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frequently

asked

questions

With a lot to consider when building a custom home, we thought you may want to read our answers to some of the most common questions we are asked.

about us

WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE A CUSTOM HOME?

A custom home build ensures you’re getting exactly what you want and the best quality-design-cost value for your land. If you have specific, must-have design features, floor plans, and styles in mind – you won’t find what you’re looking for in a master-planned community.

WHO WILL BE MY MAIN POINT OF CONTACT DURING CONSTRUCTION?

Your primary contact is Joe Harris from day one until the project has been completed. This attention to personal relationships is one of our foundational values and something we never plan on moving away from.

WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE BUILDING NEW HOMES?

Harris Homes and Construction, LLC has been around since 2006 and most of our team has been in the industry before the company origination date. Our experience plays off each other meaning that your project receives multiple points of expertise throughout it's design an build.

SHOULD I GET MULTIPLE PROPOSALS FROM DIFFERENT BUILDERS?

We encourage every customer to do their due diligence when selecting the right builder. For reference, our clients usually end up going with us due to three main factors. The first is cost as we price ourselves aggressively in the market. Additionally, our trustworthiness and quality of work are consistently referenced in our post-build reviews.

IN WHAT AREAS DO YOU BUILD?

We are based in Chippewa Falls, WI and therefore typically build within a one-hour drive of our home office. We have built further away which understandably requires more cost due to possible travel, housing, and material costs.

DO CUSTOM HOMES APPRAISE LOWER THAN THEY SHOULD?

Unfortunately, yes. Because custom homes are brand new and often on a property in or near existing neighborhoods with houses from previous decades, there simply are no accurate comparisons with which to appraise against. Older homes nearby not only have more dated designs, they likely were built to older codes and environmental regulations. Those comparisons also don’t take into account the cost to remodel the older houses. This lack of comps means new custom homes don’t always appraise as high as they should. As such, buyers should be prepared to have more cash toward their new home. (Learn more about the nuances of custom home loans here.)

services

WHAT SIZE HOMES DO YOU BUILD?

We have a variety of home designs to fit every family's needs. On average, our homes range from 3,000 - 5,000 square feet, but this is entirely dependent on your needs, wants, budget, and lot size. During your design process, we will help you narrow down which options will end up making the final cut in your buildout as well as offer possible alternatives you may have not considered.

WHAT IS YOUR PRICE PER SQUARE FOOT?

There is a wide-range of what can affect this number such as building materials costs, material availability, and additional material specific requirements. We know that every client has different needs and wants when it comes to their new home. That's why our highly skilled team members work with you from start-to finish, making sure the value engineering process begins right away so we can provide only what matters most without sacrificing your budget goals!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SPEC HOME AND A CUSTOM HOME?

A spec house is a home built without a specific owner in mind. Its style and product options will be a blend of what the builder believes the market wants. You may be able to choose from a couple of options from provided plan layouts, products, and colors, but otherwise will be limited in your ability to customize. A custom home is explicitly tailored to you. Every nuance is designed to fit your specific lifestyle.

DO YOU HAVE A STANDARD FEATURES LIST?

We frankly and intentionally don't have a standard features list. As a genuine custom homebuilder building unique one-of-a-kind homes, we say "everything is on the table." We will educate and guide you along the way letting you know the benefits and costs associated with all your available choices. This approach is what allows our delighted clients to truly experience what it means to build a custom home.

DO WE NEED TO HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?

While outside designers are certainly always welcome, Harris Homes provides the guidance and consultation of an experienced Interior Designer to help you make all your design choices from start to finish.

Process

WHAT TIME OF YEAR SHOULD I BUILD A HOUSE?

Depending on your needs, we always recommend that we get outside infrastructure and framing built before sub-zero temperatures arrive. Internal work, though, is something we can accommodate at anytime of year.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BUILD A HOME?

In the case of our custom homes, we take an average construction timeline between 10 and 14 months. The range is due to different factors such as climate or material availability; however, most instances will have this duration period for new builds with some modifications made on-site if needed (e).

DO I NEED TO HIRE AN ARCHITECT OR PLAN DESIGNER before working with you?

You can, but it's not necessary. Building a custom home is an exciting process, but it's also complex. There are many factors that can affect the design and construction of your new house - some you cannot control! One way to ensure what comes out on paper meets expectations would be by working closely with our team during every stage in development as we have experience building both short-term rentals or long term purchases while adhering strictly by local codes requirements for each location.

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