Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 5 pm

Camdur believes defining the building process and establishing clear expectations makes home building less stressful and overwhelming.  Our process includes specific information clients can rely on to truly understand where we are, where we are going and how we will get there.

Step 1: Preliminary Pricing and Initial Consultation

We start the process by providing a preliminary price based on a plan rendering. If you have found a plan you like online you can send us the link. We will provide a preliminary price for up to two plans using builder standard features for free.

If the preliminary price is acceptable (compatible with your budget) then we will set up a site visit. Jeff Camp, the builder, will meet you on site to discuss where the home should sit, the orientation of the home, identify specimen trees to be kept, determine where soil testing needs to be completed, etc, etc. If you have not selected land yet he can meet you on a property you find of interest and provide advice on how the contract should be written and what you should do during your due diligence period. We have the experience to help you choose the right lot/property for the plan you want to build. We can advise you on building the right style of home in the right neighborhood on the best lot location.

If you are in the process of finding land you should consider the following items:

  1. The distance to access sewer, water, power and the street. These items will impact the cost to build due to extra clearing, longer driveway, distance to access utilities, more landscaping, etc.
  2. If the home will be on septic are the soils suitable? Ask the property owner to provide a soils report or have a soil scientist perform a soil test (we can recommend a soil scientist). The soil information is PARTICULARLY important. The soils can determine the house location.
  3. Even if you do not choose us we highly encourage you to engage a professional for the property selection phase if you are not familiar with purchasing land for residential home building.

Step 2: Revised Pricing & Land/Lot Selection

After the site visit, we will revise the preliminary price to include any additional site work that may be required and allowances for any upgrades you are considering. If that price is acceptable then we move into the “meat” of the process. At this stage you have a piece of property that is deemed as compatible to the plan, soil testing has determined the location of the home (if you are on septic), you are comfortable proceeding with the revised price point, and are ready to engage us as your builder. If you are planning to finance your home construction now is the time to reach out to a lender (if you haven’t already).

Step 3: Plan Set Finalization & Detailed Pricing

It is time to buy the plan set! Upon receipt of the plan set we will review it to identify any minor modifications that need to be made based on the revised bid (typically changing oversized doors and windows to standard sizes and removing any custom finishes called out by the architect that are purely client preference) and adding any changes you would like to make (moving or changing doors, walls, windows, cabinetry, etc.). We can make minor plan set modifications in house graphically for a small charge. Major or structural changes will need to be made architecturally by the plan provider/architect prior to purchase. We will also add notes to specify how the home will be built and finished. Once we have an approved finalized plan set we will put the plans out to bid. It generally takes about three weeks to get all the bids back to prepare the final detailed pricing.

Step 4: Payment Method & Final Contract

Now that you have the detailed pricing, the final plan set and pre-approval from a lender (if needed) it is time to go under contract. One of the most unique things about Camdur is our ability and willingness to work with our clients so they feel they are getting the best product for the best value. Camdur also understands that each of our clients come in with their own distinctive view on building and how they would like to approach the commitment.

We build new construction using 3 different pricing methods. All of our methods require the client to provide their own financing (building loan, out of pocket, etc).

  1. Traditional Turn key – we will issue a detailed budget with allowances for all finishes at a specific price. We will go under contract, build the home per the detailed proposal specifications, pay all the bills and get reimbursement from you for job cost at specified intervals. This method allows you to pay X price for X product.
  2. Cost Plus a Percentage – we will issue a detailed budget with allowances for all finishes at a specific price. We will go under contract and build the home per the specifications but, you can either opt to have us pay all the bills or you can pay the bills. If we pay the bills our contractors fee is higher than if you pay the bills (I have a formal method for clients who pay their own bills to ensure complete transparency of cost and payments – we will go into those details later if you are interest in this method).
  3. Cost plus a Flat Fee – we will issue a detailed budget with allowances for all finishes at a specific price. We will go under contract and build the home per the specifications but, you can either opt to have us pay all the bills or you can pay the bills. If we pay the bills our flat fee is higher than if you pay the bills (I have a formal method for clients who pay their own bills to ensure complete transparency of cost and payments – we will go into those details later if you are interest in this method).

The benefit of options 2 & 3 is the opportunity to build at a cost plus a percentage/flat fee which can result in overall savings of approximately 5% to 7% of the anticipated construction cost assuming strict adherence to the allowances stipulated in the budget. If you want to pay the bills yourself we recommend having approx. $20,000 to $50,000 of cash on hand to cover the higher upfront cost (on top of your loan) which will be recouped later in the construction process (liquidity requirements are based on the cost of the home; the more expensive the home the higher the liquidity need). Lenders distribute money to build based on a draw schedule. The draws upfront are rarely enough to cover the cost incurred but the draws later in the loan are usually more than the cost incurred. That is why we recommend some cash on hand to cover the difference.

Once the payment method is established we will issue the contract for signature. The contract will include all the general terms and conditions as well as your detailed proposal and approved plan set.

Step 5: Selections & Construction Preparation

Selections will be made based on the formal contract and specified allowances.  The selection process begins immediately after signing the formal contract and continues until all selections are finalized.  We start the process by issuing a Decorative Selection & Contact list specifically based on your home.  This list will include all the relevant contact information for our providers, your allowances for each item, and identify which items can be selected in our office.  Selections are prioritized by the timeframe in which they will be required during construction.  Exterior finishes are needed first.  Once the exterior selection are made we move into the interior.  Our goal is to have all selections made within 60 days from contract.  The early commitment to selections enable us to move more efficiently and accurately in the field.  Upon completion of selections a formal Decorative Selection list will be sent to you for signature.

As the selections are made and priced out there will be times when you either exceed or come in below your allowances.  As this occurs we will issue adjustments to modify the contract amount.  If you exceed the allowance – you pay the overage.  If you come in under budget – you get a credit towards the contract.  This is just one of the ways we exemplify “transparency” with our clients.

Simultaneous with selections we will be gathering and submitting all the required information to the local municipality to get the building permit.  In addition, we will be working with your lender to understand their particular draw and inspection process, and what administrative requirements they may have for box/foundation surveys, as-builts, etc.  The moment is almost upon us; breaking land is the next step.

Step 6: Construction, Warranty & Continuing Service

Everything needed to build your new home is either in-work or completed so it is time to start the actual build.  The time needed to build a home varies widely depending on several factors.  Your specific timeframe to build will be stipulated in your contract.  You will also have bi-weekly progress meetings with your project manager.  The following schedule provides a general overview of the building process.

Once the project is complete and the Certificate of Occupancy has been issued we will provide a one year limited home warranty.  Our warranty provides 30 day coverage for all builder installed shrubs and trees, 180 day coverage for cabinets, sheetrock, moldings, trim, doors, windows, ceramic tile, and related grout, 1 year of coverage for major structural components, roofing and related flashing, basement waterproofing, plumbing system, electrical system, heating and air conditioning system.

If you have ever built or purchased a new home you know there will always be some minor items that need to be addressed right after move in.  Camdur will address warranty and punch list items at 3 different times over the first year of ownership; at or shortly after initial move in, at the 6-month anniversary, and at the 1 year anniversary.

Camdur prides itself on providing a quality product at a reasonable price.  We are committed to our clients and will work tirelessly to provide a superior level of customer service.

WE CAN HELP YOU!

Have an upcoming project you’d like to discuss with us, or an issue or comment? Let us bid on your next project. Please contact us!