Allowances, that is, budgeting general costs for line items before the specific items are chosen, are a fact of life on many custom home projects. 

For an allowance to positively serve the homeowners' interest, it must be based on accurate numbers. For example, the homeowners should at least decide what grade of products they want - a decision that can require legwork as well as self-awareness.

More and more home systems are adding voice control technology. Should you embrace this trend when building your new home, or is it better to wait?

Most of the press we've seen about this technology gushes with optimism, but we believe it warrants a more critical approach.

Should you heed the conventional advice about getting price bids from three builders?

Maybe, but once you understand the complexities and uncertainties that go into putting together a bid, you will see why there may be a more effective approach.

Countertops have a lot to do with how enjoyable your kitchen is for daily use and how easy it is to maintain. And of course, they play a big part in the first impression the space makes on your visitors.

It's worth taking the time to choose the countertop materials that work best for you.

The professional who conducts your project to its finale draws from a deep well of knowledge.

While the builder creates the business processes and sets the quality standards needed to build a custom home, someone has to make sure those processes are followed and those standards achieved. The job demands an experienced professional with the same level of technical and interpersonal skills as a front-line manager in any complex industry.

A good supervisor is like a blend of engineer and orchestra conductor, with a bit of psychologist thrown in.

If you have done any research into new homes, you're likely familiar with the three categories of homes and builders: production, semi-custom and custom.

Which one you choose will depend on your budget and your priorities--and each type may appeal to the same people at different points in their lives.

A big factor in someone's choice of a builder is their comfort with the first person they meet from the company, whether it's the owner or a sales person.

Professional builders understand this, and they make sure to act in ways that earn their clients' trust, starting with that first meeting.

While most older homes weren’t designed for an aging population, it's not difficult to make a new home accessible.

There are many creative ways to make a home feel welcoming to everyone, and as a bonus, accessible features provide an edge in the market when it's time to sell.

Everyone wants their new home to be comfortable, healthy and energy-efficient.

Professional builders satisfy these expectations with high insulation levels, careful air sealing and optimized heating and cooling systems.

A great finish doesn't come cheap, but it can make or break the look of a custom home.

Many homeowners expect plumbers and electricians to be expensive but are surprised at the prices charged by other subcontractors. The most obvious example of this is the professional painting company.

The National Association of Home Builders estimates that it takes at least 3 to 5 years to create a sustainable building business.

Most builders never get there: residential contractors have a failure rate higher than nearly every other business type, surpassed only by restaurants.