Building a custom home is one of the most exciting and rewarding ventures you can take on. There’s something special about crafting a home tailored entirely to your specific needs, tastes, and lifestyle. It’s not just about walls, windows, and rooflines—it’s about constructing a dream that is reflective of exactly who you are. Ken Harvey Homes are designed with client collaboration in mind as we take that dream from blueprint to reality.
The new home construction journey is filled with decisions and deadlines. If you are thinking about building a custom home, it is important to become familiar with the process ahead of time and a reputable builder, like Ken Harvey Homes, is happy to create a plan just for you.
Typically, the path from designing a beautiful floor plan to turning the key to your new front door flows through these ten steps:
Everything starts with a Vision! The first step in building a new home is collecting ideas, inspiration, and imaginative options. You’ll find inspiration in design magazines, on Pinterest boards, or by touring properties in your local Parade of Homes. Whether you want a modern farmhouse, a serene sanctuary, or a Southern-charmed estate, this is the perfect time to dream big. As the vision for your custom-built home takes shape, define your must-haves and nice-to-haves.
Pair with the Perfect Team: Constructing a custom home is truly a team effort involving architects, designers, builders, and a slew of subcontractors that will bring your vision to life. Choosing the right builder is imperative. The team at Ken Harvey Homes thrives on creating a positive experience for its clients by streamlining the process and keeping each project moving along smoothly. We have a strong portfolio, terrific client testimonials, and a deep experience in the new construction home market.
Designing the Floor Plan: Your ideas will start to take shape as you move into the design phase. You’ll work closely with your home’s designer to develop a floor plan that fits your lifestyle and lot size. The designer will consider factors that you prioritize such as natural light, traffic flow, room adjacencies, and potential future needs for your home. Be ready for revisions! This stage includes endless tweaks to room sizes, window placement, kitchen layouts and more. You will also make some exterior design decisions in this step as you choose your overall architectural style.
Permits, Approvals, and More! Before breaking ground on your lot, your builder will submit blueprints and secure building permits from the home’s municipality. They will also become familiar with local zoning laws and any Homeowners Association requirements. Once the paperwork is in order, your lot will be prepped for construction. by leveling the land and marking the footprint of your future home.
Foundation to Framing: Things really start feeling real at this stage as construction kicks off. Your home’s foundation will be poured and, once it cures, the framing begins! Walls go up, roof trusses are installed, and you will finally get to see the skeleton of your dream home. During this time, Ken Harvey Homes will schedule the initial inspections to ensure everything is up to code and structurally sound.
Ready for Rough-Ins? Rough-Ins include all those items that are hidden behind the walls such as plumbing lines, electrical wiring, HVAC ducts, and insulation. Of course, all of these items will disappear when drywall is installed but they are critical to your home’s functionality. Will you opt for a home pre-wired for smart features? What about tankless water heaters on each floor? Where would you like outlets to be placed? These are all questions to be answered at rough-in.
Beautiful Finishes, Inside & Out! Remember that Pinterest board? Now is the stage during which that board comes to life! Your design team will help you select flooring, cabinetry, and countertops. You will study trim and molding options, paint colors, wallpaper books, and choose the perfect plumbing and light fixtures. Outside, you will select siding, windows, and doors. Driveway design, walkway shapes, and landscaping will also be finalized at this stage. While this stage is incredibly exciting, it can also be overwhelming. The design team at Ken Harvey Homes will guide you every step of the way!
Punch Lists and Final Walkthroughs: As your home nears completion, your builder will create a “punch list”—a checklist of final items that need attention before move-in. This might include touching up paint, adjusting doors, or fixing minor imperfections. You’ll do a final walkthrough with the builder to catch anything that was missed. This will also be your chance to learn how to operate key systems like your HVAC, security system, or a smart home hub.
Closing and Move-In: Before you know it, the best part of the home building process will arrive: Move-In Day! Depending on your financing, you may have a final closing appointment where you “officially” take ownership of your gorgeous new home. You’ll receive the keys, final documents, warranties, and all the manuals you need to settle in confidently. Moving into a new home can be chaotic as it often seems like an endless unpacking project. Take your time and enjoy making this space your own!
Continue the Journey! While the construction may be over, homeownership is an ongoing journey. A well-built custom home will serve you perfectly for decades, but like any home, it will need maintenance and care. Ken Harvey Homes offers a one-year warranty period during which we will come back to fix any issues that arise after move-in. Be sure to keep a running list and schedule that final warranty walk before the period expires. Staying on top of seasonal maintenance tasks like HVAC servicing, gutter cleaning, and caulking checks will also help protect your investment well beyond its warranty!
The journey from floor plan to front door requires patience, communication, flexibility, and a solid team such as Ken Harvey Homes. The reward? A home designed specifically for you. The custom home building process is exciting but never more so than when you finally walk through your front door for the very first time.
Ready to build something beautiful? Let’s get those floor plans started! Reach out to the team at Ken Harvey homes today!