How Sudon Brothers builds a custom home
Building a custom home with Sudon Brothers happens in five stages: a first conversation and site visit, design with an architect, selections and pricing, construction, and a final walkthrough. The same family stays with you the whole way. An architect we work with draws the plans, Donald Sudon and our general contractor oversee construction, and our Girard office keeps you informed.
The five stages
Each stage ends with something you can see and approve before the next one begins.
Start with a conversationConversation and site visit
We start with how you live: who's in the house, how you cook and entertain, what you need now and in ten years. Then we walk your land, or help you evaluate a lot before you buy, looking at slope, drainage, sun, access, utilities and zoning setbacks. You leave with an honest sense of what the land allows and what a home like yours involves.
Design with an architect
An architect we work with turns that conversation into illustrated plans and elevations, down to where your furniture and appliances go. You review them, mark them up and change them until the house fits.
Selections and pricing
With plans settled, you choose exterior materials, cabinetry, flooring, fixtures and any estate features with help from our office team. The home is then priced from your actual plans and selections, so the number reflects your design rather than a base model with upgrades.
Permits and construction
We coordinate zoning approval, building permits, utility connections and inspections, then build. Donald and our general contractor oversee the site with long-standing trades, keeps notes on every detail and keeps the job site clean. Our office keeps you updated and helps with things like contacting utility companies.
Walkthrough and beyond
Before you move in, we walk the finished home with you and take care of anything that isn't right. After closing, we stay reachable, and we stand behind the work.
What happens during construction
Every custom home moves through the same major phases. Here's what each one involves.
Site work and foundation
Clearing, grading, utility trenches and the foundation. Most homes in Northeast Ohio are built on full basements, which also house mechanical systems and often become finished living space.
Framing
Floors, walls and roof go up and the house takes shape. This is when rooms, ceiling heights and window views become real.
Mechanical rough-ins
Plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling run through the open walls, along with low-voltage wiring for networking, audio and security.
Insulation and drywall
The house is insulated and closed in, then drywall is hung and finished.
Interior finishes
Cabinetry, trim, flooring, tile, counters, fixtures and paint. This is the longest and most detailed phase.
Exterior and final steps
Driveway, walks, final grading and landscaping, followed by final inspections and your walkthrough.
How long does it take?
Timing depends on the size and complexity of the home, the season you break ground, and how quickly selections are made. We set a schedule with you before construction starts and keep you updated against it.
Design usually moves fastest when you bring a clear picture of how you live and any inspiration you've collected. Decisions made early, especially on structure, windows and exterior materials, keep construction moving.
Paying for a custom home
Most clients use a construction-to-permanent loan. The lender pays the builder in stages, or draws, as construction is completed and inspected, and the loan converts to a standard mortgage when the home is done. Lenders need finished plans, specifications and a construction budget to approve the loan, which is part of what our design and pricing stages produce.
Common questions about the process
How long does it take to build a custom home?
Can I make changes to the plans?
Will I know what's happening during construction?
Start with a conversation.
Tell us about your land and what you're picturing. We'll walk you through what building with us looks like.