Building a custom home is exciting, but if you’ve never done it before, you probably have a lot of questions about what actually happens between having an idea for your home and moving into the finished property.
At Scholl Construction, we use a design/build process that takes you from the initial conversation through design, permitting, material selections, construction and, ultimately, move-in day.
Today we’re tackling some of the most common questions we receive about the custom home construction process.
UPDATED: 9.6.2026
What is the first step in building a custom home?
The first step is contacting our team and telling us about your vision for the project and what you want to accomplish.
We’ll take down information about what you want to build, including the size and features you want to include. We’ll also talk about whether you already have land, blueprints or architectural plans, where the property is located, what your budget is and the overall goal for the project.
What happens after the initial consultation?
After the initial consultation on the phone, the next step is usually to have you come to our office or for us to go to your home.
This gives us an opportunity to discuss your ideas in greater detail and review any drawings, inspiration or other information you have for the project.
When do I receive an initial estimate for my custom home?
After the home or office visit, we take the information we collected at the meeting and go back to the office to come up with a ballpark figure to make sure we’re on the same page.
We present that ballpark figure in person because, at this point, we’re typically still in the stage where we’re negotiating between the budget and your desires. We’re still developing the project together.
What happens if the ballpark estimate works for my budget?
After the ballpark estimate, we move on to the design phase and start working together in a design/build process.
The design contract and design fee get the customer blueprints, architectural engineering, material selections, permits and a final estimate.
When does permitting happen during the custom home process?
Permitting happens after the blueprints and engineering are complete.
Typically, while we’re doing the final estimate, we’ll apply for the permit so those processes can move forward together.
What is included in the final proposal for a custom home?
The final proposal on a new home is typically about 30 pages long.
Every detail is broken down as to what you’re getting in your new home based on each trade partner, and any specification or material that you selected is listed there.
The goal is to have the details clearly defined before construction begins.
What determines when construction can start?
The construction start date assumes that we have the permits in place, but it’s also driven by the materials we’ve ordered.
We’ll get all the materials specified and ordered and then get the lead times for those materials. We schedule backwards so that we can start construction and continue on with the project without interruption.
Can I make changes after construction begins?
Yes. However, the fewer changes, the better. I think changes are like death and taxes: they’re inevitable. But the fewer changes that you have, the smoother your project is going to run.
That’s why pre-planning is a very important step.
How long does it take to build a custom home?
It’s important to distinguish between the overall project timeline and the actual construction timeline.
The overall project timeline includes all of the planning phases. In fact, the planning phases often take longer than the actual construction.
The planning includes the initial consultation, taking the project from a dream or inspiration photos to reality, getting it all on paper with the architects and engineers, having designers provide their input, selecting all the materials and getting the permits. That’s all pre-construction.
The actual construction timeframe is from when we start excavation up to when you move in.
Can I estimate the cost of a custom home based on price per square foot?
Cost per square foot can be a difficult and often inaccurate way to compare an existing home to a new custom home.
When you go searching for homes online, it always lists cost per square foot. But anything that you buy used, that wasn’t built custom for you, is going to be different from having something built specifically for you, brand new.
Another variable that isn’t considered when you’re looking at cost per square foot is that it doesn’t include basements, garages, porches or decks. Those things are a big part of the custom projects that we build.
They’re not included in the square foot cost, but they do cost quite a bit to build. In fact, exterior spaces like screened-in porches and front porches can cost significantly more to build than interior spaces.
Not all square footage is created equal. I wish there were an easy formula for that.
How far in advance do I need to book Scholl Construction?
We’re typically running about 15 projects at a time, but projects are starting and finishing at different times throughout the year, so we have the ability to get new projects into our schedule.
We have multiple crews running at the same time in different cities.
Rather than assuming you need to wait until a particular construction season or year, reach out to our team so we can discuss your specific project and potential timeline.
Why is finding the right custom home builder so important?
The most important part of the building process is the relationship.
The relationship and the trust that you have between your builder and your client is the basis for what you’re going to build and do. Everything depends on that trust and relationship.
Building a custom home is a long process with a lot of decisions along the way, so finding a builder you can communicate with and trust throughout that process matters.
What advice do you give someone who wants to build a custom home?
Pre-planning is very important. Pick as many things as you can in the beginning. Get it all drawn out and pre-planned, and then try not to change.
That will make it a smoother and easier process.
Ready to Start Planning Your Custom Home?
Whether you already have land and architectural plans or are still figuring out exactly what you want to build, the first step is a conversation.
Tell us about your vision, your property, your budget and what you want your new home to accomplish. From there, we can help you understand the steps required to take your custom home from an idea to move-in day.
