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Greater Rochester Area Custom Home Building Blog

Upstate NY Custom Home Building Blog

Gas Ban Suspended in New York: What It Means for Homeowners Planning a 2026 Build

Posted by John Graziose on Tue, Dec 2, 2025 @ 15:12 PM

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.

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Topics: Custom homes, Building a New Home

What Will Your Greater Rochester, NY Home Cost You in 2026?

Posted by John Graziose on Mon, Nov 24, 2025 @ 14:11 PM

If you’ve been dreaming of building a custom home in Rochester, NY, or anywhere in Upstate New York, you’ve probably asked, “How much does it cost to build a house?” It’s a great question without a simple answer. Building a home involves several variables that can impact your budget, from land development to the cost per square foot.

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 2026?” 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.

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Topics: Home Building Costs

Why You Should Talk to a Builder Before Designing Your Dream Home in Greater Rochester, NY

Posted by John Graziose on Mon, Sep 29, 2025 @ 14:09 PM

Designing your dream home in Greater Rochester, NY, is one of the most exciting steps you’ll ever take. It's the backdrop for everything you've ever planned for your ideal future. Many homeowners can’t wait to jump right into creating floor plans, selecting finishes, and envisioning the perfect layout. But here’s a common mistake: starting with design before talking to a builder.

Too often, families invest in plans that look beautiful on paper but come with a price tag that far exceeds their budget, or that can’t be built efficiently on their chosen lot. This leads to frustrating redesigns, wasted money, and months of delays.

The smarter path is to start with a builder, and we're here today to discuss exactly why. Gerber Homes has been helping families across Greater Rochester, Ontario and Wayne Counties, and the Finger Lakes turn ideas into homes since 1981. And we know from experience that an early consultation with a builder helps you avoid budget blowouts, make smart trade-offs, and keep the entire process on track.

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Topics: Custom homes, Building a New Home, Home Design

How to Build a Custom Home on Your Land in Greater Rochester

Posted by John Graziose on Mon, Sep 1, 2025 @ 14:09 PM

Having land in Upstate New York is a dream for many, especially in picturesque areas like Canandaigua, Rush, or Macedon. But how do you make the most of that piece of paradise once you have it? Many landowners ponder, "I want to build a house on my land; where do I start?" If that's you, here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the exciting journey of turning your raw land into a beautiful custom home.

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Topics: Custom homes, Building a New Home, Selecting a Home Site

New York’s Gas Hookup Changes: How to Keep Your Options Open Before the 2025 Deadline

Posted by John Graziose on Thu, Aug 21, 2025 @ 10:08 AM

Big changes are coming to new home construction in New York, and if you’ve been picturing cozy winter nights with a gas fireplace or cooking Sunday breakfast on a gas range, now is the time to act.

Starting January 1, 2026, most new homes in New York will no longer be allowed to connect to natural gas mains, propane tanks or install fossil-fuel heating, hot water, stoves, fireplaces, or dryers. A new NY law bans new construction any other fuel source that isn’t electric. In short, if it burns, it’s going to be phased out. That means future home heating, hot water, and even cooking will need to be powered by electricity rather than gas or propane. New York All-Electric Buildings Act is a sweeping change that will require most new builds to go fully electric. For homeowners planning a new build in Monroe, Ontario, or Wayne County, the clock is ticking on new construction that uses any fossil fuels. There’s still a window to be “grandfathered in” and keep natural gas or propane as an option, but only if your building permit is filed on time. Here's what you need to know.

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Topics: Custom homes, Building a New Home