Custom Home Builders in Houston Expert Master Builders
Custom Home Builders in Houston Expert Master Builders
Custom Home Builders in Houston Offering the Finest in Unique Homes
What Do Luxury Home Builders in Houston Do?
Marwood Construction are Houston custom home builders that offer our affluent clients multiple delivery method options for contracting the construction of their dream home. Through service and education, we build a transparent and collaborative relationship to meet our clients dream home building needs. As Houston custom home builders’, we are seasoned home building contractors with certification as an accredited master builder that have a comprehensive skill set for building homes that are uniquely designed for the owners as a dream house.
These custom houses require knowledge and experience in engineering complex structures, a fundamental understanding of MEP principles and most importantly experience with finish products that define custom houses. Custom house builders have extensive experience and knowledge for overcoming the technical challenges that inevitably materialize.
Custom home building is part science and part art. It requires the balancing of architectural design aesthetics with the function of new home construction best practices, while maintaining financial accountability to the owner necessitates the best professional custom builder.
What Do Custom Home Builders in Houston Actually Do?
Custom home builders in Houston manage the entire construction their process of uniquely designed houses. Through their experience and leadership, they collaborate with the property owner to turn custom house vision into reality.
The home building process can be divided into a preconstruction phase and a construction phase.The Houston home builders are directly involved in both phases for each step of the home construction process.
Custom house builders Houston manages the entire preconstruction and construction process from meeting at the building lot to delivering the owner their keys. Their role is the conductor of the building orchestra.
The preconstruction activities involve facilitating the house construction documents, preparing the construction cost and obtaining permits.
The construction phase activities include everything to do with the construction of the house. From preparing the building lot through the final walkthrough. The builder functions as a prime contractor to the owner and enters into contracts with trade contractors and material vendors to actually perform the physical work.
The custom builders’ actual responsibilities are for both construction administrative (offsite) and the construction management (onsite). This comprehensive approach makes the custom house builder completely accountable for the performance delivery of the new construction home.
Custom Home Builders
Preconstruction Responsibilities
- Design Plan Overview
- Product Selection
- Construction Means & Methods
- Cost Estimating
- Schedule of Values & Construction Budget Development
- Allowance Schedule Development
- Scope of Work, Bid Proposal and Construction Contract
- Permitting & Scheduling
Construction Responsibilities
| Construction Administrative Skills | Construction Onsite Management Skills |
|---|---|
| Preconstruction Planning & Permitting | Building & Floor Plan & Pattern Layouts |
| Material Quantity Estimating & Procurement | Material & Equipment Logistics |
| Subcontractor Insurance & Contracts | Resource Coordination & Scheduling |
| Financial Management (Draws, A/P, AR) | Quality Control, Quality Assurance & Safety |
| Scope of Work Development | Construction Document Control |
| Design Coordination & Product Selections | Permit Compliance Inspections |
| Shop Drawings & Special Design Coordinating | Customer Walk Through Meetings |
What are the Different Types of Home Builders in Houston?
There are a variety of different types of home builders in Houston. Builders’ custom homes can be classified by the price range of houses that they build. The house they offer are as diverse as the price ranges they represent. When searching for build a home near me, you will be provided a large number of new home builders to sort through.
Although builders of custom homes operate as general contractors by hiring trade subcontractors, they specialize in new home construction, but have the same responsibilities for general contracting and construction.
If you are looking for a home builder, it is important to understanding the type of house builder that would fit your needs.
Production Homes – Big Builders
Production home builders, (formally called tract builders) are commonly thought of as large volume builders producing 6-12 different floor plan model homes with 3 -4 optional elevations.
Competitively priced, these home builders are often regionally and/or nationally located and build in larger community developments. Production builders sell their products from furnished and decorated model homes sales centers.
Pros – Most affordable single family homes solutions located in desirable communities with good schools and local shopping.
Cons – Limits the number of changes allowed and normally only offer standard color selections for counter tops, flooring, wall tile and paint colors. Likely to find similar houses in the same neighborhood.
Semi-Custom Homes Builders
Semi-custom homes builders produce a product similar type of house as the production builders, but normally allow a limited number of changes to the floor plan and elevation. These houses are normally more expensive than production builders due in part to the economies of scale.
These builders’ custom homes builders often used standardized off the shelf plans. Semi-custom builders build spec houses that they use to sell homes.
Pros – These builders are more expensive than production homes, but allow far more personalization to their houses. They are often found in the upper scale sections of large planned communities.
Cons – Builders limit the amount of customization to their home plan elevations, while discouraging structural changes, and charge a premium price for changes they agree to.
Custom Home Builders
Custom home builders represent the largest number of home builders, but produce a much smaller number of houses. There are also a variety of custom home builders that conduct their business differently. Some of these builders’ custom homes construct spec houses to demonstrate their product workmanship, while others use conventional construction delivery methods.
The price point of custom house builders varies according to the size and difficulty of the house. Soliciting bids for construction ready plans or directly contracting with a design to build home builder, each house will present different challenges and be priced accordingly.
Pros – Higher personalized service with homes built to your specifications. The level of customization is based upon your specific home plans and service agreement with your home builder.
Cons – These builders’ custom homes are the most expensive builders due the high level of customization, the value of their time and higher-grade materials & products of home construction.
Estate Luxury Custom Home Builders
Luxury custom home builders construct one-of-a-kind estate homes. The properties are larger more complex constructed houses with many amenities and architectural features. The builder segment represents the most expensive one-of-a-kind homes. Luxury custom home builders are required to have superior knowledge and skills as master builders to serve their clients.
The luxury custom home builders should have decades of hands-on experience and be capable of understanding the engineering requirements for building one-of-a-kind houses.
Pros – For effluent property owners that want the very best in estate single family homes, built to fit their lifestyle needs. Houses built to the owners every need.
Cons – Require a large time commitment on the part of the owner’s making decisions. The process can be overwhelming to owner’s busy schedule and with little previous experience.
Construction Delivery Methods
Most luxury home builders and custom home builders build to suit their clients. There are 2 common methods used for construction delivery are the design to bid method and the design to bid method for your new construction home.
Design to Bid Delivery Method – Design to bid is the construction delivery method used by owners that directly hire an architect to design their home plans. These home plans and then used to solicit builders’ custom homes to present construction bids.
Design to Build Delivery Method – The design to build method is used when the owner hires the builders’ custom homes to facilitate the design and construction of the house. The home plans are created with a construction budget in mind and then confirmed once the construction documents are completed.
What are the Differences between Design to Bid Method and Design to Build Method?
The primary difference is that by contracting with a design to build contractor the owner is contracting with a single entity to complete both design and build.
Whereas with the design to bid, the owner is contracting separately with an architect and a home construction company.
While each of these home construction delivery methods has advantages and disadvantages, it comes down to your willingness to be between the builder and architect when there are disputes.
For a complete analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of design build
| Features | Design to Build | Design to Bid |
|---|---|---|
| Contracts | One contract for both design & construction | Two separate contracts for design & construction |
| Construction Phase | Design and construction phases can overlap, allowing for a faster timeline | Design and construction phases are sequential and separate |
| Collaboration | All parties working together | Limited by owner working directly with architect |
| Responsible Party | A single point of responsibility | Split – Designer to Owner & Builder to Owner |
| Owner Control | Less control over entire process but fully engaged through decision making | Owner has more control over entire delivery process |
| Risk | Design Builder assumes most risk | Risk equally distributed among all parties |
| Ideal Project Type | Complex projects that require faster timeline and owner wants less risk | Projects with straight forward scope of work and owner wants full control over design process and bid control |
What are the Differences Between Custom House Builders v Semi-Custom Home Builders?
As mentioned, semi-custom builders typically offer some limited personalization to pre-drawn home plans, whereas with builders’ custom homes, the home plans are completely tailored to the owners wants and needs.
There are also significant differences in their methods of delivery. Semi-custom builders work from a price base point of one of their standard home plans, while custom house builders are required to assemble a price from scratch for the unique home plan provided using traditional estimating practices.
There are important differences in the amount of time that the builder will offer you for curated services. Custom house builders expect to spend a good deal of time with their clients working through product and material selections and design features. Semi-custom builders do not encourage changes to their home plans or expect countless hours of personalizing their client’s home.
The take away of the difference between these two types of builders is that if you want a tailored custom home built, you should be engaged with a custom house builder. If you want to personalize a house you have seen and don’t need major changes, you should contract with a semi-custom house builder.
What are the Benefits of Choosing Marwood Construction to Build Your Custom Home?
Marwood Construction and its founder Patrick Martin has more than 30 years’ direct experience in building luxury custom homes. We have direct experience in many architectural home styles and world class construction methods.
We are committed to providing you a unique timeless product designed and built to your lifestyle.
- We offer owners a curated service complete with a tailored and personalized experience to fit your needs.
- We operate with a client focused and collaborative approach in conducting business
- We provide a closely supervised quality control process
- Our unique & innovative design are timeless and fit your lifestyle
- We maintain the highest level of quality & sustainable materials
- We are committed to the highest standard of craftsmanship
How Do you Select, Hire and Contract with a Custom Home Builder?
This may be the most important task in undertaking building a custom home. After all, if you have selected the right builder, they become your adviser and partner through every step of the custom home building construction process.
Although there are a number of important procedural qualifications that you will need to evaluate, but we think that understanding the integrity and character of the professional you will be working with is the most important thing you can do.
The builder can make the Houston custom home building experience exciting and a stress-free experience or he can cause you to regret that you ever considered the idea. The essential point is that you start with saluting a short list of custom home builders near me.
One of the essential characteristics you should be looking for is you can trust and effectively communicate with your home builder during both disagreements and frustrating periods. During the sales onboarding phase, you see the best of the builder. One might say the salesman in the builder. But during the construction phase of the relationship, things don’t always go as planned and the relationship will experience some stress.
In addition, you want a custom house builder that will listen closely to your ideas and openly share the impact on the budget and the feasibility of implementing unique ideas. Having a yes man may make it easier on the relationship, but is not always in your best interest.
This relationship is more than traditional customer service, it is more of a professional trusted adviser in all matters of the custom home building near me. His function should include being an advocate for the owner by assisting them in matching their personality with likeminded design team members.
We are providing you a list of questions to ask your custom house builder.
Custom House Builder Qualifications
Certifications – A builder’s license is not required in Texas, but there are continued education programs and certification programs offered by NAHB that professional builders should have taken.
Years of Direct Experience – The number of home building and the types of houses built should be a relevant conversation during the interview process.
References – Builders will have references that you can speak with, but many past owners are inconvenienced by builders marching people through their homes. But they should have a portfolio of house that they have built.
Clearly Defined Scope of Work – A detailed and well-defined scope of work is important for the owner to understand what they should expect in specifications, materials, allowances and general conditions.
Detailed Contract –The contract should be fair to both parties and spell out the duties and responsivities for both parties and define the remedies if one party defaults.
Milestone Event Payment Schedule – As part of the contract there should be a milestone progress payment schedule and a clearly defined allowance schedule with some reference to unit price or quantities.
General Liability Insurance – General liability insurance is a must. If the owner wants builder’s risk, the policy should be spelled out in the contract. The builder’s insurance requires that their subcontractors carry workman’s compensation in Texas. Professional liability and umbrella insurances are belt and suspenders coverages.
Comprehensive Warranty –A comprehensive warranty is required by the State of Texas to be delivered as part of the contract. A comprehensive warranty is required by the State of Texas to be delivered as part of the contract.
Regular Proactive Communication – Open and direct proactive communication is essential to keep the owner informed throughout the construction process.Site meetings, a schedule for selecting product allowances and the prompt and detailed handling of changes will maintain a good working relationship.
What are the Common Custom Home Construction Contracts?
There are typically 3 standard construction contract methods available to contract with your custom house builder. Which contract to select is based upon the amount of financial risk the owner is willing to take and how well defined the project scope of work and documents are defined.
The Cost Plus % Fee –
a Not to Exceed Contract provides the owner the benefits of a fixed price contract through the benefits availed by the not to exceed feature, while benefiting from a negotiated builder fee. The disadvantages to the owner are if the fee does not have an overhead allocation this can create issues between the owner and premier builder when the owner is billed separately for such items as builder staff meeting time, accounting preparation, cell phones, travel ect.
A Cost-Plus Fixed Price Contract –
is principally a cost-plus contract with a fixed fee instead of a percentage of total cost. This agreement has basically the same advantages and disadvantages of the cost-plus contract except the fee is fixed.
Fixed Contract Lump Sum –
is a contract that stipulates a fixed price for a specific scope of work and specified construction documents for the project. Any additional work done outside the terms of the contract are initiated by a change order.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Custom Home in Houston?
There are different methods of obtaining an estimate for home building in Houston. There are budgetary estimates that should be used for controlling conceptual architectural design budget cost.
There are cost estimates for home building that can be obtained for conceptual home plans that are in process, but do not provide accurate cost data.
But to accurately determine contract proposal for the cost to build a home in Houston, you will need to provide detailed construction documents. These documents include:
For Lots in Established Communities w/ Public Utilities
- Completed Construction Ready Architectural Plans
- Completed & Sealed Structural Engineering Plans
- Up to Date Property Survey & Drainage Plan
- Geotechnical Soil Report
- HOA Letter of Approval
For Building Lots in Rural Areas w/o Public Utilities
- Completed Construction Ready Architectural Plans
- Completed & Sealed Structural Engineering Plans
- Up to Date Property Survey & Drainage Plan
- Geotechnical Soil Report
- HOA Letter of Approval if Required in Deed Restrictions
- Septic System and Water Well Plans
- Topo Survey
There are different methods of obtaining an estimate for home building in Houston. There are budgetary estimates that should be used for controlling conceptual architectural design budget cost.
There are cost estimates for home building that can be obtained for conceptual home plans that are in process, but do not provide accurate cost data.
But to accurately determine contract proposal for the cost to build a home in Houston, you will need to provide detailed construction documents. These documents include:
New Home Building Construction Cost to Build a House in Houston
The following is a graphical representation of the standard construction cost to build a house in Houston for different types of homes in Houston. These costs are presented to provide readers a fair market value range of cost for starter production homes to high-end custom houses.
$150
per
Square Foot Range Up
This is the lowest amount that production builders generally design to for a 2-story house that contains at least 2,500sf. $150/sf will get you a brick & siding house, composition shingle roof, aluminum windows, premium counter tops, and a slab on grade foundation.
$200
per
Square Foot Range Up
This is the cost where most semi-custom home builders projects fall just north of $200/sf . This price point will get you a brick house with front window cast stone features, upgrade roof shingles insulated windows, hardwood floors, high ceilings and upgrade finish products like appliances, plumbing fixtures and designer features.
$250
per
Square Foot
$250 will get you a brick house, or masonry stucco, standing seam metal roof or tile roof, clad/wood windows and hard surface floor materials. You will also be at the point where you should expect premium built-in appliances, designer plumbing vessels, and some extremely custom fabricated pieces i.e. steel framed entry doors, specialty feature lighting, and exposed floating staircases.
$300
per
Square Foot
At $300/sf, the exterior of your choice, concrete tile roof, whole house integrated art and audio-visual controls, custom steel windows, etc., specialty energy features like decorator wall features, exotic stone and handcrafted block paneling, framing ceiling details, etc. Typically, the interior has extensive millwork and multiple ceiling architectural features, with a premium lighting package.
$400
per
Square Foot & Up
At $400/sf, the exterior can be entirely 4″ thick cut Hadrian limestone panels on copper flashing, true slate roof, whole house integrated art and audio-visual controls, custom steel windows, etc., specialty energy features like geothermal, handmade tiles, handcrafted furniture grade built-ins etc. The artistry of building goes past normal thresholds of just using over the counter products, the components become handmade and the craftsmanship becomes very tightly defined performance standards.
What are the Different Architectural Styles of Custom Homes?
Architectural styles of custom home designs are the starting point for most owners. Understanding the base line design assist the architect in understanding the owner’s vision early in the process.
Every custom house should be unique in its design reflecting the success and personality of the owners. Identifying an architectural theme is never intended to restrict the owner’s imagination, but rather allow the design team an opportunity to share the vision so they can serve the client.
Identifying the owners preferred architectural design and understanding the owners lifestyle influences and functional needs of their family are the primary drivers for the entire home design process.
Common Architectural Custom House Styles
1. Craftsman – low roof line with wrap around porch, rails & columns.
2. Ranch – one story with low pitched roof and open floor plan.
3. Traditional – symmetrical elevation, box like structure two story.
4. Mediterranean – arches windows & doorways, textured walls, earth tones.
5. European – ornate molding details, exposed beams, stone materials.
6. Modern – clean geometric lines, natural earth tones, open spaces.
7. Minimalistic – simplistic design, few furnishes, open space.
8. Federal – symmetry & balance, large columns, classic motif.
9. Contemporary – clean lines, modern influences, bold colors.
10. Colonial – symmetry & balance, steep roof lines, multiple windows.
11. Gothic – pointed arches, ribbed vaults, dark colors, stained glass.
12. Ancient Roman – arches, vaults, domes, grand spaces.
13. Byzantine – rich roof domes & entry arches, mosaic patterns.
14. Renaissance – domes, round arches, intricate exteriors.
What is the Custom Home Building Process?
Marwood Construction offers a curated custom home building process that compliments our collaborative approach. The new custom home building process requires a serious commitment of time and patience from both parties.
New home construction companies spend decades learning their business practices and craft. A successful working relationship necessitates that the owner places a high degree of trust in the home building company.
Custom house builders follow a fairly consistent process for new home construction. Some steps will overlap and vary, but the progress procedures remain fairly consistent.
We are sharing an infographic to illustrate the complexity of custom home building. For a greater understanding of new construction home visit our link at building a house.
Home Building Process :
Planning Phase :
1. Develop Concept Vision
2. Acquire a Home Site
3. Arrange Preliminary Financing
4. Assemble a Design Team
Design & Preconstruction :
1. Define a Concept Budget
2. Develop a Working Drawing
3. Develop Engineering Plans
4. Select Primary Materials
5. Finalize Construction Cost
6. Secure Permits
Construction :
1. Conduct Site Work
2. Foundation
3. Framing
4. Exterior Finishes
5. MEP
6. Insulation
7. Drywall
8. Interior Finishes
9. Interior Trims
10. Ext Hard Surfaces & Landscaping
11. Final Inspections
Warranty and Post Construction
The warranty on a new home construction is a significant advantage to home building and should not be thought of lightly.
The State of Texas requires home builders to provide a 1-year cosmetic warranty & 2-year MEP warranty and a 6-year structural warranty on new home construction. This warranty is usually included with your construction agreement.
The post construction service is just as important as the preconstruction service. It is in the builder’s interest to provide you the immediate attention for service problems with the house. By not attending to these needs can lead to greater damage and more expense for the builder.
Post construction service Marwood Construction’s opportunity to once again share how important your business is to our construction company.
