Every year, I see Utah families pour their savings, energy, and excitement into a custom home, only to hit roadblocks that turn what should be a dream into months of stress, unexpected costs, and daily regrets.
The sad part? Most of these mistakes are completely preventable.
I’ve been in this business long enough to know where families get tripped up. Sometimes it’s choosing the wrong builder, sometimes it’s designing a home that doesn’t even fit the lot, and other times it’s the little details that seem minor at the moment but become daily frustrations later on.
So before you start your build, let me share the five most common pitfalls that can derail your dream home, and how to make sure they never happen to you.
Pitfall #1: Handing Your Checkbook to the Builder
I tell people this all the time: if you don’t have a fixed price contract, you’re basically handing your checkbook to the builder and saying, “Spend as you please.”
I’ve seen families blindsided halfway through their build with $20,000 – $50,000 in unexpected charges, all because the contract wasn’t locked down. A fixed price shifts the risk where it belongs: onto the builder. If something goes wrong on our end, that’s on us, not you.
Bottom line: Never start without a fixed price. It’s the only way to keep your budget safe.
Pitfall #2: Letting Delayed Decisions Derail Your Schedule
Here’s what most homeowners don’t realize: a lot of the products for your home need to be ordered six weeks or more in advance. If you wait until the last minute to pick tile, cabinets, or fixtures, your whole schedule gets pushed back.
I’ve seen this happen over and over: families end up paying rent on their apartment for months longer than expected, just because a key decision wasn’t made in time. That’s avoidable with clear communication and early planning.
Bottom line: Make your selections up front. Don’t let indecision cost you months of your life.
Pitfall #3: Trusting a Builder Who Runs Jobs “Out of Their Head”
You’d be shocked how many builders in Utah still try to manage projects out of memory. That might work for one or two homes. But once they’re juggling five or six, details slip, subcontractors aren’t booked in time, crews show up late, and you’re the one left wondering why nothing’s happening on your home.
That’s why at Haven Homes, we use project management software. It keeps subcontractors lined up, minimizes dead time, and even lets you see the schedule for yourself. That way, you always know what stage we’re in, without ever needing to guess.
Bottom line: If your builder can’t show you their system for managing jobs, walk away.
Pitfall #4: Designing a Home That Doesn’t Fit Your Land
This is a mistake I made myself. I designed my home first, then bought a lot, only to find out the house didn’t fit.
Your land dictates everything: the slope, the setbacks, the orientation to the sun. When families design before buying land, they often have to compromise later, either by shrinking rooms, cutting features, or starting over completely.
Bottom line: Find your land first. Then design a home that actually fits it.
Pitfall #5: Forgetting the Features You’ll Miss Every Day
The biggest regrets I hear aren’t about granite countertops or vaulted ceilings – they’re about the small conveniences families didn’t think about until it was too late.
Like:
- A Costco door from the garage into the pantry so you’re not lugging groceries across the house.
- A light switch next to your bed so you don’t have to stumble around at night.
These things cost almost nothing to add during the build, but they make daily life smoother for decades. Miss them, and you’ll think about it every single day.
Bottom line: Don’t just think about what looks good. Think about how you’ll live in the house, every day, for the next 20 years.
The Early Choices You Make Shape Everything
Building a home should be one of the most rewarding chapters of your life. But without the right preparation, it can just as easily become the most expensive mistake you ever make.
I’ve watched it happen to too many families who end up trapped in endless delays, budgets blown sky-high, and daily frustrations baked into their homes, all because they didn’t know what I’m telling you here.
The truth is, the difference between a dream home and a nightmare isn’t luck. It’s foresight.
And foresight starts with asking the right questions before the first nail is hammered.
Of course, we’ve only just scratched the surface on what it takes to build a custom home without the headaches. That’s why I’ve put together this free guide:
Design with Confidence: 7 Things You Must Know Before Designing a New Home
Inside, you’ll discover the costly mistakes almost everyone makes, and how to sidestep them, so you can move forward with clarity, confidence, and complete peace of mind.
Download your copy today.
Because the families who love their homes for decades aren’t the lucky ones… they’re the ones who knew what to do from day one.
For more clarity and confidence on your custom home journey, explore professional standards at the Association of Professional Builders, verify local credibility with the Home Builders Association of Utah, and plan energy‑smart choices with ENERGY STAR.
