We used Great Falls Construction for a custom build in Great Falls and had a great experience with them. I know they build houses in McLean as well. We also interviewed Sugar Oak and looked at several of their houses. We felt good about them as well and have gotten good feedback from others on both builders.

Gulick Group built quite a few of the houses in the reserve and is also doing custom builds in McLean / Great Falls now, although I would think of them as more semi-custom than true custom. They have a couple of house models that they will try to customize to suit your needs/preferences. The house models are nice, but they have built a ton of them all over Great Falls + McLean, so they aren't really that unique.

To the PP who is looking for 5000-6000 sq ft with a $900K construction budget, I think that will be difficult. We interviewed 6-7 builders before starting our project and the cost range was from $200-$325/sq ft for construction costs only (excluding lot, site prep, landscaping, architecture, A/V, etc.). Semi-custom was closer to $200/sq ft, high-end custom was $300-$325/sq ft. If you are looking for high-end custom, I think $1.5M would be a good budget for 5,000 sq ft. You want to be sure you have some cushion in the construction budget and aren't just barely making it work or you will have far too many tradeoffs in construction and the process will be very stressful.

I really like his style. So when you build with Relux, do you pay the architect separately or it's included in the construction cost?

Our architect fee was rolled into the contract so that it ends up being one construction loan.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There seem to be Focal Point affiliates on DCUM constantly doing self promotion.
I saw their $1.6m, 1.7m houses in McLean and falls church all the time and I think their houses are ugly Ms cheaply built.
Signs of their cheap quality:
1. Low ceilings even for the first floor
2. Thin exterior walls
3. Squeaky and shaking wood floors which is usually a sign of low standard joists used (in terms of both quality and quantity).
4. Poor finishing touch: you could see ugly brush marks and pimples on trim works and wood floor everywhere.
5. Gable roofs for all their houses.

Aside from the quality of the finishes these are design items. When building a custom home the architect specifies floor framing - designed to exceed code minimum so the floors don't bounce. The architect specifies ceiling height as well and specifies 2x4 or 2x6 exterior walls. All of this is going to cost. The list from above are the specifications for a spec home built by a builder to maximize their return.

That's actually my point. They're DESINGED to be cheap.

Anonymous wrote:There seem to be Focal Point affiliates on DCUM constantly doing self promotion.
I saw their $1.6m, 1.7m houses in McLean and falls church all the time and I think their houses are ugly Ms cheaply built.
Signs of their cheap quality:
1. Low ceilings even for the first floor
2. Thin exterior walls
3. Squeaky and shaking wood floors which is usually a sign of low standard joists used (in terms of both quality and quantity).
4. Poor finishing touch: you could see ugly brush marks and pimples on trim works and wood floor everywhere.
5. Gable roofs for all their houses.

Aside from the quality of the finishes these are design items. When building a custom home the architect specifies floor framing - designed to exceed code minimum so the floors don't bounce. The architect specifies ceiling height as well and specifies 2x4 or 2x6 exterior walls. All of this is going to cost. The list from above are the specifications for a spec home built by a builder to maximize their return.

I really like the Buchanan Price homes, but they don't seem to be building anything under $2 million now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had good experiences with NDI. You do need lots of upgrades from their basic model though.

You build with NDI in Pimmit Hills, not McLean, unless you're on a shoestring budget.

Newsflash: there are tons of NDI in McLean. Most people ARE on a shoestring budget. It's not just Saudi princes, you know.

I can't see why anyone who pays a minimum of $700K for a 1/4 acre lot in McLean putting up a $500K NDI or Classic Home box.... You will never
get you initial investment back....especially in the expensive locales.

Most people who custom build will at least have a $1m minimum construction budget for a lot aquisiton price of $700K. Been there..done that.

a 800k lot + 400k NDI home can sell for 1.5-1.6 easily and they sell instantly

a 800k lot + 800k home can sell for 2.5 but it's gonna sit there for a long time and will run you another 200-300k capital cost

If you build 800k lot + 400k with NDI, there is no way you can sell 1.5-1.6m even in McLean. A 400k NDI house even without site work cost consideration (which is close to 100k) is a very very basic house.

NDI can build you a shell for 200k, plus another 200k in reno, which is already better than most of the 1.4-1.6 dated home you see on the market

Just curious...do you work for NDI?

no, i dont, im just telling you guys the real cost of construction
ive built many houses with no name korean/chinese builders in the area
when you pay 100k+ for lot prep and 800k+ for construction
the real cost is probably only 30k+ for lot prep and 500k tops for construction, everyone out there, from NDI to w/e high-end builders your thinking of, are ripping you big time

Im a small custom builder. I know my costing for both construction, site work, paper fees, etc...right down to how much it costs to install a foot of silt fence...You are full of shit!

Anonymous wrote:
You clearly have no idea how a home is built by $100/sqft builders, and certainly not $200/sqft builders.

Well, enlighten us. Is their 5/8 drywall better? Concrete? Nails? Lumber?

Anonymous wrote:low-end or high-end, materials pretty much all come from China

a high-end $200/sqft builder will give you better appliance, nicer countertop, but for everywhere else, hes going to use the same or even cheaper materials that a low-end $100/sqft builder would use

How does this logic even work? If there was even cheaper materials, wouldn't the low end $100/sqft builder use that instead?

You clearly have no idea how a home is built by $100/sqft builders, and certainly not $200/sqft builders.

low-end or high-end, materials pretty much all come from China

a high-end $200/sqft builder will give you better appliance, nicer countertop, but for everywhere else, hes going to use the same or even cheaper materials that a low-end $100/sqft builder would use

Anonymous wrote: If you like French provincial style James McDonald is the best in the industry.

I really like his style. So when you build with Relux, do you pay the architect separately or it's included in the construction cost?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had good experiences with NDI. You do need lots of upgrades from their basic model though.

You build with NDI in Pimmit Hills, not McLean, unless you're on a shoestring budget.

Newsflash: there are tons of NDI in McLean. Most people ARE on a shoestring budget. It's not just Saudi princes, you know.

I can't see why anyone who pays a minimum of $700K for a 1/4 acre lot in McLean putting up a $500K NDI or Classic Home box.... You will never
get you initial investment back....especially in the expensive locales.

Most people who custom build will at least have a $1m minimum construction budget for a lot aquisiton price of $700K. Been there..done that.

a 800k lot + 400k NDI home can sell for 1.5-1.6 easily and they sell instantly

a 800k lot + 800k home can sell for 2.5 but it's gonna sit there for a long time and will run you another 200-300k capital cost

If you build 800k lot + 400k with NDI, there is no way you can sell 1.5-1.6m even in McLean. A 400k NDI house even without site work cost consideration (which is close to 100k) is a very very basic house.

NDI can build you a shell for 200k, plus another 200k in reno, which is already better than most of the 1.4-1.6 dated home you see on the market

Just curious...do you work for NDI?

no, i dont, im just telling you guys the real cost of construction
ive built many houses with no name korean/chinese builders in the area
when you pay 100k+ for lot prep and 800k+ for construction
the real cost is probably only 30k+ for lot prep and 500k tops for construction, everyone out there, from NDI to w/e high-end builders your thinking of, are ripping you big time

What is your suggestion? Do you prefer to go with high-end builders or lower-end builders? Are the most of materials from China? Besides NDI, which builder you know is good with price and quality?

I built my home with a well known middle-of-the-road affordable builder. I would caution against doing what the PP has done unless you've done it before. He has built many homes and is familiar with the process and the associated costs. Unless you are experienced at doing something, let the experienced people handle it. Builders like NDI offer a competitive price - if their profit margins are abnormal, they would not be competitive on price. Remember, these are businesses that are run to make money, don't be upset that people are making money off of you.

Direct answers to your question: high-end vs lower-end is depended on the buyer. Are you looking to pay $100/sqft, $150/sqft, or over $200/sqft. In my experience, the higher end builders charging over $200/sqft earn better margins, but they work more, take on more risk, and the homes are more unique in design. Some of the building materials can be from China, but it would be very specific, like the granite is likely originally sourced from China, but polished, and cut by a local shop for installation. The hardwood floors could also be from China. Of course many of the fixtures could be. But the framing lumber, brick/stone, concrete, trusses, floor boards, drywall, wiring, plumbing, AC, etc, are most likely not from China.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had good experiences with NDI. You do need lots of upgrades from their basic model though.

You build with NDI in Pimmit Hills, not McLean, unless you're on a shoestring budget.

Newsflash: there are tons of NDI in McLean. Most people ARE on a shoestring budget. It's not just Saudi princes, you know.

I can't see why anyone who pays a minimum of $700K for a 1/4 acre lot in McLean putting up a $500K NDI or Classic Home box.... You will never
get you initial investment back....especially in the expensive locales.

Most people who custom build will at least have a $1m minimum construction budget for a lot aquisiton price of $700K. Been there..done that.

a 800k lot + 400k NDI home can sell for 1.5-1.6 easily and they sell instantly

a 800k lot + 800k home can sell for 2.5 but it's gonna sit there for a long time and will run you another 200-300k capital cost

If you build 800k lot + 400k with NDI, there is no way you can sell 1.5-1.6m even in McLean. A 400k NDI house even without site work cost consideration (which is close to 100k) is a very very basic house.

NDI can build you a shell for 200k, plus another 200k in reno, which is already better than most of the 1.4-1.6 dated home you see on the market

Just curious...do you work for NDI?

no, i dont, im just telling you guys the real cost of construction
ive built many houses with no name korean/chinese builders in the area
when you pay 100k+ for lot prep and 800k+ for construction
the real cost is probably only 30k+ for lot prep and 500k tops for construction, everyone out there, from NDI to w/e high-end builders your thinking of, are ripping you big time

What is your suggestion? Do you prefer to go with high-end builders or lower-end builders? Are the most of materials from China? Besides NDI, which builder you know is good with price and quality?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had good experiences with NDI. You do need lots of upgrades from their basic model though.

You build with NDI in Pimmit Hills, not McLean, unless you're on a shoestring budget.

Newsflash: there are tons of NDI in McLean. Most people ARE on a shoestring budget. It's not just Saudi princes, you know.

I can't see why anyone who pays a minimum of $700K for a 1/4 acre lot in McLean putting up a $500K NDI or Classic Home box.... You will never
get you initial investment back....especially in the expensive locales.

Most people who custom build will at least have a $1m minimum construction budget for a lot aquisiton price of $700K. Been there..done that.

a 800k lot + 400k NDI home can sell for 1.5-1.6 easily and they sell instantly

a 800k lot + 800k home can sell for 2.5 but it's gonna sit there for a long time and will run you another 200-300k capital cost

If you build 800k lot + 400k with NDI, there is no way you can sell 1.5-1.6m even in McLean. A 400k NDI house even without site work cost consideration (which is close to 100k) is a very very basic house.

NDI can build you a shell for 200k, plus another 200k in reno, which is already better than most of the 1.4-1.6 dated home you see on the market

Just curious...do you work for NDI?

no, i dont, im just telling you guys the real cost of construction
ive built many houses with no name korean/chinese builders in the area
when you pay 100k+ for lot prep and 800k+ for construction
the real cost is probably only 30k+ for lot prep and 500k tops for construction, everyone out there, from NDI to w/e high-end builders your thinking of, are ripping you big time

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had good experiences with NDI. You do need lots of upgrades from their basic model though.

You build with NDI in Pimmit Hills, not McLean, unless you're on a shoestring budget.

Newsflash: there are tons of NDI in McLean. Most people ARE on a shoestring budget. It's not just Saudi princes, you know.

I can't see why anyone who pays a minimum of $700K for a 1/4 acre lot in McLean putting up a $500K NDI or Classic Home box.... You will never
get you initial investment back....especially in the expensive locales.

Most people who custom build will at least have a $1m minimum construction budget for a lot aquisiton price of $700K. Been there..done that.

a 800k lot + 400k NDI home can sell for 1.5-1.6 easily and they sell instantly

a 800k lot + 800k home can sell for 2.5 but it's gonna sit there for a long time and will run you another 200-300k capital cost

If you build 800k lot + 400k with NDI, there is no way you can sell 1.5-1.6m even in McLean. A 400k NDI house even without site work cost consideration (which is close to 100k) is a very very basic house.

NDI can build you a shell for 200k, plus another 200k in reno, which is already better than most of the 1.4-1.6 dated home you see on the market

Just curious...do you work for NDI?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you like this home?
very high end builder in mcLean

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mclean/3814-Dickerson-St-N-22101/home/113866284

Contact the real estate agent for details.

Why did they face all garages to the street. The best is two facing to the side and one behind facing to the front.

Sometimes the lot size does not allow side facing garage/s. Which is why larger lots are best. Most lots are just too close together - who wants that if you are spending your money on a brand new home? I would not want to be on top of my high strung neighbor. Just saying.

Welcome to my garage