19 Questions to Ask NC home builders – before you buy

Posted by Travars Built Homes on

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!

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Laundry Mudroom Door to Master Closet | Mebane NC New Homes

Universal design. Aging in place. Accessible: Laundry room checklist for your new construction home

Posted by Travars Built Homes on

Looking for a universal design / aging in place laundry room checklist for your Chatham County new construction home? Find everything you’ll need in a new, aging in place home, from doorway widths to accessible features and layout recommendations.

Experts at Travars Built Homes are certified to build aging in place style new homes. Contact us to get started on next steps for your universal design new home.

Appliance configuration

When you choose your appliances, it’s important that they be front load, for easier loading. We strongly suggest getting a matching pedestal from the appliance manufacturer. Or ask your custom home builder to create a 12-15” platform for the equipment to sit on. Stackable appliances are not universal, as neither appliance will be at the ultimate height to avoid bending and stretching.

Chatham County New Home Laundry Room

Size

Your builder will look for a way to have a 36” wide doorways and 5 foot diameter of open space in front of the washer and dryer. If the laundry is located along the hallway, it will need to be at least 4′ wide.

Wendell North Carolina New Homes | Dog House Under the Stairs

Location

Keep your laundry room on the main floor for accessibility, unless your home will have an elevator.

Storage

Cabinetry over the top of the washer and dryer may not be as useful to you as cubbies or shelves at an accessible height. Check with your builder about reconfiguring the laundry room if necessary, to allow for the kind of storage you need.

Chatham County New Home Laundry Room

Convenience

Some plans allow for a washer and dryer in the owner’s suite closet. Others can be built with a door from the owner’s suite or closet directly into the laundry room, which also has another entrance. Tell your builder what your needs are – some plans can be modified to relocate the laundry room or add extra doors.  

Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse | Black and White Laundry Room

Task Management

Consider where you will be doing the laundry, as well as where it will be folded and put away. Do you need a table in the laundry room? Countertops can be built at varying heights. Hanging rod? Pull down ironing board? Sitting area? Your builder will take a look at the plans, to make sure there’s knee room and a 36” wide circumference, for full accessibility.

All of these features can be designed and built in for accessibility by a custom home builder.

Lighting

A universal, aging in place feature that’s important in your laundry room and throughout your home is appropriate lighting. In addition to LED lighting, ask your builder for extra lights if there are areas where you need additional illumination. Consider motion detector lighting for convenience when your arms are full so lights can operate automatically when you come and go. If there are work stations, think about under cabinet lighting, flexible track lighting, or even natural light from windows or doors.

Chatham County New Home Laundry Room

Flooring

One way to help eyesight in an aging in place design is to change flooring color in the laundry room to differentiate from surrounding areas. There are a lot of great tile choices in a huge variety of styles and colors when you work with a premium custom home builder. Consider cork, too.

Talk with an experienced NC builder

Make sure to talk with a custom home builder experienced with universal design who is flexible enough to meet your goals in design/building your home with the features and convenience you need. Contact Travars Built Homes to get started.

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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

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    Highland Point

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

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    Get a flyer and pricing information here.

      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
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      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

        House Plan Search Tool
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        *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

        See a photo tour of this home here

        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.

        Five Bedroom Floor Plans
        Copyright Midtown Designs

        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.

        Five Bedroom Floor Plans

        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

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          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

            House Plan Search
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            Photo Tours
            NC Custom Home Photo Tours

            Rodanthe

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

            NC Custom Home Photo Tours | Siler City New Homes. Travars Built Homes builds custom homes in Chatham County, North Carolina and the surrounding region. When you build with TBH, you get 24/7 access to information about everything that’s happening with your new home construction. Inside your personal online custom home build portal, you’ll have continual visibility to progress logs, selections, photos, calendars, and interactions with your team. Want to know more about what we offer? Read 8 reasons to build with TBH.
            Siler City New Homes. Looking for Siler City new homes to build? The Rodanthe is a Modern Farmhouse with primary suite and office on the first floor.
            Siler City New Homes. Modern Farmhouse | New Homes Siler City
            Siler City New Homes. New Homes Siler City: Island Kitchen
            Siler City New Homes. The Island in the kitchen offers bar seating, and lots of natural light. See more examples of kitchen pantry storage ideas.
            Get a flyer and pricing information here.

              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
              Upstairs, the wrought iron balusters frame an overlook that helps open up the space.
              Drop Zone Storage in the Laundry The laundry room has a built in drop zone, drying rod, and custom tile flooring. The foyer staircase has hardwood steps and painted white risers.
              Siler City New Homes
              Siler City New Homes
              Siler City New Homes: Large Master Suite and Closed-Door Office The first floor office features a specialty trey ceiling with fan.
              Siler City New Homes. The en suite bathroom has a full vanity with two sinks, custom tile shower, and lots of storage space through the walk-in closet.

              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

                House Plan Search Tool
                New Home Photo Gallery

                *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.

                Request Custom Home Building Information Here

                  Do you own a lot?
                  Yes, I own a lotNo, but I have a lot in mindNo, I'd like help finding a lot

                  Location:
                  PittsboroDurhamChapel HillAnother Location in NCI am not building in NC

                  Build Budget w/ site work (Lot additional):
                  500 - 600K600 - 700K700 - 800K800 - 900K900K - Mil+

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                  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.

                  River Bluff - Plan 740005LA
                  River Bluff - Plan 740005LAH

                  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

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                    Applewood

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

                    Chapel Hill New Home Builder | New Homes Chapel Hill NC. nc custom home white exterior.
                    White Backsplash Tile | pittsboro New Home Builder. nc custom home open concept island kitchen.
                    White Backsplash Tile | siler city New Home Builder. nc custom home open concept island kitchen.
                    Get a flyer and pricing information here.

                      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
                      Sink in the Island | New Homes raleigh. nc custom home open concept island kitchen with white cuboards, white cabinets, and more.
                      Island Kitchen Homes | New Homes durham. nc custom home open concept island kitchen, breakfast nook with large windows for natural light, and living room with built in fireplace and a dark accent wall.
                      Island Kitchen Homes | New Homes alamance county. nc custom home open concept island kitchen, breakfast nook with large windows for natural light, and living room with built in fireplace and a dark accent wall.
                      Living Room Ship Lap Fireplace | New Homes chatham county. nc custom home living room with large windows for natural light, built in fireplace, and dark accent wall.
                      Stone Fireplace in Screen Porch | wake county New Home Builder. nc custom home rear screen porch with outdoor natural brick fireplace.
                      Wrap Around Staircase | Chapel Harnett county New Home Builder. nc custom home hardwood floor staircase.
                      Built in Dog House | johnston county New Home Builder. nc custom home mud room drop zone room with built in cubbies, built in shoe rack, hooks, and built in dog house.
                      Custom Tile Shower | lee county New Home Builder. nc custom home master bath with a dual vanity, a separate tub, a window for natural light, and a tiled shower with built in cubbies and a shower seat.
                      En Suite Bathroom | New Homes moore county. nc custom home master bath with a dual vanity, a separate tub, a window for natural light, and a tiled shower with built in cubbies and a shower seat.
                      En Suite Bathroom | New Homes orange county. nc custom home master bath with a dual vanity, a separate tub, a window for natural light, and a tiled shower with built in cubbies and a shower seat.
                      Chapel Hill New Home Builder | New Homes randolph county. nc custom home master bedroom with hardwood floors, a barn door, a tray ceiling, and windows for natural lighting.
                      Owner's Closet Built Ins | New Homes pittsboro. nc custom home master walk in closet with wrap around shelves, rods, and cubbies.
                      Owner's Closet Built Ins. new homes in Siler City. nc custom home master walk in closet with wrap around shelves, rods, and cubbies.
                      Chapel Hill New Home Builder | New Homes Raleigh. nc custom home office with hardwood floors, a tray ceiling, and many large windows for natural lighting.
                      Home Office | Durham New Home Builder. nc custom home office with hardwood floors, a tray ceiling, and many large windows for natural lighting.
                      Indoor Outdoor Living | New Homes durham. nc custom home breakfast nook with large windows for natural light and direct access to the rear screen porch.
                      Breakfast Room Windows | New Homes chatham county. nc custom home breakfast nook with large windows for natural light and direct access to the rear screen porch.
                      New Homes alamance county. NC custom home second floor hallway and hardwood stairs.
                      wake county New Home Builder. nc custom home Bonus Room Above Garage with white barn doors, carpet, and large windows for natural light.
                      harnett county New Home Builder. nc custom home Bonus Room Above Garage with white barn doors, carpet, and large windows for natural light.
                      johnston county New Home Builder. nc custom home Formal Dining Room.
                      lee county New Home Builder. nc custom home Formal Dining Room.

                      Applewood by Midtown Designs. Chapel Hill New Home Builder House Plan: See the floor plans for this custom home, built by Chapel Hill New Home Builder Travars Built Homes:
                      *Copyright Midtown Designs
                      Applewood Modern Farmhouse. When you build a custom home with Travars Built Homes, our team will keep you informed and involved to help you make the right choices. Our homes are built with exceptional craftsmanship, materials and processes you won’t find elsewhere at this price point. Our integrity adheres to the highest standards in the industry. With 24/7 access to information about everything that’s happening with your new home construction, you’ll have continual visibility to progress logs, selections, photos, calendars, and interactions with your team.
                      *Copyright Midtown Designs

                      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

                        House Plan Search Tool
                        New Home Photo Gallery

                        *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.