What factors affect the cost of building a home the most?

The cost of a home is primarily driven by three things: square footage, design, and amenities. Square footage is straightforward—the larger the home, the more it costs to build. Design refers to things such as the foundation type, ceiling heights, roof structure, number of windows, and how complex the layout of the home is. Homes with more complex designs generally require more labor and materials. Keep in mind, Ranch-style homes typically cost more to build because they require a larger footprint for the same square footage—meaning more foundation, roofing, and site work. In contrast, two-story homes build vertically, making more efficient use of those major cost areas and lowering the cost per square foot. Use our pricing tool to get an estimation.

How long does it typically take to build a house?

For a typical home, we estimate about four months from the time the foundation is poured. We specify the timeline starting at the foundation stage because the early phases of construction are very dependent on weather conditions. Rain and site conditions can slow progress during the foundation stage. Once the foundation is complete, weather still plays a role but usually does not impact the schedule as significantly. In many cases we finish sooner than four months, but we prefer to give a realistic time frame rather than promise something faster. Find out more about our process…

What areas do you serve?

Most of our homes are built in the York, Adams, and Lancaster Counties. We will build outside of those areas depending on location and availability. Explore our Service Area

How do job site visits work during construction?

We typically schedule job site visits in advance. This allows us to meet homeowners at the property, walk through the progress together, and ensure visits are conducted safely and with the proper expectations.

About Us

Building on pride, purpose and reputation, Custom Creations known for quality, innovation, and design.

A Team Committed to Quality

Custom Creations Building is quietly becoming known for quality, innovation, design and value when it comes to York and the surrounding Susquehanna Valley. Building on pride, purpose and reputation, Custom Creations listens to you and designs and builds around your lifestyle and budget.

With passion, determination, and a friendly attitude, Custom Creations Building Group was founded by Ryan Wattenschaidt. Building is in Ryan’s blood, and so is taking care of the homeowner.

You’ll find a friendly and knowledgeable staff, and Ryan’s personal attention with every phase of the home being built. That’s how Custom Creations Building Group is building trust one home at a time. You don’t get the same old, same old when you plan, design and build with Ryan. Don’t you really want to get exactly what you want for your lifestyle and budget?

Offering value and not compromising quality is the way Custom Creations Building Group approaches your home and people across York, Lancaster, Hanover and elsewhere in the Susquehanna Valley are noticing. You’ll like the way Custom Creations Building Group uses advanced building techniques and innovation to make your house a home. Meet directly with the builder and experience a better way to make your dream easier and better!

WHAT MAKE US DIFFERENT

With every project, we cultivate enduring relationships. Our collaboration extends beyond mere work; our clients seamlessly integrate into our family. We forge robust bonds by sharing experiences such as playdates amidst construction and commemorating special occasions together, creating an atmosphere akin to one large extended home. It brings immense joy knowing that upon completion, there awaits a plethora of cherished memories to be relished for years to come!

Our Process

Phase 1: Pre-construction Planning (1-2 Months)

Contacting Custom Creations Building Group

From the moment you call, we’re going to start asking questions to determine what it is you actually want to build. Call it a ‘state of inquiry’. We can usually ask these questions over the phone and email. Or, we can talk face-to-face.

At this early stage, our goal is to determine three things:

1) Do you have a plan?

‘NO, I don’t have a plan yet’: No worries. We’ll ask you to sit down with us to look at our existing plans (for ideas), or we’ll find inspiration from the outside and draw your plans from scratch. If you’re unsure where to start, just think through the basics — how many bedrooms, bathrooms, and how much square footage will you need?
‘YES, I have a plan’: Great! We’ll skip a lot of the basic questions and move right on to selecting your home’s finishes (like flooring/siding/ etc.)

2) Do you have property to build on? If not, we can help you find one. Just ask.

3) Have you secured financing?

If you haven’t yet secured financing, getting pre-approved for a construction to permanent loan is a great way to determine your budget. This is important because we don’t want to take you down the path of designing a $400,000 custom home if your actual budget is closer to $250,000.

Selecting Your Home's Finishes

Once your plan, property, and financing are in order, we’re going to sit down and select all the finishes for your new home. At this stage, we’ll start making decisions about your:

Doors and Windows
Flooring
Lighting
Bath and Plumbing Fixtures
Exterior Selections (do you want concrete, stone, brick, or columns?)
Interior Selections (including your trim, shelving, stairs, fireplaces, etc.)
Cabinets
Appliances
Etc.

This process is very detail-oriented, and not every homebuilder chooses to do this before any paperwork is signed — but that’s why we’re different. Pre-selection the finishes before you sign the contract allows us to create an accurate, fixed-price quote from the beginning of the project. This allows us to stay away from extra charges during the build because we priced all the features you wanted up front and not just standard type items. This also allows us to streamline the building process once construction starts.

Quoting the Home Build (3 Weeks)

We’ll take all the information gathered in steps 1 & 2, communicate with our vendors and construction teams, and prepare a detailed quote. At this stage, it’s common for us to quote a ‘total price’ and a ‘total price plus upgrade options’ for things like better flooring or more energy efficient windows. That way, if you’re comfortable with the increases, you can still get what you want.

Once the quote is assembled, we’ll set up a meeting to discuss the document and (assuming there are no change-orders) get your sign off to begin the permitting process to head towards construction.

Tying Up Loose Ends Before Construction

Once the quote is approved, we still have two things to finish up:

Finalizing Financing: Before construction can begin, we must be sure financing is in place.
Confirm Final Selections: Before the quote was signed, you chose the products you wanted, now it’s time to double check and confirm all your final selections including colors and finishes.

Phase 2: Construction (6-8 Months)

Building Your Custom Home

Now, we can start building. Timing is hard to predict when you’re building a home from the ground, up — every step of the process depends on a ton of external factors.

While there’s a lot that has to happen during construction, here’s what you can expect:

Excavation and Sitework: depending on the condition of your lot, site prep and excavation could take anywhere from a couple of days to two weeks.
Laying Your Foundation: This will be one of three types — slab, crawlspace, or full basement
Framing: That is, putting up the entire wood structure and roofing. This is when your future home starts looking like a house.
Mechanical Rough-Ins: Our plumbers and electricians will run all the wires and pipes that reside in your walls.
Exterior Finishes: Installing the stone, brick, or siding that’ll make up your exterior walls. This stage of construction can start anytime after framing is complete.
Insulation & Drywall
Painting
Trim Material & Flooring
Mechanical Installations: The plumbers and electricians return to install things like light switches and bathroom fixtures.

Appliance Installation
Carpets
Final Touch-Ups

Post-construction Walk-Thru's

The first few inspections – or walk-thru’s – will be internal. We’ll spot-check our own work before bringing you in for a more formal inspection.

Closing on Your Custom Home

You’re almost there. The finish line is in sight.

Depending on the type of closing, we may not even be present — this is especially true if you received a construction loan and already own the property.

All in all, the process of building a custom home will take 6 months to 12 months depending on the size of the home. It’s a long journey, but it’s exciting and the finished product should fit you and your family like a glove.

Awards & Accomplishments

2026 Best Multi Family Home

Custom Creations Building Group was recognized with the 2026 Best Multi Family Home award, highlighting our expertise in multi-family residential construction. This achievement reflects our ability to deliver thoughtfully designed, high-quality living spaces that meet the needs of modern homeowners and communities. We are proud to be recognized among leading building industry professionals for our dedication to excellence, functionality, and lasting value.

2024 Best Custom Home

Custom Creations Building Group was honored with the 2024 Best Custom Home award through the York Builders Association’s PEAK Achievement Awards. This recognition celebrates excellence in custom home building, craftsmanship, design, and attention to detail. The award reflects our commitment to creating one-of-a-kind homes that combine quality construction with each client’s unique vision.

Personal Attention from Start to Finish

You work with a friendly, knowledgeable team and receive direct involvement throughout every phase of your home build.

Accurate, Upfront Pricing

We take time to understand your selections early so we can provide realistic allowances and a detailed fixed-price quote with fewer surprises.

Quality Craftsmanship

We build with pride, experience, and attention to detail, using trusted materials and workmanship backed by a builder warranty.

Clear Communication

From bidding through construction, we keep communication organized and accessible so important details stay in one place.

A Home Built Around You

Your home is designed and built around your lifestyle, budget, preferences, and the way you want to live every day.

Guidance You Can Count On

We help you navigate the process with honest answers, practical advice, and steady support from planning through completion.

These are more than promises — they’re the standards Custom Creations brings to every home we build.

Looking for Design Ideas?

Indulge in our exclusive Idea Book, a curated collection of the latest trends and visionary designs, carefully crafted to inspire the transformation of your home into an extraordinary sanctuary. From the initial concept to the final exquisite details, we bring your remodeling aspirations to life with unparalleled craftsmanship and meticulous attention to every element, ensuring your space reflects the epitome of luxury.