FAQS

Q: Do I need a Realtor to build or buy a Goodwin Foust Home?
This is a personal decision. Goodwin Foust believes that Realtors can provide valuable services during the home building or buying process. Goodwin Foust enjoys outstanding relationships with leading real estate agents in the area, and will be glad to make recommendations.

Q: We do not yet own a lot. But we know we want to build a custom home. Can you help us locate a lot?
Locating land inside the greater Greenville/Lake Keowee area is becoming more difficult. Whether you are interested in one of the premier residential communities, or looking for available scattered lots inside and outside of the area, Goodwin Foust or your Realtor can assist with lot availability and feasibility questions.

Q: We own our own lot. Can Goodwin Foust Homes build on it?
Yes. Goodwin Foust has tailored our services to take one of our plans, or your plan, and build on your lot. Additionally, we work with you to make any design changes that will enhance enjoyment of your home. The lot size will be a consideration in determining which design is right for you. We can also work with you to design – from scratch – a custom home to suit your needs and chosen lot.

Q: How do we obtain financing to build our home on our lot?
Brenda Tyler - First Citizens
A custom home built on a lot which you own is financed through a construction loan. We can arrange for you to meet with one of our suggested lenders to begin the process or you can make arrangements with your own financial representatives. Part of the construction loan package is an agreement by the lender to pay Goodwin Foust on a scheduled basis as work progresses on your home. Goodwin Foust will review this agreement prior to starting construction on your home. Goodwin Foust will call the lender each time one of the scheduled work completion dates is made. Your lender will send an inspector to the site to verify that the work is complete, and will then pay Goodwin Foust for the completed work.

Q: How do we get started with designing the custom home of our dreams?
www.design-elite.com
Goodwin Foust has both an in-house designer/draftsman as well as great working relationships with a number of residential architects in the Upstate area. We will be glad to suggest what process will best meet your needs. We'll meet with you to develop design and budget criteria. Goodwin Foust monitors the development of the custom design to make sure all design and budget criteria are met. If small changes are being made to an existing plan, their cost will be included within the cost of the construction contract. If the design is from scratch, then we use a separate design agreement between Goodwin Foust and you as the client. This design is then yours, for your use in contracting the home.  

Q: Certain aspects of our future custom home are more important than others. How can we make sure that our needs our met?
At Goodwin Foust, the design development phase can vary anywhere from one to several months. During this time, numerous meetings are held between the architect, interior designer, and Goodwin Foust.  We focus on those areas of design and budget development that are most important to you. For example, if extensive design and quotation work is required to develop your comfort with the kitchen/appliance design, then time and the necessary coordination will be given to this area of your need. Goodwin Foust makes extensive use of pre-selections and quotations to establish your trust and comfort level in the many components which make up your home.

Q: Why do "options" cost so much more than at a home improvement store?
You may well find that certain options, fixtures or materials, are cheaper at one of the home improvement discount stores. Few vendors order enough parts from a manufacturer to receive the pricing break of a national chain. But keep in mind that those prices do not necessarily include all the items necessary for installation of that particular fixture or component. Additionally, they do not include the builder's risk, administrative tasks, scheduling, insurance, coordination with other trades, damage done by other trades, delivery of the fixture or material, etc.

Q: Is the traditional cost-per-foot comparison method suitable as a means of pricing my new home?
No, not for firm pricing, but can be used to achieve a price range. First, care must be taken to insure that the heated or finished square footage has been calculated using the same standards as used by real estate appraisers. Second, depending on the home builder, the type of materials used, subcontractors, as well as the given allowances and lot cost, the cost-per-foot could reflect numbers that look great on paper, but are not realistic. Third, no two home builders construct a home exactly the same. These differences in operation and construction are not always reflected in the cost-per-foot comparison.

Q: Are there different types of contracts which are more suitable than others?
Yes. Certain types of contracts are more suitable than others, depending on who owns the lot or will provide the financing. Also, some contracts provide more flexibility for changes and construction time than others. The type of contract that will be the best match for you as our client depends your needs. 

Q: How and when do I make final selections for the components and finishes which become a part of our home?
Goodwin Foust will develop a schedule for client selections, which is tied to certain stages or milestones of the actual construction schedule for your home. This way, your efforts are maximized in evaluating and selecting the best components for your home, and seamlessly integrating them into the construction of your home. Goodwin Foust makes extensive use of the numerous showrooms, samples and catalogs provided by manufacturers and their vendors who are a part of our team. Goodwin Foust has an in-house Selections Coordinator/Interior Designer to assist with the administration of the selection process, showroom visits, and vendor communication.

Q: What happens if I want to make changes during the course of construction?
One of the purposes for a standard schedule of client selections is to anticipate and provide an opportunity for client review and changes. This minimizes the potential impact of delays as result of any last-minute changes. Of course, changes can take place anytime, but their cost can be minimized by up front preparation. Depending on your type of contract, Goodwin Foust may require payment before changes are made. At any rate, whether changes are pre-paid or paid by monthly progress payments by your lender, Goodwin Foust will provide and review our change clause in your particular contract before execution.

Q: How can I monitor the progress of construction on our custom home?
Your Goodwin Foust Selections Coordinator/Interior Designer and Construction Manager will keep you informed through regularly scheduled selection and progress meetings. These meetings are an effective means to keep you informed throughout the construction process. Whether the meetings take place at our office, a vendor's showroom, or at your construction site, we at Goodwin Foust recognize the importance of your participation to achieving total customer satisfaction.

Q: How does Goodwin Foust turn over a home to their clients?
About 60 days prior to completion of your new home, Goodwin Foust will notify you of the planned date of home delivery. Depending on the complexity of your project, a couple of days before this delivery date, your Construction Manager will arrange for a progress meeting where an orientation and demonstration of your home will take place. Goodwin Foust provides an opportunity for their clients to generate a Homeowner Walkthrough Inspection List, which we will then use to prepare your home for final delivery.

Q: What happens at contract settlement and what are my responsibilities?
We will notify you to contact all utility companies, prior to your occupancy, to have service transferred to your name as of the date of your delivery and settlement. The names and telephone numbers of the appropriate companies will be provided to you.  You will also need to contact your lender for any last minute requirements. It will be necessary for you to purchase homeowners insurance on the property, with your lender listed as the beneficiary on the policy. Your lender will provide the specific information needed to satisfy this condition.