Upstate NY Custom Home Building Blog

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.

Table of Contents

• What Happens When You Design Without a Builder?
• How Builders Help Align Your Vision with Budget
• Why Floor Plans Should Be Based on Real Costs
• What to Expect in a Builder Consultation with Gerber Homes
• Why You Should Consult a Builder First in Greater Rochester
• Common Myths About Talking to a Builder First
• Ready to Build Your Dream Home in Greater Rochester, NY?

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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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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.

Table of Contents

• Why Gas Hookup Changes Are a Big Deal in Upstate New York
• The “Grandfathering” Window: How to Keep Gas in a New Build
• Step-by-Step: How to Lock in Gas Service Before the Deadline
• After the Deadline: All-Electric Homes in Cold Climates
• How Gerber Homes Helps You Beat the Deadline
• Build Your Dream Home in Greater Rochester Before the Fossil Fuel Deadline Passes

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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.

Geber Homes has helped families across Monroe, Ontario, and Wayne Counties create custom homes that are beautiful, functional, and ready for real life. We’re here today to walk you through proven strategies for designing a family-friendly custom home, drawing on our decades of experience as a leading custom home builder in Upstate NY.

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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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