Design-Build Custom Homes
Design-Build Custom Homes
Since 1995, Falcon Alaska (Formerly Wirtanen Homes.) has been building low-maintenance, energy efficient homes throughout the Mat-Su Valley and surrounding areas. From the initial spark of inspiration to the final finish, our team excels at working directly with clients to provide them a truly hassle-free building experience.
By using the Falcon Framework, we guide each client through the design-build process:
The Falcon Framework
- Meet and greet: This first step is where we get to know each other, and to determine if we’re a good fit for what you have in mind. We meet in person and discuss designs, expected timelines, financing options, and build costs.
- Drafting and Design: If both sides want to move forward, we collect an initial drafting fee and nestle in for the fun! We use our curated interview process to ask the right questions at the right time, and then create an initial Design Concept with 3D renderings that bring your vision to life.
- Proposal and Review: As we move through the design process, we transition from high-level questions to detailed questions until we have all the information needed to give you an accurate estimate. We help you prioritize your wish list and then fine-tune your selections and assemble the final contract packet for review. The goal here is for both sides to completely understand everything the price includes or excludes.
- Pre-Construction: Once the contract is signed, we proceed with steps like banking, appraisals, lot line surveys, permitting, and other preliminary items. We provide online access to your job in our project management software so you can review the project status, photos, tracking, and scheduling. We finalize construction plans including engineering, shop drawings, and final selections with our in-house designer. This helps reduce “decision fatigue” as our designer provides expert suggestions for the entire selection pallet.
- Construction: Once the preliminary work is completed and the paperwork in order, we begin construction! This is where you get to watch your project come to life, knowing you’ve already made all the important decisions. We monitor the entire process, doing project site-walks for critical things like plumbing, heating, electrical and interior finishes.
- Project delivery: Once the project is complete, the official handover includes a blue-tape walkthrough and a tutorial on your new home’s mechanical systems and maintenance requirements. We schedule a 60-day walkthrough to answer questions and address any questions as you settle into your new home. Our 10-year structural warranty and one-year craftsmanship warranty ensure peace of mind and long-term confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical timeline for a custom home?
Timelines can vary widely based on factors like design complexity, permitting processes, weather conditions, backlog, etc., however, general estimates for timelines are as follows:
- Meet and Greet: 1 hour.
- Drafting and Design: 1-6 months.
- Proposal and Review: 3-4 weeks.
- Pre-Construction: 2-6 weeks.
- Construction: 6 months to a year or more.
What are the costs of a custom home?
Costs vary even more than timelines, but for these purposes we can use average historical data to provide the following metrics:
(Updated Nov 2024)
House costs: $300 per square foot
Garage or shop costs: $150 per square foot
Expansive decks or outdoor living spaces, exterior concrete/sidewalks/patios, landscaping or other specialty items, generally in addition to the above.
These square foot costs are all inclusive, reflecting the Falcon Building Standard.
Further Reading: What Are the Out-of-Pocket Costs Associated With Building a Custom Home?
Can I make changes during construction?
The goal is to have everything lined out by the Pre-Construction Phase, with few changes made during construction. This is possible at Falcon due to modern design tools that provide high level 3D modeling, and talented designers that can bring a complete design aesthetic together as a wholistic package. But we also recognize that it’s nearly impossible to have every obscure detail 100% known, and our construction process certainly allows for changes during construction. We recognize that for most folks they have one opportunity at building their dream home, and Falcon’s unique process is ideally suited for precisely that!
