Building a custom home is one of life’s most exciting milestones. It’s the chance to design a space that reflects not only how you live today—but how you want to live for years to come.
At Scott Alan Custom Projects, we’ve spent more than 35 years helping families bring their vision to life. One thing we’ve learned? The best builds begin with well-prepared homeowners.
Here’s a clear, simple guide to help you step into your custom home journey fully ready, informed, and confident.
1. Clarify Your Vision (Even If It’s Not Final Yet)
You don’t need every decision made before building—but having a strong sense of your lifestyle goals helps shape the entire process.
Think about:
How you live day-to-day
What kind of spaces matter most
How your home should feel
Must-have features vs. nice-to-haves
Your vision gives us the foundation we need to design a home that’s functional, meaningful, and uniquely yours.
Tip: Create a simple Pinterest board or folder of inspiration images. Themes tend to emerge naturally.
2. Understand Your Budget (and Your Comfort Level)
We walk clients through realistic cost expectations early, but it helps to have a sense of your financial comfort zone.
Consider:
Your ideal investment range
Areas where you want to prioritize quality
Items that may require long-term planning (landscaping, furnishings, etc.)
If you are financing your home, get your mortgage pre-approval done so you understand the funds that are available to you - don’t guess
We’ll help align your design choices with your budget so there are no surprises down the road.
3. Choose Your Lot—or Get Help Finding One
If you already own land, great. If not, we can guide you through the selection process.
Before construction starts, consider:
Location and orientation
Sun exposure
Setbacks and municipal restrictions
Topography and soil conditions
Access for construction vehicles
The right lot can elevate your home design and influence everything from layout to landscaping.
4. Think About Your Timeline
A custom home isn’t built overnight—and that’s a good thing. Quality takes time, and every project moves through careful phases.
Before starting, consider:
When you’d ideally like to move in
Whether you need temporary housing
How flexible your schedule can be
Seasonal considerations (yes, we build year-round!)
We’ll work with you to build a timeline that’s realistic and transparent from day one. Our typical home build can be completed in seven months.
5. Prepare for Collaboration
Your custom home is a partnership.
We bring decades of experience, and you bring personal insights, preferences, and priorities.
Being prepared to collaborate includes:
Clear communication
Openness to recommendations
Timely feedback on selections and designs
Trusting the process
When we’re aligned, the build flows smoothly—and the end result reflects the very best of both perspectives.
6. Start Thinking About the Details (Don’t Stress—Just Explore)
Even early in the process, it helps to have a sense of:
Your style (Modern? Mountain? Timeless? Transitional?)
Preferred layout elements (open concept, main-floor primary suite, etc.)
Storage needs
Kitchen functionality
Outdoor living goals
Home efficiency
You don’t need everything decided before we begin, but every little insight helps us craft a home that feels right from the start.
7. Trust the Expertise You’re Hiring
This might be the most important part of preparation.
When you work with Scott Alan Custom Projects, you’re choosing a builder with:
35+ years of experience
Long-standing trade partners
Transparent communication
A commitment to thoughtful construction
A reputation built on quality, integrity, and care
The more trust you place in the team, the easier and more enjoyable the process becomes.
8. Get Excited—This Is the Fun Part
Pre-construction isn’t just paperwork and planning—it’s where your home begins to take shape. It’s where your ideas, sketches, and inspirations start turning into a real, livable design.
The groundwork you put in now sets the tone for the entire build.
Final Thoughts
Being prepared doesn’t mean having everything figured out—it simply means approaching the journey with clarity, communication, and confidence.
When you build with Scott Alan Custom Projects, you’re not just building a house. You’re creating a space that reflects your story, your lifestyle, and your future.
Let’s bring our vision to life.