Starting your custom home journey is a unique thrill, but the early stages can feel like a waiting game. You’ve made the decision to build your dream home, but before the walls go up, there are crucial steps that happen behind the scenes. Permits, municipal approvals, and site preparation all play a vital role in setting your project up for success.
Read MoreUpstate NY Custom Home Building Blog
Understanding the Early Steps in Rochester Area Home Building: Permits, Approvals, and Site Prep
Posted by John Graziose on Fri, May 9, 2025 @ 16:05 PM
Topics: Custom homes, Building a New Home
Should I Buy a Spec Home or Build a Custom Home This Year?
Posted by John Graziose on Mon, Apr 7, 2025 @ 10:04 AM
If your current home no longer meets your family’s needs, you might be ready to move to a new home. One question you might be asking yourself is, “Should I buy a spec home or build a custom home this year?” Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons you’ll want to consider—and whether the coming year is a good time to make a move such as this.
As custom home builders in upstate New York, we obviously think that custom homes are worthwhile endeavors, but we also understand that they're not for everyone. Here at Gerber Homes, we want everyone to find the perfect new home for their situation, and we're happy to use our experience to help you decide between spec and custom new residential construction by comparing the pros and cons of a custom vs. spec new home. Let's dig into the details together!
Read MoreTopics: Custom homes, Building a New Home, Home Building Tips
There’s something magical about welcoming friends and family into your home—whether it’s an impromptu wine night in the kitchen, a lively game night in the living room, or a summer barbecue that spills onto the patio. A home built for entertaining isn’t just about having space; it’s about creating an effortless experience where guests feel comfortable, conversations flow freely, and hosting feels less like work and more like fun. If you love the idea of being the go-to host but want to avoid the pitfalls of a poorly designed layout (hello, kitchen bottlenecks and awkward seating!), then designing your custom home for entertaining with intention is key. Let’s discuss what makes the ultimate home for entertaining, starting with one of the most important decisions—your floor plan.
Read MoreTopics: Home Design, Custom Home Features
Building a custom home is a dream for many, and a construction loan can make that dream a reality. Unlike traditional mortgages, construction loans are designed specifically to fund the building process, ensuring you have the resources to create a home tailored to your needs. At Gerber Homes, with over 40 years of expertise in upstate New York, we’ve guided countless homeowners through the intricacies of financing their dream homes, and we’re here to guide your tour through everything you need to know about construction loans.
Read MoreTopics: Custom homes, financing
What Will Your New Rochester Home Cost This Year?
Posted by John Graziose on Mon, Jan 13, 2025 @ 15:01 PM
In today’s fluctuating housing market, understanding home construction costs is more critical than ever. Knowing the ins and outs of custom home costs will help you make informed decisions and avoid surprises. With new questions emerging like “Will building costs go down in 2025?” we’ll help you break down what truly impacts your bottom line.
Gerber Homes is happy to use our expertise to walk you through the average costs of building a home in Upstate NY, the key expenses to consider, and how to calculate a realistic budget for your custom dream home. Let’s answer your biggest questions about custom home construction and help you plan for success.
Topics: Custom homes, Home Building Costs