Getting started on the build/design process for a new custom home can be an exciting but overwhelming task. Here are some steps to help you get started:

1. Determine Your Budget: Before you start any design work, it’s important to determine your budget for the project. Consider factors such as the cost of land, materials, labor, and any unexpected expenses that may arise. This will help you to ensure that your design and building plans are realistic and affordable.
2. Find a Builder: Once you have a budget in mind, you’ll need to find a builder who can help you bring your vision to life. Look for builders with experience in building custom homes, a good reputation, and a portfolio of work that matches your style and preferences.
3. Create a Wish List: Spend some time creating a wish list of features and amenities you would like to include in your new home. This can include everything from the number of bedrooms and bathrooms to the type of flooring and appliances you prefer.
4. Design the Floor Plan: Work with your builder and an architect to create a floor plan that meets your needs and preferences. This may involve several rounds of revisions and adjustments to ensure that the design is functional, aesthetically pleasing, and meets your budget constraints.
5. Select Materials and Finishes: Once the floor plan is finalized, it’s time to start selecting materials and finishes for your new home. This may include everything from the type of roofing material to the paint colors and hardware finishes.
6. Obtain Permits: Before construction can begin, you’ll need to obtain any necessary permits from your local government or building department. Your builder can help you navigate this process and ensure that all necessary permits are obtained before construction begins.

Overall, the build/design process for a new custom home involves several steps and can be a complex and time-consuming process. By working with an experienced builder and taking a thorough and organized approach, you can help ensure that your new home meets your needs and preferences while staying within your budget.

If you’re ready to build your dream home, contact us for a consultation. We like to spend a lot of time upfront to get a feel for what you’re looking for in your new home. We can then start the design process with one of our award-winning local architects and begin to design your new custom home!

We have built homes all over the Kansas City metro area, including both sides of the Kansas and Missouri state line. We have built from the the north side of the KC metro, all the way south into Olathe, Overland Park and all of Johnson County, past Miami County, to out west as far as Topeka, and east into Independence, Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit, beyond Jackson and Cass County. We have also built numerous homes on acreages big and small and are highly familiar with site development on large plots of land.

Learn more about our work, check out our Gallery of Custom Built Homes and read our Case Studies. We would love to work with you to build your dream home in Kansas or Missouri. Contact us today!

This is a great question and one you should not overlook when selecting a builder to craft your dream home. What we’ve found over the last 25 years building homes is that there is a difference in the quality of all tradespeople based on their portfolio, background, and experience level.

Every tradesperson who steps on a job for Cecil & Ray Homes is one who has been properly vetted, and that vetting can only happen through prior experience with them on our jobs. We do not want to find out whether or not a tradesperson is qualified when he or she is working on your home, making you the “guinea pig,” so to speak. It’s taken us many years to assemble a group of craftspeople who we know through prior experience will do the highest level of work. That is the recipe for success in our industry!

To learn more about how we work and how we can work with YOU, contact us today!

This is a critical component of the overall quality of the project and also the enjoyment the client will experience throughout the build process. The field project manager/superintendent is the first and also the last set of eyes to make sure everything is done correctly on your project. There are so many tradespeople involved in a custom home that someone must be onsite daily to manage and make decisions that will reflect immensely in the overall quality and also the longevity of the project.

This is one of the core tenets of what we believe and why Bryan and Ryan are on each job site every day. We believe our experience building homes over the last 25 years puts someone on site daily with a vested interest in the company and therefore someone to whom doing things the right way is of the utmost importance. You will find a majority of builders place a superintendent on the job and the builder/owner may never visit it while it is under construction! This is not to say there aren’t some qualified foreman out there, but the vast majority of the time you will see big turnover in employment, which can leave your project up in the air as far as who is actually running the job. It can also place an individual who does not have a lot of construction experience in charge of running your job—and remember, in this case he or she is the person calling the shots, not the owner who you contracted with!

We would love to talk to you about building your dream home. Contact us today!

In home building, there are two common types of contracts that builders use to price their services: cost-plus and fixed-price. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the two:

1. Cost-Plus Contract: A cost-plus contract is an agreement in which the builder charges the client the actual cost of labor and materials, plus a percentage markup for their services. The markup is typically negotiated upfront and may range from 10-20% of the total cost of the project. This type of contract offers transparency in terms of pricing, as the client knows exactly how much the materials and labor cost. However, it may not provide as much certainty around the final price of the project.
2. Fixed-Price Contract: A fixed-price contract is an agreement in which the builder charges a set price for the entire project, based on a detailed estimate of the materials, labor, and other costs. This type of contract offers more certainty around the final price of the project, as the builder is responsible for any cost overruns or unexpected expenses. However, the builder may add a contingency amount to the contract to cover potential changes or unforeseen circumstances.

Overall, the main difference between a cost-plus and a fixed-price contract is the level of transparency and certainty around the final price of the project. Cost-plus contracts provide transparency around the actual cost of materials and labor, but may not offer as much certainty around the final price. Fixed-price contracts provide more certainty around the final price of the project, but may not be as transparent in terms of the actual cost of materials and labor. Ultimately, the best type of contract will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the client and the builder.

We would love to work with you to build the home of your dreams. Contact us today!