How much per sq.ft. do you charge?
This is a reasonable question; as
some customers want to comparison shop.
For an honest builder, it's also a
potential minefield. Give yourself a
budget of $1000 and you can build a
wooden shed. Give yourself a budget of
$1 million and you can build the exact
same sized shed with gold plating and
encrusted diamonds. It's all relative to
the scope of the work. That being said,
we typically build homes that range
between $160 - $200 per square foot. You
must be sure you are comparing "apples
to apples". A competitor's initial
lowball price may not include anything
but the basic house shell with
bare-bones detailing. The price is just
designed to "get you in the door". Check
the small print. With true custom,
nothing is really "standard". If you
want a certain feature set with us,
we'll explain the pros and cons of it
and let you make the decision. From the
most basic requirements to the most
extravagant feature, we'll sit down and
go over every option with you before we
start. You can rest assured that our
price will include everything
required to furnish you a quality built
home. Having a firm grasp of your
budget, your requirements, and good
rapport with your builder should be the
main priorities. A good, honest builder
will maximize your return on investment
without playing games.
Where can I find land to build on?
The greater Wilmington area is growing at a tremendous pace, with residential communities popping up everywhere. Some of the most popular communities still have lots available. At Crane Building Co., we can help you select the right homesite for your house, and assist you with information on existing communities as well as available acreage.
Some of the more "popular" communities include:
- St. James Plantation - Southport, NC
- Winding River Plantation - Bolivia, NC
- Rivers Edge - Shallotte, NC
- RiverSea Plantation - Supply, NC
- SeaWatch - Southport, NC
- Sea Scape - Holden Beach, NC
- Landfall - Wilmington, NC
- Palmetto Creek - Bolivia, NC
Where do you build?
Our primary office is located in Southport, NC, however we build in the greater Wilmington area, Southport/Oak Island, Shallotte, Bolivia, Supply and Calabash.
How do you determine construction quality?
We will research all local ordinances and regulatory requirements before constructing in a new area. We also warrant that the house meets all construction guidelines as set forth in the most current edition of "Residential Construction Performance Guidelines" written by the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB). We also work closely with community ARB's (architectural review boards) to make sure that your house is in compliance with their standards.
Do we need an architect? Do you require architectural stamps on plans?
Hiring an architect is a personal decision. Sometimes what you want can't be found in any pre-existing plans or stock plans. Architects can then be worth their weight in gold. We don't mind working with architects at all. However, the state of North Carolina does not require architectural stamps on plans. As long as your plan is well designed and meets code, we can build it.
How long does construction take?
After permitting, we can usually complete a standard size house on an average lot in about 6 months. Topography, weather, access, local regulatory requirements, detail, and other varying factors can affect how long construction will actually take. Many ARB boards can also delay the process, but we try as hard as possible to minimize this.
