As a Houston home builder, we can build on your lot. Whether you are in Conroe, Sienna, Oak Forest or anywhere else in the greater Houston area, luxury custom homes are what we do. Your lot can be the starting point for a truly beautiful and luxurious property that will be more than just a home. It will be your favorite place to be.
We are often asked about the process of building custom homes on customer lots. We can’t get into the details for the simple fact that every situation is different. However, we can provide you with a general set of steps that apply to most cases. So let’s get to it.
Step #1: Site Evaluation
The first step in any custom home build is a thorough evaluation of the site. Of course you’re looking forward to having us build on your lot. But before ground is broken, it is necessary to evaluate the lot’s suitability. The site needs to be evaluated for accessibility, soil quality, drainage capabilities, and more. If anything needs to be done to the lot prior to building, recommendations are made.
Step #2: Local Code Research
Following site evaluation is research into local zoning and building codes. As experienced custom home builders, we are already familiar with most of the regulations in the greater Houston area. But if you were acting as your own building contractor, familiarizing yourself with the regulations would be your responsibility.
Incidentally, zoning and building regulations influence everything from the size and layout of a home to the permits and approvals needed to build. The good news for Jamestown customers is that we manage all the permitting for them.
Step #3: Site Preparation
Owning a lot eliminates one of the most difficult steps of building a custom home while avoiding housing tracts. But the site itself likely needs a bit of prep work. So after obtaining the necessary building permits, the third step of the process is to prepare the site.
Trees might need to be removed. Soil might need grading. And if utilities have not yet been run, they need to be taken care of as well. This includes water, sewer, and electric connections. Builders always do such improvements before breaking ground on the actual house.
Step #4: Lay the Foundation
The fourth step is laying the actual foundation. This almost always requires significant excavation. The amount of excavation needed depends on whether the home will have a full basement. At minimum, you are looking at a concrete pad and at least a couple layers of blocks.
Step #5: Build the Home
The final step in the process is to build the home. A framing contractor would erect the shell of the home, including interior and exterior walls and the roof. Once the frame is built, a whole host of subcontractors come in and take care of everything else. Subcontractors handle insulation, siding, electrical, plumbing, interior walls, painting, flooring, and on and on.
Outside, landscapers come in and do further prep work on the land before planting trees, shrubs, plants, and grass. If there will be an irrigation system involved, it could be installed by the landscapers or a separate subcontractor.What we have offered here is just a basic outline of what it takes to build on your lot. As a custom homebuilder, we take care of everything on behalf of our clients. You tell us what you want, and we make it happen. If you are planning to build a home in Houston, we hope you’ll consider Jamestown Estate Homes and contact us or view one of our available Houston homes.
