OUR PROCESS
The idea of building a home can seem intimidating but, with the Vertical Builders Process, we can eliminate a lot of this anxiety through our open communication and organized approach. This is especially true for those embarking on new home construction in Richmond, VA and surrounding counties. The result is a satisfied client that is rewarded by having a finely crafted home that they will enjoy and create fond memories in for many years to come. A lot happens behind the scenes long before construction starts. We walk you through every step of the pre-construction and build phases with total transparency, so you feel confident and informed from start to finish.
1.Pick Your Budget
- Know Your Budget: Get pre-approved early to shop with confidence
- Preferred Lenders: Work with our vetted, hand-selected lending team
- Full Program Access: Choose from any standard loan or mortgage product
- Bonus Closing Credits: Earn cash back toward your closing costs when you use our lending team and closing attorney
2.Pick Your Community and Floorplan
- Find Your Perfect Match: Meet with our experienced Community Sales Managers to select the ideal community and floorplan tailored to your lifestyle and desires.
- Customize Your Space: Personalize your new home with a variety of structural options, including distinct elevations, expanded garages, bonus rooms, additional bedrooms, and covered porches.
- Build on Your Own Land: Have your own lot? We will walk the property with you to evaluate site conditions, optimize the position of your home, and schedule any required soil testing. View Plans
3.Purchase Agreement
- Sign Off on Structural Selections: Structural decisions will be final at this meeting, as this allows us to begin the permitting process
- Finalize Loan Approval: Mortgage approval is due at this time
- Pay Remaining Deposits: Deposit is due at this time
4.Personalize Your Finishes
- Personal Outreach & Scheduling: Within one week of signing your contract, our Design Selections Manager will contact you directly to schedule your private design appointment.
- The In-Studio Consultation: You will meet one-on-one at our state-of-the-art, in-house Design Studio to explore curated finishes, compare premium materials, and personalize your home’s interior and exterior details.
- Documentation & Permitting Submittal: Once you have finalized and signed off on your custom selections, our team immediately moves behind the scenes to prepare your construction documents, plan sets, and permit submittals.
5.Pre-Construction Meeting
- Milestone Scheduling: Once county permits are secured, our team schedules your formal Pre-Construction Meeting at our main office, typically taking place one to two weeks prior to breaking ground.
- Project Manager Alignment: Your dedicated Construction Manager conducts a detailed walk-through of your finalized architectural plans, structural options, and site preparation sequence, answering any technical or timeline questions.
- Selection Verification: Every item curated during your Design Studio appointments is pulled and verified for complete accuracy—ensuring every fixture, finish, and detail aligns with your vision before installation begins in your new custom home.
6.Construction Begins
- Proactive Weekly Updates: Your dedicated Construction Manager and Community Sales Manager conduct weekly progress calls, detailing recent construction achievements and previewing upcoming milestones for the week ahead.
- Visual Progress Sharing: Receive progress photos directly from your team upon request, ensuring you stay connected to every stage of construction even when away from the site.
- Guided On-Site Walk-Throughs: Schedule personalized, in-person site visits with your team to experience your home’s progression firsthand and review key structural milestones together.
7.Electrical Walkthrough
- On-Site Pre-Drywall Walk-Through: Meet with your Construction Manager inside your framed home to review structural framing, plumbing rough-ins, and mechanical layout details before walls are closed.
- Custom Electrical Tailoring: Collaborate directly on site with our electrical specialists to review fixture placements, refine lighting plans, and add specialized outlets or custom switching options to match your daily routines.
- Low-Voltage & Home Technology Integration: Work alongside our low-voltage specialists to customize your home’s technology footprint—including security system integration, surround-sound audio pre-wiring, high-speed data cabling, and smart home automation.
8.New Home Orientation
- In-Depth Home Demonstration: Following our multi-stage Quality Inspection, we meet with you on site to showcase your completed residence and demonstrate the inner workings of every major feature and component.
- Expert System Review: Your Construction Manager and dedicated Warranty Manager co-lead this walk-through, reviewing the operation and care of your home’s HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and smart features.
- Proactive Maintenance Guidance: Our team reviews best maintenance practices, seasonal care recommendations, and long-term warranty protocols to preserve your home’s structural integrity and finish details for years to come.
9.Closing
- Seamless Settlement: Coordinate closing with your preferred settlement agency approximately one week following your New Home Orientation to finalize documentation and transfer ownership.
- Welcome to Your New Home: Receive the keys to your completed home and step across the threshold into your family’s next chapter.
10.Move In
- Welcome to Your New Home: Begin enjoying every personalized finish and architectural detail crafted specifically for your family.
- Buffer Your Move Date: To allow ample buffer time for final settlement logistics, utility transfers, and moving setups, we strongly recommend scheduling professional moving services for approximately one week following your confirmed closing date.
11.45 Day and 1 Year Check In
- 45-Day Warranty Consultation: Schedule your initial 45-day check-in with our dedicated Warranty Manager to review post-occupancy warranty items, answer questions, and resolve any minor adjustments that may have arisen during your first weeks in the home.
- 10-Month Performance Review: At 10 months post-settlement, submit your itemized home inspection list to Vertical Builders so our team can evaluate and address any eligible warranty items prior to your one-year anniversary.
- One-Year Seasonal Adjustments: Having experienced a complete four-season climate cycle in Central Virginia, natural expansion and contraction of building materials may require minor touch-ups; our warranty team addresses these standard year-one adjustments to preserve your home’s lasting quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. When you choose us for new home construction in Richmond, VA and surrounding areas, we'll offer structural options to ensure your home fulfills your desires. During your meeting, you can add elevations, garages, bonus rooms, or covered porches. This flexibility is a hallmark of our approach to new home construction in Central Virginia, allowing you to personalize layouts before permitting.
If you have your own land, we will personally walk the property with you to review site conditions. Our team helps set the house site and assists with soil tests to ensure the ground is ready. This specialized service is how we manage new home construction in Richmond, VA and the surrounding counties, for clients preferring private acreage.
Yes, we have selected preferred lenders who offer the same diverse programs as other institutions but with an added benefit for our clients. This financial incentive helps streamline the budget for your new home construction in Richmond, VA and across Central Virginia
Once your contract is signed, our Design Manager will schedule your appointment at our in-house studio within a week. There, you will personalize your home by choosing every finish option to match your style. We ensure all selections are signed off before beginning work for new home construction in Richmond, VA and surrounding areas.
Your dedicated Construction Manager will conduct weekly progress calls, detailing recent construction progress and upcoming milestones for the week ahead. Your team will provide progress photos upon request to keep you updated as well.
Yes, we schedule an on-site electrical walkthrough before drywall. You’ll meet our electrician to add outlets or lighting and consult our low-voltage specialist on security, surround sound, and internet. This ensures your new home construction in Richmond, VA and surrounding areas is technologically equipped for your lifestyle.
Before you take ownership after new home construction in Richmond, VA or the surrounding communities, we perform a rigorous quality inspection. We then hold a New Home Orientation where our Project and Warranty Managers demonstrate the home’s systems and discuss maintenance practices. This thorough walkthrough is vital for every project, including our new home construction in across Central Virginia.
As the leading choice for new home construction in Richmond, VA, our commitment continues long after you receive your keys. We schedule a 45-day check-in for minor issues and a ten-month warranty review to handle repairs after the home experiences a full cycle of seasons. This long-term care is standard for our new home construction in Richmond and Charlottesville, VA.