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Understanding the Materials Custom Home Builders Use

December 16, 2024

Building a custom home is an exciting journey that allows you to tailor every aspect of your living space to your tastes and needs. To make informed decisions during this process, it's crucial to understand the materials home builders rely on to create structurally sound and visually appealing homes. Each material plays a significant role in ensuring the quality, durability, and efficiency of your new home.


Concrete for the Foundation

Concrete is the backbone of any custom home's foundation. Whether your home is built on a slab, crawl space, or full basement, concrete provides the durability needed to support the structure. Its ability to withstand environmental stresses makes it a preferred choice for home builders. A well-prepared foundation ensures long-term stability and protects your home from settling or shifting over time.


Wood and Steel for Framing

Framing forms the skeleton of your home, and home builders typically use either wood or steel. Wood is a popular choice because it is cost-effective, easy to work with, and readily available. Steel, on the other hand, offers greater strength and resistance to warping or pests, making it a good option for homes in areas prone to extreme weather. Both materials ensure a solid structure that can accommodate your home's layout and design.


Wiring for Electrical Systems

Electrical wiring is an essential element of any custom home. According to Forbes, you'll need approximately 1 foot of wiring per square foot of living space in your home. This requires careful planning during the framing stage to ensure the electrical system is seamlessly integrated. Using high-quality wiring materials ensures safety, reliability, and the capacity to handle modern electrical demands.


High-Quality Windows and Doors

Windows and doors significantly impact your home's energy efficiency and aesthetics. Double- or triple-paned glass and materials like fiberglass or insulated steel are excellent choices for reducing energy loss while maintaining style. Selecting durable, well-crafted windows and doors can enhance natural light, improve ventilation, and add to your home's overall appeal.


Insulation for Comfort and Efficiency

Effective insulation is vital for maintaining a comfortable temperature inside your home year-round. Materials like spray foam, fiberglass, and cellulose are commonly used by home builders to reduce heat transfer, lower energy bills, and improve soundproofing. Insulation plays a key role in making your custom home energy-efficient and sustainable.


When building your custom home, understanding the materials home builders use can help you make informed decisions that enhance your home's quality and design. From concrete foundations to energy-efficient insulation, each material serves a unique purpose in creating a home that's not only functional but also beautiful and long-lasting. Ready to build your dream home? Contact our expert home builders at Fairfield Homes, Inc today to discuss how we can bring your vision to life with the highest quality materials.

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Fairfield Homes, Inc. excels in navigating the complex regulatory permit process, cutting through bureaucratic red tape efficiently. We also provide expert advice on selecting the right building lot for your new home, considering various factors that impact design and cost. Beyond construction costs, numerous hidden fees and regulatory costs arise before receiving a permit. These pre-construction fees and regulatory commitments can range from $25,000 to over $200,000. In Illinois, fees and requirements vary significantly between different cities, towns, and villages. It’s important to research these fees thoroughly, as different terms may be used. Based on our experience building over fifty new homes in the past eight years, here are some examples of permit fees: - Arlington Heights: $7,000-8,000 - Mount Prospect, Long Grove: $10,000-11,000 - Des Plaines, Glenview: $11,000-13,000 - Palatine, Kildeer: $14,000-17,000 - Lincolnshire: $17,000-19,000 - Lake Zurich: $38,000+ - Lake Forest: $68,000+ Impact Fees vs. Teardown Costs Impact fees are often a one-time charge for infrastructure used by new home residents. These fees should only apply to empty lots, not teardowns. For example, in Arlington Heights, we paid almost $10,000 for an empty lot: - Elementary District 25: $6,200 - Detention: $2,756 - Tree Fee: $802 Affordable Housing Fund In 2021, one village introduced a fee of $3,532 per new single-family residence permit to fund affordable housing initiatives. Tree Fees Villages may charge fees to remove trees, considering the type, health, and size of the tree. Additionally, a cash bond may be required to ensure the health of remaining trees. Costs range from $800 to $40,000, excluding removal costs for diseased or obstructive trees, which add another $2,500 to $15,000. Landscaping Requirements from Home Owner Associations, developers, and villages can impose landscaping costs of up to $20,000 or more. Creeks and Floodplains Properties touching creeks or floodplains require Floodplain and Wetlands Delineations, costing $2,000 each. These studies investigate critical areas on-site and display boundaries on maps. Soil Tests Villages may require soil tests, costing around $2,000, to ensure soil support for footers and foundations. Septic Systems and Wells If municipal water and sewer services are unavailable, installing a septic system and well involves a septic soils analysis and plans, costing $2,000-3,000. Additional installation costs range from $10,000-25,000. Storm Systems Civil engineering costs ($7,000-10,000) include determining if a storm system is required. These systems direct runoff water to municipal storm sewers. Driveway Culvert Properties without city curb and gutter may require a driveway culvert for stormwater, typically costing $8,000. Fire Suppression More villages are requiring fire suppression systems for single-family homes, costing $10,000-15,000, with higher costs if water is supplied by a well. One village offers an opt-out fee. Plumbing Some villages require copper or cast iron piping, adding $1,500 to $30,000 to the cost. Natural Materials Certain villages or Home Owner Associations may require specific building materials, adding $10,000 to $50,000 or more to the cost. Fairfield Homes takes a strategic approach to handling the pre-construction and permit process, reviewing and packaging applications ourselves. We present solutions to problems to the entire team, expediting responses and controlling costs. Our expertise will save you money, ensuring efficient and cost-effective project management.
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