FAQ

We build custom homes across Southeast Louisiana, Coastal Mississippi, Lower Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle—throughout the beautiful Gulf South.

We typically build within 60-90 minutes of our regional offices. Not sure if we build in your area? Just reach out to our design center or online and we can check your address! As we grow, we're always looking to expand our building territory.

Every family and every home is unique, so costs vary based on your specific needs and property.

What affects your cost?

• Home size and layout
• Your lot characteristics and site prep needs
• Finishes you choose
• Customizations and features
• Location and permit requirements

We start with our proven floor plans and personalize them based on your family's lifestyle and dreams. This approach delivers the best value while building the home you've always wanted.

To find out what YOUR dream home will cost, reach out online and chat with an Online Specialist or to one of our Design Centers to schedule an in-person visit. They will be able to help give you accurate pricing tailored to your specific situation.

Every Cretin Townsend Home is stick-built on your property—not prefab or modular. We construct your home from the ground up, right on your land, using traditional building methods.

Your personal builder inspects every stage of construction to ensure your home meets the Cretin Townsend standard. We build to meet or exceed local building codes and design with Gulf Coast weather in mind—proper wind ratings, drainage, and durability.

You'll receive regular updates, photos, and opportunities for site visits so you can watch your dream take shape!

Most custom homes take 4-6 months from groundbreaking to move-in day.

We've developed a streamlined process that allows our quality homes to be built in a timely manner at the best value. That said, each timeline is different based on what your family and home require.

What can affect timeline?

• Weather
• Permit processing times (varies by parish/county)
• Customization complexity
• Site preparation needs

From first consultation to handing you the keys, most families are in their new home within 6-9 months total. Your New Home Specialist will give you a realistic timeline based on your specific situation.

Since we build on your home site, every location is different. We include a site evaluation to establish budgets for preparing your property.

Site prep typically includes:

• Land clearing and grading
• Utility connections (water, electric, septic/sewer)
• Driveway access
• Foundation excavation
• Proper drainage setup

We've partnered with trusted site prep companies we recommend for quality and value. However, you're welcome to use your own contractor—we just want to ensure the site is properly prepared for construction.

Your New Home Specialist will help you get accurate site prep estimates.

In most cases, yes—you'll need a current survey depending on the parish or municipality where you're building.

Why surveys matter:

• Ensures we build within property lines and meet setback requirements
• Required for most building permits
• Identifies easements, restrictions, and flood zones
• Helps us position your home optimally on your lot

If you have an existing survey from when you purchased the property, it may still be valid. Your New Home Specialist will review it and let you know if it meets current requirements, or we can recommend licensed surveyors in your area.

Absolutely! Customization is what we do best.

We have a library of proven floor plans that are constantly updated. These can be personalized to your lifestyle and needs—and if your dream home needs something more complex, we offer fully custom design options.

Three ways to build with us:
1. Start with a proven floor plan and customize it
Change room sizes, add bedrooms/bathrooms, modify layouts, expand outdoor living spaces, upgrade garages—make it yours.

2. Choose your architectural style
Any of our 10 styles (Southern Farmhouse, Acadian, Country French, etc.) can be applied to any floor plan. Love one layout but prefer a different exterior? We'll make it happen.

3. Design something completely custom
Bring us your sketches, Pinterest boards, or original ideas. We'll create a unique design tailored to your property and vision.

We've never built the same home twice. Your home will be uniquely yours—from the floor plan to every finish. That's the beauty of custom building

Your first visit is a no-pressure conversation about building your dream home—and it's completely free.

What we'll cover (60-90 minutes):

• Understanding your vision and must-have features
• Your property location and characteristics
• Floor plan options that match your needs
• Architectural styles and customization possibilities
• Budget and timeline guidance
• Financing options
• Next steps

You'll walk away with:

• Clear understanding of costs and timeline
• Preliminary floor plan ideas
• Knowledge of the entire process
• Contact info for your dedicated Home Specialist

Ready to schedule? Contact us today to start your home building journey.

We're here to help! Every family's situation is unique.

Call our design centers:
Louisiana: 985-419-9883
Lafayette: 337-312-4203
Mississippi: 228-265-8456
Florida: 850-270-1600
Email us: facebook@mybuildercares.com
Message us on Facebook

We've been building homes since 1976, one family at a time. We're happy to answer any questions about building your dream home.