11 Free Planning Tools for Building a Custom Home

You’re smart. You like to get all the information before making a decision, especially when it comes to designing and building a custom home. That’s why we offer lots of free online resources so you can get inspired, get informed, and feel confident about building a new home (even if you’ve never designed your own home before). Here are links to some of our most popular online resources: 1. Customer Testimonials (videos): Few resources are more valuable when selecting a custom home builder than real customers giving real feedback about a builder’s communication, construction quality, and ability to stay on budget and on schedule. 2. Design Mistakes to Avoid (download guide): Avoid that slap-palm-to-forehead moment later by understanding common design mistakes early in the process (and how to avoid them). 3. Inspiration and Ideas (photo gallery): When you work with a design build firm to create a truly custom home, anything is possible. Browse a builder’s photos gallery for inspiration, ideas, and a better understanding of the type of work a builder does. 4. How to Check a Builder’s References (article): Checking references is part of the due diligence of selecting a builder. But what should you ask when you talk to a builder’s previous customers? Here is what to ask and why. 5. Creating a Custom Home Budget (article): Creating a custom home budget doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some factors to consider to create a budget you can feel confident about. 6. Construction Stages of a Custom Home Build (photo gallery): What can you expect during the construction process when you build a custom home? See this step-by-step photo tour of each of the construction phases. 7. How to Gather and Organize Design Ideas (article): The internet is filled with photos of beautiful design ideas, but keeping it all organized can be a challenge. Here are some practical tips to make it fun and easy. 8. Should You Build or Buy? How to Compare (article): This no-nonsense guide will give you practical steps to determine if you should build a custom home or buy an existing home. 9. 13 Tough Questions to Ask When Hiring a Builder (download guide): You know that interviewing many builders before choosing one makes sense. But what should you ask upfront to avoid headaches later? 10. eNewsletter: Want inspiration wherever you are? Get fresh tips and advice about designing and building your own custom home delivered right to your inbox twice per month. 11. View Current Projects: Like Estes Builders on Facebook for updates about homes currently under construction around Western Washington. Of course, the best way to get more information about building your dream home is to meet with a builder to discuss your vision, your budget, and what’s most important to you. Our free Project Analysis is your opportunity to meet with an expert member of our team in person, or by Skype, to discuss your ideas for your new home. We can help you turn your wish list into an action plan for designing and building your custom home. Schedule a Project Analysis Estes Builders is an award-winning design build firm that specializes in custom homes in Western Washington. We have earned more than 130 customer testimonials and a reputation as Western Washington’s most trusted custom home builder. We build custom homes in Sequim, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Port Ludlow, Bainbridge Island, Kingston, Silverdale, Port Orchard and surrounding areas. Contact us for a FREE Project Analysis to discuss your project.]]>