Q: Do I need a REALTOR to build or buy
a Grace Custom Home? [top]
This is personal preference. Grace Custom Homes works
in conjunction with All
Star Property, Inc realtors or you can provide your
own. Realtor's can make the process that much easier.
Q: We do not yet own a lot but need
one. Can you help us locate a lot? [top]
Locating land in the greater Denver area is becoming more
difficult. Whether you are interested in one of the premier
residential communities, or looking for available upscale
lots in the foothills, Grace Custom Homes or your Realtor
can assist with lot availability and feasibility questions.
Q: We own our own lot. Can Grace Custom
Homes build on it? [top]
Yes. Grace Custom Homes has customized our services to
take one of our plans, or your plan, and build your dream
homes. Every lot is different along with every Grace Custom
Home. The lot size will be a consideration in determining
which design is right for you. We can also design – from
scratch – a custom home to suit your needs and chosen
lot.
Q: How do we obtain financing to build
our home on our lot? [top]
A custom home built on a lot which you own is financed
through a construction loan. We can arrange for you to
meet with one of our suggested lenders to begin the process.
Or, you can make arrangements with your own financial
representatives. Part of the construction loan package
is an agreement by the lender to pay Grace Custom Homes
on a scheduled basis as work progresses on your home.
Grace Custom Homes will review this agreement prior to
starting construction on your home. Grace Custom Homes
will work closely with the lender each time one of the
scheduled work completion dates is made.
Q: We have a home which we love, but
it is outdated. How can Grace Custom Homes help us? [top]
Our remodeling division will meet with you and discuss
the investments you would like to make to your home. We
will coordinate architectural drawings and recommendations.
Once changes are approved, we will present you with a
proposal enumerating costs. Once you give us the go-ahead,
we start the work on making your existing home the home
of your dreams.
Q: How do we get started with designing
the custom home of our dreams? [top]
Grace Custom Homes has many designs to choose from
as well as our own designers. We can design your dream
home or work with your architect. Either way we'll develop
a design and budget criteria. Grace Custom Homes monitors
the development of the custom design to make sure all
design and budget criteria are met. If small changes are
being made to an existing plan, their cost will be included
within the cost of the construction contract. If the design
is from scratch, then we use a separate design agreement
between Grace Custom Homes and you as the client. This
design is then yours, for your use in contracting the
home.
Q: Certain aspects of our future custom
home are more important than others. How can we make sure
that our needs our met? [top]
At Grace Custom Homes, the design development phase
can vary anywhere from one to several months. During this
time, numerous meetings are held between the architect,
interior designer (if one is involved) and the Grace Custom
Homes team. We focus on those areas of design and budget
development that are most important to you. For example,
if extensive design and quotation work is required to
develop your comfort with the kitchen/appliance design,
then time and the necessary coordination will be given
to this area of your need. Grace Custom Homes makes extensive
use of pre-selections and quotations to establish your
trust and comfort level in the many components which make
up your home.
Q: Why do "options" cost so much more
than at a home improvement store? [top]
You may well find that certain options, fixtures
or materials, are cheaper at one of the home improvement
discount stores. Few vendors order enough parts from
a manufacturer to receive the pricing break of a national
chain. But keep in mind that those prices do not necessarily
include all the items necessary for installation of
that particular fixture or component. Additionally,
they do not include the builder's risk, administrative
tasks, scheduling, insurance, coordination with other
trades, damage done by other trades, delivery of the
fixture or material, etc.
Q: Is the traditional cost-per-foot
comparison method suitable as a means of budgeting for
my new home? [top]
No. First, care must be taken to insure that the
heated or finished square footage has been calculated
using the same standards as used by real estate appraisers.
Second, depending on the home builder, the type of materials
used, subcontractors, as well as the given allowances
and lot cost, the cost-per-foot could reflect numbers
that look great on paper, but are not realistic. Third,
no two home builders construct a home exactly the same.
These differences in operation and construction are
not always reflected in the cost-per-foot comparison.
Q: Are there different types of contracts
which are more suitable than others? [top]
Yes. Certain types of contracts are more suitable
than others, depending on who owns the lot or will provide
the financing. Also, some contracts provide more flexibility
for changes and construction time than others. The type
of contract that will be the best match for you as our
client depends your needs as they are discussed with
the Grace Custom Homes team.
Q: How and when do I make final selections
for the components and finishes which become a part
of our home? [top]
Grace Custom Homes has developed a schedule for
client selections, which is tied to certain stages or
milestones of the actual construction schedule for your
home. This way, your efforts are maximized in evaluating
and selecting the best components for your home, and
seamlessly integrating them into the construction of
your home. Grace Custom Homes makes extensive use of
the numerous showrooms, samples and catalogs provided
by manufacturers and their vendors who are a part of
our team. Grace Custom Homes will provide a Selections
Coordinator to assist with the administration of the
selection process, showroom visits and vendor communication.
Q: What happens if I want to make
changes during the course of construction? [top]
One of the purposes for a standard schedule of client
selections is to anticipate and provide an opportunity
for client review and changes. This minimizes the potential
impact of delays as result of any last-minute changes.
Of course, changes can take place anytime, but their
cost can be minimized by up front preparation. Depending
on your type of contract, Grace Custom Homes may require
payment before changes are made. At any rate, whether
changes are pre-paid or paid by monthly progress payments
by your lender, Grace Custom Homes will provide and
review our change clause in your particular contract
before execution.
Q: How can I monitor the progress
of construction on our custom home? [top]
Your Grace Custom Homes Selections Coordinator and
Project Manager will keep you informed through regularly
scheduled selection and progress meetings. These meetings
are an effective means to keep you informed throughout
the construction process. Whether the meetings take
place at our office, a vendor's showroom, or at your
construction site, we at Grace Custom Homes recognize
the importance of your participation to achieving total
customer satisfaction.
Q: How does Grace Custom Homes turn
over a home to their clients? [top]
Prior to completion of your new home, Grace Custom
Homes will provide you with a 60-day commitment letter,
which notifies you of the planned date of home delivery.
Depending on the complexity of your project, two to
three weeks before this delivery date, your Project
Manager will arrange for a progress meeting where an
orientation and demonstration of your home will take
place. Grace Custom Homes provides an opportunity for
their clients to generate a Homeowner Walkthrough Inspection
List, which we will then use to prepare your home for
final delivery.
Q: What happens at contract settlement,
and what are my responsibilities? [top]
As per our 60-day commitment letter, we will notify
you to contact all utility companies, prior to your
occupancy, to have service transferred to your name
as of the date of your delivery and settlement. The
names and telephone numbers of the appropriate companies
will be provided to you along with your commitment letter.
You will also need to contact your lender for any last
minute requirements. It will be necessary for you to
purchase liability insurance on the property, with your
lender listed as the beneficiary on the policy. Your
lender will provide the specific information needed
to satisfy this condition.
