Before You Design a Custom Home: A Grand Rapids Planning Checklist

What to Do Before Designing a Custom Home

Relax, because you aren’t on your own. R-Value Homes can either do these items for you or guide you through them. It’s simpler than it appears.

These decisions do not need to be made perfectly before you talk with us. In fact, part of our job is helping you ask the right questions, understand your options, and make wise decisions in the right order.

And good news: the broad categories below do not all need to happen one after another. You will likely work through securing land, choosing your builder, and planning your timeline at the same time.

Download Your Copy of the Full Checklist.

Your West Michigan Custom Home Design Checklist

Follow this list when you are preparing to build a house in Michigan. Each step helps you move from “We want to build someday” to “We know what we are building, who we are building with, what it will cost, and what happens next.”

1. Set Budget Targets

Talk With a Lender

Talk with a lender (we recommend LMCU) to clarify:

• The maximum amount they may lend
• What that payment would look like
• Down payment requirements
• What total investment feels comfortable for your future plans
  

Loosely Divide Your Investment

Make Sure Your Construction Budget Is Right

Before you get too far into the custom home design process, compare your construction budget with the type of home you actually want to build.

Helpful next steps:

• Take our Start Here Quiz
• Read our Custom Home Pricing Guide
• Attend a local Parade of Homes
• Ask builders about the price of homes similar in size to your concept
• Start a conversation with R-Value Homes
• Consider if buying and remodeling may be a better option

2. Secure & Prepare Land

Your land has a major impact on your design, cost, timeline, and the way your home lives every day.

Land Planning Checklist

• Learn what to look for in a buildable lot
• Evaluate potential properties with a builder
• Purchase the property
• Select the best location for the home
• Clear the land, if required
• Obtain a topographical survey if the build area has a lot of contour

3. Select & Engage Builder

This is the time to figure out who is going to be the best fit for you. It is not possible to figure out the timeline and cost of an undesigned home, so focus on choosing a builder you are confident in before you begin design.

Builder Selection Checklist

• Understand the difference between production, semi-custom, and custom home builders
  
• Clarify what matters most to you in a relationship with your builder, such as:
  • Integrity
  • Responsiveness
  • Friendliness
  • Company size
  • Attention to detail
  • Skill level
• Search for 1 to 3 builders that fit the objectives you identified
• Learn about those builders by reviewing:
  • Websites and photo galleries
  • Social channels such as YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram
  • Review sites such as BBB, Google, and Houzz
  • Certifications and memberships, such as Home Builders Association and GreenHome Institute
• Speak with and vet potential builders
• Look for helpful proof points, such as:
  • Testimonials
  • 3D home walk-throughs
• Meet with builder(s) to understand their custom home design process
• Find out how timeline and cost are determined
• Engage the builder of your choice

4. Plan Your Timeline

Understanding the timeline early will help you plan more confidently before you begin design.

Timeline Planning Checklist

• Consider if waiting will actually make building more affordable
• Understand typical timelines for each major part of the process:
• Design
• The selections process
• Estimating
• Financing approvals
• Permitting approvals
• Construction
• The consequences of starting at various times of the year
• Secure your slot to begin the design

5. Begin Your Design

Once you have worked through your budget, land, builder selection, and timeline, you are ready to begin design.

Design Checklist

• Complete a MoSCoW report
  A list of:
• Must have
• Could have
• Will not have
• Begin drilling down on your home’s:
• Features
• Materials
• Layout
• Target budget
• Meet with the design team to explore:
• Sizes
• Layout
• Features that meet your objectives
• Approve preliminary drawings
• Approve the “first pass” budget
• Develop specifications
• Make selections
• Complete final drawings
• Review final pricing
• Begin construction

Now That You Have the Checklist, It’s Time to Get Started

The best time to begin planning is before every detail feels urgent. Use this checklist to start working through your budget, land, builder fit, timeline, and design priorities one step at a time.

You do not need to finish every item before reaching out. In fact, starting the conversation early can help you make better decisions, avoid unnecessary surprises, and understand which steps should happen next.

Figure out your next right step by contacting us today.