If you’re dreaming of building a custom home—whether it’s a luxury retreat or a family-friendly space—it’s important to understand the process from start to finish. This step-by-step checklist for building your custom home will help you make informed decisions and enjoy a smooth, positive experience.
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At L. Patten and Sons, we’ve been building custom homes in Blue Mountain, Collingwood, and the Georgian Triangle for decades.
Our goal is to help every client bring their vision to life with quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and unmatched customer satisfaction. When you’re ready to begin your custom home journey, trust a builder who knows the community and has a proven track record.
Contact L. Patten and Sons today to start planning your dream custom home.
1. Determining What You’d Like To Spend
A luxury home builder will help you allocate where your money will be best spent on high-end features.
Every custom home journey starts with a clear and realistic budget. This step lays the foundation for everything that follows.
A professional custom luxury home builder will help you allocate funds wisely—balancing high-end materials, must-have features, and the overall size of your home—while ensuring the project stays within your desired range.
When creating your budget, remember to account for more than just the land and the house itself. Additional expenses may include:
Septic system and well installation (if required)
Hydro connection and utilities
Driveway construction
Permit and development fees
Demolition costs (if replacing an existing structure)
Property taxes
Landscaping and exterior work
It’s also smart to leave a contingency fund for unexpected expenses. By arranging financing before you begin, you’ll feel confident moving forward knowing your budget is solid and your dream custom home is achievable.
2. Finding Your Land
Choosing the perfect land is part of the checklist for building your custom home.
Once you have an established budget, the next step is securing the right piece of land for your custom home. Whether you’re considering a town lot or a country acreage, make sure the property can accommodate the size and style of home you want to build.
Before committing to a lot, take the time to:
Review zoning requirements to confirm what can be built
Check with local conservation authorities for restrictions or environmental considerations.
Evaluate the topography to understand potential challenges and opportunities for design.
This is also an ideal stage to bring a custom home builder into the conversation. An experienced builder can provide valuable insight into location, access, and long-term feasibility, helping you avoid costly surprises later. For more tips on selecting a property, see here.
Another forward-thinking step is to explore alternative energy. If your property has strong solar exposure or natural advantages for sustainability features, it’s best to assess those possibilities early in the planning stage.
3. Choosing A Custom Home Builder
The right builder can make the custom home building process as smooth as possible.
Selecting the right builder is one of the most critical decisions in the custom home journey. Over the next 8–12 months, you’ll be entering into a true partnership—one that requires trust, clear communication, and shared vision.
It’s important to feel confident that your builder has both the expertise and the commitment to guide you through every stage of the process. An experienced custom home builder doesn’t just construct houses—they bring your vision to life while balancing quality, efficiency, and cost.
In fact, involving a builder before your plans are finalized can be a game-changer. They can:
Suggest ways to simplify designs to save on construction costs
Identify areas where an investment in premium materials will create the biggest impact
Ensure your design is practical, efficient, and achievable within your budget
At L. Patten and Sons, we pride ourselves on building lasting relationships with our clients while delivering exceptional homes.
If you’re considering building a custom home in Collingwood, Blue Mountain, or the Georgian Triangle, we’d be happy to discuss your plans and help guide your next steps.
4. Designing Your Plans
Take the time to think about your wants and needs - after all, it’s your dream home!
The design stage is where your vision for a custom home begins to take shape. This process can move quickly if you already have a clear idea of what you want, or it can take more time if you’re still refining your priorities. A well-thought-out plan ensures your new home fits both your lifestyle and long-term needs.
When working with your designer and builder, consider:
Bedrooms and bathrooms – Plan not only for today but for the future. Think about a growing family, aging parents who may move in, or space for frequent guests.
Living space layout – Decide how you’ll use the space. Open-concept designs are perfect for entertaining, while dedicated offices or separate family areas can provide privacy and functionality for multiple generations.
Storage solutions – Built-in shelving, pantries, and custom cabinetry help maximize space and keep your home organized.
Smart home features – Explore technology that enhances convenience and energy efficiency, such as smart thermostats, lighting systems, and home security.
It’s also essential that your designer is familiar with zoning regulations, conservation restrictions, and subdivision covenants that may apply to your lot. Addressing these early prevents costly redesigns and keeps your project on track.
5. Obtaining Permits
Remember that the necessary permits are part of the checklist for building your custom home.
Once plans have been finalized, it’s time to apply for permits. With the right custom home builder by your side, this process should be relatively straightforward. In most cases, your builder will handle the applications and ensure all supporting documentation is included.
Expect some communication back and forth with municipal departments, but if everything has been prepared properly, there should be no major surprises. It’s also important to note that if a Conservation Authority has jurisdiction over your property, their approval must be obtained before a building permit can be issued.
Working with an experienced builder helps streamline this stage, reducing delays and ensuring your custom home project can move forward on schedule.
6. Building Your Custom Home
Your builder should communicate with you to keep your home build on track.
Over the next 8–12 months, you’ll see your custom home come to life under the guidance and expertise of your builder. This is the most exciting stage of the process, as your vision transforms from plans on paper into a finished home.
Here’s what typically happens during construction:
Site preparation – Land is cleared, the basement is dug, and the foundation is poured.
Framing and exterior – Walls are framed, roofing and exterior cladding are added, and insulation is installed.
Windows, doors, and systems – Windows and doors go in, followed by plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems.
Interior finishes – Drywall, flooring, trim, and paint bring the interior to life.
Cabinetry and fixtures – Cabinets, countertops, lighting, and plumbing fixtures are added.
Final touches – Appliances are installed, doors are hung, and final details complete the space.
The day-to-day progress may feel slow at times, but steady work will bring your dream to completion. Along the way, you’ll need to make decisions about finishes, colors, and details—so keep open communication with your builder to stay on schedule.
Patience and teamwork pay off. Before long, your custom home will be ready for move-in.
7. Enjoy Your New Custom Home
Sit back and enjoy your custom home for years to come.
After months of planning, decision-making, and construction, the best part finally arrives—moving into your brand-new custom home.
This is when all the effort and patience pay off. Every choice you made, from floor plan to finishes, comes together to create a space that is uniquely yours. If you’ve chosen the right builder, the results will be more than worth the wait.
Now it’s time to settle in, make memories, and enjoy the comfort and pride that your custom home will bring for years to come.
Trust L. Patten & Sons With Your Custom Home Needs
With over 50 years of experience, L. Patten & Sons Limited has been trusted to design and build custom homes across Collingwood, Blue Mountain, and the Georgian Triangle.
We take pride in creating homes that are not only beautiful to look at but also comfortable and functional for everyday living.
If you’re ready to start your custom home journey, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Contact L Patten & Sons today to get started.
What our clients are saying…
L. Patten & Sons consist of a great team of people that share the same work ethics as Jerry. He has a great staff that will easily guide you through the whole process…I have people all the time asking me who built the Beach House and I am very proud to say L. Patten & Sons. If you are looking for a custom home builder that will make your dream home a reality I would not hesitate to recommend Jerry Patten to make that happen for you.
- Lisa Mantella