Thinking about Building? Here is some Groundbreaking Advice
Always Contact me first! I will help you every step of the way!
Four master Arizona builders share their industry advice.
Before a shovel grazes the ground, the first person to the site is your builder. Who’s right for you, and how do you navigate your time together? We asked some of our favorite builders for their advice.
Gary Fries | G.S. Fries Construction
“It’s all about qualifying the team and asking yourself, ‘Do you have a clear understanding of time and budget needs?’ The core cost of building a custom home has increased notably over the last five years,” Fries points out. “Your builder is the steward of your investment, and their advice should be based on years of experience in the field.
“There are many talented people out there. Ideally, you want a person who fits your personality—a builder who is balanced with who you are,” he continues. “Generally, building a home is a two- to three-year process, and you’re going to be closely involved with your builder on a regular basis. Having a clear vision and an idea of who would be an advantageous team fit is to your advantage.
“Interviewing your team is a two-way street. Trusting and being confident in the people you work with is essential. Your team wants the best for you, and advice and encouragement offered are intended to bring the project to a beautiful conclusion,” Fries remarks. “Often, you will stay in touch with your builder for the rest of your life. So many of my closest friends today are clients I have formed lasting relationships with.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: A PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE DEFINES JERRY MEET FROM DESERT STAR CONSTRUCTION
Jeremy Meek | Desert Star Construction
“When building a luxurious custom home, assembling the right team of experienced professionals is essential. Start with a builder, architect and interior designer who excel in their fields and are enjoyable to work with,” Meek says. “You should have fun together throughout the process.
“Your team should be proactive problem seekers, focused on identifying potential issues before they arise,” he advises. “Avoid team members with a passive approach—problem solvers, where problems are addressed after they occur, leading to unnecessary stress and delays—a giant game of Whac-A-Mole!
“Emphasize the benefits of proactive problem seeking in the custom home building process. This approach not only keeps costs down and ensures timely project completion but also enhances your overall experience,” Meek points out. “A well-coordinated and experienced team of professionals will help bring your vision to life smoothly and efficiently, making the journey enjoyable and stress-free.”
Anthony Rotta | Golden Heritage Homes
“The dream of building a custom home begins with a plot of land. Before you purchase the land, engage a builder to help you understand the total cost of the investment,” Rotta says. “This is critical on a hillside or complex lot within the Valley. As more land is developed and city restrictions are imposed on residential sites, it’s essential to understand what’s possible and feasible to do on your lot before investing.
“The next step is to select an experienced team you trust, including an architect, builder, interior designer and landscape architect. Create financial checkpoints during the design process to ensure the team is in alignment. Make decisions early and stick to them to the best of your ability. This will help keep your team accountable. Maintain budgets and stay on schedule.
“It’s also important to trust the process and your team,” he stresses. “You are hiring professionals to look out for your best interest and investment. Managing the construction of a custom home is much like conducting an orchestra, one must find the suitable conductor to make great music.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: A LADDER TO SUCCESS | TEMAC DEVELOPMENT RISES TO SUCCESS AS LUXURY CUSTOM HOME BUILDER
Nate Gossage | Living Stone Builders
“We have been blessed to form incredible friendships with our clients over the years,” states. “When you communicate regularly, weekly, daily, and sometimes hourly with people over the course of many years, see each other’s families grow and participate in holidays, birthday parties and major life events, you form an inevitable friendship.
“Building a home is like a mini-marriage between the builder and the client,” Gossage says. “These relationships are typically five years long, from the project’s inception through the multiple phases and the services after completion.
“So, my advice would be to go with a builder who is not only an expert in construction but is also someone you enjoy interacting with and would want as a family friend. As architect Mark Candelaria says, ‘The project isn’t done until I’ve cooked for them in their kitchen!’”
