Designing a custom home on your lot can seem overwhelming, but with the right plan and team, it becomes an exciting journey.
In this guide, we will walk you through the process from start to finish, so you know exactly what to expect.
Before we begin designing your home, we need to understand the characteristics of your lot. Every piece of land is unique. Here are a few things we’ll look at:
Now that we understand your lot, it’s time to talk about your vision. This is where we discuss the details that will make your home perfect for you:
Once we have your vision, we’ll create a rough sketch of your home. This drawing shows the basic layout, including where each room will go and how big it will be. You’ll get the chance to review it and give feedback.
We also have a portfolio of several hundred home plans we’ve built and you can select from these if you want to save time.
Here are just a few home plans.
After you approve the rough sketch, we create a more detailed floor plan. This plan shows exact measurements, room sizes, and locations of doors, windows, and other features.
Now comes the fun part—choosing the materials and features! You’ll decide on things like flooring, countertops, cabinets, and exterior materials to make your home truly yours.
We also have selection packages we’ve curated to save you a lot of time, if you want to simplify the process.
At this point, we’ll finalize the design. We put together all the pieces—your floor plan, materials, and any special features—to create the complete home design.
Before construction begins, we need to get permits from the city or county. We handle the paperwork and ensure your design meets all zoning and building codes.
With permits in hand, construction can start! Our team of builders will begin preparing the lot and building your custom home. We’ll keep you updated throughout the process.
Once construction is complete, a final inspection ensures everything is up to code and ready for you to move in.
Congratulations! After the final inspection, it’s time to move into your new custom home and start enjoying the space you’ve designed.
The timeline for designing a custom home can vary based on the complexity of the project and your decision-making process. Typically, it takes around 3-7 months to complete the design, including consultations, revisions, and finalizing the floor plans, engineering and materials.
Not necessarily! While having ideas is helpful, our team will guide you through the design process. We’ll discuss your lifestyle, needs, and preferences to create a design that suits you. We also provide inspiration and examples if you’re unsure where to start.
We specialize in designing homes for all types of lots, including those with challenging features like slopes or large trees. Our team will evaluate the land and develop a custom design that works with the natural features of your lot.
Zoning laws govern what can be built on your lot, including the size, height, and placement of the home. We’ll handle zoning checks and ensure your design complies with local regulations in areas like Arlington, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and other parts of Washington DC.
The cost of designing a custom home depends on the size, complexity, and materials you choose. We offer personalized consultations to give you a clear idea of the design and construction costs based on your specific requirements.
Yes, however, it will add to the time of the project. We encourage feedback throughout the design process. You’ll have multiple opportunities to review and make changes to the floor plan, layout, and features before finalizing the design.
Yes, we take care of obtaining all necessary permits and approvals for your custom home design. This ensures that your home meets all local building codes and regulations before construction begins.
We specialize in a wide variety of architectural styles, including modern, traditional, colonial, and craftsman designs, multigenerational, contemporary, small homes, multi-garage, homes with pools (indoor and outdoor) and lots more. Whether you’re looking for a contemporary look or a more classic style, we can tailor the design to match your preferences.
Absolutely! We offer full support in selecting materials and finishes that match your vision and budget. From flooring and cabinetry to exterior finishes, we’ll provide samples and recommendations to make your home truly unique.
We provide custom home design services in the Washington DC metro area, including Arlington, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Falls Church, McLean, Potomac, Vienna, and surrounding areas.
Building a custom home on your lot is an exciting and rewarding process. With the right plan and team, you can create a home that fits your family’s needs and reflects your personal style.
If you’re ready to get started, contact us today to begin your journey toward a custom-designed home in Arlington, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, McLean, or the greater Washington DC area!