Q&A
Charlottesville Area Builders has been around for more than 30 years. We’re experienced and ready to answer any questions you might have. You will find answers to our most commonly asked questions below. Always feel free to contact us with more questions any time.
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS? HOW MANY HOMES HAVE YOU BUILT?
Charlottesville Builders was established in 1984 and is a third-generation family owned business. We typically build 15-25 homes per year and have built hundreds to date in and around the Charlottesville area.
HOW DO YOU COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHER BUILDERS? WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT BENEFITS OF THE HOMES YOU BUILD?
Charlottesville Area Builders is a local mid-size custom home builder. This allows for one on one planning, attention to detail and willingness to work with changes during the building process. Whether you want to start from scratch, have a plan in mind, need to find a lot or already have one, we will work with you to personalize every detail. It is our flexibility to build on your land exactly how you want, without any set limitations that is one of a kind. It’s all custom, from beginning to finish.
CAN YOU GIVE ME REFERENCES FROM PRIOR HOME BUYERS? DO YOU BUILD MODEL HOMES I CAN TOUR? IF NOT, CAN YOU HELP ME MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE A HOME YOU BUILT FOR ANOTHER CUSTOMER?
Yes, we provide current references. Each home we build is unique to its owner. We are not a production based builder commonly referred to as “track” builders. A true custom home builder does not have model homes. Every new customer is shown homes in progress as well as ones that have been recently completed. Many of our past customers are more than happy to showcase their new homes to our current customers. Examples of our work gives you a firsthand view of our quality from “the inside out” and a personal testament to why you will feel confident building with CAB.
HOW AND WHEN WILL THE FINAL PRICE FOR MY HOME BE DETERMINED?
After initial consultations we can enter the design phase. During this phase, we continue to listen to your needs and desires to determine your project’s scope. We will help you define the specifications and the layout of your home. This design process takes our customers from general ideas to a fully custom designed set of plans. Once you have completed the design phase with our team we will be able to provide a firm estimate on how much your new home will cost. Then, once pricing is approved we can go to contract. The actual price of your home will depend on a number of variables – its size, the intricacy of its design, the building materials and products you select, and the land preparation – “site” costs. Your selections will be made ahead of construction so there are no surprises or unforeseen costs during the build unless you choose to make additions along the way.
WILL CAB COME OUT TO EVALUATE MY FUTURE HOME SITE TO CHECK IF IT IS THE RIGHT LOT FOR MY NEW HOME?
Yes, gladly. We will schedule a lot walk for you at no cost, or obligation. This is the best way to assure that your home gets situated on your land the perfect way for you and your family’s lifestyle. Before you purchase a lot, we can address any questions or concerns you might have, determine feasibility and site work preparations needed for your home build.
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS? HOW MANY HOMES HAVE YOU BUILT?
Charlottesville Area Builders was established in 1984 and is a third-generation family owned business. We typically build 15-25 homes per year and have built hundreds to date in and around the Charlottesville area.
HOW DO I BEGIN THE PROCESS WHILE I STILL HAVE A HOME TO SELL?
We’ll be happy to put you in contact with one of our preferred lenders so you can ease into this transition without needing to sell your current home and rent while your home is being built. Building a new home is different than buying an existing one and our lenders are experts at providing New Construction Loans. They will help you secure Bridge Loans and Construction Loans that save you money and make the process as easy as possible.
Will YOU HELP US FIND LAND IF WE DON’T ALREADY OWN LAND?
Don’t worry if you don’t have land yet, more than half of our customers did not own land before they came to us. We consider ourselves experts in land feasibility and one of our hobbies at CAB is to check out great local homesites for sale. We are happy to help you find the perfect lot for your home, and we have valuable relationships with the real-estate community that we can reach out to in a flash with any questions about property.
DO YOU HAVE IN-HOUSE FINANCING?
We do not, however, we work with preferred lenders in the community that offer bundled land and construction loans in a one-time closing product. We will be happy to put you in contact with them to help answer any financing questions you may have.
WHAT TYPE OF WARRANTY DO YOU OFFER?
We take pride in our work long after the construction ends and provide service calls after you move in as needed.
Charlottesville Area Builders offers the following warranty:
1 year: New home owner’s surety warranty on any defects and malfunctions in workmanship and materials.
2 year: Systems surety coverage against defective wiring, piping, and ductwork in electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling, ventilating, and mechanical systems.
3 year: Warranty on the foundation.
10 year: Structural defect coverage for load bearing components.
Every CAB homeowner receives a personalized warranty and selection book detailing the manufacturer and subcontractor’s warranties for a variety of items and services during the construction of your new home (i.e. windows, roofing, flooring, appliances, HVAC etc.).
HOW MANY CHANGES CAN I MAKE TO THE FLOORPLAN?
The beauty of working with a true custom homebuilder like CAB is that you can make as many changes as you like. Do you want to add square footage, a breakfast nook or move around a few walls? Not a problem we will do that for you. Our flexibility and the amount of changes you make are unlimited.
WHAT FEATURES, OPTIONS AND UPGRADES CAN I SELECT FOR MY HOME?
Every aspect is your decision. You determine the features, final look, and feel of your home. Many of our clients come into the custom home process with ideas and photos of what they like. We can refer you to our favorite local vendors although you are more than welcome to shop online and at any stores of your choosing. The sky’s the limit to the options you can select. If you dream it we can build it.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FROM START TO FINISH?
The process of building your dream home depends on the size of the home and the land preparations needed for your site. It typically can take about five to nine months from start to move-in time.
WHAT TYPE OF LAND DO YOU BUILD ON?
The best part of being an on-your-lot builder is that we build your home on the location of your choice. The exact location is up to you, in a rural setting, on a family farm, on a lake, in a development, wherever you choose. Our pricing is set up to include the site costs and work required to prepare the lot for building. Whether you currently own a site on which to build your new home, are narrowing down your options between multiple sites or are just getting started–we can help you through the entire journey.
HOW OFTEN (AND WHEN) WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO THE HOME DURING THE BUILDING PROCESS?
This is your new home and you have access to your property at any time. We encourage you to enjoy watching as all of the different elements of your house come together. We do ask that you be careful while onsite as there are many potential safety hazards during different phases of construction.
We sincerely hope that these frequently asked questions have helped you better understand the building process and how we operate at Charlottesville Area Builders. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions you have at info@cvillebuilders.com.