Norton Homes’ Process for Building New Minnesota Homes

Interested in building your own dream home in Minnesota? Norton Homes’ focus has always been on delivering an extraordinary custom home building experience. Every Norton home is as unique and important as the family for whom it is being built. We strive to create a custom home building process that makes our clients feel at ease from the first meeting until after they set foot into their new Norton custom home.

Chris Norton and Pat Hiller work directly with our clients on every detail from the initial concept, through the construction phase and delivery of the finished home, making sure our clients are receiving exactly what they desire from the custom home building process on their new Norton home. For us, this is a partnership from start to finish.

Turn your dream of wanting a comfortable space that reflects your own personal taste into a custom house that’s maximized for functionality and dependability. Learn about how our outstanding custom home building process can make this happen. But first, let’s discuss some considerations to make before even getting started.

What To Know Before Building Your Own Home In Minnesota

Whether you’re a Minnesota native ready to build your own home, or you’re coming from out of state and looking for a custom build, there are quite a few things to know before building your own home in Minnesota. Here are some factors to consider for the custom home building process:

Minnesota winters present challenges

It’s no secret that Minnesota has cold winters, with wind chills, ice, snow and frozen ground presenting unique challenges to the custom home building process. Although homes are constructed year round, the optimal time to build your own home in Minnesota is from late spring to late fall, when there’s less chance of weather-related delays and complications.

Finances are important

Before you get too far into the custom home building process, it’s important to have your finances in order. This means not only working with your bank if you’re taking out loans, but also working with your financial advisor to create a budget. Norton Homes can arrange financing if you need help. We work with a network of outstanding loan officers who are experienced in the construction lending business.

Choose your location wisely

Building your own home in Minnesota gives you the freedom to choose your ideal location. It’s important to consider factors such as commute times, school districts, proximity to grocers and shopping centers, and distance from family and friends. Land can vary quite a bit in price, based on location, desirability and property size, but it’s important to invest in something you’ll love — your home’s location is the one thing that can never be changed.

It’s crucial to choose the right builder

Custom home builders all have their own processes, styles and specialties. It’s crucial to choose a builder that can stay true to your vision, forming a partnership with you throughout the entire custom home building process and beyond. While some builders may become inaccessible after building your home, or worse yet, go “out of business” and form a new company — voiding any home warranties — Norton Homes takes pride in delighting its customers before, during, and after the building process.

Understand that it’s a process

With so many perks to building your own home in Minnesota, there is one downside: time. On average, it takes ten months to over a year to build a new home, and you should expect weekly — and sometimes daily — interactions with the team you’re working with. That being said, good things come to those who wait, and building your own Minnesota home is not something you want to compromise on just for a quicker turnaround.

Step 1 – Initial Consultation

At your initial consultation, we’ll discuss the location you desire and style of home that best suits your lifestyle. Whether you want to build in one of our communities, have your own lot, or even if you need a little extra guidance to find the perfect lot, we will help you secure your future home’s location. We can even work with you to purchase teardown properties for your custom build.

We take the time to understand what you desire out of the custom home building process — the style, orientation, functionality, and overall floor plan size of your new custom home. This consultation is done at no cost to you.

Put Our Team to Work for You

Building your own custom home in Minnesota doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, we think it should be a fun and exciting experience. With Norton Homes, our professional team is with you every step of the way to ensure you get exactly what you want. Ready to get started?

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Step 2 – Meet with the Architect

Once your location is selected and your initial specifications are identified, we’ll organize a meeting with our architect. During the meeting, you will describe to the architect the necessities and amenities you’d like included in the custom home building process. We encourage you to bring inspiration pictures and examples of the exact styles and designs you are looking for. This way, we can ensure that your new custom dream home is built exactly how you’ve always imagined it. After collecting a modest sketch plan fee, we’ll have the preliminary sketch plan drawing ready for you within 1-1.5 weeks.

Step 3 – Your Blueprint

Our mission is to show you exactly what you’ve envisioned. We’ll talk about specifications and allowances for selections and provide an overall cost estimate. Once you’ve approved the sketch plan drawing, the architect will proceed with the custom home building process and create the blueprint of your new custom home.

To move forward with purchasing the lot and beginning construction, you need to be able to qualify for financing. Norton Homes can refer you to arrange financing for the construction of your new home with one of our preferred lenders or you can use your own lender. Upon approval, we’ll draw up the purchase agreement contract and collect a portion of the required deposit on your new home.

Step 4 – Design and Build Phase

As your chosen lot is purchased, we will request the remaining portion of the deposit. Once the lot is secured and the deposit paid, we’ll begin the construction process – from getting the necessary permits to making sure you have a completely finished Norton custom home to move into. Typically, the delivery date of your new Norton custom home is approximately six months from the day your new home’s plans are submitted for city approval and permits are issued.

Since we have the heavy lifting under control, your time is now freed up for design appointments with our full-time professional designer. The design phase involves all of your home selections including exterior siding/stone, cabinetry, paint colors, lighting, plumbing, countertops, and flooring options. As these decisions are made, our designer oversees the sourcing, ordering, and delivery of your selections for scheduled installation.

Step 5 – Delivery

At Norton Homes, we are committed to partnering with you throughout the custom home building process of your new dream home. We are attentive to your approval of selections and modifications to eliminate any unexpected cost while creating the home you truly desire.

Together, prior to home delivery, we will walk through your completely finished Norton custom home built with exceptional detail and craftsmanship as promised. From the specifications of your HVAC system to home automation features, we will ensure that you understand the functionality built into your new Norton custom home. Then, it’s time for you to enjoy living in your dream home.

Among the custom home builders in Minneapolis, at Norton Homes, we stand by each and every house we build and we continue that guarantee after you move in. Approximately one year after the delivery date of your home we’ll conduct a meeting to address any issues or concerns that may have arisen, like nail pops or adjusting doors or windows as the house will have had time to settle after construction.

What Sets Norton Homes Apart

With Norton Homes as your custom luxury home builder in MN and trusted partner, you can rest assured that our unparalleled craftsmanship and attention to detail will result in a home that reflects your personal style, a home built with pride.

Ready to Create Your Home?

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