Check out the latest BUILD Magazines released February 2024 – OKANAGAN, BC & SCOTTSDALE, AZ

Custom Home Builders

Big Sky, Montana

Whether a renovation or starting from scratch, your architect & designer will make all the difference in happiness during the process and for years to come after it’s all finished. Home design is a multi-faceted endeavor, it’s essential to choose a Big Sky, MT architect or designer that can bring your vision to life!

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HOW DO I FIND THE BEST BIG SKY CUSTOM HOME BUILDER FOR MY NEW HOME?

This can be a big question when deciding to buy an existing home or having one custom made for you by a custom home builder in Big Sky. While pre-existing homes are already built and move-in ready, they do have their own unique shortcomings. They aren’t usually built to suit all of your particular tastes, they can come with a (sometimes surprisingly) long list of repair and maintenance issues, and do not typically come under warranty like new build’s do.

A custom home offers a variety of benefits. Working with a professional allows you the freedom and flexibility to get exactly what you want. Custom home builders give you the option to add unique finishes and explore customized floor plans.

It’s helpful to create a list of potential custom home builders that you’d be interested in working with. This list can come from an internet search, advice from local real estate agents, or recommendations from friends and family in the area. Consider visiting a builder’s recently built homes and subdivisions to see their work in person and potentially speak with their previous clients. You may also ask a builder to see unfurnished homes. When examining a home, look at the quality of the construction features such as the cabinetry, trimwork, carpeting, and paint.

WHAT KIND OF PROCESS CAN I EXPECT FROM A CUSTOM HOME BUILDER?

Building a custom home is making a dream come true. The largest benefit to custom home building is that you get to design and select nearly every single element that comprises your home. The custom home building process consists of many steps, each of which happen in a well-planned sequence. Everyone’s experience will be unique, and some steps will take longer than others, but the basic road map is the same.
Completion of a true custom home involves advanced planning and active involvement from you and your builder. Some custom home builders offer design services or can help you find an architect to assist in the process.

To begin, you’ll need to find and purchase the land for your home. A custom home builder can help you evaluate potential sites and their suitability for building, utilities, and potential views. When designing, you and your builder will analyze the costs and benefits of various options, establish a budget, and finalize features and floor plans. Numerous selections will be required to be made during construction. On a typical 12 month building schedule for a custom home, 9 out of those 12 months will require your input on design, product, and color decisions.

Your builder will do a final walk through with you to ensure everything is completed and take the opportunity to educate you about the systems in your new home. Your builder will be able to provide you with all of the warranties and help you understand what is covered under each warranty, and for how long. In the unlikely event that something in your home needs attention, it is helpful to know the process for contacting the builder and verifying that the item has been completed. The details that your builder will provide for you will give you more peace of mind after you move in

QUESTIONS TO ASK PROSPECTIVE BIG SKY CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS:

When you’re thinking about building a custom home, selecting the right home builder is a key step in creating the home of your dreams. You should feel comfortable asking a potential home builder every question that you think is important. And, a professional builder or representative will want to ensure that you are a happy and satisfied home owner.
Besides the questions of “How much does it cost?,” and “When can we move in?,” here are some other important questions you should ask:

  • Can you provide any references of recent buyers/occupants?
  • Do you have a financing plan established?
  • Is there any flexibility in the floor plan — for example, can a basement or deck be added?
  • Can a room, such as the basement, be left unfinished?
  • How much “customizing” can be done versus opting for standard features?
  • Can appliances be up- or down-graded?
  • Are there any additional fees relating to the home or development?
  • Is there a homeowners’ association? If so, what will the dues cost and what do they cover?
  • Do you offer a warranty program?
  • Does the price include landscaping? What if the plants die within a year?
  • Are there any restrictive covenants?
  • What are the estimated taxes on the property?
  • How is the school system rated?
  • Are day care and grocery stores convenient and satisfactory?
  • Do you have any information about nearby emergency facilities such as police, fire department and hospitals?
  • Are there any major development plans for the area in the next five years?