Frequently Asked Questions

We primarily build homes within a 30 mile radius of San Angelo, Texas

 The design process takes approximately 4-12 weeks. Permitting takes 3 weeks. Construction time usually takes approximately 7-8 months, sometimes longer, depending on the complexity of design, material availability and weather conditions. 

There is no set square foot price because each home or project is unique. Custom home prices vary greatly. In general, the average cost per square foot is $175 – $250 for the construction of the home. 

Land, water tap fees or well and septic, as well as architecture and engineering are additional costs. Construction of a high-end/luxury home will be closer to $300 – $400 per square foot.

Here are some things that will affect the square foot cost of your home: complexity of design; site conditions; proximity to utilities; amenities selected; percolation of site if septic system is required; square footage; building materials used; ceiling heights, and number of stories.

Yes, all of our homes are Energy Efficient.  We utilize a variety of environmentally sound products designed to reduce pollution, promote healthier indoor air, decrease water usage, preserve natural resources and reduce maintenance. 

Absolutely. We carry a 2 million-liability policy and require a 2 million policy of our trades as well. We carry a license in every county and city in which we work. 

We have excellent relationships with lenders that provide construction loans and will help you every step of the way, or you can use a lender you have selected. 

Before meeting with your lender, we provide you with a detailed, computerized cost program designed to meet your budget requirements.

Because your new home will be designed and built around your budget, you and your lender can depend on the cost program for its accuracy. You will have peace of mind knowing that your budget will not be exceeded due to unexpected cost overruns. We can even provide you with a market analysis of your current home.

The opportunity to influence cost and save money on your home or project is during the planning and design stage. After that, money can only be spent. Once your budget is established, we provide you with a detailed, computerized cost program that is continuously reviewed. 

Construction techniques and materials throughout the planning and drafting of your new home are carefully monitored. This assures the most cost-effective methods to maximize the value of your investment; we guarantee that what you start with on the drawing board will stay in budget during the construction stage.

Caplan Custom Homes has strong working relationships with numerous architectural firms in the area, or we can work with an architect you have chosen. We stay actively involved in the process throughout the design stage to give critical design and budgeting advice, so the architect and builder are working in tandem, ensuring there are no cost overruns.

Your decision to hire one builder over another should not rest solely on price. In fact, there are several other criteria that are more important: style, finishes and features of the home, the site conditions and the type of contract used for construction.

Custom home bids by competitive builders are difficult to read and compare, and you have to ensure that the bids are based on identical specifications using the same quality of materials. Most importantly, you will need to consider the quality of the workmanship offered by each builder.

Remember, the low bid signifies the cheapest builder you can find, and it is possible that builder will not be the cheapest when construction is done. More important than cost is the builder’s reputation, professionalism, experience, competence and warranty coverage.

Another important consideration is your personal compatibility with your builder. Building a custom home can be a stressful experience, and the better relationship you have with your builder, the easier it will be.

 Yes. We prefer to conduct a phone conversation to discuss your vision; then we meet you at your lot to evaluate setbacks, the building envelope, topography, etc. At that point, we can provide a “ballpark estimate.” A detailed estimate and budget involves several more meetings. 

Caplan Custom Homes provides a Residential Home Warranty with every custom home built. While a great amount of detail and attention is given to your home or project, there may be items that need to be addressed once you move in. Because of this, your home or project will come with a number of warranties.

First, you will receive a variety of manufacturer’s warranties. In addition, we provide a “1 Year Warranty” which completely covers every item not covered by manufacturer’s warranties.

 Initially, we will call you for a phone consultation, and then schedule a time to meet and discuss your custom home vision or specifications. There is no charge for these meetings. One of the most important decisions you will have to make is hiring a builder. It is a good idea to hire a builder early in the process – even before you have picked a lot or a design for the house. The process of building a house is so complex that help from a professional builder in site selection, home design and outlining written specifications can avoid costly mistakes.