Consider the Custom Build!
Sep 09, 2025
Building a custom home can feel like stepping into uncharted territory. For many, the idea of a custom-built home is thrilling! With the ability to create a home designed specifically for your family’s needs, tastes, and lifestyle–this is what defines a dream home. On the flip side, the idea of a custom-built home can also seem overwhelming, complicated, and quite stressful.
While building a custom home takes time, decisions, and coordination, partnering with the right building team can ensure the experience is incredibly rewarding. Glenn Meadows, a beautiful new Franklin County neighborhood, has partnered with three seasoned, custom-home builders with a long history of delighted clients. ICG Homes, Ken Harvey Homes, and Wilks Builders share a commitment to craftsmanship and quality. They also each have a focus on innovation that turns their clients’ visions into reality.
Thinking about Building a Custom Home? Start by Dreaming Big! While you don’t have to know every detail right now, creating a wish list before interviewing builders can help solidify your ideas for them.
Inspiration: Browsing a variety of design websites, Pinterest boards, and visiting model homes will help you define features that you love and those that aren’t for you–both critical for designing your dream home.
Priorities: Create a list of must-haves versus nice-to-haves. Understanding the difference will be helpful throughout the design and building process. If a home office or huge kitchen island are non-negotiable, add those to your must-haves list. If there are things you may add down the road, such as a home gym or inground sprinkler system, add those to your nice-to-haves list.
Price Point: Numbers are not very exciting to think about, but they are important. It will be difficult to get too specific early but creating a financial “comfort zone” prior to selecting a builder will give you more confidence when talking floorplans.
The Right Builder Matters: Why? Because a great builder will act as your guide, advocate, and problem solver. Each of the builders for the Glenn Meadows community was selected because they have a strong reputation in breaking down the building process for clients. This makes the project more manageable and reduces the feeling of being lost.
Experience: ICG Homes, Ken Harvey Homes, and Wilks Builders each have decades of home-building experience in North Carolina. Their teams know the area because they design and build where they live.
References & Completed Work: Because each of the Glenn Meadows’ building teams are local, it is convenient for potential clients to visit completed homes and talk to past clients.
Assess Compatibility: Glenn Meadows’ future residents will work closely with their builder for months making good communication essential. Accessibility was a huge focus when the Glenn Meadows’ building team was being assembled.
Find the Perfect Homesite: As construction is set to begin, buyers will select a lot in the Glenn Meadows neighborhood. Working with one of the community builders, lots will be measured to find options that suit your dream home’s footprint. This homesite discovery partnership will reduce construction challenges later.
Site Factors: Your builder will evaluate the slope, soil quality, and access to utilities for each potential lot.
Budget Impact: Because some lots may require extra site preparation than others, your builder will estimate those costs prior to starting any work.
Designing Your Dream Home: The design phase of building a custom home is where your dreams begin to take shape–literally. The good news is that you won’t need to know any architectural lingo as your design team will ask the right questions and present options that fit your price point and style. More good news? These choices typically happen in phases, so you won’t feel overwhelmed or forced to choose all at once.
Floor Plan Development: Working with an architect or designer, you will collaborate to create a floorplan that fits your lifestyle.
Exterior Style: Choose a facade that you love! Modern farmhouse, craftsman, contemporary, or something unique–your options are endless!
Interior Features: Decide on room sizes, ceiling heights, window placements, and special features like built-in cabinetry or smart home options.
Finishes: From flooring to faucets, you’ll choose the finishes that make your home truly personalized.
Budget-Friendly Choices: If your price-point is getting uncomfortable, your design team will be able to suggest alternative options that achieve your look without driving up costs.
Permits & Approvals: Before construction begins, your builder will handle the necessary paperwork. This is when using a local company really pays off as they are already familiar with permits and codes. Your builder will manage all of this behind the scenes—you just need to review and sign as needed.
Construction Begins! With all documents in place, your builder will provide you with a timeline which includes anticipated updates and when you can visit your homesite for a peek at key stages. Typically, the order of building events is as follows:
Site Preparation & Foundation: Readying your lot for building is the first step.
Framing: Your home’s structure takes shape with the completion of its walls and roof.
Mechanical Systems such as plumbing, electric, and HVAC are installed.
Insulation & Drywall is installed allowing you to finally “see” your floorplan come to life.
Interior Finishes such as flooring, cabinetry and paint will be completed.
Exterior Finishes such as siding, stonework, landscaping, and any outdoor features turn your dream home into reality.
Walkthroughs & Quality Checks: As your newly built home nears completion, you’ll do final walkthroughs with your building team to ensure everything meets your expectations. Your team will make note of any adjustments or touch-ups and provide you will an additional check-in date. During the walkthrough, you will also learn how to use and maintain home systems like HVAC, water heaters, and appliances. This step is all about fine-tuning and getting to know your new home!
Move-In Day & Warranty Period: Once construction is complete and your punch list is checked off, it’s time to move into your gorgeous, custom-built home. The Glenn Meadows building teams will continue to remain available to you long-term as they each have a strong commitment to client satisfaction.
Building a custom home can seem intimidating but with the right building team in place, the journey offers more opportunities for partnership than potential for panic. As the idea for the stunning Glenn Meadows community became a reality, collaborating with the area’s most seasoned perfect builders was a priority. ICG Homes, Ken Harvey Homes, and Wilks Builders are each among the top-ranked of North Carolina’s premiere home-building teams.
Reach out to the Glenn Meadows’ team today to start bringing your dream home to reality!