How to build a house with a general contractor

What a general contractor does

The general contractor (GC) runs the whole build. That means scheduling the trades, ordering materials, getting permits and inspections, keeping the work to code, and answering to you when something changes.

With one accountable builder, you have one phone number to call instead of a dozen. At SPK Homes that person is Shawn King, who has more than 20 years in carpentry, general contracting and land development and is on site from the first stake to the keys.

The steps of a custom build

• Talk it through: your land or lot, the home you want, your timeline and a rough budget.
• Line up financing: most people building on their own land use a construction loan, so get pre-approved first.
• Pick or walk the land: the builder looks at what the property needs for access, utilities and a building pad.
• Plans and finishes: start from a builder plan or bring your own blueprints, then choose cabinets, flooring, siding and the rest.
• Site work and foundation: clearing, grading the pad and digging the foundation.
• Framing and rough-ins: framing, then plumbing, electrical and heating and cooling, with inspections along the way.
• Finish work: trim, fixtures, flooring and paint, then final checks.
• Walkthrough and closing: you walk the house with the builder before you take the keys.

How pricing usually works

Builders generally price a custom home one of two ways. A fixed price means the contract states one total up front. A cost-plus arrangement means you pay the actual costs plus an agreed builder fee. SPK builds custom homes on a cost-plus basis, so you can see where the money goes.

Whichever you choose, ask for the terms in writing, including how changes are priced and what allowances (a set budget for things like flooring or lighting) are included.

Questions to ask before you hire

• Who is on site day to day, and who will I call with a problem?
• Which trades do you do yourself and which do you hire out?
• Can I see homes you have finished and talk to the owners?
• How are changes and surprises (rock, poor soil, a missing utility) handled and priced?
• How do the loan draws work, and who coordinates them with the bank?
• What warranty do you give after closing?

Why site work matters

Delays often start with the land. Because SPK Excavating is part of the same family of companies and owns its own equipment, tree clearing, pad grading and foundation digging happen on SPK's schedule, not a subcontractor's.

Frequently asked questions