Frequently Asked Questions

Read the most common questions asked by Carroll Construction clients, plus find links to additional resources and helpful information about construction topics.

  Help! I have so many ideas that this is overwhelming. What do I do??

We've spelled out the 3 most important tips to planning and organizing your home design ideas here: 3 Keys to Designing Beautiful Spaces When Building a Custom Home.

  What can I expect from Carroll Construction during the bid process?

Carroll Construction values transparency during the bidding process. Here, How to Obtain an Accurate Quote for a Custom Home, we spell out how our quotes are structured, as well as the difference between the baseline price and a final fixed price.

  What paperwork will be needed for an estimate to be completed?

We've compiled a comprehensive list of documents you will need to complete an estimate.

  Who should I contact first? The Builder, the Banker, or the Designer?

One of our most popular resources fully explains who should be first on your call list, and why.

  How do I know how big of a home I can afford?

Simply put, without knowing how much your ultimate budget will be, it is unrealistic to determine how big a home you can afford. Here, you can discover the best method to determine your budget.

  What do I need to pay attention to when buying land?

From zoning issues and community restrictions, to clearing costs to local ordinances...some obstacles make certain properties not worth consideration. Here we explain how to avoid pitfalls when choosing land to purchase for a new home.

  Can I bring plans from anyone to my builder?

Read here, Designing House Plans, where we explain best practices and what to expect when working with house plans.

  What questions should I ask when interviewing a builder?

Here we provide some suggestions for you to ensure a thorough interview.

  Who pulls the permits for my house?

Warning Signs When Hiring a Builder, comprehensively explains why it is CRUCIAL to have a full understanding of the liabilities and responsibilities of the person pulling permits for construction.

  Should I pay the builder a set fee and pay his subcontractors separately?

Warning Signs When Hiring a Builder explains why it is so important that the contractor take the responsibility of his subs.

  How can I tell what style my home is?

Most folks cannot accurately identify exterior home styles by site, so Carroll Construction put together this handy Home Style ID Guide, because we all pretty much know what we like when we see it.

  Should I purchase an existing lot or raw land?

Choosing between raw land or an existing lot has many implications on what type of home you may ultimately have. One of our most popular resources is this list of Pros & Cons comparing raw land and existing lots.

  What if the land I want to purchase is in a flood zone?

There are certain risks to building a new home inside a flood zone, but most of those risks can be mitigated. We recommend you carefully read this to understand the considerations for building in flood zones.

  How do I know if I am ready to build a home?

Our sincere recommendation is to conduct your own "Feasibility Review" and complete our feasibility review checklist which allows you to determine answers to the critical aspects of building a new home.

  What type of loan do I need to build a custom home?

Our article, "The Basics About Construction Loans", will help you determine which type of loan is best for you.

Carroll Construction, Building Contractors, Zachary, LA

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IMPORTANT LOAN CONSIDERATIONS

Your budget is the foundation for every other decision you will make while preparing to build a home because it provides context for what is possible. Most people attempt to answer the question of “What is my budget?” by simply deciding how much they would be comfortable spending. Unfortunately, while this is a crucial part of the process, it ignores the rest of the picture. We advise our clients to answer the following questions in the order below. However, if you are self-financing the project, skip to question #3.

1. How much will a financial institution lend me?

This sets what we refer to as your Maximum Loan Amount.

2. What type of loan will I need?

This is where many people get confused because if you ask the wrong questions when interviewing lenders, you’ll get vastly different answers. We recommend reviewing the information in this article on the loan type you will need before meeting with your lending candidates.

3. How much am I willing to spend?

Just because a lender is will to lend up to your Maximum Loan Amount, this does not mean you will be willing to borrow and spend that amount. Consider the monthly payments as a starting point and adjust your Budget amount from there. Your chosen lender can help you with this.

4. What can I reasonably expect to build for what I am willing to spend?

This answer will come from a qualified builder during your preliminary meeting. Be prepared to discuss your budget so that the builder can help you get a better idea of what size home to design to meet your goals.

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7 things You Must Know Before Designing a New Home


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