Avoid These Early-Stage Pitfalls Before You Buy or Design
Designing and building your own home is an exciting milestone, but it can quickly become overwhelming if you’re not prepared. At JayMarc Custom Homes, we’ve guided families through the custom home process in Bellevue, Mercer Island, Sammamish, and beyond.
Over the years, we’ve noticed a handful of common mistakes that first-time custom homeowners make, usually because they just didn’t know what questions to ask early on.
We’re sharing them here so you can build smarter from the very beginning.
Mistake #1: Buying Land Without a Feasibility Study
A lot might look like the perfect blank canvas, but zoning rules, slope issues, or utility access can turn a dream into a drain on your time and budget. A professional feasibility study can uncover hidden challenges that may not be visible, helping you avoid unexpected expenses.
Our advice: Never buy a lot without a feasibility contingency, and have a builder evaluate it before you close.
Mistake #2: Assuming City Code Is the Only Rule
Most homeowners are surprised to learn how many additional regulations apply to their lot: neighborhood overlays, critical areas, and tree retention rules, just to name a few.
Our advice: Work with a team that actively tracks code changes and knows the rules in each jurisdiction.
Mistake #3: Starting With a Floor Plan Instead of the Land
Designing your dream home before fully understanding your lot’s constraints often leads to costly redesigns, schedule delays, or painful compromises.
Our advice: Let the land guide the design, not the other way around.
Mistake #4: Hiring an Architect and Builder Separately
When your architect and builder aren’t aligned, the result is often disjointed communication, budget creep, and mismanaged expectations.
Our advice: Choose a design-build team that works as one. At JayMarc, your architect, designer, and builder are under one roof, so your vision, budget, and timeline stay aligned.
Mistake #5: Not Asking Enough Questions Early On
From what’s included in your budget to how long the custom home building process really takes, many homeowners don’t know what they don’t know.
Our advice: You don’t need to have all the answers; you just need a team that does. Ask early, ask often, and work with people who make you feel informed and supported.
The First Step Toward Building Your Custom Home With JayMarc
Before the first sketch or budget conversation, success starts with understanding your lot. At JayMarc Custom Homes, we’ve guided many families through feasibility, uncovering zoning rules, setbacks, and hidden restrictions that can make or break a project.
As Greater Seattle’s trusted Design-Build firm, we bring deep local knowledge, award-winning design, and a proven process that puts your peace of mind first. From lot assessment and budgeting to design and final walkthrough, our team ensures you feel informed and supported every step of the way.
Building your forever home begins with clarity. Let JayMarc help you see what’s truly possible on your property.
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Common FAQs About Feasibility Mistakes
What questions should I ask before buying land for a custom home?
Before committing to a specific lot, ask about zoning rules, utility access, environmental restrictions, and setbacks. It’s also important to confirm what can be built within your budget and timeline on the chosen lot.
Do I need a feasibility study before buying land?
Yes. While a feasibility study is not mandatory, having one completed can uncover hidden challenges that may prohibit you from building the home you want within your budget. It can identify issues like steep slopes, wetlands, and utility connections that may add significant time and cost to build your custom home project.
What’s the difference between a feasibility study and a site survey?
A feasibility study evaluates zoning, utilities, and potential setbacks related to construction, and a site survey maps the property boundaries and topography.
What is a feasibility contingency?
A feasibility contingency is a clause in your land purchase agreement that gives you time to have the lot evaluated before closing. If the feasibility study reveals major issues, you can renegotiate or walk away without losing your earnest money.
Should I hire a builder or an architect first?
For custom homes, hiring a builder first, ideally a design-build team, can save you time and money, with your architect, designer, and builder working together from the start to align vision, budget, and feasibility.
Should I design my home or buy land first?
It’s best to secure land first. Every lot comes with unique constraints that directly impact design. While you may have a specific idea about what you want your custom home layout to look like, starting with the land ensures your home plan fits within your chosen site.
