Step-by-Step New Home Building Process

Step 1: Select Your New Community

The first step in the home building process is to select your location. Explore our ideally-located communities or the ability to Build On Your Lot.

When choosing a location for your new home, it’s important to think about lifestyle factors that might make certain communities more convenient or appealing than others. For example, how will the move affect your commute? How much space and privacy do you prefer?

These are just a few of the important issues our team will review with you as we guide you through the home building process.

Step 2: Choose a Custom Built Home

In Step 2 of the new home building process, you'll secure your homesite and choose the floorplan that is best suited for your lifestyle & budget!

Make sure you drive through the community and walk your homesite! Your New Home Advisor can meet you on-site to review the unique details that will impact your home.

Visiting the neighborhood will also help you determine its distance from your work, school, and other important destinations (such as daycares, grocers, or hospitals).

Step 3: Sign Your New Home Agreement

Review and sign the purchase agreement for your new home with your New Home Advisor, who will guide you through every detail to ensure that your home meets all your desires!. Before financing begins, your New Home Advisor will review construction costs and timeline; impacts of square footage on construction time and budget; and key considerations about the local area, such as zoning and future land development.

Step 4: Custom Home Financing Process

In Step 4, your New Home Advisor will review your finances & desired budget, and will recommend one of our preferred lenders to help you find your perfect financing plan for your new home. Be prepared to discuss your income, debt, savings, credit score, and required deposits to help select the plan that’s right for your budget and needs. Our preferred lenders provide our customers with the best possible price and have extensive knowledge in financing types from conventional loans to construction loans.

To learn more about how construction loans work, how homes are financed, and how mortgage rates have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, explore our New Home Financing FAQs.

Step 5: Make Structural Changes

In Step 5 of the new home building process, you'll meet with your Structural Designer to select custom structural options. This is called the Living Choices Meeting.

At this meeting, you'll have an opportunity to make structural, mechanical, and electrical changes to your standard plan. This includes bump outs, adding or removing walls, kitchen and bath layouts, outlet placement, and much more! Your Structural Designer will go through each element in every room and across the exterior of the home to ensure changes are reflective of your preferences. Any extensive customization will be reviewed by our team for feasibility and associated costs.

We recommend reviewing the Interactive Floorplan tool on your chosen floorplan's page to explore common structural changes!

Step 6: Select Decorative Design Finishes

This is one of the most inspiring and exciting parts of the home building process! In Step 6, you'll meet your Deco Designer at our Design Studio for a few hours to select the decorative finishes that will personalize your home. This includes everything from flooring to kitchen cabinets, backsplashes to light fixtures, siding colors to countertops, and so much more! Express your unique taste and create the custom home of your dreams with luxurious design elements at a variety of price levels to fit your budget.

Explore online the Photo Gallery for colorful inspiration!.

Step 7: Pre-Construction

Before construction begins, you'll meet with your Construction Manager to review your home's plans, options & selections, the construction schedule, and expectations of the home building process.

Step 8: Construction Progress

On average, the new construction process can take 9-12 months or longer, depending on factors including but not limited to the complexity of your chosen designs, the availability of labor and materials, municipality turnaround time for permitting, and weather. Throughout the process, your dedicated Construction Team will be in regular contact to review progress on your new home, providing you with transparency and peace of mind. Our MyKCH mobile app, exclusive to Keystone homeowners, provides unprecedented access to the process, including direct messages and photos!

Step 9: Celebration & Settlement

Your Construction Manager will introduce you to your new home during the Celebration Walk-through. During this meeting, you will walk through every room to inspect all walls, windows, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and appliance components in accordance with industry standards. Warranty information will also be explained for each item.

Your Settlement process is determined by your chosen loan type. We will work with the title company & your mortgage provider to finalize all of the finances for your new home.

Step 10: Warranty & Beyond

At Keystone Custom Homes, we stand by our quality construction with an industry-leading 20-year structural warranty! Our Customer Care Team provides outstanding support through your homeowner portal as you settle in to your new home.