Frequently Asked Questions

What sets Paragon apart? We help our customers achieve immediate built-in value through our proven Home Building Management Program, where all management fees are established up front. You don't have to pay inflated prices for upgrades and extras. There are no hidden markups or fees tacked on to the actual cost. You always know (and pay) the true price.
You benefit directly from cost savings as they are realized throughout construction.
· There are no contractor markups of subcontractors
· No hidden costs
· You know where each dollar goes

What is the square ft. cost of building a custom home?
There is no set square ft. price: each home is custom built made with different materials and finishes. Here are some things that will affect the square foot cost of your home:
Finishes selected; Complexity of design; Home site conditions; Proximity to utilities; Amenities selected; Percolation of site if septic system is required; Square footage; Building materials used; Ceiling heights, and Number of stories.

How do you proceed with the Architectural Planning and Design steps? The opportunity to influence cost and save money on your new home is during the planning and design stage. After that, money can only be spent. Once your budget is established, we provide you with a detailed, computerized cost program that is continuously reviewed. Construction techniques and materials throughout the planning and drafting of your new home are carefully monitored. This assures the most cost-effective methods to maximize the value of your investment, while guaranteeing that what you end up with on the drawing board will stay in budget during the construction stage. Paragon Development has strong working relationships with numerous architectural firms in the area, or we can work with an architect you have chosen. We stay actively involved in the process throughout the design stage to give critical design and budgeting advice, so the architect and builder are working in tandem, ensuring there are no cost-overruns. As the plans are being drawn, we check pricing to assure the end design meets your anticipated budget. We then provide a fixed cost construction price that ensures there will be no surprises at completion of the project.

How long does construction take? The design process takes approximately 3-6 weeks. Permitting time takes approximately 4-6 weeks. Construction time usually takes approximately 6 months, sometimes longer, depending on the complexity of design, material and labor availability and weather conditions.

I have a low bid from another builder. How do I compare?
Your decision to hire one builder over another shouldn't rest solely on price. In fact, there are several other criteria that are more important: style, finishes and features of the home, the site conditions and the type of contract you want to use for construction. Bids by competitive builders are difficult to read and compare - and you have to ensure that the bids are based on identical specifications, using the same quality of materials. Then consider the quality of the workmanship offered by each builder.
Remember, the low bid signifies the cheapest builder you can find, and it is possible that that builder won’t be the cheapest when construction is done. More important than cost is the builder's reputation and professionalism, experience, competence and warranty coverage. Another important consideration is compatibility with your builder. Building a custom home can be a stressful experience, and the better relationship you have with your builder, the easier it will be.

How do I get started? We will schedule a time to meet and discuss your vision, then customize a plan for you. One of the most important decisions you'll have to make is hiring a builder. It is a good idea to hire a builder early in the process - even before you've picked a lot or a design for the house. The process of building a house is so complex that help from a professional builder in site selection, home design and outlining written specifications can avoid costly mistakes.

Do you have references? Yes. We will be glad to send you a list of homeowners, suppliers and banking references.

How do I get financing? We have excellent relationships with lenders that provide construction/permanent loans and will help you every step of the way. Before meeting with your lender, we provide you with a detailed, computerized cost program designed to meet your budget requirements. Because your new home will be designed and built around your budget, you and your lender can depend on the cost program for its accuracy. You will have peace of mind knowing that your budget will not be exceeded due to unexpected cost overruns. We can even provide you with a market analysis of your current home...anywhere in the USA.

Can you help me find land? We have an in-house licensed realtor that specializes in land. See our link to Full-Service Real Estate.

What are Change Orders?
Change orders represent an increase or decrease in cost because something has been added or deleted by you, the client. Change orders are agreed to by both parties, in writing, before the work is started.

I have completed the preliminary meetings, and I trust Paragon Development is the right builder. What’s next?
You will be asked to execute a Custom Home Design Agreement and make an earnest deposit. In summary, this agreement retains Paragon Development to perform particular and specific tasks prior to construction. Essentially, it is the starting point of the design process. The agreement details the responsibilities and obligations of both the homebuyer and of Paragon Development..

Where can I get more information about homebuilding and the design and build process? Sign up for our informational newsletter by clicking here. A few online publications to visit are: http://www.builderonline.com  http://www.housingzone.com http://www.customhomeonline.com