Many of us dream of coming home to a beautiful, custom-made home. However, many people don’t realize that achieving this dream isn’t impossible…especially if you find the right construction company that offers multiple services under one roof.

At Casali Construction & Remodeling, we’re a design-build firm that brings the highest-quality construction and design services to every project. Because of our unique business structure, we can provide our clients with expert construction workers, interior designers, and architects, all working together to bring your vision to life.

Key Takeaways:

• We discuss how design-build firms can help you get your dream custom home for less.
• We share insights about the custom home-building process and price range.
• Finally, we suggest the questions you should ask before you hire a home construction company.

Ahead, we’ll discuss our process while we answer some of your most pressing questions concerning new construction homes.

Table of Contents:

• How Much is a Custom Home?
• How Long Does it Take to Build a Home From Scratch?
• Questions to Ask Home Builders Before Hiring

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Custom Home in Washington State?

We know that price is one of the most important factors when building a custom home. And while we can’t provide an exact cost breakdown since it varies by project, we can say that today’s prices are about $300-$500 per square foot. 

Design style, chosen materials, and permits are the most common factors that affect price. If you’re looking for cost-saving tips, we suggest: 

• Purchasing a lot in a rural setting
• Choosing standard materials over luxury options
• Considering an eco-friendly home layout to save money over time
• Hire design-build firms like Casali to keep all services under one roof (more on that next!)

What is a Design-Build Contract?

A design-build contract is an agreement between a homeowner and a single company to handle the complete design and construction of their property. As a design-build firm, this is the standard business operation at Casali Construction & Remodeling.

Here are the benefits of entering into a design-build contract:

Single Point of Accountability

We take full responsibility for every step of the custom home building process. That means you never have to serve as the overseer for the architect and the builder. We do that for you, greatly reducing your stress.

Overlapping Phases

Design-build can fast-track the project. For example, the contractor can start pouring the foundation concrete while the designer finishes helping you select kitchen tiles.

You Save Money

Design-build firms like Casali Construction & Remodeling save you money through value engineering. This is when our entire team pools its expertise to help you save money on pricy materials by suggesting more affordable alternatives. 

This system also reduces change orders (since the builders are part of the design team, they identify what can and cannot work from the start). It means you can potentially save more money upfront and during construction.

For balance, let’s consider some of the potential drawbacks to design-build:

Lack of Competitive Bidding

Unlike traditional design-bid-build, the bidding process is removed from the equation. While this is a relief to many homeowners, it does mean you have to put more trust in the design-build firm’s pricing and reputation.

Standard Design Services

Homeowners may worry that, unless they hire a luxury, bespoke design firm separate from the builders, they’ll be stuck with a standard home design. 

We can say from experience that when you work with Casali Casali Construction & Remodeling, our in-house designer, Alexa Casali is not only an expert at what she does, but she invests time in listening and exploring your needs and ideas. By understanding your unique taste and lifestyle, you will get a home designed just for you.

Key Takeaway

What is the best way to sum up all of this information? According to our project manager and lead builder, Chris Casali:

“Most homeowners think they save money by getting numerous bids on a finished set of plans. But by the time those bids come in, you may have already spent thousands on a design that ends up being over budget. Design-build contracts flip the script. Casali Construction & Remodeling brings the builder to the table from the start, ensuring your dream home stays attainable.” This means the builder provides input to the designer, ensuring the plans are feasible for your budget and function of the room.

How Long Does the Custom Home Building Process Take?

Another question for which we can only give a ballpark figure! Ground-up home building usually takes about nine months to one year from start to finish.

Questions to Ask a Custom Home Builder Before Hiring

Deciding to build a home from the ground up is exciting but raises many potential issues. Our years of experience and passion for communication mean we know what homeowners should be asking home construction companies. 

Whether you choose to work with us or not, these are the questions you need to ask your design-build firm before investing in their services:

Who Will Be My Daily Point of Contact?

You want to ensure you’re working with a team that stays in constant contact. When you work with us, you’ll have a project lead who will regularly update you on the design and construction of your new home and Chris and Alexa will always be in communication with you to make sure things are operating smoothly.

Not every company can say this. If you’re considering working with a form that cannot answer this question to your satisfaction, look elsewhere.

What is the Biggest Hidden Cost You’ve Seen With Recent Local Projects?

The design-build firm you hire should be well-versed in local prices for materials, labor, and permits. If they can answer this question, you know they have experience and can communicate about setbacks, too.

Are you Familiar With the Specific Permitting Requirements of Whatcom County?

Permitting regulations are some of the biggest headaches of any construction job. For homeowners, we understand how confusing permits can be. How do you know if you need one for your project? How much will they cost? How long does it take to obtain them? 

At Casali Construction & Remodeling, we’re not only well-versed in local permitting rules, but we also go through the steps and acquire them on your behalf. 

The design-build company you hire should at least be able to tell you about the types of permits your home-building project requires.

What is Your Standard for Building Beyond Code?

Building to code means a construction project has achieved the legal standard for safety and excellence. The design-build team you hire should be comfortable explaining how they build beyond code, not only reaching the legal minimums but surpassing the expectations.

New Home Construction: Wrapping Up

We hope you’ve learned a few tips and tricks to save money on building a custom home, why design-build can be your best bet, and how to identify the right design-build firm for you. 

Casali Construction & Remodeling is well-known in Whatcom County for our top-of-the-line construction work and beautiful design services. Since we offer you design-build services under one roof, we can help you save money while helping ensure you get the build you want.

We’re a family-run company that delivers a 5-star experience, and we would be honored to build your dream home. Contact us today and let us know what you envision!