How to Get Started

Gerry Hogsed
Dec 21, 2025
2 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Everything you need to know for your first custom home consultation.

Homes are deceptively one of the hardest building types to get right because they’re deeply personal. There are hundreds of decisions to make, and each one shapes how you’ll live and feel within your space.

Starting a custom home can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re not sure where to begin. At Folding Oaks, we believe clarity from the start leads to a smoother process, fewer surprises, and a home that truly fits your lifestyle. Design is a journey, and we guide you through that journey with care and intention at every step.

What We Want to Know

Estimated Heated Square Footage

This helps us understand the amount of conditioned living space your home may include and how to size the home proportionally to your goals.

Estimated Non-Heated Square Footage (Garages, Porches, Etc.)

Covered porches, garages, and outdoor areas still affect structure, rooflines, and budget. Knowing this early helps us balance proportions and design efficiently. If you’re unsure, a descriptive explanation is perfectly fine.

Example: “We have a full-size pickup, an SUV, and a side-by-side. We’d like covered outdoor living, and a front porch that’s just large enough to stay out of the weather.”

Your Furniture

Instead of specifying room dimensions, tell us what goes inside the space. Do you have a king bed with nightstands and a dresser? Are you planning new furniture? These details allow us to size rooms for your lifestyle, not arbitrary measurements.

Estimated Budget

This isn’t about locking into a number; it’s about aligning expectations. Based on your desired size and general scope, we can work with your builder to align the budget with your design. Finishes and site conditions can influence cost, but starting here supports responsible design decisions.

What to Bring (or send ahead of time)

Sketches or Notes

Rough sketches, napkin doodles, or written notes are welcome. Please avoid bringing another designer’s plans, as those are protected by copyright and cannot be reused. However, if you’ve seen plans you like or dislike, explaining why is helpful context.

Inspirational Images

Photos communicate ideas more clearly than words. Screenshots, Pinterest boards, or images of homes and details you’re drawn to are all useful. Tell us what you like about each image so that we can begin uncovering your design language.

Site Survey (If Available)

If you have a survey or plat, bring it along. If not, obtaining one is strongly recommended. Surveys help us understand topography, drainage, setbacks, and other factors that influence where and how your home can be placed.

Having an idea of where your home will be placed on site is ideal, it sets up opportunities like this:

Wish List, and Dislikes

We love a good wish list, but knowing what you don’t want can be just as valuable. Dislikes often clarify priorities and help shape better decisions early on.

Professional Tip: Organize your wish list by room!

What to Expect

Your first consultation is about discovery, not perfection. You don’t need every detail figured out, just a few thoughtful pieces to begin the conversation. The goal is to understand your lifestyle, priorities, and goals, and to determine whether working together feels like the right fit.