Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question for Countrywide Construction & Design? Find answers to commonly asked questions about building, remodeling, and our products and services.
How long does it take to build a home?
Building a home is more than just a construction project, it’s the beginning of a relationship with your builder. The planning and design phase can take anywhere from 1–2 months for clients with completed plans to up to two years for fully custom designs. Once plans, budget, and financing are finalized, construction timelines typically range from 3–6 months for smaller homes and additions to up to a year for larger custom homes, depending on the project’s size and weather conditions.
Do I need to have plans before I contact you?
No. Many of our clients come to us with little more than a wish list, photos they’ve saved, or a rough sketch. We’ll guide you through the design process, helping you transform your ideas into a home that fits your lifestyle, your property, and your budget.
How is a contractor licensed and does it matter for my project?
The State of Wisconsin has a licensing process through the Department of Safety and Professional Services. It requires home building contractors to obtain continuing education credits. This ensures that we are up to date on building codes and best practices.
If your project requires a building permit–typically new construction, additions, or major remodeling–you should use a licensed contractor like Countrywide Construction & Design. If you are doing maintenance type work (such as painting, re-roofing, replacing siding, or adding shutters) you do not need a licensed contractor. However, working with an established, reputable business like Countrywide Construction & Design for any home project can give you a layer of security and peace of mind knowing you are getting a fair deal for quality work.
Do you help with permits?
Yes. We coordinate the permits and inspections required for your project, helping ensure construction meets local building codes and regulations.
If a contractor asks you to pull a permit, that should be a red flag. It could indicate that they do not have the necessary licenses.
I live hours away. How does that work for planning and construction?
Door and Kewaunee counties are a vacation destination, and most of our clients live out of the area. Although in-person meetings can be helpful, we are able to design your home using Zoom or other platforms for review meetings. Jan will share her screen to show you the plans in a live 3-D view.
Many of our product suppliers have multiple showrooms, and you may be able to make selection appointments in your hometown area. When it comes to selections that need to be made with our subcontractors, we will help you coordinate an efficient itinerary.
Once you are ready to begin construction, we take care of the day-to-day coordination of the project. We are happy to share photos and videos, and will continue to ask and answer questions as we proceed. Whether you are working with a lender or not, a local title company can also be a great asset to help monitor progress on your behalf.
What comes first, plans or the site?
Typically, you would have your home site before looking at any plans. The unique characteristics of a site such as slope, special restrictions, and views all affect the design of the home. Ideally, we design homes to accommodate and accentuate the features of your site. However we at Countrywide are flexible! If you have home design ideas but no land yet, we can work with you to help select a site that will give you the home features you want.
I have a lot, but don’t plan to build for a few years. Should I start sitework, like clearing, a driveway, or digging the well?
In most cases, no. It can be tempting to get a head start by clearing trees, installing a driveway, or drilling a well, but those decisions are best made after your home has been designed. The location of the house affects everything from the driveway and grading to well and septic placement, all of which must meet local setback and separation requirements. Waiting until the design is complete helps avoid costly changes and ensures your site is developed as efficiently as possible.
Also, excavation contractors who dig your foundation also clear trees and install the driveway. You’ll probably get a combo deal on those services when you are contracting through us as a builder, versus seeking out individual services on your own.
What are allowances in a construction bid?
Allowances are budget placeholders for items that are selected or finalized after construction begins. Common examples include Public Service expenses, flooring, or countertops. If your contract includes a $5,000 flooring allowance and your selections total $4,906, you’ll receive a $94 credit. If your selections total $5,202, the additional $202 would be added through a change order.
At Countrywide, we believe accurate pricing starts with detailed planning. That’s why we use as few allowances as possible. When allowances are necessary, we rely on our experience to establish realistic budgets, helping minimize surprises and giving you a clearer picture of your total investment from the start.
Why should I use a Design & Build contractor?
Choosing a design-build company means your designer and builder work as one team. At Countrywide, Jan designs your home and prepares the project estimate, allowing your budget to guide the design from day one. Keeping both design and construction under one roof creates a seamless experience, with clear communication and a shared understanding of your selections, preferences, and vision. The result is a more efficient process, fewer surprises, and a home that’s thoughtfully designed around the way you live.
If you draw my plans do I need to build with Countrywide?
No. Our design services are available whether you choose Countrywide as your builder or not. Every custom home and remodeling design includes a professional design fee, reflecting the time and expertise that go into creating detailed, accurate plans. Once your design is complete, the plans belong to you. Whether you build with Countrywide, choose another builder, or postpone construction, you’ll have a quality set of plans ready when the time is right.
Can I build a custom home on a budget, especially in the current market?
Absolutely. Building a custom home on a budget is not only possible, it’s one of our strengths. Creating a beautiful home is easy with an unlimited budget, but true craftsmanship comes from designing a home that fits your lifestyle, your lot, and your budget. We work closely with you to prioritize the features that matter most while finding smart ways to save in other areas. The result is a home that’s personalized, energy efficient, built to last, and designed to provide value for years to come.
What is an average square foot price?
Just as the average cost of a college education or a new car can vary greatly, so can the cost of your house. With a custom home there are so many choices in products and different characteristics of lots that a “rough guess” at a total price or square footage price would not be fair to the builder or the homeowner. At Countrywide we look at all the costs associated with your home and site before we give you a budget for your project.
Can I help with construction to save costs?
Perhaps. We understand that home construction is a big investment, and rolling up your sleeves to pitch in sounds like a good way to save some money. Unfortunately, we’ve found that it often leads to delays.
Let us know upfront if you really want to help with your home build, and we will do our best to work with you. Of course, some trades need to be licensed. But, if you want to do something like paint some accent walls, or put up your own closet shelving, we can certainly accommodate those requests.
Can I make changes during construction?
Yes. We understand that ideas sometimes evolve during the building process. While changes can affect the schedule and cost, we’ll discuss the impact with you before any work proceeds so you can make informed decisions. We recommend taking a bit longer to review and tweak the plans with us before construction begins. That can help to alleviate the additional costs that often with change orders.
The kids are gone and I’m ready to remodel. Can Countrywide help?
Every parent has dreams about how they will use that extra space once the kids have left the nest. Whether it will become a multi-purpose guest room, a new home office, an exercise room, or be integrated into a new master suite, we can take that room and work with it to create whatever it is you’ve been waiting for. When we visit your home we will explore the space you have to work with, take detailed notes based on your wants and needs, and offer suggestions based on our experience.
Of course, we’ll also make sure you have a nook somewhere for photos and memories so they don’t feel too forgotten.
How can I avoid a remodeling horror story?
The best way to avoid surprises is to be as thorough as possible in the planning process. Our 3-D design services can show you a virtual image of what your addition or remodeling plans will look like when combined with your existing house. A reputable, experienced contractor like us will know what questions to ask and what to look for in and around your house. Although some things we cannot predict, such as rotten lumber within the walls, by inspecting the location of the project with open eyes we can minimize the surprises. Also, we bid our remodeling projects with as much detail as possible so that you can be more comfortable with your total budget.
Have more questions for Countrywide?
You can contact us directly and we will be happy to answer whatever question you pose. If we don’t have a ready answer, we will do our best to find an answer for you!