A Way to Build
Shell Homes
We build the weather-tight shell. You take it from there, finishing the interior on your own timeline.
The Idea
A custom home you help finish
A shell is a good option for anyone who wants a custom home and is able to take on some of the interior work themselves. We build the structure and make it weather-tight. From there, you finish it, on your budget and your timeline.
Why Build a Shell
Lower upfront cost, more control, your own pace
Finishing the interior yourself can cut the initial cost considerably and let the home move toward completion on your own timeline. Many people have the skills themselves, or friends and family who do. A shell also gives you more freedom over the interior design of your home.
The one challenge to plan for is financing. Loans for owner-finished homes can be harder to obtain, and requirements vary from lender to lender. We can walk you through the process and point you to local banks we have worked with.
What's Included
Everything needed for a weather-tight structure
A shell includes everything required to build a free-standing structure protected from the elements. That typically covers the following.
The hole for the foundation and the grading around the house for proper drainage, including making way for a walk-out basement if the design calls for it.
Pouring the footers and the foundation. (Drains and rough-ins are not included and must be done by customer or their subcontractor.)
All of the home's framing, including floor joists, roof trusses, floor assemblies, subflooring, exterior and interior walls, and stairways.
Any flues or chimneys that are part of the plans are constructed.
Exterior doors and windows are included, except for the garage door installation.
The exterior is typically left unfinished, with the underlayment and sheathing completed.
The framing of the roof, the underlayment, and shingles or metal.
What's Not Included
Where you take over
A shell leaves the plumbing, electrical, and interior finish work to you, so you can purchase your own materials and complete the home yourself.
The work may be extensive or as simple as installing outlets, ceiling boxes, fixtures, switches, and selecting and installing sinks, toilets, and vanities.
The home comes without interior fixtures, including outlet covers, switches, light fixtures, and ceiling fans, so you choose exactly what you want.
Drywall, including mudding and painting, plus finish carpentry such as baseboard, door and window casings, crown molding, and other trim.
Floor assemblies and subflooring are part of the shell, but the finished flooring, carpet, hardwood, laminate, or tile, is yours to install.
All plumbing and electrical, tile showers, tub and shower inserts, toilets, vanities, sinks, and cabinetry are purchased and installed by you.
Shell homes do not come with the HVAC system installed.
Financing
Planning the money side
Many shell projects are self-funded because financing an owner-finished home can be more complicated than financing a completed build. Self-funding can also give you more flexibility to complete the home on your own timeline, as long as the work is permitted and completed to local building codes.
If you need financing, the lender will want a well-detailed plan and a comprehensive list of construction details and materials. You will need to show the underwriters that the project is realistic and that you can complete it. If you own your land, using it as collateral may help. Some institutions offer loans for self-builds, though availability and requirements vary greatly from one lender to the next. We can recommend local banks we have worked with.
Is a Shell Right for You
When a shell makes sense
A shell can be a great option in the right situation, particularly when financing is not necessary and you can keep your primary residence while finishing construction. We do the heavy lifting and then hand off the project for you to complete. That gives you the freedom to really customize the interior, the chance to save money, and a real hand in building your own home.
If that is how you would like to make your new home a reality, we can work with you to make it happen.