Building your dream home is an exciting journey, but that journey can feel defeating if you receive multiple change orders during the course of your new home construction. While change orders are inevitable during the construction process, they can be a source of frustration and significantly increase final costs if not managed properly. 

Luckily, you can minimize change orders during your new home construction by implementing the following tips, ensuring a smooth and stress-free home-building experience…but, first…

What Are Change Orders?

Change orders are common in the construction industry and refer to any modifications or alterations made to the original design-build plan or contract. They can include anything from small modifications to major alterations, and they generally alter one of three areas: the cost, the scope, or the schedule. 

These changes can happen for various reasons, including unforeseen circumstances, changes in the design or materials, or a change of mind from the homeowner. While change orders most often occur during the construction process, they can also happen as early as the initial architecture phase and as late as the interior design phase.

While change orders may seem like a nuisance, they can be necessary to avoid mistakes or to improve the overall design and functionality of the home. However, if not managed properly, change orders can lead to timeline delays, increased costs, and added stress for both the homeowner and the construction team. With proper precautions, however, they can be minimized and made stress-free. Now let’s get into just how to do that…

Select an Experienced Architectural Design Firm

One of the best ways to minimize change orders during your new home construction process is to work with an experienced and reputable architectural design firm. A skilled and experienced design-build firm will work closely with you to understand your vision, priorities, and budget from the outset and create a comprehensive plan that meets all of your needs. 

An experienced new home construction company will also have a deep and nuanced understanding of the entire home-building process and can anticipate any potential issues or challenges that may arise. This foresight can help prevent change orders, as the design and budget will be carefully planned with all possible scenarios in mind.

Since a full-service design-build firm works on every step of the custom home building process, from initial architectural plans to final touches, they’ll also be able to keep all details in-house. This makes the process more seamless, enhances communication, and reduces the chance of overlooked issues that will need to be altered via change order later down the line. Change orders often occur as the result of miscommunication or misunderstanding between two departments, but with one company performing every detail, this risk can be minimized.

Carefully Review the Budget

Another key aspect of minimizing change orders is to carefully inspect your budget, emphasis on carefully! A detailed and well-documented budget can help you avoid any unexpected costs or changes as the process gets underway. 

Before starting the new home construction process, make sure to review the budget in person with your design-build team. Schedule a meeting to discuss the budget in detail, and make sure you leave with a clear understanding of what is included and what may potentially require a change order.

When meeting with your team, ask them some of the following questions:

• How familiar are they with your architectural plans? 
• What assumptions did they make when creating the budget? 
• Did they get multiple bids for major line items? 
• Did they scrutinize each bid?
• Did they provide you with multiple options?

Custom homes involve countless details, big and small, so assumptions will need to be made and sub-contractors will need to submit preliminary bids. All of these estimates create a budget that inevitably fluctuates from initial submission to final delivery, so it’s important to gain an intimate understanding of every line item and assumption made so you know the margin of error you’re potentially dealing with.

Make Selections On Time

One common, if not the most common, source of change orders during the new home construction process is when the homeowner is not able to make design selections on time. If you delay making critical selections, it can cause delays or force the builder to proceed with construction out of the planned order, which can lead to avoidable costs later down the line.

To avoid this, make sure to communicate with your design-build team and have a clear timeline for when selections need to be made. Generally, your architectural design firm will provide you with a list of needed selections and a schedule for when each decision needs to be made. Selections needed before construction often include:

• Windows
• Exterior doors
• Roof
• Appliances
• Plumbing fixtures
• Interior beams
• Fireplace details
• Interior flooring

Research and decide on your choices early on in the process, and consult with your design team to ensure they align with the overall design and budget. This is a simple and effective way to minimize the risk of change orders during the construction phase.

Stick to Your Original Choices

One of the best, and easiest, ways to avoid change orders is to stick to your original design choices and project scope. While it can be tempting to make changes or additions during the process, the last-minute changes lead to, naturally, a change order. While it’s okay to request changes if you need to, make sure that you’re prepared for the delays and extra costs these changes will cause. 

To avoid this issue, try to tackle selections as early in the process as possible and do thorough research to be 100 percent sure you’re happy with your decisions. The more research you do early on, the less likely you’ll change your mind later in the process. 

It’s also always a good idea to communicate with your design-build team about your selections so they can advise you on expected costs, timelines, and alternatives that keep your wants and needs in mind while working with your budget.

If you’re searching for a truly luxury custom home design/build experience, C&C Partners is the premier choice. We offer unmatched and unwavering customer service, paired with exceptional craftsmanship that guarantees you’ll love your custom home for decades to come. 

During every stage of the custom home design/build process, your vision and budget are kept at the forefront, exemplifying the client-centric approach that has helped us become one of the premier luxury home builders in Southern California. We’ll work with you one-on-one, ensuring that you’re comfortable and confident throughout the design/build process and guaranteeing your dream home comes to life. 

If you want to experience the C&C Partners difference for yourself, contact us online or give us a call at 310-322-0803 today.

Building a custom home for your family is an exciting yet daunting task. From choosing the perfect location to designing the ideal floor plan, it can feel daunting to ensure that everything is in place for a successful and effective home construction process. To help you navigate through this complex process, here are four key ways to ensure a successful new home construction for your family’s long-term future.

1. Determine a Reasonable Budget

One of the first and most crucial steps in the new home construction process is establishing a reasonable budget. It’s important to establish your budget early on so your architectural design firm knows what the parameters are for the project.

While you may have hundreds of specific desires for your new custom home, your design/build firm will ultimately have to work within the confines of your budget, so it’s important to choose one that is realistic and that you’re going to stick to. If you’re having trouble compromising, your luxury home builders can help you identify costs and understand the trade-offs involved in building your dream home. They can also provide you with cost-saving solutions without compromising the quality or functionality of your home, so your dream home is still within your financial reach.

2. Choose Your Dream Location

Location is everything when it comes to new home construction. When choosing the location of your property, consider what you want from that home — the neighborhood desirability, schools in the area, square footage, HOAs, and other amenities that matter to you and your family. Choosing the right location can significantly improve your family’s quality of life and add value to your home.

Your architectural design firm can help you navigate through the various factors to consider when choosing your new home’s location. They can provide insight into zoning restrictions, local building codes, and any potential challenges that may arise during construction. This will ensure that your dream location is not only suitable for your family but also suitable for your luxury custom home as you envision it.

3. Design a Custom Floorplan

When it comes to custom new home construction, one size does not fit all. Customizing your floor plan is a vital aspect of ensuring that your property is effective for your family’s long-term future.

How big does your new home need to be? Do you have an existing layout you love? Which rooms are most important to you? How many people are you accommodating for? These are all crucial questions to consider when designing your floor plan.

Your design/build firm can work with you to tailor a floor plan that meets your family’s specific needs and lifestyle while remaining cost-effective and achievable within your timeline. They can help you consider factors such as traffic flow, natural light, and outdoor living spaces to create a functional, efficient, and visually pleasing floor plan.

4. Understand Your Timeline

In the current market, time is a crucial aspect of the custom home-building process. With so many uncontrollable external factors such as weather conditions and material availability, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of your timeline. 

Knowing how long certain aspects of home construction or interior design take, including how long orders will take to arrive, is imperative to schedule your project precisely and efficiently. It’s also important to inform your design/build firm of your personal timeline and when you’ll need to move out of your current residence, so they can ensure that the project is completed in a timely manner and is ready for you when you need it.

Building a new home for your family’s future is an exciting and rewarding endeavor. However, it requires proper planning, budgeting, and expertise to ensure an effective and successful construction process. If you want to ensure that your new home is built with your family’s future in mind, C&C Partners is the premier choice.

Since 1987, C&C Partners has committed to an unwavering standard of excellence and top-tier client satisfaction that has helped us stand above the rest and remain Southern California’s premier luxury architectural design firm. If you want to experience the C&C Partners difference for yourself, contact us online or give us a call at 310-322-0803 today.

When designing custom homes, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the hundreds of choices that need to be made to bring the project to completion. A luxury architectural design firm can help make the process seamless and hassle-free, but there are still a few key elements of your custom home design that you’ll need to decide on. Before you begin the home renovation process, keep in mind these important decisions that need to be made — and when you should make them.

Finalize Your Vision for Your Custom Home

The first decision that you’ll need to make during the custom home design process is to generally know and understand the overall vision for your new home. Your architectural design firm will work with you to establish the desired architectural style, stylistic elements, and initial floor plan.

This is an initial brainstorming session, so specific details can always be changed later in the process. However, you should have a clear idea of the overall style you want and potentially how it will fit into your neighborhood. This is also a good time to share your must-haves with your luxury home builders so they can be sure to accommodate them and prioritize them from day one. 

Confirm Exterior Home Renovation Materials

Once you’ve finalized the home’s overall style, the next important decision to begin planning is exterior materials and color palettes. The exterior of the home should be to degree decided on prior to putting a shovel in the ground, not only because it’s the first design-element you see of a home, but also because you may need to approve these design choices with your neighborhood’s HOA or with the city, depending on where you live.

Decisions that should be finalized at this stage in the process include siding material details, locations of stone or brick, roof materials, possible paint colors, gutter types and colors, and the list goes on. If applicable, your HOA will want to approve these to ensure that your custom home design meets all community guidelines and fits in with the neighborhood. Generally, your architectural design firm can help guide you through this process to make it as hassle-free as possible.

Make All Decisions As Early As Possible

Although not all design decisions are needed right away, it’s always best to make as many decisions as possible as early as possible. Ideally, all decisions should be made during the preliminary study or design development phases, before construction begins. This will help prevent any delays in construction or surprise additions to the budget.

Certain decisions are required to be made before construction begins, including windows and exterior doors, exterior materials, roof materials, appliances, plumbing fixtures, fireplace details, and flooring materials. Any selections that have an impact on the architectural design or foundation of the home are required before construction to ensure that everything is completed on-time and on-budget. Interior materials and appliances should be finalized early so there’s ample time to order and receive them before their scheduled installation.

There are thousands of design options when creating custom homes from scratch, so the possibilities are endless. At C&C Partners, we understand how overwhelming home renovation and new home construction can be, which is why we work closely alongside you from concept to completion, guaranteeing a seamless process that results in a one-of-a-kind design/build experience. 

Since 1987, C&C Partners has committed to an unwavering standard of excellence and top-tier client satisfaction that has helped us stand above the rest and remain Southern California’s premier luxury architectural design firm. If you want to experience the C&C Partners difference for yourself, contact us online or give us a call at 310-322-0803 today.

If you’re looking for a new home for your family, there are two main routes you can choose from: purchasing a pre-built home from someone else or designing a custom home using a design/build firm. Most homeowners looking for a home search the existing home market first, but it can be difficult to find your dream home when it was designed to meet somebody else’s needs. That’s why an increasing number of homeowners are opting for the new home construction process instead. 

Whichever route you choose, however, it’s important to know the benefits and drawbacks of each so you can make the right decision for your family. If you’re in the market for a new property, here are the pros and cons of building a custom home versus buying an existing home.

Buying an Existing Home

Buying an existing home is the most common home-buying method. Compared to new home construction, buying a pre-built house is typically faster, cheaper, and simpler. However, while cheap and quick, buying an existing house almost always requires you to compromise on your needs, desired location, or layout preferences. If you’re on a tight budget or timeline, buying an existing home can be the best option, but for those seeking an uncompromising luxury home experience, custom home design is still the premier choice and better investment.

Pros & Cons of Buying an Existing Home

If you can’t wait more than a couple of months to move into your new home, or if you’re seeking a cheaper option with easier-to-obtain financing, buying an existing home may be the preferred option. However, there are many drawbacks to buying a pre-built home which make it a less ideal choice for those wanting to avoid home renovation later down the line.

Before you even purchase the home, shopping for a pre-built house can be a stressful experience. It’s currently a seller’s market, so those seeking a home to buy will be left with fewer options at a higher price point, and it’s virtually guaranteed that you’ll have to compromise on your wishlist. You may have to compromise on location, opt for a smaller house than you wanted, pay more than you budgeted, or settle for a layout and design that isn’t to your taste. Even once you decide to submit an offer on a home, bidding wars are extremely common and can drive up the price of a house you aren’t 100 percent satisfied with in the first place.

Once you do own the home, there are still numerous problems to consider. Depending on the age of the home, there may be outdated structures or fixtures that will require maintenance or repairs. They could even be potentially hazardous materials such as lead, mold, or asbestos that weren’t found during the inspection. After buying and settling into your new home, the last thing you want to worry about is a home renovation project, so many homeowners prefer to invest in new home construction and move into their custom homes with the peace of mind that they won’t need to renovate or repair their home for years to come.

Building a Custom Home

No matter how many pre-built homes you look at, sometimes they don’t meet all of your family’s needs. After all, your household is one-of-a-kind, so why shouldn’t your house be? Creating your own custom home design is an incredibly exciting and rewarding process that can maximize your investment, build equity, and satisfy your family’s needs for decades to come. 

At C&C Partners architectural design firm, we streamline the process with a 15-step custom home-building process that ensures the entire project runs smoothly and your dreams are realized without stress. Our process involves three phases — Preliminary Study, Design Development, and Construction — each broken into five smaller steps that remove the hassle and headaches from custom home design. Instead of stressing about deadlines and communication, you only have to worry about choosing the perfect finishing touches to bring your custom home to life.

Pros & Cons of New Home Construction

The biggest drawbacks of new home construction are the cost and the timeline. Since you’re building your dream home from scratch, it can take much longer for you to move into the finished product than if you were to buy an existing home. It can also potentially cost more to build depending on the location, materials, and features you choose.

However, building your own custom home offers you numerous benefits, including virtually unlimited flexibility. If you aren’t in a rush to move into a new property, custom homes are almost always the superior choice.

By working with a home architect and luxury home builders to design your dream home from the ground up, you can enjoy complete customization that results in a truly one-of-a-kind property. You can inject all of your wants and needs into the layout and design, from the initial floorplan to the final interior design touches. This also allows you to control your budget. Since you decide the size, location, materials, features, and finishes of your new home, you can make choices that fit within your budget, so a custom home doesn’t need to be unreasonably expensive.

This full design control also extends to control and knowledge of the property’s history. Whereas existing homes can have hidden problems, poor energy efficiency, or a questionable home history, opting for a custom home will allow you to have knowledge of all of these details. You will be the first and only owner, and you don’t need to worry about how old and prone to repairs any of the home’s finishes are. Although it’s a significant investment of your time and money, custom homes pay off in spades in peace of mind, long-term return on investment, and personal value to your family.

While home renovation can help an existing property check more boxes on your wishlist, only a custom home design can meet 100 percent of your needs and wants, perfectly suiting the unique desires of your one-of-a-kind family. At C&C Partners, we understand the personal importance of new home construction, which is why we work closely alongside you from concept to completion, guaranteeing a seamless process that results in an unparalleled design/build experience. 

Since 1987, we’ve committed to an unwavering standard of excellence and top-tier client satisfaction that has helped us stand above the rest and remain Southern California’s premier luxury architectural design firm. If you want to experience the C&C Partners difference for yourself, contact us online or give us a call at 310-322-0803 today.