Custom Homes :: The Custom Home Process

Initial meeting:

We understand at this time you are still considering other builders, what sets Lawrence Homes apart is our approach. Our foundations are built on pride, honesty and attention to personal service. We will build your custom home with you in mind.

From the start we let you know that the homeowner is in charge of the process by telling Lawrence Homes what they want instead of the builder telling the homeowner what they can have. The goal at this meeting is to look at your plan options, location for building and discuss what type of personal items you would like in your new home. If you haven't picked out a plan or even a location, we will help you find the best location to suit your needs and work with you to find the house plans that best fits your description of the perfect home.
We can show you some of our plans or help you work with our architect to get things just right.

Follow up meetings:

Once you have made your decision on which builder will work best with you, LH if chosen then meets to discuss an outline of specifications and cost of the plan proposed along with options from your "must have" list as well as your "wish we had" list. If you haven't picked out your plan we will at this point propose plans and specifications to you to take home and spend some time making the right decision. Once you have made that decision we will then conclude with a written proposal with final specifications. Up to this point in the process, the homeowner has not made any financial commitments. We will continue our follow up meeting process until our homeowners are happy with the cost of there home, interiors and exteriors and financing decisions have been made.

Contract meeting:

At this meeting Lawrence Homes, Inc. presents the formal contract and specifications in order to finalize the plans into a working set of construction drawings. We will walk your Lot with you and work with the Surveyors to make sure we choose the best possible location on your lot. Documents are signed and we are ready to move forward with permitting and breaking ground.

Financing the Custom Home Purchase:

Typically, custom homes are constructed using "construction to permanent loans" LHI will assist the homeowner with all the necessary documents needed to finalize the loan process. It is important to select a financial institution that specializes in these loans since loan packaging and servicing during construction loans are more complicated than the standard 30-year mortgage. The option of having Lawrence Homes take care of the construction loan and have the homeowner purchase the home at the end is available and can be discussed at our follow up meetings.

Finish selections and building process:

After the processing and approval of the building permit for the custom home, Lawrence Homes staff will assist the homeowner with the finalization of all the selections of materials and finishes which make up the custom home. Construction now begins and Lawrence Homes encourages our homeowners to stay involved and visit the site as often as possible throughout the building process.

Some important information:

Warranty: many customers are not aware of what is in the warranty they are getting until the end of the project. We discuss your warranty up front, we then walk through the home with the owner to review construction finishes and details along with the review of all the appliances and equipment systems. In choosing your contractor, you should focus carefully on the builder's reputation of honoring their commitments to the owners once they have been paid and the owners have occupied the home.

Change orders:

Change orders are unfortunately looked on by many as the "dirty words" of the construction business. This should not be the case. A true custom builder should be willing to customize the home as the building progresses; any changes made prior to the construction of the home can be easily done with little or no payment at all. The only time we run into additional charges is when we have to move walls after they are standing which is understandable.

Customer service:

Homeowner satisfaction is the lifeline to future work for Lawrence Homes with referrals of new customers accounting for over 50% of Lawrence Homes new business. We want you to be confident when you choose Lawrence Homes that we will be with you long after you move in. Remember, the most important purchase of your life shouldn't be the biggest hassle of your life".