Frequently Asked Questions

Planning a New Home or Remodeling Project

What should I consider when choosing a builder?

When choosing a contractor for your new home construction, addition, or remodel project, think through your priorities—schedule, quality, price, or expertise. What you value most will highly impact your choice of contractor.

Be sure your potential contractor listens well and demonstrates personal care for your project and its requirements. Your choice should be someone who builds confidence and reduces your stress. Ask for reviews from a prospective builder’s former clients and find out if they would hire the builder again.

What preliminary steps are required for my new project?

Before any on-site work begins, there are months of preliminary work to prepare for your new project. Consider your needs and expectations, location, size, possible room layouts, and long-term vision for your building or addition.

Design your new space, either using the services of your own architect or through our in-house designers. The design process will help you sort and answer many questions about your new home as you move through it.

Our team will be there for you throughout the legal process. We provide subdivision and approval assistance to finalize your location. When planning is complete, most clients also take advantage of our permit assistance to ensure there are no issues with building code compliance.

If your project requires financing, make sure your pre-approvals are in place. This avoids unnecessary delays in the construction process.

How can I be sure I’m making the right decisions?

The process of building a new home can feel overwhelming. You can rely on our team’s years of experience to help you focus on what matters most to you. Our goal is to assist and inform your decisions, but you will always make the final call.

How can I maximize my building budget?

Each client will use their building budget differently, and with good reason. Choose priorities important to you and your lifestyle and communicate them to your contractor so they can keep it in mind throughout the process.

Don’t compromise on fundamentals that are permanent and not easily changed. Structural components are more critical—and much harder to change—than flooring, for example, which can be upgraded later. Invest in quality components in high-traffic, high-use areas like your kitchen, bathrooms, and main living spaces.

New Home Construction

How long will it take to build a new home?

No two projects are alike. The length of a new home project can vary significantly due to its size, scope, and complexity. The design process, legal issues and permitting, and even weather can add unintended delays. However, a 2,000 to 3,000 square foot new home can usually be completed within 6-8 months.

What steps are involved in the design process?

Communication is integral to the design process. Because of that, we begin the design process with initial meetings to explore your feelings for style and to learn what you are looking for in your new home. At this stage, you can expect us to ask lots of questions!

Based on your initial input, we begin the actual design process, developing a working set of drawings that can be refined as we review and discuss them with you. Additional meetings focus on more specific details of layout, exterior appearance, budget expectations, etc.

During this process, your new design will undergo multiple revisions. Throughout, this approach is dependent on your input and ongoing discussion. When details are finalized, all parties are satisfied, and any building requirements are met, we’ll output a final set of drawings for the project.

Can I make changes during the project?

Our building process is never closed off. We stay in close touch with you throughout to ensure that the project—as it develops—meets your needs and expectations and will make any required changes. There may be some additional costs due to in-process changes.

Do you offer financing?

We’ve partnered with Synchrony Bank to offer flexible payment options for your deck project.

Home Maintenance & Service

Who services the equipment you install?

If we installed it, we service it. This includes each new home, as well as HVAC systems, generators, solar installs, septic fields, or automation systems. We view each project as the start of a long-term relationship, so you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that we’ll be on-call for years to come.

How can I protect my home from lightning?

While there is no guaranteed method to protect your home from lightning, we can take steps to help manage resultant energy surges. We recommend whole-house surge protection systems and additional uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and surge protection for critical electronics, routers, and computers. We also offer whole house EMP surge protectors.

What steps can I take to maintain my septic system?

Be careful what goes into your system. Flushable wet wipes and feminine hygiene products, for instance, should never be flushed into the septic. Indiscriminate use of garbage disposals can also prove detrimental to the septic system or clog up drain plumbing in the home.

All private septic systems also require periodic maintenance. Most Pennsylvania municipalities require pumping and inspection every 3 years. We offer complete installation and maintenance services for your home’s septic system.

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