Cumberland Plateau Home Builder Recommendations (Cookeville, Sparta: real estate, home builders, buying)

[firemediceric]

We are perusing acreage in Sparta, Spencer, Monterey, Pikeville, Deer Lodge, Rock Island and several other adjacent areas on and around the Cumberland Plateau. Can anyone recommend reputable home builders that work in these areas that will build on our lot rather than in a planned community?

[JMT]

I've heard good things about Norrod Builders, HD Homes, Master Builders, and Advanced Building Contractors, all of Cookeville but they each build homes throughout the area.

[Leilanio]

Originally Posted by firemediceric

We are perusing acreage in Sparta, Spencer, Monterey, Pikeville, Deer Lodge, Rock Island and several other adjacent areas on and around the Cumberland Plateau. Can anyone recommend reputable home builders that work in these areas that will build on our lot rather than in a planned community?

Did you ever find a place and/or a reputable builder? Curious as we are here now and found land in similar areas you mentioned. Thanks

[firemediceric]

Originally Posted by Leilanio

Did you ever find a place and/or a reputable builder? Curious as we are here now and found land in similar areas you mentioned. Thanks

The short answer is no. I was asked to assist an acquaintance who was looking to move right away to the areas mentioned. Turned out she was all talk and no action. I myself am planning to make it up there but I have another 2 years 3 months and 15 days until I can retire without penalty. It would be premature for me to waste the time of the builders by contacting them. Also, who knows how the industry will change in these next two years with perhaps new builders coming on the scene.


Did you reach out to the builders JMT recommended?
Have you found any on your own?


I would appreciate if you reply back here with any results, good or bad, you have finding a home builder who builds outside of planned developments and who also puts up modest homes of <2,000 sq'.

[Leilanio]

Originally Posted by firemediceric

The short answer is no. I was asked to assist an acquaintance who was looking to move right away to the areas mentioned. Turned out she was all talk and no action. I myself am planning to make it up there but I have another 2 years 3 months and 15 days until I can retire without penalty. It would be premature for me to waste the time of the builders by contacting them. Also, who knows how the industry will change in these next two years with perhaps new builders coming on the scene.


Did you reach out to the builders JMT recommended?
Have you found any on your own?


I would appreciate if you reply back here with any results, good or bad, you have finding a home builder who builds outside of planned developments and who also puts up modest homes of <2,000 sq'.

Thanks for the prompt reply. So sorry to hear things didn’t work out. But that 2 years will be here before you know it. It’s taken us almost 4 years to get to this point so I know the long way to get to that dream too. We are in the process of buying land now so the next few days we will spend checking out different components of costs to build from infrastructure of water, power, septic, etc to foundation, build etc...

I will be sure to let you know what we find out. I’ll shoot you a PM once I can evaluate and document our journey and process with what we find if you’d like. My husband wants a passive solar style plan to maximize energy costs so we are looking for that but definitely under 2000 ft.

Best to you... did you find land yet? While we are getting land now it may be a while before we get to the breaking ground stage as we are buying raw land to start from scratch and have to travel here to get things done.

[firemediceric]

Originally Posted by Leilanio

Best to you... did you find land yet? While we are getting land now it may be a while before we get to the breaking ground stage as we are buying raw land to start from scratch and have to travel here to get things done.

I'm sure you are smart enough to look before you jump and you'll have all your ducks in a row with regard to any prospective homesite you may purchase. I've read that any deal on raw land should be contingent on a favorable perc test. Of course availability of utilities, particularly electricity, is a huge consideration. The availability of utilities such as electricity and high speed internet are things which may make currently nonviable land appealing in the future.


I'm of the mind that when I get ready to make the move I will contact a realtor asking for builder recommendations. After consultation with the builder, and hopefully the builder and real estate agent can consult regarding my needs, I will look for a homesite. I won't make an offer on the homesite until the builder I am comfortable with confirms that they will indeed put up the house I want on that site without any issues. I don't want to buy land that turns out to be unbuildable due to lack of perc. I also don't want surprises with regards to unexpected astronomical costs of site prep or bringing in utilities. How terrible, too, it would be to purchase land in an area that is not serviced by reputable contractors.


I wish you the best and I'm sure things will all come together for you. I'm envious that I am not in your shoes. I look forward to a private message in the future with any helpful information you can offer to assist in my endeavor.