Upstate NY Custom Home Building Blog

You’re ready for something that’s entirely yours. Building a new home is an exciting journey, especially in the beautiful Greater Rochester area. At Gerber Homes, we understand that embarking on this journey involves many questions, particularly regarding the timeline. How long will it take? What steps are involved?

As a trusted custom home builder with over 40 years of experience, we’re here to guide you through every phase of the home-building process and the associated timeline for each step.

Building a custom home on your own land is not as simple as picking a floor plan and digging in. Whether you're working with raw acreage in Wayne County or a tucked-away lot in Ontario County, the first and most critical step in the process is the site evaluation. A proper site evaluation looks beneath the surface, literally and figuratively. It helps you and your builder understand the unique features (and limitations) of the land so that your home can be placed, designed, and built efficiently, within budget.

Gerber Homes has walked hundreds of properties across Upstate New York. We've seen everything from dream lots with hidden challenges to tricky terrain that became the perfect homesite with the right plan. We're honored to walk you through exactly what happens during a site evaluation and how it helps set the stage for a successful build.

Table of Contents

• What Is a Site Evaluation and Why Does It Matter?
• Who Performs the Site Evaluation?
• What Gerber Homes Looks for During a Site Walk
• How the Site Evaluation Affects Your Budget and Timeline
• What Happens If the Site Isn’t Ideal?
• When Should You Schedule a Site Evaluation?
• Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building on Your Own Land
• Ready to Build on Land in Upstate NY? Start with a Site Evaluation

One great thing about building a new custom home is that you don’t have to settle for standard features and finishes. Creating a home that’s uniquely yours is what makes a custom home special. As new 2026 custom home trends begin shaping how families live, from eco-friendly house ideas to smart home automation, many Rochester and Finger Lakes homeowners are focusing on designs that blend comfort, technology, and timeless beauty.

Gerber Homes is pleased to share our curated list that delivers the kind of comfort and convenience you really want. With that in mind, let’s look at 25 “must-have” features for your 2026 custom home.

Share this post with someone planning to build a home in NY in 2026. It is not too late to secure natural gas, but that window may close quickly.