Home Building FAQs

Site development is the process of getting your land ready to build on. Site development depends upon a number of factors such as location, soil conditions, terrain, and the time of year. The more trees, debris, and other items to be cleared can have an impact on the overall cost of your new home. HiLine has a long list of local sub-contractors who are experienced in clearing and excavation in your area to ensure your site is prepared in a timely manner.

The best way to determine the cost to build your new home is to schedule a free home-building consultation. Our knowledgeable Home Consultants will review the process of building a new home and answer your questions. During the consultation, we will review the total project cost. This would include the purchase of your property, site development, as well as the home, and features that will fit your lifestyle and budget.

When building a new home you may need to secure a construction loan. This is a short-term loan that will be used to purchase the land, site development costs, as well as build your home.

HiLine Homes has researched industry leaders and developed a list of approved lenders who are exceptional in construction financing.

The first step to get a loan to build your new house is to complete a loan pre-qualification form.

The definition of a site visit is when a professional meets with a client at the job site to review the project.

The first site visit will be with your Home Consultant for a visual review of your property. Then you will be assigned a Pre-Construction Manager who will review the site and indicate when it’s ready for the foundation to be poured. Once the foundation is complete, you will be assigned a Project Manager to conduct the remainder of your site visits and manage the construction of your new home.

In the custom home building industry, turn key means you are hiring a general contractor to complete your entire custom home building project. You will not be able to prepare the property, and/or participate in the building process.

The assumed benefit of a turn-key build is that you go about your life with minimal interruptions since the contractor is taking care of every detail. Unfortunately, the cost for managing the entire project will drive up the total project cost, and in most cases, it will eliminate the possibility of having instant equity.

An “on your lot” home builder’s focus is building a complete home on your prepared property. The site development is the responsibility of the homeowner. The specific requirements will depend on the home builder’s program. There are many benefits of managing your property development, such as the possibility of building instant equity in your home.

HiLine Homes is considered an “on your lot” home builder. Our building program has been designed to provide families with an opportunity to achieve the dream of home ownership at an affordable price.

A construction or building permit is necessary to start the construction of your home. Visit your local building department to ask about their specific requirements. Most jurisdictions have a wealth of information on their websites. Your local Home Consultant is a knowledgeable resource regarding construction permits.

After you have ordered your HiLine Home, we will engineer your home specifically for your property location, and provide you with documentation to start the process for your building permit application. Our Pre-Construction team is a great resource, who will guide you throughout this process.

A model home is set-up to provide a resource for homeowners to make an informed decision. Model homes or design centers may be viewed as an educational center where you are able to experience the quality features that will be in your future dream home. This is also where you will be able to view standard and upgraded features.

To visit one of our model homes or design centers, find the location nearest to you, or schedule an appointment. Many families are pleasantly surprised to see our standard features fit their design taste.

Equity is the difference between what is owed on the home versus how much it is worth. At HiLine Homes, our mission is to provide high-quality affordable homes for families, giving them a strong equity position. Learn more about the importance of equity, what ‘instant’ equity is, and how it’s achievable through our unique building program.

The short answer is anywhere from 6 months to over 1 year.

Every project includes two phases: the site development phase and the build phase. Check out our build timeline for more details.

The development timeframe can vary, based on many factors regarding your specific property. Typically, this timeframe is anywhere from 1-6 months. A HiLine Home Consultant can help you establish a general timeframe as they learn more about your specific location and property considerations.

Most considerations can be discovered and planned for during a feasibility study. A feasibility study is an assessment of the practicality of a proposed plan or method.

The best way to begin your feasibility study is to visit with a HiLine Home Consultant for your free home building consultation.

HiLine Homes offers three types of building programs:

1. With our Complete Building Programs, we start at the foundation and build a complete home on your property. Contact your local Home Consultant for more details.
2. With the Shell Program, we’ll get you started by taking care of the foundation, framing, roofing, siding, windows, exterior doors and interior framing. You can take it from there and finish your home the way you want.
3. HiLine Homes popular Super Shell Program includes the Shell Program as well as: rough plumbing, rough electrical, insulation, and sheetrock finished and textured. You can finish with trim, cabinetry, and the interior details that make your home unique.

When you purchase a Shell or Super Shell Program, you may provide your own finish materials. Many clients of HiLine Homes find this to be a beneficial program.

Our building program is designed to be efficient and affordable for the homeowner. To accomplish this, we limit structural changes. This allows us to maintain a build time guarantee which is unique to HiLine Homes. Some exceptions apply, please connect with your local Home Consultant for more details.

The definition of a basement is when part of the building is wholly underground. This space is generally used as additional living space. There are regions of the United States where basements are very common. However, in the Pacific Northwest, you will find they are not as common. Part of the reason is due to the high water table. Some home sites are sloped, which may require a stepped foundation. If your home site requires a stepped foundation it will require additional engineering and materials which increase the cost to build. For more information please connect with a Home Consultant in your region to discuss your specific needs.