| SugarOak Custom Process |
Step 1 – Selecting a Custom Home Builder
We recommend that you draft a list of questions that are important to you and meet with the builder face-to-face. The questions should include the basics like verification of Class A Contractors License, insurance, contract format and scheduling, but it should also include a review of their portfolio and discussion of the management process. Request references and talk to those references. Good builders will usually have clients willing to talk to new clients. |
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| Your purchase contract for a lot should include a 60 or 90-day “study period”. During the study period you should make sure the following questions are answered: |
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What is the zoning of the property under contract? |
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What are the side, rear and front setback restrictions under this zoning classification? |
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Are there any restrictive covenants or title issues that will effect what you want to build? |
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Where are the utilities? If electric, gas, cable and/or phone are not at the lot line, do easements exist to bring them to your lot? |
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Does the lot have access to public water and sewer? Do easements exist? If yes, what are the tap fees? If “no”, you will need some answers regarding wells and septic fields. |
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Is there any existing flood plain or RPA (Resource Protection Area) on your lot? Local jurisdictions have become much more restrictive in their interpretations of your rights within these areas. |
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If your lot has significant slope, you may want to obtain field run topography, as most of the aerial topography at the different government jurisdictions is inaccurate. |
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Step 2 – Project Budget
SugarOak can recommend lenders that will qualify you for the construction and/or acquisition loan amounts. It is important to be certain that once you purchase the lot, you will have the financial ability to build the house you desire. The project budget is an important first step in understanding lot, location, size and features. |
Step 3 – Finding a Lot
In order to build your own custom home, you will need a building lot that is suitable for the home you envision. We recommend finding the building lot before any other plans are made. This gives you the opportunity to design the home to take advantage of the site.
The best way to find that “perfect lot” is to work closely with your chosen custom builder. SugarOak can guide you through the lot selection process and help you understand the options at your disposal. Most individual lots or small three-to-ten lot subdivisions are purchased and developed by small-volume custom builders. Many times the general public is unaware of where these opportunities exist.
The lot selection process does not end with your finding the right piece of land. Once you have identified that “perfect lot”, there are several questions that need to be answered before you go to settlement. |
Step 4 – Selecting an Architect
SugarOak has established very good working relationships with several area architectural firms. After a basic understanding of the project requirements, we can recommend several architectural options to consider. It is important to meet with the architects prior to selection and feel comfortable they understand the style and design criteria you desire. |
Step 5 – Pricing
You are almost ready to start but we recommend one additional step. This process outlines a truly “custom home” design process. The only way to be in a position to finalize a contract is to develop the drawings so they can be priced. At SugarOak, we offer a two-step process; we will provide “preliminary pricing” of schematic design drawings to further ensure that the design program corresponds to the determined project budget. We feel this is a very important step to educate the client prior to the authorization to the architect to proceed to design development or working drawings. Once the working drawings are complete, SugarOak Corporation will provide final budgeting that can be used to complete the contract. |
Step 6 – Construction Begins
At this point you understand what you are getting and the associated costs. You should also feel confident that SugarOak has the ability to provide the quality construction and management expertise to make it a reality. The process may sound daunting, but if you can work through the issues, you will see that building a custom home can be a truly rewarding experience. |
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