Upstate NY Custom Home Building Blog

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 or install fossil-fuel heating, hot water, stoves, fireplaces, or dryers. This is part of the New York All-Electric Buildings Act, 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. There’s still a window to be “grandfathered in” and keep natural gas as an option, but only if your building permit is filed on time. Here's what you need to know.

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What if you could give yourself the gift of a thoughtful, personalized future? Designing a family-friendly custom home means so much more than tacking on extra bedrooms or picking stain-resistant carpet. You're building a space that evolves with your lifestyle, to see you through the days of juggling toddlers to managing teens, and perhaps one day accommodating multiple generations under one roof.

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Close your eyes and picture your forever home. You’re envisioning a place where holidays are celebrated, grandkids run through the yard, and each room adapts to your life’s evolving chapters. For many families across Upstate New York, the Finger Lakes offer the ideal backdrop for making that long-term vision a reality.

Between its small-town charm, access to top-tier healthcare, award-winning school districts, and a growing array of outdoor amenities, the Greater Rochester Area is increasingly seen as a smart place to build a custom family home. Gerber Homes has been building custom homes in this area for decades, and we’re happy to walk you through everything you need to know, from choosing the right community and home design to incorporating universal design features and planning for future needs. If you’ve ever wondered what makes a perfect family home or the best tips when building a house, this one’s for you.

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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.

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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!

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