The thought of building a custom home in Northern Virginia that meets your specific style and design tastes and is fully functional for your family is exciting! Our goal throughout the home building process is to make your “Reel Home” a stress-free reality.
Reel Homes promises to be with you each step of the way and provide you with the information you need for a rewarding and low stress home building experience.
Let’s take a look below at the step-by-step process we follow when building a custom home for our clients at Reel Homes.
Step One: Plan a Budget
Establish a general budget for your new home to determine what you are comfortable spending to build your custom home. Read how our Lump Sum Pricing can give you peace of mind when it comes to your budget.
Step Two: Location, Location, Location
Where do you want to build your custom home? Reel Homes can build on your lot or help you find a site on which to build your new home. We can provide you with sites to visit and will carefully explain what size home will complement a particular site. Many clients fall in love with a particular house style that may not fit on every site. Don’t get discouraged if you can’t find the perfect site immediately. We will work with you to find it. The right property is out there, and together we’ll make it happen!
Step Three: Initial Planning
Once you find a site or decide to build on your own lot, the plan/build process begins.
Maybe you have an idea about what type of home you want to build or you may decide to select from one of our available floor plans. (Note, if you decide to use a floor plan, Reel Homes can alter any of our plans to fit your lot and your needs at no additional architectural cost.) During this stage of the process, we will ask what options and materials you want to use in your home and provide you with a detailed specification sheet that will be part of the contract between us. Once the specification sheet has been finalized and we know what you want to build, we will enter into an agreement. This initial investment will allow us to work with you through the planning process, before we actually enter into construction.
Step Four: Engineering and Financing
Initially, you will need an engineer to do specific measurements on your site as it relates to your home. This will provide us with a “building envelope” for your home. If this Feasibility Study has not already been done, we can help you see that it gets completed.
At this point in the process, you will also need to secure financing. If you wish, we can arrange to establish a relationship with a lender who will assist you with your financing needs. We are approved with every bank that does construction loans in the Northern Virginia area, providing you with many options.
Step Five: Architectural/Grading Plans
Once the engineering and financing stage is complete, you will begin working with Reel Homes to develop the perfect plan for your home. Discussions will be held regarding your family’s specific needs (i.e. handicap accessibility, number of baths, the size of the family room, the need to accommodate large areas for entertaining, etc.). We will assist you in working through this part of the planning as we learn about your needs and the features that you would like included in your new home. Once the plans are finalized to your specifications, Reel Homes will submit all required paperwork for a building permit in the corresponding county/city/town.
Step Six: Make Your Selections
After the plans have been submitted to the corresponding jurisdiction, you will meet with Reel Homes to start selecting materials, colors and details for your home. Most of these items have been selected during the Plan/ Build Process but there are always some things that haven’t (ex: color of carpet, hardwood, etc.). All selections will be made prior to starting work on your home. This will enable us to have everything organized and let our construction team work as efficiently as possible once the building permits are approved.
Step Seven: Construction Begins
After the paperwork is complete, the fun begins. The construction phase will kick-off with a “Pre-Start Meeting” between you and your Reel Homes construction team. You will get important contact information and have an opportunity to ask any questions before we begin construction. The actual construction of your home should average approximately six months. We will do another formal meeting with you immediately before the drywall goes up in the home, and then a third at the end of construction for the final walk-through. All other meetings are by appointment; we will be glad to meet or speak to you as much as you like to make sure you are comfortable and understand the progress being made on your home.
Please know and believe that we will be with you each step of the way. We will answer all of your questions and your phone calls. That’s the right way to do business to ensure the end result meets your vision.
Step Eight: Enjoy Your New Home
Sit back and enjoy your beautiful new home, built “Beyond Your Expectations” by our team of expert builders.
