Congratulations, you’re exploring one of the most exciting and rewarding adventures of a lifetime, the construction of your very own “Custom Home”. As Custom Home Builders we value the uniqueness and freedom of design and selections our Clients are empowered to make throughout the building process. Custom homes, unlike pre-fab or developer built home, give you the ability to hand select personal touches and specific elements such as flooring, tile applications, fixtures, kitchen cabinets, and more. Additionally, structural elements of your home are built beyond the building code, ensuring that integrity and quality are placed ahead of low cost and rapid development.
To help get you started on this exciting journey, we’ve outline some key elements to beginning your custom home build. It’s important to note New Jersey has 564 municipalities; many either having their own department of building (DOB) or a shared department amongst multiple townships. Each zip code has it's own requirements and ordinances in regard to obtaining building permits, so please contact your township directly for specific information. When you choose to work together with R. Marchese Construction Corp., we work on your behalf and coordinate with your township to supply the necessary documents to complete a successful project submission to your building department.
Here are a few key steps when preparing your custom home project (not specific to any particular township in NJ):
Everything begins with Zoning. As a homeowner, whether you have an existing structure on your property, or an empty lot, obtaining a copy of a signed and sealed survey is the first step before approaching a builder or architect. Additionally, each Township has a zoning officer who you could meet with to briefly explore the possibilities of what you can do on your property in regard to building or expanding your home. A zoning officer would inform you of any limitations or setbacks from the property lines.
Design Development: This is where the pen hits the paper (or the CAD Software!). It’s important to work with a trusted and NJ State licensed architect. Don’t know an architect? The good news is when you work with R. Marchese Construction Corp. for your custom home project, you become a part of our exclusive design/build process, and are joined together with our team of architects and engineers to seamlessly take your ideas from design to creation. So don’t sweat it, we have you covered!
Building Permit Process: This is the point when client approved plans make their way into the Township DOB to seek approval for construction. We are glad to work with both clients who design with our own architect, and also those who come to us with designs from an architect of their choosing. In any case we always put your best interests upfront and ensure all required items for your specific Township are prepared properly and completely. Incomplete or incorrect architectural drawings and or applications could delay your permit approval process, and in some cases, frustrate plan examiners for lack of proficiency or professionalism. We always recommend working with professionals who are licensed and experience like our team to ensure the process is handled properly.
Additional requirements: According to your specific Township, as well as the classification of your project, additional pre-approvals might be required. Such items include but are not limited to soil conservation certificates, driveway applications, zoning approval, DEP filings, etc.
The Build: Once your plans are approved the building process commences in accordance with the timeline and plan set forth by your builder.
C of O: Towards the conclusion of your custom home construction, final inspections are called, ultimately leading towards the completion of a certificate of occupancy application. It's important that your builder, architect and or their expeditors are staying of top of your C of O checklist to help reduce any delays in processing the application when your project is complete. It is illegal in New Jersey to occupy a home without a C of O Certificate. In some cases where the project is completed but there may be outstanding items such as final inspections, by application your township may issue a temporary C of O, allowing you to occupy the home while the final C of O is being completed.
To a homeowner, this process may seem daunting or complex, but rest assured to professional licensed contractors with over 40 years of experience in New York and New Jersey, we are well accustomed and experienced in the process, ensuring satisfactory and successful outcomes with all our projects.
We hope to hear from you and have the opportunity to work together and explore the possibilities for your next custom home project! Feel free to give us a call or contact us here on our website. In any event, we wish you all the best with your construction project!
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