Building a new home is complex, and sometimes intimidating. Custom Homes by Modern Structure, an Evansville based home builder, is here to break down some of your most common questions about the home building process. From financing, to home sites, home size, and floor plans; we’ve got you covered. 

And when you’re ready to start your home building journey, call us for a free building consultation. 

11 FAQs About Building a New Home

1.How do I get financing to build a new home?

We do not offer any financing services ourselves, so you will need to contact your bank for more information on financing your home. 

The easiest way to purchase a new home is to pay cash. If this isn’t an option for you, loans are available. We can also suggest banks that would fit your needs and ones that we work with frequently. 

If you’ve already been pre-approved for a loan, it’s time to find land, and purchase it. Then, start talking to builders. When you come to a builder with a solid budget and loan pre-approval in hand, everything is easier. 

2.Do you do insurance work?

Yes and no. We do take large house rebuilds from storms or fire, but we do not take on roof repairs or flood damage.  

3.Does a custom home cost more than a pre-built (spec) home?

A spec home, short for “speculative house” is a home that is designed, built, and then sold..

A custom home is a new home, built to be unlike anyone else’s. When you choose to build custom, you are involved in lot selection, home design, room count and choosing floors, appliances, paint colors, and much more.

So, does a custom home cost more than a spec home? The answer is: it depends. Building a home includes an infinite amount of variables including lot location, lot size, home size, upgrades, etc; so it’s impossible to say that one is cheaper or more expensive than the other.

In  many cases a spec home  is likely to include “safer” product selections that are lower in cost. If a builder were to choose high-end selections for a spec home, the home would cost a lot more, and would be much harder to sell. 

 Those that build a custom home, however, have complete control over where their money goes, and control over whether they spent more or less than their budget.

4.Can you bid on building our home?

We are dedicated to high quality results, therefore we don’t bid on home builds. Instead, we prefer to sit down with you, talk in depth about your needs, and design a home within your budget. 

We highly suggest you don’t chase the lowest price. If you do,  you’re likely to get cheap results. 

5.How much do your new homes cost?

That’s a very difficult question to answer. Since we build custom homes, there are thousands of factors that go into the cost of building a home.

The biggest factors that affect the cost of a new home include:

• Lot size and location
• Does the property need cleared or major earth work
• Access to utilities
• Connecting to sewer or septic systems
• Permits
• Mechanical equipment like plumbing and HVAC systems
• Foundation type
• Framing type
• Insulation
• Windows & Doors & the amount of them
• Finishes & Etc

Since this is such a complex topic, we’ve written a blog to help explain the factors that go into the cost of building a new home. 

6.Can you give us a price without picking anything out?

Instead of giving you a price before you pick anything out (like flooring, countertops, lighting, etc), we take our customer through a pre-construction process. This process helps you pick out exactly what you want in your home, so we can price your project accurately.

This way, there are no surprises and minimal change orders during the building process. 

7.Can I save money by doing some of the work myself?

 Again, this is a “yes and no” answer.

Before you decide to do some of the work yourself, ask yourself why you want to do it.  Most of the time, finishing a room on your own, painting the house yourself, or laying flooring on your own doesn’t save as much money as you hope it would. 

We encourage our customers to let our team of professionals get the job done for you. The building process is regimented and scheduled. Subcontractors are in and out of the home at different times, completing their own tasks. It would be tough to find the right time for the homeowner to come in and paint, without interrupting (and possibly prolonging) the build. 

8.In what areas do you build?

Homes by Modern Structure is a custom home builder, which means we can build on land you already own, or plan to purchase. We can also build on a lot inside a developed subdivision. To help you decide if building on undeveloped land, or in a developed subdivision is best for you, check out this blog. 

We primarily build custom homes within a 50 mile radius of Evansville, Indiana. This includes several counties:

• Vanderburgh
• Posey
• Warrick
• Southern Gibson
• Southwest Pike
• Northern Henderson
• Illinois, including Carmi and Grayville Areas
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9.Who is my main point of contact during construction?

From the initial building consultation until your move-in day; Mark Mayfield, President of Custom Homes by Modern Structure, is your main point of contact. You may hear from other representatives from time to time, but Mark will always be involved in your project, and is available to answer questions and help you make decisions.

10.How do I find land to build my home on?

If you are unsure of how much land you need, we offer home site selection services. Finding the right lot has a lot of variables. We’ll help you find the right piece of land to suit your needs, your vision and your budget. 

11. How do I design the right floor plan?

Designing the floor plan that fits your lifestyle is one of the first and most important decisions you’ll make. At Custom Homes by Modern Structure, we take floor plans seriously, and put a huge focus on functionality. 

It’s important to weigh your options seriously, because your floor plan truly dictates the entire look, feel and flow of your home.

Floor plans are generally split into two categories, Open Concept or Closed Concept. There is no right or wrong answer to which one you choose, because both options have several advantages. 

During the design phase of your home, we will work together to come up with the best floor plan for your family.

Your Dream Home Starts With One Phone Call

If you’re ready to start your home building journey, give us a call to schedule a building consultation. During this initial meeting, we will walk you through the entire building process. 

With our guidance, you avoid unnecessary headaches and expenses, by making sure you don’t make common errors during your build.

To schedule a consultation, fill out this form, or call us at 812-306-8438.