When someone books a Discovery Call with us, one of the first questions we ask is: “What made you think of us for your custom home?”
And time and time again, we hear this: “We just love your style!” Which is sweet. It’s flattering. But it’s also… totally missing the point.
Let’s Clear Something Up
Hometown Homes might have style, but we don’t have a style.
We’ve built:
- Traditional bungalows with classic millwork
- Clean-lined, flat-roof homes with concrete and steel details
- Warm mountain homes with wood beams and stone
- Sleek Scandinavian spaces where less is more
- Black-on-brick industrial homes
- Craftsman charmers with deep front porches
We’ve built homes from our clients’ vision. Homes they dreamed up. Homes they sketched on napkins.
What we haven’t built? The same home twice.
Our Style Isn’t the Star, Our Process Is
A true custom design-build firm doesn’t try to fit you into our box.
We build a brand new box… from scratch… based on your life, your vision, your style, your weird obsession with emerald green tile or speak-easy hidden doors or built-in dog crates.
So when someone says, “I didn’t see a mid-century modern-style home in your portfolio, so I didn’t think you could build it…” we get a little twitchy.
Because that’s not how custom works.
The value that a true design-build firm brings is the ability (via their process) to pull your vision out of you and make it even better than you could’ve imagined.
Just because we haven’t photographed your exact dream style yet doesn’t mean we can’t create it. It just means no one before you wanted it (which makes it even more unique to you).
What Actually Matters When Choosing a Builder
Here’s what choosing a builder should be based on:
- Energy Efficiency: What kind of energy efficiency targets do their homes achieve and what energy efficiency ‘standards’ do they have?
- Design Process: Do they have an in-house design team that can provide drawings, renderings, 3D tours and a methodical design process to capture every single detail so you can see your future home EXACTLY how it will be when you move in?
- Fixed Price: Can they give you a true fixed price before construction starts (no ‘allowance’ grey areas)?
- Subcontractor Relationships: Do they tightly manage subcontractors with schedules, scopes, and methodical quality checks?
- Quality Program: What does their quality program consist of? Is it documented?
- Communication: Will you get regular updates, clear decisions, and one place to see progress… or will you be chasing texts at 9:47 p.m.?
- Schedule Transparency: Is there a visible schedule and a planned handover date?
- Software: Have they invested in software to make your experience better?
- Warranty: What is their warranty process? Are past clients satisfied?
Because building your dream home isn’t about mimicking someone else’s Pinterest board. It’s about translating your ideas into something functional, beautiful and 100% yours while keeping the process stress-free.
And that takes skill. It takes investment in creating structure. It takes more than a builder with a style. It takes a builder with professionalism and systems-thinking to make it seem easy.
Hometown Homes’ 3-Step System
We’re all about keeping it simple, yet ensuring no detail is missed. That’s why we’ve created our 3-Step System:
1. Concept Phase: This answers, “What could my home look like and how much might cost?”
Hook up your Pinterest board, attend our Concept Kick-Off meeting, and one month later you’ll get your Concept Reveal consisting of a first draft of your floor plan along with a 3D model, mood board and ballpark price. This is your feasibility study to determine if you want to invest in the next phase.
2. Design Phase: This answers, “What WILL my home look like and how much WILL it cost?”
This is the best investment for your custom home and the actual secret to saving money in the long run. The end result of the Design Phase is hundreds of pages of design details ranging from construction drawings, elevations, selections and specifications, design boards, renderings, 3D tours on your computer and smart phone, and finally, your fixed price – coordinated under one roof.
3. Construction Phase: Sit back and watch your 3D tour get built.
By the time construction starts, you’re done with design decisions and approvals. Come for your scheduled walk-throughs or feel free to go on vacation and still be in the loop of your custom home’s progress with the Buildertrend app where you’ll see the schedule, progress photos and job notes.
So What’s the Takeaway?
By all means, check out portfolios. Get inspired. Feel the feels.
If you want a smooth build, fixed pricing, energy efficient home and a handover you can plan around, judge the builder by how they work behind-the-scenes, not just by the photos on their feed.
Style may attract you, but the process should earn your trust. And remember, you can never see ‘good quality’ via a photo or video.
Choose the builder who knows how to build your style, even if they haven’t built it yet.
Because the process will not only get you the exact home you envisioned, but it’s also the key to moving into your new home on a positive note.
And when you do book a Discovery Call, when we ask, “So what made you think of Hometown Homes for your custom build?” we hope you’ll say, “I love your process!”
Learn more about what else to look for in a builder by downloading our Free Guide:
“The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Home Builder”
