Custom Home FAQs & Resources

Eight phases, start to finish: • Kickoff & Planning — We hold a kickoff meeting, inspect your lot, and begin your home's drawings. • Selections & Design — You choose finishes, colors, and features with our design team while we finalize permanent plans and stake your lot. • Permits & Pre-Construction — We prepare and submit the permit package, then hold an internal pre-bid meeting to get the details right. • Final Plans & Budget — We complete final drawings, finalize costs, and issue purchase orders so trades have clear instructions. • Job Start — Once permits are approved, we release purchase orders and hand the complete job package to your project manager. • Construction Kickoff — You meet your project manager and we review how we will communicate through the build. • Building Your Home — Site prep, framing, drywall, finishes, and inspections. You can track progress and photos anytime in Buildertrend. • Walkthroughs & Move-In — We walk the home together to confirm everything meets your expectations, then you close and move in. The 9-phase construction timeline covers the build itself in more detail.

In 2026, well-built custom homes in the Richmond and Central Virginia market generally start in the $160–$190 per square foot range with quality included selections (house only, no land). With upgraded materials, premium finishes, and features like a full basement, that can climb to $220 or more. Smaller homes carry a higher per-foot number because the same kitchen, HVAC, and driveway are spread across fewer square feet — so our plans work out to roughly $162 per square foot at the large end and $236 at the small end. We don't price by square foot alone. We build a detailed, transparent budget for your specific plan, selections, and site, so you know what is included and there are no surprises. Treat price-per-square-foot as a general guide — the real cost depends on your design choices and your land. Full detail in our 2026 cost-per-square-foot breakdown, or estimate your own with the cost calculator.

About 10–12 months from contract to move-in, depending on the home’s size, your lot conditions, design complexity, and weather. That includes a pre-construction phase of roughly 3–6 months covering plans, selections, permitting, and approvals, so everything is ready before we break ground. See the 9-phase timeline for what happens in each stage.

Yes to both. We specialize in building on your lot or land anywhere in Central Virginia. If you already own property, we will inspect the lot, guide you through design and permitting, and manage construction. If you don't own land yet, we keep an inventory of select home sites in desirable Central Virginia communities and can connect you with trusted real estate partners to find the right lot. See where we build.

We offer a collection of build-on-your-lot plans sized from about 1,300 to 3,400+ square feet, with starting prices from the low $300s to the upper $500s (land excluded). Browse the full collection with current starting prices on our home plans page.

Every plan in our portfolio can be personalized — reconfiguring layouts, expanding square footage, or adding features like porches, bonus rooms, and upgraded finishes. If you already have your own architectural design, we can build from that too. Our team reviews your drawings, adapts them to your lot, and guides you through the same step-by-step process. Either way you get a genuinely personalized on-your-lot build.

A few factors drive most of the cost, timeline, and risk: • Location & Zoning — Confirm county zoning and land-use rules allow residential building. • Utilities & Access — Check water, sewer or septic, electricity, gas, and internet. Running new utilities can add significant cost. • Topography & Soil — A level lot is usually cheaper to build on. Soil testing confirms the land supports a foundation and septic system. • Permits & Environmental Restrictions — Look for floodplain boundaries, wetlands, or conservation easements that limit where you can build. • Driveway & Road Access — Verify legal access and the cost of grading or paving an entry. • Site Prep Costs — Clearing, grading, and drainage vary widely lot to lot. We evaluate all of this before you buy. More in things to be aware of when purchasing land.

Financing — We connect you with trusted local lenders who specialize in construction-to-permanent loans. These cover the build and then roll into a traditional mortgage when the home is complete. We walk you through the process, timelines, and draw schedules. See financing options for building on your lot. Utilities — Utility setup is the homeowner's responsibility, but you are not on your own. We help coordinate electric, water/sewer or septic, gas, and internet to your site, and guide you on requirements and timing so everything is ready for final inspections and move-in.

• Selections Concierge — Our design team walks you through flooring, cabinetry, countertops, fixtures, and exterior details. • Budget Checkpoints — You see the cost impact of choices as you make them, not after. • Clear Documentation — Every selection is recorded so the build team works from exactly what you chose. • Seamless Handoff — Your selections transfer directly to the field, so what you picked is what gets installed. Materials and selection costs covers where choices move the budget most.

• Custom Homes — Fully tailored to you. With Keel that means designing and building on your lot, customizing plan, finishes, and features to your lifestyle and budget. • Spec Homes — Short for "speculative": move-in ready homes built without a specific buyer. Finishes are pre-selected, so you get a new home quickly with limited personalization. • Production Homes — Built by large national builders with standardized plans and finishes in big communities, and typically the most limited on customization. More on the tradeoff in 10 reasons Richmond families choose build-on-your-lot over production.

We build on your lot or land across greater Richmond and Central Virginia — typically within about 50 to 75 miles of downtown Richmond, covering Chesterfield, Powhatan, Goochland, Henrico, Hanover, New Kent, Amelia, and beyond. Rural acreage, a suburban neighborhood, or a private community all work; we will evaluate your site either way. See where we build, or get in touch if your land is nearby and you aren't sure.

We build on land you already own, and we can help you secure a lot in one of the region's sought-after communities: • Summer Lake in Chesterfield — a planned community where you can tour our Kiawah model home. • Custom lots in Powhatan, Goochland, and Hanover — more space, privacy, and a country setting just outside Richmond. • Chesterfield and Midlothian communities — strong schools and family-friendly neighborhoods. • Henrico and Hanover suburban areas — convenient to Richmond with larger homesites.

• Personalization — Floor plan and finishes reflect your family's needs rather than an average buyer's. • Better Land Options — Build on your own lot or in the community you want, instead of being limited to builder-owned tracts. • Higher Quality & Transparency — Better materials, more attention to detail, and clear communication throughout. • Future-Proofing — Start fresh with the spaces, systems, and efficiency you need now, instead of remodeling an older home.

• Buildertrend Access — A private online portal with your schedule, documents, progress, and photo updates from the field. • Dedicated Project Manager — One main point of contact who keeps questions answered and expectations clear. • Regular Updates & Walkthroughs — Scheduled updates and on-site meetings from pre-construction through the final walk-through. Here's what to expect at your final walk-through.

Yes — the home plans collection shows the homes we build most, and our community pages cover recent work including the Union Hill Collection in the city and Perkinsville Estates. You can also read what homeowners say on our testimonials page, or tour the Kiawah model home in person.

We keep a library of guides to help you plan with confidence — a land buying checklist, milestone guides for each phase, a benefits-of-building-on-your-lot guide, and a home maintenance calendar. They are all in documents and guides further down this page, alongside helpful videos on estimating, design, permitting, and contracts.

• Clear Roadmap — From kickoff to move-in, you always know what is next. • Selections Support — Our design team guides you through finishes so decisions are easier. • Buildertrend Access — Track progress, photos, and updates anytime. • Dedicated Project Manager — A single point of contact keeping things moving. • Service-First Promise — The process stays personal and transparent, and we stay reachable after you move in.

It varies widely by property. The main drivers: • Clearing & Grading — Removing trees and leveling can run from a few thousand dollars to $20,000+. • Driveway & Access — Installing or improving access typically runs $5,000–$15,000+ depending on length and materials. • Utilities — Water, sewer or septic, electric, and internet are the homeowner's responsibility. Connections range from free to $30,000+ depending on distance and availability. • Drainage & Soil Prep — Erosion control, culverts, and soil stabilization vary with topography. Many Central Virginia families budget $10,000–$50,000 for site prep, less for ready-to-build lots and more for heavily wooded or rural parcels. We evaluate your land up front so you have a clear picture before breaking ground.

• Move-In Support — Resources like trusted moving company lists; see our moving checklist. • Orientation & Walkthroughs — Before closing we walk the home together so you understand every system and feature. • Warranty Coverage — Keel's 5-Year Guarantee plus manufacturer and structural warranties. • Maintenance Guidance — A home maintenance calendar so you know what to do season by season. • Ongoing Relationship — Our service-first promise means you can still reach us once you have settled in.

Yes, and it is often how clients find the right piece of land. Many good sites already have an older or run-down house on them, and tearing it down is the simplest way to unlock the property — especially where vacant land is scarce. We regularly help clients evaluate these properties, manage the teardown, and design a home that fits both the land and their goals. More on why in the best custom home sites aren't empty.