"Excellent work. Outdoor Design build designed and built a large patio area for us a few years ago which we have loved. We hired them to custom build a fireplace this year and couldn't be happy with it. They were able to build the fireplace exactly to our needs, including the stone veneer to match a wall previously built. Excellent work, very responsive, great craftsmanship. We have hired them twice and would do so again."
"Remark removed and replaced our large custom composite deck. Double picture frame with contrasting colors and aluminum rails. Fantastic quality construction on the new build. Very satisfied with the new product!!! Chris and his team were super courteous and respectful. Good to work with. Prompt responses to concerns or requested revisions. Would certainly hire this team again - have already recommended them to friends!"
"Yury and crew have completed 3 major projects at our home, all done to perfection including complete upgrade and remodel of two separate large indoor spaces(absolutely beautiful) and an exterior repair requiring significant deconstruction with high quality permanent and waterproof refinish. I have never had such a professional and also personable individual do any project, home repair or remodel in 43 years of home ownership. Also to state, I am no novice in construction myself, and Yury is always willing to listen to my input or suggestions and experience, even though he is extremely high quality and experienced himself. I truly respect his heritage and how he treats his co-workers and teammates. LTB is currently doing a complete overhaul, repair and upgrade of a family memberâ  s A-Frame, also impeccable to date. He will be starting another project as well for my family soon. I would be hard pressed to recommend any one other than LTB for most projects. Enough said and good luck with your own."
"I hired Tristate Complete Home Repair and Maintenance to fix a bad tile job in our new shower. They came out and worked diligently to fix the sharp tile replacement and drain issue. Jeff was professional, helpful, and answered our questions. I appreciate this company and will use them in the future for other home repairs and maintenance issues."
"We heard about Derrick through my son. Derrick and his crew did an AWESOME job on our pool house. He hand picked the materials to get the very best to use. They were very detailed on every part of this. He could have charged us alot more for what he did but he stayed honest and did the work for what his estimate was. We found our new company for every project we do from here on out. I would recommend Building Better Homes Management to everyone. Thank you Derrick and crew for an excellent job."
"Jason and his crew did an outstanding job on our room addition (sunroom). People we know commented on Jason's excellent craftsmanship. In addition, Jason was always open to our feedback and displayed excellent customer service. We are very happy with the finished work and we would highly recommend Moreland Homes!"
"Hometown Restoration came to my home after my dishwasher flooded the bottom floor of my new home apartment in La Costa. They have been excellent. They are here daily monitoring and making sure everything gets dry and they've worked with my insurance adjuster to make sure we are properly taken care of."
"Someone came out to check our interior and exterior walls. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. He said there were no major leaks in the mortar that were visible and the leaks were most likely coming from behind the gutter. He explained that the gutter would need to be removed, meaning I would need to hire a roofer since they do not deal with gutters or roofing and that I would end up paying for two jobs. He suggested instead that I find a roofer that would remove the gutter who was skilled enough to do the necessary tuckpointing to save us money. He also looked at the interior damage and told us the materials to buy because we said we wanted to repair that ourselves. He was extremely helpful and gave us the most economical suggestions rather than booking repairs with them and hiring a roofer. If we need work done to our masonry or foundation only in the future, I will definitely go with Hicon."
"Great Friendly Service. Estimated to take a week or two to complete. Took a month to paint the exterior trim on my house. Mostly weather related. Be prepared if you are doing an exterior project for mother nature to get in the way! Only downfall to this project is that it took longer than expected, there are areas that were not finished i had to get them back out for. There are still some spots that are not covered. The project went over estimate. The deck sealing did not seem to do anything. I thought water would bubble up on the wood boards and they are still absorbing moisture. Waste of the extra money and I will just do it myself"
"Trino and his crew did an amazing job! They spent 4 days stripping and refinishing our two large mahogany front doors and they turned out beautifully. They carefully taped off the entire lower level and painted two coats to cover the existing darker paint color. The crew was prompt, tidy and professional. Trino is a nice, trustworthy and highly professional manager of his painting crew. I would highly recommend them for any painting or refinishing job inside our outside of your home or business."
The longest part of building a custom home is the design phase. It takes multiple professionals and a ton of work to bring your vision for your dream home to life while sticking to a homebuilding budget and also ensuring everything is built to code. Expect the design phase for a custom home build to take six months to a year.
The average build timeline for a home is between six and 12 months, with timelines pushing toward the upper end of that range if you’re creating a custom design or need a lot of land preparation before getting started. Hiring a general contractor or a custom homebuilder will help speed up the process, as you’ll see fewer delays between different parts of the build process getting done.
Start by researching local contractors with experience in cottage construction. Ask for references, check licensing and insurance, and review completed projects. Compare multiple bids, making sure each includes the same scope of work. A good contractor will communicate clearly, provide a detailed contract, and ensure all work meets code and safety standards.
One of the best ways to negotiate with a homebuilder is to forgo price reductions. Instead, negotiate over upgrades and incentives, as many builders are more willing to go down that road than to decrease their own fee. Even if they were willing to take a cut, a reputable homebuilder often knows their worth, so a willingness to negotiate could be a red flag. Beyond that, builders are typically willing to negotiate closing costs instead of offering a discount on the base price.
Yes, you can finance new construction, though the process often requires a different type of loan than one for an existing property. There are several financing options available:
Construction-to-Permanent Loan: This is a common option where a single loan covers the building costs and then converts into a traditional mortgage once construction is complete and you move in.
Construction Loan (Stand-Alone): This type of loan provides funding only for the duration of the construction project. Once the house is built, you will need to pay the loan in full, typically by securing a separate, standard mortgage.
Builder Financing: Some custom homebuilders offer their own financing options, which may only require a down payment to begin the building process.
Bridge Loan: This can be a useful short-term loan to fund your new construction while you are in the process of selling your old home.
Home Equity Options: If you are building a second home, you might be able to use a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or a cash-out refinance on your current property.
It's also important to be aware that some lenders may have restrictions on financing for DIY house builds, so be sure to verify that you can secure financing before starting your project.
The Cincinnati, OH homeowners’ guide to home building services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
When building a home, going custom gives you the freedom to create your dream house. Learn about the cost to build a custom home and the factors to consider.
Thinking about a custom home building project? Learn about design options, average construction costs, and how to hire the right local pro for your new house.
Building your dream home starts with hiring a builder. Here is how to find a builder who understands your needs and preferences for your brand-new home.
