The Best Custom Home Builders in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley
Discover the very best Custom Home Builders, Design-Build Firms, and Home Remodelers in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley
THE RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER COMPANY
What is a Custom Home Builder?
Among the many skills and specialties involved in building a new home, the role of a Custom Home Builder is integral. Certified by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Virginia Board for Contractors, a Custom Home Builder typically works in collaboration with a Residential Architect to develop the plans for a new home and an Interior Designer to help execute and construct the built environment. Conversely, a Custom Home Builder may extend the scope of their service to include architecture and interior design within the context of their engagement. In either capacity, a Custom Home Builder takes plans, ideas, hopes, and dreams and makes them a reality.
THE RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER COMPANY
Featured Custom Home Builders in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley
Explore a curated selection of the very best Custom Home Builders, Design-Build Firms, and Home Remodelers in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, including members of our Partner Network
Modern Barn House of Crozet, Virginia. Image courtesy of Hank Gregg.
STANDARDSVILLE, VIRGINIA
Tumulo Custom Millworks
Tumulo Custom Millworks is a Custom Home Builder in Standardsville, Virginia
Camusrory of Woodstock, Virginia. Image courtesy of Nathan Webb.
Hundred Acre Wood of Strasburg, Virginia. Image courtesy of Mitch Allen Photography.
FRONT ROYAL, VIRGINIA
Hayes Construction Corporation
Hayes Construction Corporation is a Custom Home Builder in Front Royal, Virginia
THE HOMES COLLECTION
The Homes of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley
Explore a curated collection of the most iconic homes in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley
THE RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER COMPANY
Find a Custom Home Builder in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley
Whether a custom home or strategic renovation, The Rappahannock River Company can help you find the best Custom Home Builder, Design-Build Firm, or Home Remodeler for the job.
WASHINGTON, VIRGINIA
Racer Construction
Custom Home Builder in Washington, Virginia
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA
Craftsman Custom Homebuilders
Custom Home Builder in Lynchburg, Virginia
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
Prescott Construction
Custom Home Builder in Roanoke, Virginia
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
Fields Construction
Custom Home Builder in Roanoke, Virginia
MONETA, VIRGINIA
Timber Ridge Craftsmen
Custom Home Builder in Moneta, Virginia
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
Alouf Custom Builders
Custom Home Builder in Roanoke, Virginia
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
Cotton Hill Builders
Custom Home Builder in Roanoke, Virginia
WINCHESETER, VIRGINIA
Hepler Homes
Custom Home Builder in Winchester, Virginia
BERRYVILLE, VIRGINIA
Warfield Homes
Custom Home Builder in Berryville, Virginia
FOREST, VIRGINIA
Frank Good Builders
Custom Home Builder in Forest, Virginia
SPERRYVILLE, VIRGINIA
Mustard Seed Master Builders
Custom Home Builder in Sperryville, Virginia
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
Jeff Sowder
Custom Home Builder in Roanoke, Virginia
FRONT ROYAL, VIRGINIA
Arbor Ridge Builders
Custom Home Builder in Front Royal, Virginia
FRONT ROYAL, VIRGINIA
Hayes Construction Corporation
Custom Home Builder in Front Royal, Virginia
HOLLINS, VIRGINIA
Atlas Home Builders
Custom Home Builder in Hollins, Virginia
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
Dollman Construction
Custom Home Builder in Roanoke, Virginia
FRONT ROYAL, VIRGINIA
Petrine Corporation
Custom Home Builder in Front Royal, Virginia
STAUNTON, VIRGINIA
Blue Hill Builders
Custom Home Builder in Staunton, Virginia
BERRYVILLE, VIRGINIA
Houseworks
Custom Home Builder in Berryville, Virginia
WASHINGTON, VIRGINIA
Hampton & Massie Construction
Custom Home Builder in Washington, Virginia
WASHINGTON, VIRGINIA
Joseph Keyser Construction
Custom Home Builder in Washington, Virginia
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
Grace Alon Builders
Custom Home Builder in Roanoke, Virginia
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
David Frank Builders
Custom Home Builder in Roanoke, Virginia
FRONT ROYAL, VIRGINIA
Whittington Construction
Custom Home Builder in Front Royal, Virginia
MCGAYHESVILLE, VIRGINIA
Cedar Creek Custom Homes
Custom Home Builder in McGayhesville, Virginia
STANDARDSVILLE, VIRGINIA
Tumulo Custom Millworks
Custom Home Builder in Standardsville, Virginia
FRONT ROYAL, VIRGINIA
Cornerstone Construction
Custom Home Builder in Front Royal, Virginia
CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore frequently asked questions about working with Custom Home Builders, Design-Build Firms, and Home Remodelers in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, including common services, fee structures, and more.
DO CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS IN VIRGINIA’S SHENANDOAH VALLEY HAVE TO BE LICENSED?
Yes. All Custom Home Builders who build homes in Virginia must be licensed with the Virginia Board for Contractors. Custom Home Builders typically operate under contractor licenses, which consist of two parts: the class of license and the classification or specialty of license, which determines the scope and type of work for which they are allowed to perform.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO FIND A GOOD CUSTOM HOME BUILDER IN VIRGINIA’S SHENANDOAH VALLEY?
The best way to find a Custom Home Builder in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley is to ask friends who have recently worked with a Custom Home Builder on their own custom home for recommendations. Once you have a list of Custom Home Builders, conduct interviews with each candidate and ask to confirm their availability, as some Custom Home Builders may be booked out for many months. Verify the license status of each candidate and check for any past disciplinary actions — the Virginia Board for Contractors recommends consumers deal only with licensed contractors. Finally, ensure the Custom Home Builder you choose has a strong portfolio of completed work that matches your desired home style. Try to get at least three written estimates and request explanations for any questions you may have before entering into a formal agreement.
WHAT BUILD OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE WHEN WORKING WITH A CUSTOM HOME BUILDER IN VIRGINIA’S SHENANDOAH VALLEY?
Typically, those working with a Custom Home Builder can choose from three different build options: Buying a spec home (a completed new home that may need light finishes before moving in); building a model home or semi-custom home (based on a pre-determined design that the Custom Home Builder already has in place); or building a custom home from scratch, which is usually more expensive and requires a longer timeline for design, permitting, and construction but offers the most options for customization.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CUSTOM HOME BUILDER AND A DESIGN BUILD FIRM?
A Design Build Firm is a type of Custom Home Builder who manages the disparate parts of the project — specifically the upfront design and then the subsequent construction or build — under one agreement and one firm. While many Custom Home Builders offer Design Build services, some may only offer construction services or general contracting services, which means a separate design professional — such as a Residential Architect or Interior Designer — may be required to complete other phases of the project.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONTRACTOR LICENSES CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS IN VIRGINIA ARE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN?
Per the Virginia Board for Contractors, there are three classes of licenses for contractors: Class A, Class B, and Class C. A contractor who undertakes a project where the total value is $120,000 or more is required to have a valid Class A license. Any contractor who undertakes a project where the total value of which is over $10,000 (but less than $120,000) must have a valid Class B license. And any contractor who undertakes a project the total value of which is more than $1,000 (but no more than $10,000) is required to have a valid Class C license. Typically, a Custom Home Builder in Virginia will have a Class A license whereas a specialty tradesperson, craftsman, or handyman may have a Class B or a Class C license.
DO CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS IN VIRGINIA HAVE TO HAVE INSURANCE?
No. Custom Home Builders in Virginia are not required to carry general liability or worker’s compensation insurance. However, if you are to engage with a Custom Home Builder, it is always a good idea to ensure they have both general liability insurance and worker’s compensation policies.
WHAT IS A CONSTRUCTION LOAN?
A construction loan is a popular financing option for those building a custom home. To start, a construction loan often offers consumers the opportunity to bundle to the cost of land and the cost of construction into one loan. Next, a construction loan typically offers flexible payment options for the consumer, where they are only paying interest on the loan until the custom home is complete. Finally, a construction loan offers consumers a helpful governor in the process of building a custom home, as payments are usually only issued from the lender when certain phases of construction are completed and approved. Construction loans typically require the consumer to provide a downpayment as well as architectural plans from your Custom Home Builder or Residential Architect to the lender, and will usually go through a process of underwriting where the lender will hire a third party to provide an appraisal of value.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BUILD A CUSTOM HOME IN VIRGINIA’S SHENANDOAH VALLEY?
The cost to build a custom home in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley depends on a number of factors, including the size of the home, the design style, the schematics of the lot, and the finish quality. At a minimum, those building a custom home in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley can expect to pay anywhere from $250 to $350 per square foot for labor and materials, as well as additional fees for land acquisition, site preparation, and design and permitting.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO FIND LAND FOR A CUSTOM HOME IN VIRGINIA’S SHENANDOAH VALLEY?
Finding your ideal building lot for a custom home can be a challenge. One approach is to engage with a trusted real estate advisor with experience in your local market. With the right real estate advisor, you can find land and tear downs for sale on the open market, as well as off-market and private listings. Additionally, you may be able to find land for your custom home by going directly to a custom home builder, or by finding a tear down in your ideal neighborhood.
WHAT IS AN OWNER’S REPRESENTATIVE?
There are times where a consumer has engaged with a Custom Home Builder to build a custom home or take on an extensive renovation, but may want some additional support when it comes to navigating the process of construction, understanding the contract, reviewing proposed change orders, and ensuring their interests are being protected in the case of projects where the owner cannot always be present. For situations like this, an Owner’s Representative may be helpful.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO MAINTAIN A CUSTOM HOME?
Building a custom home is a serious investment. And like any investment, regular maintenance and upkeep is essential. For those who built a custom home recently, stay in close contact with your custom home builder to ensure you communicate any issues or errors within the first year of occupancy as part of your builder warranty. Afterwards, develop a regular seasonal maintenance plan to ensure your custom home is given the attention it deserves so it can last for generations to come.
THE RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER COMPANY
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