To a large extent, the time required to design your home or remodeling project depends on how well defined your needs and ideas are when we begin the process. If you’re starting with a stock plan purchased from a plan service that you’d like us to modify, design of a new home—through detailed construction plans— is typically completed within 8 to 10 weeks. Designs that start with a clean sheet of paper can take longer. The time required to design remodeling projects depends on the scope.

Our custom home designs average less than 3% of the overall construction cost. For comparison purposes, architect fees for custom homes typically range from 8% to 15% of construction cost (source: Houzz.com); the national average is 10% (source: American Institute of Architects.) Design cost for remodeling projects depends on the scope. The “bottom line” is that when you partner with Charles Ross Homes, you’ll spend less on design and have more money available to invest in the tangible aspects of your home.

Not according to a study by Victor Sanvido and Mark Konchar of Penn State University. They studied 351 projects across 37 states and concluded that on average, design/build projects cost 6% less, construction was 12% faster and overall delivery time (beginning of design to occupancy) was 33% faster than design-bid-build projects. When you partner with Charles Ross Homes you get a home that’s a great value and you’ll be able to begin enjoying it months sooner.

We are not the least expensive nor the most expensive builder in our area. We are competitive with custom home builders and re-modelers who use comparable high-quality materials, highly-skilled trade labor, apply building science principles, and which provide the level of project management and customer service we provide to our clients.

If you choose to work with an outside architect or designer, you’ll need to ask them about their process for dealing with plan errors and omissions. Typically, you as the client are responsible for the cost of any errors or omissions in plans they produce. An advantage in choosing us to both design and build your home is that we remedy errors and omissions in plans we produce at our expense.

We’ve developed an extensive list of preferred suppliers based on our more than 35 years of experience building in the Williamsburg area. Our objectives are to provide our clients with a range of alternatives, ensure quality products at fair prices, and ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. If we’re not able to obtain your preference of any item from our preferred suppliers, we’ll find a supplier of the item.

Our remodeling projects are executed on a fixed-contract price basis. Due to the longer duration and potential material price volatility during new home construction projects, we execute them on a management-fee basis.

The size of your home is your personal decision based on your needs and budget. We’ve designed and built homes from 1,200 square feet up to 11,500 square feet of finished living area. Most of our clients are “empty nesters” who choose plans with approximately 2,800 to 3,200 square feet of finished living area.

Yes! We’ve built many homes with basements. It usually makes sense to build a basement foundation for a home on a sloping lot. A walkout basement can provide attractive lower level living space and add value to your home.

The time required to build or remodel any home depends on the size and complexity of the plan, the requirements of the particular site, the materials and finishes you select, and of course, the weather during the construction process. Most of our clients are empty-nesters building a 2,800 to 3,200 square foot home. Typical construction time is six months. Larger homes, homes with basement foundations and homes with a high level of finish typically take longer to build. The time to complete a remodeling project depends on the scope. We’ll be glad to provide an estimate of the time required when we meet with you.

Cost, like the time required to construct or remodel a home, depends on the size and complexity of the plan, the requirements of the particular site, and the materials and finishes selected. We understand that every client has a budget. We partner with you to design and build/remodel a home that meets your needs and respects your budget. An important difference with our process is that the cost to build your home is accurately determined early on. You never end up paying for detailed plans and specifications for a home that won’t get built.

Each custom home we build is a true custom home designed to meet our individual client’s needs. As such, we do not have a “standard package” for our custom homes. Customer Support Coordinator will help you make informed choices about which alternatives best suit your needs and budget.

We have experience with a wide range of HVAC systems including high-efficiency gas furnaces, high-efficiency air conditioners, high-efficiency heat pumps, hybrid systems, passive solar, energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) and geothermal (ground source) heat pumps. We typically install zone controls to enable independent termperature control of multiple areas within a home. We’ll work with you in the design phase to choose the option that’s right for you.

This question is similar to asking “how much does it cost to put a kid through college?” or “how much does it cost to take a vacation?” The answer is “It depends–on a number of things.” In the case of a home, it depends on the demands of a particular building site, the size of the home, the achitectural style, the materials of construction, the features, the quality of the trade labor used to produce the home, and so forth. When comparing different builders, a better approach is to tour homes under construction (or recently completed), look at the components, features, and quality level and ask about the cost to replicate each on your lot. Then ask about their service–how do they ensure your vision of “home” is achieved throughout the process?

We are staffed to build approximately four to five each year and complete a variety of remodeling projects, depending on the scope and project locations. Each project is closely supervised to ensure quality, cost, and schedule objectives are achieved.

Cost allowances are good-faith estimates of the cost of various client selections (carpeting, appliances, tile, etc.) that have not been made at the time we enter into a Construction Agreement. Allowances are like a checkbook for any such items. If your selections cost less than the allowance, you receive a credit for the difference at settlement. If your selections cost more than the allowance, you are responsible to pay the difference.

We partner with the best local trade professionals (our trade partners) to perform many of the construction tasks. Each of our trade partners have worked with us for a number of years and know our quality standards. All on-site supervision and project coordination is performed by our staff.

For the most part we employ the same trade partners on each home we build. Since most of our trade partners are small firms, we maintain two trade partners for long duration tasks such as framing and masonry work.

No. We have a single standard for quality in all homes we produce regardless of cost or size.

We have an interior designer who works with you to help reduce the stress of making selections.

With us, you may request changes at any time during construction. The feasibility of implementing any change will depend on when the change is requested. Please keep in mind that changes typically affect both the cost and construction schedule. Changes affecting the home’s exterior usually need to be reviewed and approved by the architectural review committee in your community prior to implementation. Structural changes may require re-engineering and review by code compliance officials prior to implementing the change. If you wish to change your selection of a component that is already on order, a restocking fee may apply.

Some changes can be implemented at little or no cost. For example, if you ask us to change the location of a light fixture, electrical receptacle or change the swing of a door during the framing walk through. Changes that alter the scope of the project or that require review and approval by an architectural review board or re-inspection by code compliance usually involve additional cost. Before implementing any change we’ll advise you of the cost and obtain your approval.

Each new home we build is covered by a limited warranty. A copy of our warranty is provided for your information as part of the construction documents and included in the home Maintenance and Warranty manual you receive upon completion of your home.

Most communities have a defined process for architectural review of your intended home plans. The process is normally outlined in documents provided by the developer or homeowner’s association. While the process varies from community to community, it typically involves review of your plans, specifications, exterior colors and materials and your site development plan by an architectural review board. You are responsible for the cost of the review.

In general, it works best if we supply all components for your home. Client-supplied items require additional logistics for shipping to ensure we have them available right before we need them. We will gladly accommodate your request to install selected items such as a Foyer or Dining Room chandelier from your former home provided the fixture(s) meets local code requirements. Please note that any items you supply are not covered under our limited warranty; you would need to work directly with the manufacturer if there are any issues.

For safety reasons and to ensure the on-time delivery of your home, we cannot permit you to perform any of the work during construction. We will, at your request– and subject to the limitations required to obtain a certificate of occupancy for the home– leave portions of the home for you to complete after move-in.

About half our clients continue to live outside the Williamsburg area during construction of their custom home. We suggest at a minimum that you plan to join us for three walk-through inspections during construction: 1.) When framing is substantially complete, please plan to attend a framing walkthrough at which we review the placement of all windows, doors, door swings, location of electrical receptacles, lighting fixtures, heating/cooling supply and return grills, etc. before rough-in. 2.) When drywall is completed, please plan to join us for a post-drywall, pre-paint walk-through to review the specific interior trim pre-selected for each room and to approve interior paint color samples applied by our painter, and 3.) About a week prior to completion of your home, please plan to join us for a punch list walk-through to identify any incomplete items or quality issues. Prior to your move-in, we’ll perform a pre-settlement inspection with you to verify that all punch list items are complete.

We request payment after key milestones are achieved during construction. The amount to be paid for any item is listed on our construction draw schedule. If you are financing your home, we make draw requests directly to your lender and provide a copy for your records. When the lender receives our request, they schedule an inspector to verify the work is completed prior to authorizing payment. We also inform your mechanic’s lien agent (a local real estate attorney) when we request a construction draw. Your mechanic’s lien agent ensures that the title to your property is free of any construction liens before payment is made.

Unless you have a comprehensive set of architect-produced construction plans (the cost of which is typically 10% of the construction cost), it is virtually impossible to ensure true, competitive bids on your project. We believe that a better approach is to collaborate on an open-book basis so you can make informed choices about the components, systems, and finishes that best meet your needs. John McLean, a San Franciso based architect provides some helpful insights on the topic http://www.johnmcleanarchitect.net/buildingAdvice.04.html That said, we do competitively bid projects provided our schedule permits and the other bidders are builders who provide a comparable level of quality and service.

We understand that for most people a home is their largest single purchase. Our focus is helping our clients get the best value for their investment—which is not the same as the lowest initial price.

Charles Ross Homes is the trade name for Charles W. Ross, Builder, Inc. which was established as a Virginia corporation in 1983.

We employ a team of four full-time employees and one part-time employee.

We prefer to work on well-designed projects within a 50 mile drive from our office. We have a particular interest in “green” projects that are energy-efficient and make use of low-maintenance materials of construction.