FAQs

We start with you—not with a set of plans. Before we talk about square footage, countertops, or rooflines, we want to understand how you live, what you love about your current home, what frustrates you, what you hope this home will do differently, and what investment you are comfortable making.

Sometimes that conversation leads us to recommend spending less or approaching something differently than you originally envisioned. Our goal is not to build the biggest or most expensive home possible. It is to help you build the right home for you.

We seek first to understand, then to build.

It means you do not have to assemble and manage your own team of architects, engineers, designers, contractors, suppliers, and consultants. Fairfield can coordinate the process from your earliest ideas through the day we hand you the keys.

• Architectural design and engineering
• Permitting
• Interior design and selections
• Purchasing and material coordination
• Construction and project management
• Landscaping, window treatments, financing resources, and other services when needed

One team. One process. One point of responsibility.

Usually, we would prefer to meet you before the design gets too far along. Great architecture matters. So does understanding what that architecture will actually cost to build.

As a design/build company, we bring construction knowledge, building science, current labor and material costs, and field experience into the design conversation. That allows us to continually ask an important question: “Is this where you want to spend your money?”

Sometimes the answer is absolutely yes. Other times a different approach can achieve nearly the same result for substantially less. We want design and budget working together from the beginning rather than discovering after months of design that the home is far beyond the budget you intended.

No. The initial conversation is an opportunity for us to get to know each other, understand what you are considering, answer questions, and determine whether Fairfield is the right fit.

Because most of our carpentry and construction labor is performed by our own employees, we have direct knowledge of many of our labor costs. That helps us prepare preliminary estimates quickly and with less guesswork than a model that depends entirely on waiting for outside trade bids.

The best projects start with mutual trust and a good fit.

We believe in talking about money early. There is little value in spending months designing a beautiful home only to discover that you cannot—or do not want to—build it.

We help you understand where the money is going, which choices meaningfully affect durability, comfort, energy performance, and long-term value, and which upgrades may provide relatively little return. Our job is not to convince you to spend more. It is to help you decide where your money matters most.

Yes—and there is a reason for it. We learned that sending customers all over Chicagoland to make hundreds of selections is not particularly hospitable.

Our showroom allows you to see and compare many of the products and materials we regularly use in one comfortable environment while working with someone who already understands your home, your style, and your budget. If what you want is not in our showroom, we will help you find it.

The showroom is not there to limit your choices. It is there to make choosing easier.

An allowance is a realistic budget amount for an item that has not yet been finally selected when the contract or budget is prepared. Typical allowances may include flooring, tile, cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures, appliances, hardware, and other finish materials.

If your final selection costs less than the allowance, the savings are yours. If it costs more, you pay the difference. We try to establish realistic allowances based on our conversations with you rather than artificially low allowances that make the initial price look attractive but do not reflect what you are likely to choose.

We would rather have an honest conversation at the beginning than an unpleasant surprise later.

It happens. A custom home gives you many opportunities to fall in love with something that was not originally contemplated. You may decide a particular countertop, appliance, plumbing fixture, or flooring is worth upgrading.

Our job is to help you understand the cost before you make the decision and, when possible, show you alternatives. Sometimes spending more makes sense. Sometimes it does not. You should be the one deciding.

Yes. If you find something special, talk with us about it. In many cases the easiest approach is to give us the manufacturer and model number and allow Fairfield to purchase it so our team can coordinate ordering, delivery, damaged products, missing parts, returns, and warranty issues.

If it makes more sense for you to purchase something directly, we will explain any responsibilities that come with doing so. The objective is not to control where something comes from. It is to make the project run smoothly for you.

Because preparation is one of the ways we respect your time and your money. A custom home contains hundreds of decisions. Making as many of them as possible before construction allows our craftsmen, suppliers, and trade partners to know exactly what they are building, lets us order long-lead materials earlier, and reduces delays, mistakes, and expensive last-minute changes.

We do not want you waking up every morning wondering what decision your builder needs from you that day. The better prepared we are before construction, the more enjoyable construction tends to be.

Every home is different. The schedule depends on design complexity, municipality, permitting requirements, material availability, weather, utility coordination, and other factors.

As a planning guideline, allow time for design and planning, engineering and selections, permitting, site preparation or demolition if required, construction, final inspections, and completion. Historically, many custom projects have required several months of planning and permitting followed by roughly a year of construction, but we will establish a project-specific schedule rather than relying on a generic promise.

We would rather give you a realistic expectation than an artificially short schedule simply because it sounds better during the sales process.

Not necessarily—and sometimes nobody working at the house is exactly what should be happening. Construction includes inspections, material deliveries, curing and drying periods, utility work, and coordination between trades.

Concrete, drywall, flooring, and paint all need time. Municipalities and utility companies sometimes need time too. What matters is that the project continues to be actively managed and that you understand what is happening and what comes next.

Yes. We want you to be part of the experience. There is something special about watching your home come together—from foundation to framing to the day the finishes begin making it feel like your home.

There will be times when safety or construction activities require us to coordinate visits carefully, but we do not want your home to feel like a place you are not allowed to see. Ask questions. Look around. Be curious.

Yes. We build year-round. Chicago winters create challenges, but proper construction practices allow us to manage them.

The structure may occasionally get wet or snowy during construction. When conditions require it, we use appropriate heat, ventilation, and dehumidification to help materials dry properly. Moisture management during construction is part of building a durable home, not an afterthought.

Building science is understanding how a house works as a complete system. Heat moves. Air moves. Water moves. Moisture moves. The way those forces are managed affects comfort, durability, indoor conditions, energy use, and the long-term performance of your home.

We pay attention to water management, air sealing, flashing, insulation, ventilation, mechanical systems, moisture control, window and door installation, and penetrations through the building envelope.

Many of the most important things we do will eventually disappear behind drywall, siding, roofing, and finishes. You may never see them again—but we will know they are there.

Know better. Build better. We build today so your home has a better chance at the next 50 years.

Energy efficiency is not one product. It is the result of many systems working together. Insulation matters, but insulation alone does not make an efficient home. Air sealing, windows, HVAC design, ductwork, ventilation, water management, and workmanship all matter too.

We will discuss the appropriate options for your home and help you understand where additional investment may provide meaningful benefits in comfort, durability, or operating costs. Our objective is not simply to sell upgrades. It is to give you enough information to make good decisions.

We tell you. Construction sometimes reveals conditions nobody could reasonably see beforehand, especially with demolition, infill sites, utility work, or an existing structure that will remain.

We explain what we found, why it matters, what we recommend, the alternatives, the cost, and what happens if you choose not to address it. Then we make the decision together. Surprises are stressful enough; they should not be made worse by poor communication.

You are allowed to change your mind. It is your home. We will explain what the change involves, what it costs, and whether it will affect the schedule before proceeding whenever possible.

A change that looks simple may affect drawings, engineering, permits, materials already ordered, subcontractors, scheduling, or work already completed. Rather than simply saying, “That is going to cost more,” we want you to understand why so you can decide whether the change is worth it.

Something eventually will. A custom home is assembled by human beings from thousands of components over many months. Materials arrive damaged. Products get backordered. Weather changes. A supplier ships the wrong item. Someone occasionally makes a mistake.

We do not believe the measure of a great builder is pretending those things never happen. The measure is how the builder responds when they do. We communicate, take responsibility for what belongs to us, develop a solution, and keep moving forward.

That is part of hospitality too.

Ask questions. Lots of them. Do not choose a builder based solely on the bottom-line price. Make sure you understand what is included, how allowances are established, who will manage your home, how changes are handled, how communication works, and what happens after move-in.

Ask about water management, air sealing, insulation, building science, warranty, and service. Speak with previous customers. And pay attention to how you are treated before you sign a contract. If communication is difficult while someone is trying to earn your business, it is unlikely to improve afterward.

Most importantly, choose someone you trust. You are going to spend a considerable amount of time together.

Our relationship should not end when we hand you the keys. A new home contains thousands of components, and the first year includes normal settling, adjustments, and learning how the home’s systems operate.

If you have a question, call us. If something does not seem right, tell us. We would rather hear from you than have you wondering whether something is normal. We want to stand behind our work and remain a resource long after construction is complete.

The greatest compliment is not simply “We love our house.” It is “We would build with Fairfield again.”

Almost everything. You are trusting us with an enormous financial investment and with something even more personal—the place you and your family will call home. That is a privilege.

We want you to feel welcome when you walk into our showroom, comfortable asking questions, listened to when you disagree with us, informed about where your money is going, and confident that when a problem comes up, we will answer the phone and work through it with you.

Craftsmanship matters. So do schedules, budgets, design, building science, durability, and value. But when the home is finished, we also want you to remember how you were treated while it was being built.

Our goal is not simply to build a home we are proud of. It is to create an experience you are glad you chose. That is The Fairfield Way.

At Fairfield Homes Inc., we understand that quality, craftsmanship, and exceptional service are the cornerstones of a reputable builder. What truly set us apart from other home builders are our unique, customer-centered processes and smart building science. We prioritize your needs, from ensuring the highest-quality materials and workmanship to maintaining your home’s resale value. Our transparent guidance, advisory support, and educational approach will empower you throughout the entire building process. With a commitment to building new homes in established, preferred neighborhoods, we strive to create a beautiful, modern home that perfectly suits your family’s needs.

Customer satisfaction is of utmost importance to us at Fairfield Homes Inc. We provide a seamless home-building experience by offering a one-stop-shop option. We can purchase the lot, secure construction financing, and handle the entire process through closing. Alternatively, if you prefer the more traditional approach, we can act as your general contractor. We prioritize open communication, regular updates, and collaborative decision-making to ensure your vision is realized. Our experienced team of home builders is dedicated to addressing any concerns promptly and providing exceptional service from start to finish.

Absolutely! As experienced home builders, we offer a comprehensive approach to home building. We have the capability to handle the entire process, from lot selection and development to demolition, design, materials selection, architecture, engineering, zoning compliance, permitting, utilities, construction, and service/warranty. We can manage every aspect of the project, including securing construction financing if desired. However, we also understand that some homeowners may prefer that we act as the general contractor. We offer flexibility and respect your choice in how involved you want to be in the process.

According to Custom Builder, nearly 31% of people who want a custom home want a significantly larger home than their current residence. If you’re ready to build your dream home, contact us today for more information!

Fairfield Homes Inc. is a reputable and accredited custom home builder with several credentials. We are incorporated, licensed, and over-insured, ensuring that we meet the highest standards of professionalism and reliability. As an accredited Better Business Bureau (BBB) company, we hold an A+ rating and have a complaint-free track record. Additionally, we are proud members of esteemed organizations such as the Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce, National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Building Industry Association of Greater Chicago (BIAGC), Association of Professional Builders (APB), and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). Moreover, we possess notable designations including AARP/NAHB Certified Aging in Place Specialist and Andersen Certified Contractor. To work with experienced and accredited home builders, call today!

We prioritize communication and transparency throughout the entire home-building process. By leveraging technology, we provide real-time access to all stakeholders, including our customers, employees, material suppliers, and subcontractors. Our app allows everyone involved to check the schedule, monitor progress, and access important documents such as contracts, plans, specifications, and selections. This ensures that everyone is on the same page, promoting clarity and effective collaboration.

In addition, we have a strong community connection. We specialize in building beautiful homes exclusively in Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, and neighboring communities. With our in-depth local experience, we possess a distinct advantage in delivering a smooth and satisfying home-building experience. Our knowledge of the local market, regulations, and community dynamics allows our team of home builders to navigate the process seamlessly and create homes that are perfectly suited to the preferences and lifestyles of our customers in these areas.