It can be challenging to orchestrate all of the details of a significant life event like building a home. We’ve built dozens of classic homes for clients who are building for the first time and also for people who have built custom homes in the past. We think those who choose us as a builder deserve the finest home we can build within their budget, ready when we say it will be and a building process that’s enjoyable. Working with our clients, we follow a critical path that moves us from our first conversation through the construction of their home and to closing. The steps along the way include:

Prospective homebuyers may connect with Homes by Jonathan Lee, Inc. through a visit to a home under construction, a referral, a conversation with Peggy Gheesling or a phone call to his office.

The first meeting with Jonathan Lee is held in the company’s corporate offices at 2235-C Lewisville-Clemmons Road in Clemmons, NC. Since the Homes by Jonathan Lee team finished these offices, they illustrate the products, details and finish work used in the homes they build. In this first meeting, prospective clients will be asked where they wish to build:

• On a lot Jonathan Lee owns in a subdivision
• On another available lot in a subdivision
• On land owned by the clients
  
  

Choosing a house plan is the second step in the home building process. Jonathan Lee has many classic, well-designed plans in his portfolio, so clients often find just what they’re looking for. Sometimes a plan from the portfolio is selected and a few modifications are made to accommodate the clients’ wishes. Clients may have already found a house plan from another source or they may wish to have a house plan developed from scratch.

As home plans are selected or developed, it’s important to keep the clients’ budget in mind. Home plans selected from the portfolio of plans that Jonathan Lee builds and those with slight modifications do not usually require additional design services.

When clients request significant design modifications or they want to have home plans created from their ideas, a design team is needed. Depending on the scope of the project, Jonathan Lee can arrange for the services of a draftsperson and/ or architect. The services of a landscape architect may be needed for larger projects that include more land. The landscape architect will help site the home and plan for driveway, walkways, patio and landscaping details. Any or all of these design services will be part of a Professional Services Agreement between the clients, the professionals who are creating the designs and Jonathan Lee, who is engaged in estimating as designs are developed. Fees for these services are handled directly between the client and the professionals providing the services. If the clients build their home with Jonathan Lee, his fees are included in the building contract.

Throughout the process, Jonathan and his team, work to ensure that design is balanced with the clients’ budget. The design and planning phase typically takes 2-3 months to complete. A home designed specifically for the client may require additional time.

Once home plans are finalized and are in alignment with the clients’ budget, the contract signing takes place, and building commences.

Homebuyers receive a selection schedule that indicates the order in which items such as shingles, stone/brick, windows, colors, finishes, flooring, fixtures, cabinets and the like need to be selected, and budgeted amount set aside for each item.

The suppliers who work with Homes by Jonathan Lee, Inc. have showrooms or stores where product selections can be made, and professional staff to assist with selections. Interior Designer, Alicia Lee is also available to assist with the coordination of all visual elements on the interior and exterior of the new home under construction.

As the new homeowners are making their selections, Tim Fox and Jonathan Lee finalize the critical path for construction that is the master plan for all scheduling, so that deadlines are met. Building begins and the building phase typically takes 6 – 8 months. Depending on size and complexity, custom homes may take up to a year or longer to build.

Throughout the building process Tim Fox and Jonathan Lee are on site, engaged in the project, managing teams and inspecting work. Jonathan and Tim’s walk-throughs identify any “cosmetic” issues that aren’t up to their standards and they are promptly fixed. The homeowners-to-be are invited to stop by throughout the process to see the red earth of their building site be transformed into a new home with lush landscaping.

As the home nears completion, arrangements are made for closing, with the homeowners doing a walk-through to identify anything that needs to be adjusted or repaired before closing. Closing takes place, the new owners move into their home and oftentimes the echo of champagne corks popping and glasses clinking in celebration, reverberates from the new home.