It is never too early to get started.
The entire goal of our first meeting is to determine if building a Silverton Custom Home is potentially right for you. You never have to worry that you are wasting our time. If you are considering building a custom home, we want to meet you and hear about your thoughts and plans. We are passionate about building dreams, so connect with us and see if we are the right fit for building yours.
Initial Meeting
We are happy to meet at our Design Center or your potential home site. In our initial meeting, we ask a lot of questions. We want to find out where you are in the process. Are you ready now or planning for the future? Do you have a lot or need help in finding one? Do you already have your home plans? What is your reason for building a new home? You can expect this initial conversation to take about an hour. We will explain the process going forward and at the end of the meeting, we will simply ask if you would like to set up a follow up meeting.
This meeting is not meant to be a sales presentation where we try to sell you a house and ask for a deposit. We want to offer you an understanding of all your options, so you can strategically plan and pray through what steps you are ready to take towards building your custom home. We are happy to provide references of previous customers and our contractors, so you can ask them directly about our reputation, our honesty, how we treat our customers and most importantly the quality of the homes we build.
Second Meeting
After finding out more about us and understanding your options, we are honored that you believe Silverton could be the right partner to build your new custom home. In our second meeting, our conversation will be focused on discussing budget, expectations and our abilities. We want to build trust in our relationship from the beginning and lay out every detail, so we can give you an accurate picture of the process and pricing.
Needs, Wants & Wishes Inventory
How do you get the most of what you want in your new home? We believe that walking through a detailed analysis of how you live, listing out what you need and creating a wish list are important steps to achieving a custom home that is built just for you. This analysis helps us get the big blocks in place, so we can keep everything in line with your budget. Our goal is to build a custom home that is as individual as the family living in it.
Area/Lot Selection – Need a Lot
If you are looking for a homesite, we are happy show you areas that best meet your lifestyle and price range. We will want to consider your needs, wants, wishes and budget in selecting the perfect lot. We have been building in Austin for more than two decades and can help you identify specific lots based on your preferences, building requirements and budget.
Lot Analysis & Site Planning – Have a Lot
If you already have a lot, we are happy to walk the lot and do an analysis, in addition, we will review the covenants and deed restrictions to make sure you meet all of the building requirements in your plans.
Architect Selection
We have designed with some of Austin’s best architects and have long-standing relationships with many. We work closely with our architects and provide constant feedback from a budgetary and construction point of view. We have found that getting involved with the architect at an early stage helps get the most of what you want within your budget. No one wants to design a dream home that is not achievable. If your plans are already prepared and ready to go, we are happy to help bring your blue prints to life.
You have decided to partner with Silverton Custom Homes and we could not be more thrilled to go on this journey with you to build your dreams. We are now ready to start the design phase to get everything in place before we begin construction.
Design Agreement & Deposit
Our design agreement outlines how we will work together through the design and planning stage. We will take measurements, order surveys, order any necessary land clearing and work with the architect to finalize a floor plan. This phase will result in a 1/8 floor plan, front elevation, home specifications, a fixed allowance and price details.
Our design deposit is typically around 1% of your estimated home budget. This deposit is collected now and allows us to proceed with surveys, lot clearing and architectural plans.
Home Site and Floor plan
With the homesite secured, we order the necessary surveys to know where the important trees are and if there is any slope to the lot that will need to be considered. We help place the rooms you want and need in a manner that works with the land, orientation to the sun and seasonal winds. We will usually have a couple of meetings envisioning the possibilities and talking about flooring, lighting, interiors and exteriors prior to bringing in an architect to put your vision onto paper. These are all important in designing the right home to meet your budget.
Home Specifications
Silverton Custom Homes is one of few Austin custom home builders who keep a comprehensive in-house selection center at our office. While the many choices involved in the interior design selection process can seem overwhelming, our creative and experienced design team help break it down to make every step of your experience both engaging and easy. The interior finishes, roofing, exterior materials, HVAC, Interior doors, drywall finish style, framing lumber, trim, windows, exposed beams and concrete finish are typically items that you would find already specified in a fixed price agreement. We will work together to determine these items, so you can specify what is to be included in your agreement. This also protects you against any unknowns that may occur or vendor price increases during home construction.
Allowance Items
Flooring, lighting fixtures, appliances, exterior doors, counter tops, mirrors and tub and shower tile surrounds are all examples of items that may be included as allowance items. We will work together to determine how much to budget for each allowance item based on your needs, wants and wishes.
Revisions
We will work in conjunction with the architect to refine your plans until everyone is satisfied that what we have on paper will translate into a home that meets all of your needs, most of your wants and usually many of your wishes- near or within budget.
Sign Fixed Price Agreement & Construction Deposit
Once you have approved the final 1/8 inch scale floor plans, front elevation (drawing of the front of the home) and placement of the home on the lot, we are ready to craft the specifications and fixed price agreement. This preparation takes about a week or two. Upon completion, we will review the details of the plan, contract, specifications and allowances. If everything is acceptable, we will sign a fixed price contract and accept a predetermined construction deposit from you.
Phase 3 begins with the full set of plans being completed. These are the final steps required prior to ground breaking and the beginning of construction.
Financing
To initiate the construction phase, we will need to confirm your financing plans. If you choose to finance the home with a loan, we will request a pre-approval letter from the lender of your choosing or we work with several amazing lenders that we can recommend upon your request. If you choose to self-finance the home, we will meet to discuss construction funds and the payment schedule. Once construction funding is in place, we can start the construction phase.
Permits and Approvals
We submit a final set of plans to any governing bodies: City, County, LCRA or community Architectural Control Committees for their approval. This process can take from 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the responsiveness of the authorities.
Homeowner Kick-off Meeting
At this meeting, you will be presented with your personal Homeowner Login Access to our Online Support & Tracking System prior to construction. This will help you to stay organized and informed during the whole construction process. Inside your Homeowner Manual, you will find:
- All Silverton Home Documents
- Our Company Contact Information
- Your Signed and Dated Professional Services Agreement and/or Contracts
- Your Signed and Dated Specifications with Allowances
- Selection Information Sheets and Procedures
- Our Selection Confirmation Procedures
- Our Change Order Procedures
- A Construction Calendar
Site Preparation Lot Staking & Tree Removal
We will stake the actual footprint of the home on the lot. Developers and / or community “Architectural Control Committees” often require this step. Your Site Builder will meet with you on your lot to discuss the orientation of your home and mark trees for clearing. Preserving the natural beauty of the home site is of paramount importance to us. Removing trees allows us to open view corridors, bring more light into the home site and can help keep costs down. The faster we can get trucks in and out of the build site, the more money you save.
Final Approvals
Once we have approval from the Governing Authorities, Community Architectural Control Committee and/or Homeowners Association, we are ready to proceed to Phase 4 and start construction.
The process of building a home is ultra-exciting and filled with many big decisions along the way. We know the amount of decisions can sometimes be overwhelming, so we schedule our design meetings in stages, giving you time to think through your selections. We offer our in-house interior design firm, Home Front Design, to you as an invaluable resource while making many of your selections to help you tie everything together. Several selections will be made directly with our suppliers. Their information will be included on Selection Information Sheets provided in your Homeowner Manual.
List of Selections
- Plumbing Fixtures, Front Door, & Appliance Selections
- Exterior Color Selection and Electrical Review
- Cabinetry Selections
- Security and Audio/Visual Selections
- Interior Colors and Design Selections
- Ornamental Iron Selection
- Lighting Selections
- Mechanicals and Pre-Drywall Confirmation
- Interior Finish Confirmation
- Final Selections & Confirmations
- Driveway and Walkways
Change Requests and Change Orders
Changes during construction are common when building a custom home and Silverton is very flexible in accommodating those changes or variations. All change orders need to be in writing and we have developed a system of Selection Confirmations and Change Orders to build this flexibility into your contract.
With the lot staked and cleared, the excavation and actual construction can now begin. Your Site Builder will meet with you for a Foundation Meeting to explain the foundation process, mark the location of your driveway and get your approval to move forward.
Construction Begins
We are ready to break ground! First we establish the foundation, retaining walls and interior flatwork, while preliminary work begins on plumbing. Additionally, we order any items that require a long lead-time for production, like windows. Other activities that typically occur during this stage include:
- Excavation
- Order Windows
- Pour Foundation
- Sewer and Water Stub Out
- Retaining Walls
- In slab plumbing
- In slab electrical
- In slab Natural gas or propane
Framing and Dry in Stage
Activities that typically occur during this stage include:
- Framing
- Fireplace install
- Roof Dry In
- Gutter and Downspouts
- Window Install
- Plumbing Rough
- Mechanical Rough
- Plumbing and Mechanical Inspection
- Electrical Walk Through
- Electrical Rough
- Electrical Inspection
- Electrical Service
- Garage Doors Installed
- Stucco/Masonry Lathe
- Phone/AV/Cable Wiring
- Pour Lightweight concrete (if applicable)
- Frame Inspection
- Insulation
- Insulation Inspection
- Drywall
- Stucco Brown Coat
- Paint Exterior
- Masonry Exterior
Your home is nearing completion and the details of your custom home are added to make it truly unique to you.
- Interior Wall Paint
- Trim Installation
- Shelving
- Tile Installation
- Hardwood Installation
- Cabinet Installation
- Counter top Installation
- Stair Rail Installation
- Stucco Top Coat Application
- Roof Installation
- Exterior Flatwork
- Paint and/or stain interior trim
- Plumbing Trim
- Electrical Trim
- Mechanical Trim
- Phone/AV/Cable Trim
- Stain and Seal Hardwoods
- Install Appliances
- Mirrors and SH Doors
- Carpet Installation
- Windows Cleaned
- Screens and hardware
- Interior Clean
- Final Grade
The anticipation of your move-in has built and Silverton is preparing to turn the keys over to you. You will conduct a pre-walk-through with your Site Builder so they can coordinate the finishing touches on your home and have it cleaned prior to your final walk-through.
Pre-Closing Walk-Through
Approximately one week prior to closing, you will meet with the Customer Care Manager and Site Builder to demonstrate the operation of appliances and mechanical systems in your new home.
- The Customer Care Manager will explain homeowner maintenance responsibilities and review the Limited Warranty Agreement.
- The Customer Care Manager will provide you with any manufacturer warranties.
- You will be given an opportunity to make notes prior to our Pre-Closing walk- through, but if you don’t, be assured we will come to the meeting with a detailed Closing Checklist to ensure the home is up to our standards. A complete Punch List is important at this time. The Site Builder will complete your written Punch List according to the construction schedule and will return for additional Punch List repairs at the 30-day check-up.
After the walk-through, your Site Builder will address the Punch List and then schedule a final cleaning. Upon Homeowner approval of the final cleaning, the homeowner will be responsible for all trash or cleanup not related to construction on the home.
Final Walk-through
This is our chance to get your input on any last minute remaining issues or decisions prior to closing.
Closing
In preparation for closing, our Customer Care Manager will update the Job Summary Report with all charges and credits resulting from Change Orders (if any) and allowances minus selections. The result is a total for permanent financing and/or a final payment due to Silverton. Once the Job Summary Report is agreed to and finalized, then permanent financing will close (if applicable), Silverton will receive final payment and you will receive the keys to your Silverton Custom Home.
Warranty
After 30 days, at your convenience, call and schedule a Home Review with our Warranty Manager. The Warranty Manager will address each request on a case-by-case basis and contact the appropriate contractors for repair.
11-Month Home Review
After eleven months of occupancy, at your convenience, please call and schedule a Home Review with our Warranty Manager. We will do a walk-through and see if we need to address any issues and if you have found any new items of concern in your home. The Warranty Manager will address each request on a case-by-case basis and contact the appropriate contractors for repair.
YOUR DREAM HOME IS ONLY ONE CALL AWAY
Texas is leading the nation in housing starts for the fifth year in a row with NO sign of slowing down. Over 160 people a day are moving into the Austin area and if you are shopping for a new home in this market, you know costs of new construction are going up almost monthly. We want to partner with you to reduce that cost by hiring the right custom home builder. We can help you find the perfect lot, lock in your budget, and help you secure your financing as quickly as possible. It’s a Win-Win!
