PressUnique HomesCreating Structure Written By: Melissa W. Kaye For some luxury home buyers, the only way to a perfect house is to build it themselves. 
Before Ann Richardson and her husband decided to build their dream home, they did extensive research-they perused the Internet, read home magazines and reviewed architects’ floor plans---to be sure of what they wanted. They then found an architect who was known for designing the plentiful arches and columns that are a signature of the romantic, neo-classical style they admire. Next, they monitored the construction of their dream home down to the granite in the kitchen and the crown molding throughout. The result: a 14,000-square-foot house on 5.5 acres with a beautiful tree backdrop---all reflective of their personal style.Richardson, a Realtor with Re/Max Columbia-Ellicott City in Ellicott City, Md., explains that adding one’s personal input into a house makes for a proud owner. She adds, “From my perspective, if someone else is going to construct my home, I would want to monitor it. I would want to make my own choices. It makes you feel much better about the house.” Richardson, who assists clients in all phase of building a custom home, advises those interested in building a home to know exactly what they desire before getting started. And when it comes to upscale buyers, they usually do. Once they have a property (be it in a pastoral locale, on a golf course or Oceanside), they most often hire an architect to help realize their vision. Architect John B. Scholz, president of John B. Scholz Architect, says that today’s affluent custom-home seekers not only know what they are after, they are more demanding and involved than they used to be. And that’s good, from an architect’s standpoint. “An educated buyer is our best friend,” Sholz explains. “They don’t waste a lot of time. They know the drill because they’ve been through it a number of times.” What they have walked through with Scholz, for example, is a comprehensive preliminary process in which all questions are addressed. How many bedroom suites will there be? How large are they? What architectural style will the home be? Dream... home. 
Tuscan? Victorian? Says Sholz, “We don’t proceed [with designing] until the clients are comfortable with the plans. If there are revisions, it’s usually because of budgetary constraints.” Fine-tuning the finishes and room sizes might take time and consideration, but Scholz is finding that there are certain features that his clients are absolute about. That’s wine cellars and wet bars (the more ornate the better, with columns, glass and free-hanging shelves) and home theater rooms. “It’s whatever the client wants; we’re designing their house,” shares John B. Scholz’s son, John Scholz III, marketing director for the firm. He adds that the John B. Scholz Architect has designed some eccentric client requests, including secret passages and glass meditation rooms. Other must-haves these days are homes with high-tech advantages, like home automation, notes James Beasley of Spanish Hills Realty in Las Vegas, Nev. 
When it comes to actually constructing the house, sometimes an architectural firm will recommend a general contractor, but ordinarily, buyers find their own, notes the elder Scholz. How long does the process take? Usually between three to six months, and sometimes up to a year. The typical cost to build a custom residence is between $100 to $400 per square foot. “People know exactly what they want and they are willing to pay for it,” he says. “[Building a dream home] is different than picking up something off the rack.”Back to Press Page |