If you’re ready to purchase a new home and have been underwhelmed with the options on the market, you are not alone. About 13% of buyers in 2020 opted to build their own homes rather than buy an existing one. But, if you’re leaning toward the former category, then there are some things you need to know about the new home-building process.

Building a new home can be both overwhelming and exciting, which is why choosing the right custom home builder near Hanover, PA, is essential. The right partner will help you with the things you may not have thought about, such as obtaining building permits and a certificate of occupancy. And while you may find many home builders in central Pennsylvania, only one wants to help you create a meaningful space where you can find happiness—Burkentine Builders.

We have been in business for more than 30 years and have built more than 4,700 residential units. We make it easy to go through the building process, from choosing the right home community to the perfect home plan for you. For a top-notch home built to the highest standards, contact us to get started.

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1. Determine Your Budget

The first thing you’ll want to do when deciding to build a home is to determine your budget. When you’re in the thick of making decisions on which appliances you want and which carpet would look best in your living room, it can be easy to go overboard. However, having a budget upfront for each line item of your dream home makes it much easier to make the right decisions.

Be sure that you take into consideration all the costs of your home plan, including:

  • Land cost
  • Home cost
  • Architect or designer
  • Builder’s fees
  • Appliances
  • Realtor fees (if you decide to work with one)
  • Desired upgrades
  • Permits
  • Inspections

Chances are that you’ll need a construction loan and a mortgage. It’s wise to go to a bank or other financial institution to see how much you qualify for based on your income, credit score, and other financial obligations.

But a word of caution—just because a bank qualifies you for a $750,000 house doesn’t mean you need to spend that much. Remember that you will pay that money back, plus interest, for the next 15 to 30 years. You don’t want to make decisions now that will hurt your family in the future. Plus, building a custom home typically costs more than you originally planned, so having some wiggle room is a good idea.

2. Choose Your Lot

Once you know your approximate budget, you can start researching where to build your home. Do you want something close to your existing home or an entirely new area? What school district do you want your kids to attend? What kind of community do you want to live in for an extended period? These are essential questions to ask before beginning your search for a lot.

Burkentine Builders has several beautiful home communities in and around York, PA, from which you can choose. Whether you want to be in the highly sought-after Dallastown Area School District or somewhere closer to Gettysburg, we have a community for you. With short commutes to places like Baltimore, MD, and Washington, D.C., these homes are ideal for working families who want to live outside the city.

3. Research Builders

There are many home builders in York County, PA, so you’ll want to research before deciding on the right one for you. You’ll want someone with experience in the building process but who also has integrity and grit. Since you’ll be in regular contact with the builder during the construction process, you’ll also want someone with a friendly personality with whom you don’t mind talking. You’ll also want to check their references and see examples of their previous work.

Burkentine Builders is proud to build York, PA homes and beyond for our clients. We pride ourselves on stylish home designs with contemporary details and open floor plans. We’d love to work with you to create a home that is uniquely yours that you can watch your children and eventual grandchildren grow up in and thrive. Contact us today to get started.

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4. Decide on a Home Plan

A generic first and second-floor home plan.Once you choose your builder, many of them will have home plans in a catalog from which you can choose. This makes the home construction process easier for both the owner and builder since they’ve built many homes like this before, and the owner can still choose the right layout for their family.

Be sure to consider how many bedrooms and bathrooms you want, whether you want an open layout or something with more privacy, and how you want the exterior walls and roof to look.

5. Choose Appliances and Finishes Up Front

Finally, one of the most fun parts of working with custom home builders in Hanover, PA, can begin—making the house your own. Choosing which appliances you want, the color of the walls and the hardware on your cabinets can be exciting. Remember not to go overboard and stick with options within your budget. For example, do you really need expensive carpet in the basement if no one ever sees it? Opting for something less expensive downstairs can give you more money to spend on things you want upstairs.

Once you choose your options, it’s important to stick with them. Change requests will delay the building progress and increase the amount of money you spend on your new home. Not to mention, many change requests could irritate your builder, and that’s definitely not something you want.

6. Have a Plan

Building a new home with custom home builders in Hanover, PA, can be exciting. However, it’s also a chaotic and challenging time. You’ll be in regular communication with your builder, making decisions that affect the timeline of the build and your overall budget and trying to figure out what will work best for you and your family.

Having a plan that includes a detailed budget and project timeline, and knowing deadlines can make the process much easier. Decide on regular meetings with your home builder, general contractor, and real estate agent. Open communications, swift decision-making, and a long-term plan can help the process.

Looking for a Custom Home Builder in Hanover, PA?

Whether you’re looking for a place with lots of room to move to or a home community with neighbors nearby, you want to have a say in the look and feel of your home. That’s why choosing a custom home builder near Hanover, PA, like Burkentine Builders, is smart. We’ll work with you to select the right area, home plan, and finishes that suit you and your lifestyle. Get in touch with us today to get started! We can’t wait to build your dream home!

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