Jay & Kimberly Frost

Looking for more information?

Featured Locations

About Symmetry Homes, Inc.

With several years experience in both the Real Estate and Custom Home Building industries, Jay & Kimberly Frost are committed to making your custom home building or buying experience as smooth and as pleasant as it should be.

Building Process

Lot Selection

The home site can vary the price and value of a home depending on the views and the cost to prepare a buildable pad. You must first determine if you want a home site with a view, if so, then prepare yourself for the additional costs usually due to hillside. Your budget may be the determining factor in what type of homesite you purchase. There are numerous homesites available and we can help determine what is best for you.

Architect/Designer

Now that you have selected a homesite, we must locate a good designer. We have several people to work with depending on your budget. If you already have a floorplan in mind we can use an inexpensive draftsman. If you want to start from scratch, a good designer or architect would be best. Some architects will oversee the builder's construction process from start to finish, this is why their fees can be so high.

We will meet with you through the design process to help keep you within your desired budget by controlling the complexity of the structure. We can give you ideas on how to save on the structural design without compromising the look you want. Most designers will give you a floorplan drawing and front elevation for a small fee or at no charge. This is to ensure they can create a design that you will like. If they cannot, then we can change to another designer and you lose nothing in your new home investment.

After agreeing on a front elevation and floor plan, most designers will require half of their fee up front to complete the working drawings that we will need to bid the home. The final half will be paid when plans are complete.

Color Selection

After the preliminary floorplan and front elevations have been determined, you will have a meeting with the builder. At this meeting we will discuss the type of finishing work you would like in your home. The builder will give you a list of vendors we use so you can make arrangements to meet with them and make your selections.

Here are some of the things you should be considering:

Stucco finish

Drywall Finish

Paint colors

Front door design

Interior doors

Baseboards

Door trim

Flooring

Plumbing fixtures

Roof tile

Fireplaces

Security

Lighting

Ceiling fans

Kitchen counters

Bathroom Vanities

Cabinets

Surround sound

Landscaping

Pool and/or Spa

Loan Process

When choosing a home site and deciding to build, there are several different loan programs to choose from. You can choose a "one time close" loan, which means that you close on the 1st mortgage and the construction loan at one time.
During the construction process of the one time close, the builder takes 5 draws from the loan. You then pay interest only payments on the amount of the draws.

The other option is a "two time close". This is where you would close on the construction financing as a separate loan from the permanent financing (1st mortgage). It is usually less expensive to do a one-time close versus a two-time close because of the title and escrow fees that will be paid one time instead of two times. The other advantage is that the one time close locks in your interest rate at today's rates instead of waiting until the home is completed. The only disadvantage is that the rate for the one time close is slightly higher than that of a two time close.

Bid Process

Once the plans are complete, you will have another meeting with the builder to go over the selections you have made. The builder then sends out a set of plans to all the subcontractors for their bid. This process will take approximately 4 to 5 weeks. You will then meet with the builder and go over the contract and the cost of the home.

Pre-construction Meeting

You will meet with the builder prior to breaking ground to celebrate the start of your new custom home. The schedule for construction will be discussed along with how change orders are to be made. We will also go over the loan draw schedule and any last minute changes and ideas for your new custom home.

Breaking Ground

This is the start of the construction! This is when the trenches for the footers and stem walls are dug. Congratulations!! You are on your way to your new custom home.

Construction

This is when it all happens! Here is a short breakdown:

Footers will be poured after the trenches are dug. Stem walls will be added on top of the footers. New trenches will be dug so the plumber and electrician can install all of the underground utilities.
The trenches will be filled around the concrete and utilities. Then ABC (sand and small stones) will be graded across the slab area and leveled so they can pour the concrete floor.
Just prior to pouring the concrete the pest control company will spray a 5 year warranty pre-treat for termites on the ABC and around the exterior. After a period of time depending on the weather, the lumber will be brought out and the framing crew will erect the frame of your new home. This is where you'll begin to realize what your home is going to look like. Next your home will be wrapped in tarpaper and foam with "chicken wire" on the outside. They will also lay the felt on the roof. Builders call this "drying-in" the home. Shortly after this the roofers will stack tile all over the roof to help settle the home and allow lumber to adjust to the weight.
Suddenly the home is filled with contractors installing the electrical wiring, plumbing lines, A/C ductwork, the tiles for the roof will be set on top and the wall will be insulated at the end.
The stucco crews will come in and start the stucco brown coating over the foam on the outside of the home. Drywall will be attached to the walls and ceilings. Then the expert drywall finishers will come in and tape and texture the walls.
We have our own trim carpenters who will install the baseboards, doors, casements and all special wood treatments. It is crucial to have good trim carpenters because what they do will be seen every day by you, your family and friends.
We also have our own paint crews to paint inside and outside your home.
Cabinets for the kitchen, baths and any built-ins are next. This is where everything seems to slow down, but it's not.
Again, depending on weather, your sidewalks, patios and driveway are poured.
Electricians attach the cover plates, light covers, bath, garage, and laundry fixtures.
Kitchen, laundry counter tops and bath vanities are installed.
Now the plumbers come in and install the faucets and all the plumbing fixtures.
Flooring and the final detail work takes time, be patient we're almost there.
Many contractors will be in and out fixing little things and touching up to create a great finishing job you and your builder can be proud of.
The pool should have already been dug and they're starting to finish it as they begin the landscaping. During the process you will have several meetings with the builder to check and see if you wish to change or add things at various stages.
Finally, your new custom home is completed and you can move in.
It's been a long journey, but you made it.

Congratulations!!