19 Questions to Ask NC home builders – before you buy

What questions should I ask builders about building a new home in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill region of North Carolina?

“Price per square foot” is NOT the most important thing to know.

Use this checklist of new home construction cost questions – and learn why to avoid asking “what’s your cost per square foot”? Contact Travars Built Homes for answers to these questions.

Questions to ask NC home builders: (Not) cost per square foot

  1. Why does price per square foot come out much higher for some homes than others, even though the size and layout look very similar?
  2. What comes included in this home, as a starting, “basic” build?
  3. Can you give me a detailed package that has everything in writing, so I can see just what’s already in there and what I need to add?
  4. How long will it take to build my new home?

Questions to ask NC home builders: Location and site work

  1. Where can you build my new home in NC?
  2. Is site work included in your price? Do you give that to me prior to contract?
  3. What does it cost to build this home on my lot, as opposed to on a lot in your community?
Questions to ask NC home builders

Questions to ask NC home builders: Floor plan layout and style

  1. How do I find a cost-effective floor plan?
  2. Why does a home with a large kitchen cost more to build than a home with a large great room?
  3. Why does an owners suite on the main floor cost more than an owners suite upstairs?
  4. Why does it cost more to have a sprawling footprint than one that has more square feet upstairs?
  5. Why does a home shaped like a “box” cost less to build than a home with “cutouts?”
  6. How much less does it cost to build a bonus room over a great room than to add a keeping room on the main floor?
  7. Why do contemporary home architectural styles cost more to build than traditional architectural styles?
Questions To Ask NC Home Builders
Questions To Ask NC Home Builders

Questions to ask NC home builders: Selections and features

  1. How much does a typical homebuyer pay in addition to the “base” price for your homes once they start including things like microwaves and other features that are in typical custom homes?
  2. How many choices do I have for selections in your “base” pricing?
  3. What kind of energy efficiency (features and processes) does this home have?
  4. How much do windows and doors matter when adding up costs?
  5. Does it cost more to have a carriage than a third bay in the garage?
  6. Is a sealed crawl space included?
  7. Are there built-ins? Trey ceilings? Trim around windows and doors? Crown moulding?
Questions To Ask NC Home Builders

Learn more about building a new home in North Carolina in our FAQs. Contact Travars Built Homes to start asking questions!

Rodanthe, modern farmhouse by Travars Built Homes

Rodanthe

2328 sq ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Rodanthe, modern farmhouse by Travars Built Homes

This first floor master Modern Farmhouse also includes a first floor Office, with double doors or optional barn door. The island kitchen is generous and welcoming, with a window at the sink. Upstairs, find three more large bedrooms and an open loft.

Send Me the Rodanthe Flyer and Pricing

    The flyer includes the layout and plan information.
    From there, we’ll prepare a detailed 10-page construction package that outlines your build — ready to review when you are.
    You’ll be amazed at what’s already included in every Travars Built Home.

    *Plans are illustrative and may reflect optional features. Floor plans and renderings are copyright Mark Stewart


    Highland Point

    2731 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | First Floor Main Bedroom | 2 Car Garage


    Features of the “Highland Point” plan include: 

    • 1st floor guest suite
    • Massive bonus room
    • Two rear porches, optional fireplace
    • Build on your lot or ours

    Built to Last. Designed for You.

    At Travars Built Homes, “Building with Strength and Integrity” means more than high standards—it means listening, customizing, and guiding you with clarity.

    These photos show what’s possible when that approach comes to life. Explore, get inspired, and let’s talk about how we can make it yours.

    Get a Price for this Home

      *Every home we build is unique. Images may reflect customized layouts, finishes, or features. Photographed homes may have been modified from the construction documents to comply with site conditions and/or builder or homeowner preferences. A full specifications package is available upon request.  Floorplans are copyright architect.

      Applewood C

      3442 sq ft | 4-5 Beds | 2.5 Baths | Main Floor Master | 2 Car Garage

      White Modern Farmhouse NC

      Travars Built Homes can build new five bedroom floor plans on your lot, including this modern farmhouse plan by Midtown Designs. The downstairs offers an island kitchen, breakfast room, family room with fireplace, formal dining room, foyer, and master suite with a large walk-in closet with built-in shelving. The 14×14 sunroom offers year-round entertainment and family living space.

      Need ample space for multi-generational living – or kids of different ages? Upstairs, this floor plan includes separate spaces for a craft or homework room, playroom, bonus room, and loft. Bedroom 2 has direct access to a buddy bath (a bathroom with access from a bedroom and a hallway). Bedroom 3 has a walk-in closet and bedroom 4 has the largest square footage.

      Start Here: Get the Applewood C Plan Flyer:

        We’ll send you the floor plan flyer so you can view the layout and key details.
        As a next step, we’ll prepare a personalized 10-page construction package that outlines everything included in your custom home — ready to review together at your convenience.
        You’ll be surprised by how much comes standard with Travars Built Homes.

        *Plans are illustrative and may reflect optional features. Floor plans and renderings are copyright Midtown Designs


        NC Custom Home Photo Tours

        Rodanthe A

        2328 sq ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

        Rodanthe, modern farmhouse by Travars Built Homes

        This first floor master Modern Farmhouse also includes a first floor Office, with double doors or optional barn door. The island kitchen is generous and welcoming, with a window at the sink. Upstairs, find three more large bedrooms and an open loft.

        Send Me the Rodanthe Flyer and Pricing

          The flyer includes the layout and plan information.
          From there, we’ll prepare a detailed 10-page construction package that outlines your build — ready to review when you are.
          You’ll be amazed at what’s already included in every Travars Built Home.

          *Plans are illustrative and may reflect optional features. Floor plans and renderings are copyright Mark Stewart


          Built In Bookcase Walls | Mebane NC New Homes

          5 Home offices that work for you

          What you build into your home office can be a game changer. Here are 5 home office designs from North Carolina custom homes built by Travars Built Homes.

          #1 Home Office Design: Professional Office with everything built in

          Take care of business with a home office designed for everything that needs to get done: Built ins. Interactive spaces. Windows and lighting. Oak hardwood flooring.

          Built In Bookcase Walls | Mebane NC New Homes

          #2 Home Office Design: Sunny side out

          Don’t want to feel locked down while you work? Add walls of windows to your home office, to let the sunshine in and allow you to see everything happening outside! Building a custom home means you can add as many windows as you want, depending on the plan and the builder.

          North Carolina New Homes | Custom Home Builder

          #3 Home Office Design: Private bathroom

          Build an en-suite home office with your own private bathroom attached, for the ultimate personal space as you work. This office also has a massive walk in closet for storing business supplies and files.

          North Carolina New Homes | Custom Home Builder

          #4 Home Office Design: Library

          Wall to wall built in bookcases with furniture cabinetry like this can enable your home office to organize books, manuals, and other necessities so you can find everything at a glance. A ceiling fan enables you to further control your environment.

          North Carolina New Homes | Custom Home Builder

          #5 Home Office Design: Window Treatments

          There are a huge variety of window treatments that can be applied to your home office, like what you see here. This can provide an open feeling that makes your office space feel more spacious and inviting.

          North Carolina New Homes | Custom Home Builder
          NC Custom Home Photo Tours

          Rodanthe

          2328 | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite | 2 Car Garage


          Features of the “Rodanthe” plan include: 

          • Modern farmhouse with extensive detailing
          • First floor owners suite and First floor office
          • Loft and three additional beds upstairs
          • Build on our lot or yours

          Where Strength Meets Style—And Integrity Shapes Every Step

          These homes were built through collaboration, thoughtful design, and hands-on builder involvement—hallmarks of the Travars Built experience.

          Everything we do is rooted in transparency and trust. Let these photos spark ideas—and we’ll help shape what comes next.

          Get a Price for this Home

            *Every home we build is unique. Images may reflect customized layouts, finishes, or features. Photographed homes may have been modified from the construction documents to comply with site conditions and/or builder or homeowner preferences. A full specifications package is available upon request.  Floorplans are copyright architect.

            Design Gallery

            Get home design ideas here – and see why every Travars Built Home is decidedly different. Our approach to custom building provides the flexibility to create your forever home the way you want it.

            Hand-Crafted Kitchens with Custom Home Design Ideas

            Modern Farmhouse | Chapel Hill Custom Home
            Custom Home Design Ideas

            Living Rooms with Fireplaces, Built-In Bookcases, and Ceiling Beams

            These living room examples showcase custom home design with: cedar fireplace mantels, stained wood ceiling beams, stacked stone, brick, board and batt, tile, and ship lap fireplace surrounds, built-in wooden shelving and cabinetry, and much more:

            Custom Tile Showers

            These en-suite bathrooms feature custom tile showers with white subway tile, herringbone designs, built-in storage alcoves, dual shower heads, built-in tile benches, frameless and semi-frameless surrounds, and much more:

            Custom Home Design Ideas: Formal Dining Rooms

            Work From Home Offices

            These home offices showcase built in desks and bookcases, glass French doors, white wainscoting walls, trey ceilings, sliding barn doors, and much more:

            Drop Zone Built In Storage Units for Custom Home Design Ideas

            Search for floor plan?

            We work with you to build your home the way you want it in Fox Oak, other available homes and land or on your lot in Pittsboro, Chatham County and surrounding regions extending into Alamance, Durham, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange, Randolph, and Wake counties.

            Chatham County On Your Lot Builder | Chatham New Homes

            River Bluff

            2381 sq ft | 3-4 Beds | 2.5-3.5 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

            Chatham County On Your Lot Builder | Chatham New Homes

            The River Bluff, an Architectural Designs plan, offers classic Farmhouse living with massive outdoor areas.  The front porch is 14′ deep at it’s deepest point!   Plenty of room for outdoor games and get-togethers.  Indoors, the open island kitchen has tons of counter space, and the master suite includes a huge, vaulted bath.

            Love the River Bluff?  Let’s Talk About Building It

              We’ll email you the floor plan flyer with the home layout and plan overview.
              Next, we will prepare a full 10-page construction package with everything included in your build — and walk through it together in a custom home consultation.
              You’ll be amazed at what’s already included in a Travars Built Home.

              *Plans are illustrative and may reflect optional features. Floor plans and renderings are copyright ArchitecturalDesigns & Associates


              Applewood

              3319 sq ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite


              Features of the “Applewood” plan include: 

              • Playroom, bonus, AND craft room
              • 1st Floor owners with huge closet
              • Formal fining OR 1st floor office
              • Build on your lot or ours

              Where Strength Meets Style—And Integrity Shapes Every Step

              These homes were built through collaboration, thoughtful design, and hands-on builder involvement—hallmarks of the Travars Built experience.

              Everything we do is rooted in transparency and trust. Let these photos spark ideas—and we’ll help shape what comes next.

              Get a Price for this Home

                *Every home we build is unique. Images may reflect customized layouts, finishes, or features. Photographed homes may have been modified from the construction documents to comply with site conditions and/or builder or homeowner preferences. A full specifications package is available upon request.  Floorplans are copyright architect.