Getting Started with LaRock Builders...
Getting the go ahead to build your new home involves preparation in a variety of areas. We'll help establish a
budget, material selections, house design, and many others. We have plenty of experience and are glad to help
navigate what can seem like a difficult path through the local government. We'll apply our energy and expertise to
navigate this complex process so that you will enjoy the process and the finished product. When you compare
builders we think you'll see what sets LaRock Builders apart: We design homes around the way people live, we
build better homes with character, and we build lasting relationships with our customers.
Choosing A Home: Whether you have selected a model from our portfolio or have one of your own we have
the capability to customize with our in-house CAD services. The floor plan affects the way you use the space in
your home. Carefully analyze the floor plan in terms of your specific needs. A home may be big enough in square
footage but may not work well for you and the way you live. One way to define what you would like in your new
home is to write down the pluses and minuses of your present and/or previous home(s). It's a great way to start
narrowing down the features you want and identifying those you don't. Bring pictures, ideas, and sketches to
LaRock Builders and we will create your dream home together; we want to be part of the design process, this
starts with you! Ask yourself the following questions when considering which floor plan is right for you:
1.) Are you married or single?
2.) Do you have children or do you hope to have children in the future? Will each child require a bedroom or
will they share rooms?
3.) How many bedrooms are needed?
4.) Do you have parents or in-laws that will live with you?
5.) Do you often have out of town guests?
6.) Do you work at home? What are your workspace considerations?
7.) Do you prefer single story or two story homes?
8.) If you prefer two story homes, is anyone living with you unable to handle the stairs?
9.) Do you want a basement?
10.) How do you entertain? When you entertain, how many guests do you usually have?
11.) Do you want separate formal and casual spaces for different occasions?
12.) Where will the focal point of your home be? Family room? Kitchen?
13.) Do you prefer an eat-in kitchen, a formal dining room or both?
14.) How much privacy do you need and where do you need it?
15.) What type of laundry facilities do you want?
16.) Do you need a workshop? How much storage space do you need?
17.) Do you want an outside deck, a screened-in porch or a terrace?
18.) Will the plan accommodate your furniture?
19.) Does the floor plan allow enough natural light?
20.) Does the floor plan allow you to take advantage of the best views on your lot?
Keep these general rules in mind while considering your floor plan:
1.) Good floor plans have a mix of public and private spaces.
2.) Ideally, the family room is not located next to any bedroom
3.) Desirable features include plenty of storage space, an attached garage, and easy access to the yard.
4.) The laundry room should be conveniently located.
5.) There should be a bathroom on each level.
6.) The master bedroom should have it's own bathroom.
7.) Open floor plans work well with traffic flow, but also channel noise from one room to another.
8.) Square footage does not always equal usable space.
9.) Make sure the floor plan you have selected works well on the lot you choose. A narrow lot is ideal for
home designs that rise up instead of spread out. Scenic or sloping lots may require a home with large
panoramic windows and spacious outdoor decks.
Land: We can help you find an ideal home-site. Whether you choose to build on a home-site that you already
own, one of our home-sites, or need assistance in locating the lot that's just right for you, we can help. Searching
for the perfect lot can be difficult and time consuming. We can help you or your Realtor evaluate a home site.
LaRock Builders has developed projects throughout Western Loudoun County for many satisfied customers. With
this experience behind us we are able to exchange ideas to help streamline the process.
How do you decide on a community for your new home? For some people, a community with an excellent school
system is critical. Some want to be close to shopping and community facilities like libraries and parks. Others
want the peace and quiet of a rural setting. You should select a community that best fits your lifestyle.
In general, here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a community:
1.) Is the community in a desirable school district? Even if you do not have school-aged children, a reputable
school district raises property values.
2.) What is your commute to and from work?
3.) What are the amenities of each community you are considering - parks, lakes, recreations areas?
4.) What is the proximity to shopping?
5.) What is the property tax liability in this community?
6.) What is the Homeowners Association fee, where applicable?
7.) Is cable TV and Internet access available?
8.) Where are the nearest health care facilities?
9.) Are there any restrictive covenants to consider?
Each community you consider will have different amenities and a different look and feel. Choosing the right
"home" for your home is an important part of the homebuilding process.
Financial Considerations: After deciding on the perfect lot and the house design is finalized, one of the first
things to be done is to address the financial matters. While building your new home LaRock Builders will need to
make periodic requests for payment, also called draws. Each draw will be credited to the contract price, with a
final invoice submitted just prior to closing.
The first payment will be made as a deposit at the time of contract signing. This generally ranges from 3% to 5%
of the total contract price depending on the size of the project. Subsequent payments will need to be made based
upon a percentage of the completed work each month. The requests for payment will be submitted to you, and
your lending institution. Prompt payment is always appreciated and will enable us to continue on schedule with
your project.
LaRock Builders has relationships with several local lending institutions which would welcome the opportunity to
talk with you.
A few examples of Standard Features:
Quality Construction Our workers use the latest construction methods to ensure energy efficiency within a
quality home that will last for generations to come. Some of these features include:
* High Efficiency Heating and Air conditioning equipment to minimize excess energy consumption
thereby saving you money on heating & cooling costs.
* Air Guard sealing system to eliminate outdoor air infiltration.
* Tyvek House Wrap on the exterior, all windows and doors caulked from the exterior, interior caulking of
the bottom wall plates and insulation chinking in small air spaces such as exterior wall penetrations.
* Radiant Barrier Coating applied to the underside of the roof surface to reduce radiant heat transfer into
the home during summer months.
* Superior insulation with use of R38 blown fiberglass attic insulation and R19 exterior wall insulation with
use of 2x6 exterior wall construction
* Low-E Windows
Please note that the specifications above are listed as examples and may or may not be included in your new
home, please refer to your contract Specifications Sheet for more information.
LaRock Builders, Inc. Quality Custom Homes 540-882-4011
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LaRock Builders, Inc. Quality Custom Homes Loudoun County, Virginia
Specifications: LaRock Builders understands what many other builders don't - that people are different and have
different needs and desires. We believe our homes should celebrate those differences and not eliminate them. We
offer many standard options which buyers may choose from and we also encourage custom options. Our
mechanism for tracking all of the options and standard features within a new home is through a detailed
Specification Sheet. The systems within the house are designed to exceed the National Building Code minimum
requirements and quality subcontractors are provided detailed specifications for each phase of work.
The Specification Sheet includes detailed information on features and materials to be used on the project. If the
customer would like to include a feature into the home the information must be included in the Specification Sheet,
the house will be built to the contract specifications. LaRock Builders will provide a copy of the base
specifications for your review prior to the contact and we will work together to incorporate your preferences into
your new home. This document will become part of the contract.
Options: LaRock Builders will do it's best to accommodate custom option requests during construction.
Options must be requested in writing via fax or email. LaRock Builders will acknowledge the option request by
adding it to the Specification Sheet with a TBD (To Be Determined) in the Pending Options Pricing column. We
will then price the option on the Specification Sheet and present the option to you, options are issued with
expiration dates and are often time sensitive. If adding the option to the scope of work is accepted you will initial
the corresponding option line and return it to LaRock Builders via fax or email attachment. Your signature will
allow us to proceed with incorporating the option into the new home. Payment for options added after contract
will be due upon acceptance unless other arrangements have been agreed to by both parties ahead of time.
Selections: Customer selections will be tracked on the Specifications Sheet. LaRock Builders will organize
materials, vendor contacts and a timetable for selections needed. Selections must be presented to LaRock Builders
in writing and are considered final upon submission. We realize that sometimes selection changes are necessary
for one reason or another and we will be happy to accommodate this; however, if a selection item has been
purchased or assigned to a subcontractor there may be a charge for accommodating the change.