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.
The Overly Caffeinated Agent 