at least 5 acres of land, so there’s enough room for your family (or even horses!) to roam and play.
CountryWay Town Square. This golf cart-friendly neighborhood offers luxurious amenities and close proximity to quality schools.
Finley Woods. Boasting endless backyards and scenic walking trails, Finley Woods provides residents with their own space to enjoy Gainesville’s natural beauty.
Our family has been building quality custom homes in North Central Florida for almost 40 years. Give us a call at (352) 472-5780 to schedule a showroom appointment, and see why we’re the right choice to build your dream home.
