Frequently Asked Questions

Your home is most likely your biggest investment and we understand the concerns that come along with such a large expense. Since 2003 we have strived to be the best custom home builder in the Chicagoland area. National building industry studies have consistently shown that buyers of custom homes realize more appreciation from their investment when they decide to sell. Eventually, when you decide to sell your home, buyers will inevitably ask, “Who built this home?” Let the answer be Integrity Construction Consulting, Inc. – accept no imitations.
What does a custom home builder do?
A good custom home builder is an advocate for the homeowner as well as an integral and collaborative member of the design team. Take a look at our most frequently asked questions. . They work with the homeowner and design to team to help establish a realistic budget for the project and then monitor the cost and scope through the design and construction process.
Is building a custom home worth it?
Yes! The extra time and money spent on designing, building, and settling into your custom home, will be worth it if you plan to make it your home for years to come.
Can you help me find a lot or tear down a house?
Absolutely! We work with many realtors and are contacted by homeowners who want to sell their home directly to us. In our market, typically the most difficult part of the entire building process is identifying and successfully purchasing a lot that suits your ability to build your dream home within your budget. Integrity Construction, Inc. has the inside track to lots for sale – pre-market listings and immediately when good properties become available.
Can you build a custom home on your own land?
With your vacant plot of landyou‘re free to build your own house. That is, as long as you‘ve received the proper approvals from your local municipality, including permits to build, approval of the size and placement of the structure and confirmation that the home plans meet local zoning and code ordinances.
How do I go about finding and selecting a lot to build my new home?
The lot size will depend on the dimensions of the home you want to build.  Each jurisdiction has its own rules regarding lot coverage (how much of the lot the house and driveway can cover) and setbacks (all jurisdictions require the house to be a certain distance from the front of the lot, the sides and back). We will do a lot feasibility study on a lot you currently own or are interested in purchasing.
What happens during the pre-construction phase?
Integrity Construction Consulting, Inc. (ICC) plays a lead role during the pre-construction phase. During this phase, we will:
  • Attend all team meetings addressing any issues with the construction documents, technical aspects of construction means and methods and ongoing cost estimates and scheduling updates.
  • Process trade requisitions (ICC) will organize at length a specific list of qualifications, clarifications and operating rules for inclusion with the bid documents to all bidders including methods and procedures that all subcontractors will follow to coordinate their work on site).
  • Organize bid packages and spreadsheets (after submitting the bid documents to potential contractors, (ICC) will coordinate and collect bids from said contractors).
  • Prequalify bidders (ICC) will organize bid lists identifying qualified subcontractors in each trade based on experience, price, quality of workmanship, local availability and knowledge, attitude, financial capability technical and engineering expertise and current workload) and submit such lists to the client project managers for review and approval
  • Develop detailed spreadsheet listing all bidders and items of work being purchased resulting selection of the true lowest bidder.
  • Assist in negotiations between low bidders
  • Create an approval letter which lists the terms of the selected award, final status of bidders, ICC’s estimated cost for the work being awarded and any qualification variances within the contract document
How do we start the process of building a custom home?
When building a custom home or starting a remodeling project, the first ideal step is to interview and select a custom home builder as an important member of the team. Although not critical, this is best before engaging with an architect and design team to start laying out a concept and specific plans. Having your builder on your team, reviewing plans and preliminary designs with a keen focus on cost controls and value engineering selections can make the design process efficient and effective, while avoiding future delays and/or costly design rework. One thing that is important to understand is that we are not a cookie-cutter home builder. Many home builders will replicate the core design of their homes over and over again, making only minor changes each time. This helps to keep costs down to a certain extent, but the result is a lot of “custom” homes that look almost exactly the same. We, on the other hand, build our luxury homes for our client’s unique tastes using unique design elements for the area that they live in. You can rest assured that if you work with us, your home will truly be one-of-a-kind.
What happens during the construction phase?
IntegrityConstrutcionConsutling,Inc. (ICC) will continue to play a lead role during the construction phase. During this phase, we will:
  • Create the job schedule
  • Provide cost control
  • Project phase management
  • Oversee project safety
  • Provide quality control throughout project duration
  • Change Order Control

Job Schedule

An essential management tool of any construction project is the job schedule. The accuracy and management of the job schedule determines both the pulse and vitality of the project. ICC follows these prime objectives of the project scheduling system.
  • Identifying a method of achieving objectives by developing a flow of work.
  • Conveying said flow of work the entire project team
  • Monitoring and updating the schedule as necessary to achieve objectives

Once the flow of work is developed, we further break it down into three different schedules:

  • Master Schedule – usually done in a simple bar chart form providing a “big picture” look at the total project and forms the basis for subsequent scheduling .
  • Detailed Trade Schedule – provides a 5-clay, 10-day or 30-day breakdown of all the required upcoming trade tasks in efforts to prov ide the job site staff a “look ahead”.

Cost Control

After the value of the project has been identified and the owner has accepted the estimate, ICC will monitor construction costs versus the approved estimate. From this point, all funds will be carefully and continuously compared to the approved estimate, which will be communicated between ICC and the owner.
What happens during the post-construction phase?
As the project nears completion, ICC will work with the construction team to insure orderly project closeout and transition from construction to actual use.

Quality Control:

We with the owner and architect will conduct all final inspections and monitor the project per project guarantees.

Documentation Control:

ICC will monitor receipt of all operational manuals, “as built” drawings, permits, affidavits and other required documents.

Financial Closeout:

ICC will review and process all final payments and insure receipt of all release of lien certifications

Project Turnover:

ICC will direct the owner in the operation of the new building. We will assist the owner in evaluating systems performance in the critical break-in-period.
Can I visit my custom home during construction?
As the project nears completion, ICC will work with the construction team to insure orderly project closeout and transition from construction to actual use.

Quality Control:

We with the owner and architect will conduct all final inspections and monitor the project per project guarantees.

Documentation Control:

ICC will monitor receipt of all operational manuals, “as built” drawings, permits, affidavits and other required documents.

Financial Closeout:

ICC will review and process all final payments and insure receipt of all release of lien certifications

Project Turnover:

ICC will direct the owner in the operation of the new building. We will assist the owner in evaluating systems performance in the critical break-in-period.
What if I change my mind about a certain aspect of the project while in progress?
Changes can certainly be made during the construction process, but depending on the nature of the change, it may cause added expense or delays. In general, things like moving the position of a window are not a problem. However, when it comes to moving a load-bearing wall or changing the size of the home, it will be more complicated. Also, the difficulty of making a change depends on how far along the project is. For example, changing the type of finish at the last minute would add more to the cost of the project than making that change early on. That being said, our clients routinely request changes during the building process, so we are used to working them to make sure that they are satisfied with the finished home.