In this episode, Rick Bell explains the importance of budgeting for unforeseen events when building a custom home. He shares real-world examples of construction surprises — like inadequate engineering or scope gaps between trades — and how a contingency line item in your budget can help resolve these issues efficiently without delaying your project. 

Whether you're building a high-tech modern home or a traditional estate, this episode will show you how to plan for the unexpected and protect your budget and timeline.

What You’ll Learn

• What a contingency is — and why it’s essential in a custom home budget
• How scope gaps, design omissions, and code changes can trigger unexpected costs
• Real-world examples of contingency use, including structural errors and inspection surprises
• How much money to set aside for contingencies based on project complexity
• Why a contingency can save time and stress — even if others are ultimately at fault

Glossary of Terms

Contingency: A budget allowance for unforeseen conditions or events during construction.

Scope Gap: A detail or task not clearly assigned to any trade, which can lead to added costs or delays.

Change Order: A formal change to the contract that adjusts scope, price, or schedule.

Egress Window: A window large enough to allow emergency exit, required in certain rooms by code.

Code Changes: Updates or new interpretations of building codes that can add to construction costs.

Errors and Omissions: Mistakes or oversights in design documents that impact construction.

Resources & Links

- Landmark Custom Homes

Connect With Rick

- Email: [email protected] 

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-bell-lch/ 

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homesbylandmark/

In this episode, Rick Bell breaks down the process of creating, reviewing, and managing a construction budget for a custom home. 

Listeners will learn how to build a realistic budget from preliminary allowances to finalized trade bids, and how to maintain control throughout the construction process. 

Rick shares how transparency, good communication, and proactive planning can make the difference between a dream home and a budget nightmare.

What You’ll Learn

• How to create a preliminary budget for a custom home
• What allowances are and why realistic numbers matter
• The role of construction documents (CDs) in accurate bidding
• How to identify and avoid scope gaps in trade proposals
• The importance of builder oversight in reviewing bids
• How to track changes with allowance adjustments and change orders
• Why monthly draw meetings keep budgets on track
• The value of transparency in financial communication

Glossary of Terms

Preliminary Budget: An early estimate of costs based on the homeowner’s vision, square footage, lot conditions, and quality expectations.

Allowance: An estimated budget placeholder for selections not yet made, such as appliances, flooring, and lighting.

Trade Partner: A subcontractor who performs a specific scope of work, such as plumbing, electrical, or masonry.

Construction Documents (CDs): Detailed drawings and specifications that define the scope of the home for bidding and permitting.

Scope Gap: A missing or unclear portion of work in a bid that can lead to unexpected costs or delays.

Construction Contract Budget: The finalized summary of costs that forms the basis of the contract between the builder and the homeowner.

Draw Meeting: A periodic meeting during construction to review completed work, approve invoices, and track costs against the budget.

Change Order: A written agreement that modifies the scope, cost, or timeline of the construction project after the contract is signed.

Resources & Links

- Landmark Custom Homes

Connect With Rick

- Email: [email protected] 

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-bell-lch/ 

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homesbylandmark/

Before you buy that dream lot — listen to this.

In this episode, Rick shares the true story of a costly mistake he made early in his career that changed how he approaches every homesite today. You'll learn the 15 essential steps to take before purchasing land for your custom home — from wetland determinations and soil tests to title reviews, setbacks, and environmental reports.

Whether you’re building your first custom home or advising others who are, this episode will give you the tools to avoid major surprises and move forward with confidence.

Download the Due Diligence Checklist here: https://tigtch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Homesite_Due_Diligence_Checklist.pdf
Visit the show notes: https://tigtch.com/
Subscribe for future episodes on financing, design, scheduling, and more.

In this episode, Rick Bell unpacks one of the most powerful tools in custom homebuilding: the construction schedule. Whether you're building your dream home or managing a team, understanding how a schedule is created—and how it can make or break your build—is essential.

You’ll learn:

• What a CPM (Critical Path Method) schedule is and why it matters

• How trades are sequenced to avoid costly delays

• What “lead time,” “float,” and “lag” mean in real-world construction

• How homeowner decisions, like cabinet selections, impact the build timeline

• Why change orders happen—and how to handle them smartly

Rick also shares pro tips on how to stay on track, what tools builders use to create schedules, and what you can do as a homeowner to help keep everything moving forward.

🎧 Whether you're just starting your journey or knee-deep in drywall, this episode gives you the knowledge to build smarter.

In this episode, Rick Bell walks you through the essential steps of financing your custom home. Whether you're paying cash, using a construction loan, or a hybrid approach, understanding how financing works can save you time, money, and stress.

• Pros and cons of paying cash vs. financing
• What to ask when selecting a construction lender
• Key documents required for loan approval
• How construction loan draws work
• The difference between one-time close loans and refinancing
• Tips for staying organized during the loan process

• Construction Loan: A short-term loan disbursed in phases as construction progresses.
• Permanent Loan: A long-term mortgage that replaces the construction loan after completion.
• Construction-to-Permanent Loan: A one-time close loan that converts to a permanent mortgage automatically.
• Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio: Compares your loan amount to the home’s appraised value.
• Draw Request: A builder’s request for funds based on completed milestones.
• Conditional Loan Commitment: A lender’s agreement to fund the loan pending final conditions.

• Landmark Custom Homes
• Construction Loan Basics (Fannie Mae)

• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Contracts can seem intimidating — but a well-structured agreement is one of the most powerful tools you have when building a custom home. In this episode, Rick Bell breaks down the essential components of a construction contract, what red flags to avoid, and how contracts can actually work in your favor.

✅ Learn the 4 core questions every contract should answer
✅ Understand change orders, draw schedules, and delay clauses
✅ Hear real-world insights from 40+ years in custom homebuilding
✅ Discover how Landmark Custom Homes handles General Conditions differently

Whether you're just starting your custom home journey or already in the thick of it, this episode will help you protect your investment and build with confidence.

🎧 Subscribe and share with someone who’s planning to build!

Resources & Links

• Landmark Custom Homes

Connect With Rick

• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

In this episode, Rick Bell takes you deep inside the construction phase of building a custom home. From the rapid early progress of foundation and framing, to the slower but critical rough mechanical stages, Rick explains what to expect, how selections impact your schedule, why flexibility matters, and how to enjoy the final journey toward move-in day. Packed with real-world advice on communication, punch lists, contingency planning, and furniture timing — this episode prepares you to navigate construction with confidence.

• How the construction phase typically unfolds from groundbreaking to move-in
• Why construction speeds up early and slows during rough-ins and finishes
• How your material selections impact the project timeline
• What 'scope gaps' mean — and how to manage real-world changes
• How drywall finish levels impact final wall quality
• Tips for navigating punch list work and final closing stages
• Mindset tips for staying flexible and positive throughout the journey

• Shell: The completed structure of the home, including the foundation, exterior walls, and roof framing.
• Rough Mechanicals: Early installation of plumbing, electrical wiring, and HVAC ductwork, completed before walls are closed.
• Scope Gap: An item or task unintentionally left out of the original project scope or budget.
• Drywall Finish Levels: Standards that define the smoothness of drywall; Level 4 and Level 5 are high-end finishes suitable for custom homes.
• Punch List: A checklist of minor issues (touchups, adjustments, cleaning) that must be completed before final move-in.
• Change Order: An official amendment to the construction contract documenting project changes that affect cost, schedule, or specifications.
• Selections: Homeowner decisions regarding design finishes such as flooring, cabinetry, fixtures, and countertops.

• Landmark Custom Homes

• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

The Insider’s Guide to Custom Homes
Episode 2: Design to Budget

In this episode, Rick Bell walks you through one of the most important (and overlooked) concepts in custom home building: Designing to Budget. Discover how to balance dreams and dollars through each phase of the design process—from conceptual drawings to final construction documents. Learn how transparency and teamwork can keep your plans on track and your costs under control. Whether you're dreaming big or keeping it simple, this episode will help you lay a solid financial foundation for your custom home journey.

Key Topics Covered:

• What it means to "Design to Budget"
• How the design process works (Concept to Construction Documents)
• The critical role of your builder during the design phase
• How to avoid over-designing beyond your budget
• When and how to update budgets as the plans evolve

What You'll Learn:
You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how to manage your custom home design process without busting your budget. Rick shares insider tips from over four decades of experience to help you avoid costly pitfalls and make smarter decisions during every step of the design phase.

Glossary of Terms:

• Allowances: Budgeted estimates for selections not yet finalized (like flooring or appliances).
• Builder: The licensed professional or company responsible for constructing your home.
• Charette: A collaborative design meeting or session where preliminary ideas are developed.
• Construction Documents: Final, detailed blueprints used to secure permits and build the home.
• Design Development: Phase where drawings gain detail like cabinet layouts, electrical plans, etc.
• Interior Designer: A professional who plans interior spaces, finishes, and furnishings.
• Preliminary Budget: An early estimate of construction costs used to guide design decisions.
• Schematic Design: The early phase of design showing room sizes, layout, and general structure.
• Transparency: Open and honest communication—critical for budget accuracy and trust.
• Value Engineering: Adjusting design or materials to reduce cost without compromising function or aesthetics.

In this first episode of The Insider’s Guide to Custom Homes, builder Rick Bell shares what it really means to build smarter — and how to avoid common missteps from the start.

🎯 You’ll learn:
– What makes a custom home different from production building
– Why choosing the right team early is critical
– How to approach design with your budget in mind
– The mindset successful homeowners bring to the process

With over four decades of experience, Rick gives practical advice for homeowners, architects, and anyone interested in how luxury custom homes come together — the right way.

🧠 Full show notes and glossary terms: https://tigtch.com/episode-1

🔔 Subscribe and follow to stay ahead of the learning curve — and build smarter, not harder.

Let's build your masterpiece — the Landmark way.