FUN HOMEWORK

When Working From an Architect's Plans

A REFRESHING NEW START

Your plans are done, and you’re excited to get started on the next step for your custom new home. We are excited for you and want to make sure that the process is as smooth as possible. It’s almost time to sit back, relax and enjoy the experience as we guide you through the wonderful process of homebuilding.

MICHAEL F. SIMON BUILDERS

Your Custom Home Building Partners

When you are relaxed, your dream home may not be as far from reality as you might think. As you look at today’s custom homes, with their wide choice of features and finishes, options, and upgrades, you may feel overwhelmed. Let us suggest a method that has been time-tested and proven successful for hundreds of our delighted clients, clients that are now a part of the Simon Builders Family.

Once completed, the following pages will provide us with vital information to accurately help you establish a budget for your new home.

At Michael F. Simon Builders, we vow to:

Decrease your home’s energy needs
Increase your home’s future resale value through good design, quality materials and superior craftsmanship
Understand your vision and dreams
Help evaluate your needs and make those dreams a reality
Be timely and efficient as we create your project
Be dedicated to the success of the project
Enjoy the entire process with you and create a “fun” experience

Get Started

Let's Get Started

Note: Every box requires an answer, even if it is “N/a”. Additionally, if you begin this form and wish to complete it at a later time, there is an option to save your information. Simply scroll to the bottom of the form and select “Save and Continue Later.” We’ll send you a link via email so you can easily pick up where you left off.

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Client Name 1*

First Last

Client 1 Phone Number*

Client 1 Email*

Enter Email Confirm Email

Client Name 2 (if applicable)

First Last

Client 2 Phone Number (if applicable)

Client 2 Email (if applicable)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Current Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Address where new home will be built*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

How long do you plan to live in this home?*

Do you have a timeline/schedule in mind for when to start construction?*

When do you desire to complete construction?*

Are these rigid time constraints?*

Have you built a home previously?*

Yes

How many?*

Did you build or remodel the home you currently live in?*

Yes, built current home

Yes, remodeled current home

What went well?*

What areas or part of the process could have used improvement?*

Your Family and Lifestyle

How many people will be living in your new household? What are their names, gender and age? Do they have any particular preferences, interests or special needs?*

House Size

How do you spend your time?

Do you want any specific master bath shower amenities? (Rain head, steam)*

Kitchen – How much do you use your kitchen? Do you desire a “gourmet” kitchen? Or, do you use the microwave more than the stove?*

What kind and style of interior finishes are you looking for?*

Interior Trim

Do you prefer your interior woodwork be stained, painted, or a combination both?*

Do you have a preference of finish for the interior trim species? (Oak, maple, birch, cherry, or painted)*

Do you have a preference on the interior style of the home? (Traditional, Colonial, Contemporary, Transitional, etc, or no preference at this time)*

Staircase, Cabinets, & Countertops

Do you have a preference on the material for the balusters on the staircase railings?*

Stained wood

Painted wood

Wrought iron

Cable rail

Other

What material do you prefer for the staircase treads and risers?*

Carpet

Wood/Natural flooring

Wood with a carpet runner

Do you prefer painted or stained cabinets, and do you have a preference on the species?*

Will the cabinets be the same in all rooms (kitchen, baths, family room, etc.)?*

Yes

What type of countertops are you looking for, and where? (Granite, quartz, other solid surface, plastic laminate)*

What type of fireplace are you looking for, gas or wood?*

Gas

Wood (I understand this is not recommended in an energy efficient home)

Both gas and wood in different parts of the home

I don’t want a fireplace

Fireplace Location?*

What room(s) would these fireplaces be in?

What type of fireplace surround do you prefer? (Wood surround or just a mantle? Stained or painted? Tile, granite, quartz or masonry? Full height or just mantle height? Hearth or no hearth?)*

Here It Comes

Budget

This is a scary word for most people. Budgets can be compared to paychecks – Everybody has one, we just wish it were bigger and we commonly don’t share its value with others.

If you are not sure what your budget is, a loan officer at your bank can help with assisting you to define what yours should be. If you don’t have a relationship with your banker, we can suggest a few lenders that have gone above and beyond at meeting our client’s expectations in past transactions. Let us know if you need a recommendation. Together you and your lender can establish a comfortable number for your new home.

Budget Triangle

Designing and building a home requires aligning three elements that make up the “Budget Triangle”. We will guide you throughout the project on how to balance the triangle. Here is a simple outline of the Budget Triangle:

Size: Yes, size matters! It’s not only the size, but the proportions. The more evenly we can distribute footage between floors, the more economical it will be. Your completed homework will greatly assist us in designing and building the right size home for your family and budget.

Amenities: Interior finishes like: Will your countertops be granite, solid surface or plastic laminate? Will your woodwork be oak, cherry or will it be painted? Exterior finishes like siding, masonry, windows plus many more play a huge role in the final costs of your home.

As your custom home builder, we will work with you to close the Budget Triangle, to align your needs, wants and desires with what your budget will afford. At times, this can be the most difficult aspect of building a new home but together we can work through this hurdle. At Michael F. Simon Builders, we strive to have all our proposals come within our client’s budget.

We also feel that a key to successfully building the home of your dreams is insuring every dollar is spent wisely.

Let’s Wrap It Up!

Thank you! As a custom home builder dedicated to making your housing dreams a reality, we are committed to providing you a home that is best suited to not only your family but one that will hold its resale value long into the future because of its construction.

We are now armed with a solid understanding of your particular wants, needs, and desires. We can pinpoint the right house and features for you, delivering a home that suits your circumstances now and well into the future. By you taking the time to finish this homework, what started as a rough collection of your dreams has evolved into a clear-cut set of expectations and priorities. Remember, building should be a fun and enjoyable process.

At Michael F. Simon Builders, it is our desire to earn your trust and confidence to build the home of your dreams. Working together, it will be a very rewarding process!

What is your total budget amount? (without the lot)*

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