Tag: new construction

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New Builds: What to Look for Before Closing on Your Shiny New Money Pit

Ah, the new construction home — so fresh, so clean, so… full of surprises.

You walk in and smell that intoxicating blend of drywall dust and overly ambitious dreams. Everything looks perfect — until you realize that the light switch in the bathroom controls the garage door, and the only thing included in the “landscaping package” was a single dying bush and a bag of mulch from Home Depot.

Before you sign your life (and a solid chunk of your savings) over to the builder, here’s what you really need to check:

1. Open Every Door — Including the Ones to Narnia

Cabinets, closets, pantries, and especially attic access doors. Because sometimes “custom touch” means “we forgot a handle.”

2. Test Every Light Switch Like You’re on a Game Show

Will it turn on a light? The garbage disposal? A fan on the neighbor’s porch? Only one way to find out — flip it and see if something starts humming or spinning.

3. Appliances: Included or Just Pictured for Vibes?

Builders love to showcase stainless steel appliances… that aren’t actually included. That fridge in the model home? It’s like the fake fruit on the kitchen counter — for looks only. Always read the fine print or you’ll be storing groceries in a Yeti cooler.

4. Cabinet Doors That Open Without a Jenga Strategy

Just because it looks like a drawer doesn’t mean it opens. Bonus points if you can open the dishwasher without hitting a cabinet, the oven, or your own knees.

5. Garage Door Opener: Optional Luxury

You’d think a garage would come with a way to open it. But no, sometimes that’s a $500 “upgrade.” Because nothing says luxury like lifting your garage door manually in July.

6. Paint and Trim: Or, How Many Shades of White Are Too Many?

That “custom paint job” might just be primer. Run your hand along the wall. If it feels like sandpaper and leaves a white powder on your pants, congratulations! You’re the proud owner of a one-coat wonder.

7. Backyard: Is it a Yard or a Dirt Stage?

Does it come with sod, or just the vague promise of “nature”? Ask, or your backyard might be a future mud wrestling pit every time it rains.

8. Check for the Elusive Pantry Light

Why is it always the pantry? You’ll have every recessed light known to man, but not one for where you keep the snacks. Rude.

9. Ceiling Fans: You May Be the Fan

They’re not always included. Want air circulation? Hope you’re good with fanning yourself with a Costco flyer.

10. Ask About the Warranty Like You’re Negotiating a Used Car

Make sure you know what’s covered — and for how long — because when that builder-grade faucet starts leaking like your toddler’s sippy cup, you’ll want answers.

Final Thoughts:
New builds can be amazing — modern layouts, energy efficiency, and a very short punch list if you do your homework. But don’t let the fresh paint and trendy finishes distract you from the basics.

Bring a checklist. Bring a sense of humor. And maybe bring an outlet tester — because sometimes the outlets are just… decorative.

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Five Reasons I Would Hate to Be a Custom Home Builder (And You Would Too)

Let me start by saying this: custom home builders are saints. They deserve medals, parades, and a lifetime supply of coffee or whiskey or whatever they want. Why? Because their job is like trying to build a house of cards… in a hurricane… while a group of opinionated people stand behind them yelling, “Can it be blue instead?”

And just maybe it’s because our family investment company is in the throes of new construction and permitting, and building, and listing said construction, and all the things that’s making me feel so passionate about NOT wanting to be a custom builder.

First things first. We are spec home builders. That means we come up with the designs, build the house, list it AFTER completion and sell it.  This, in and of itself, is hard work.

HOWEVER! Compare it with:

A custom home saint builder builds a house according to the owner’s design or even a design the builder provides with various options and finishes. The homeowner and builder work closely together to complete the project. 

When I say “closely,” think Glenn Close close in Fatal Attraction. 

So yeah, let me give you five reasons why I would rather wrestle an angry alligator while blindfolded than take on that job.

1. Your Boss is Johanna/Chip Gains (or thinks so, at least)

When you’re a custom home builder, you’re not just working for clients—you’re working for Alan, the amateur architect who used the free version of Home Dezign.com this weekend and thinks they’re now ready to pull permits. Along with Alan, you’ll also be working for Pam, the Pinterest consultant who has boards full of ideas, none of which will fit in their budget but is convinced it can be done. 

Buckle up for a never-ending parade of questionable ideas from people who just binge-watched three episodes of HGTV.

1.5 Your Boss is NOT Your Friend

It all starts well and good. They’ve seen your work, your designs. They’ve stroked your ego and said over and over again how “easy” they will be to work with. <Red flags start waving; you hear sirens blaring from somewhere>

Don’t be surprised when, halfway through the project, you’ve been labeled as public enemy number 1, and your professionalism, your integrity, and whether or not you might be color blind are all up for discussion and debate. 

2. Deadlines Are DOA

In custom home building, the timeline is like Bigfoot—everyone talks about it, but no one’s actually seen it. Clients want everything done yesterday, but then they suddenly need “a week to decide”  on the hardwood floors they picked out a month ago. Or the paint color that looks too warm now. Or is it too cold?

The deadline is gone. It’s crying in the corner with your sanity. Actually not sure you really had either of those things. 

3. Weather Schmeather

Rain? Snow? Tornado? It doesn’t matter—Mother Nature doesn’t care about your construction schedule.

Imagine this: You’re trying to pour concrete for a foundation. Suddenly, it rains so hard you wonder if you should add an ark to the design. But hey, the client just texted to ask if they can “move the master bedroom to the other side of the house.” Because, of course, that’s the real emergency.

4. You’ll Become a Counselor

Being a custom home builder isn’t just about homes; it’s about people. And people are… complicated.

You’ll mediate arguments between spouses about backsplash colors. You’ll calm clients when their dream countertop is back-ordered. You’ll explain (again) why they can’t install a fire pit inside their walk-in closet.

By the end of the project, you’re not just a builder—you’re their life coach, marriage counselor, and part-time babysitter.

5. Budget Woes

Clients start with a budget. Then they see shiny things. Suddenly, that budget is about as relevant as a flip phone.

Client: “We want to add a sauna, a marble fountain, and heated floors in every room. Is that possible for, like, $1,000 extra?” Builder: “Sure, if by $1,000 extra, you mean $50,000 extra.” (They always mean $1,000 extra.)

I get it. Building a home, especially your personal home, is a huge undertaking. Not just financially but emotionally and physically. It’s stressful, to put it mildly.  I know because we’re currently building our own personal home.

And I’d make any builder who had to work with me question their sanity. Luckily it’s just the Hubs and he’s stuck with me.

So, call me a coward, but we’ll just be sticking to spec home builds. 

To all the custom home builders out there, I salute you. May your coffee stay hot, your clients stay reasonable, and your deadlines… well, good luck with that one.