We might be a bit biased, but in our opinion, there is no better place to live in the world than Delaware. With scenic beaches, historic towns, and idyllic parks and nature preserves, there is so much to love in our state. It is a particularly good place to build a luxury home, with relatively low property taxes and land prices making it more affordable compared to other states along the Atlantic coast.
The luxury home building process starts with a budget and a vision. Once you know what you want to spend, you can pick a location, ranging from a beach town to a countryside retreat. Our expert custom home builders can walk you through the process, building you a high-end home that you will treasure for decades to come.
Carl Deputy & Son Builders works with homeowners throughout Kent County and Sussex County to build beautiful custom and semi-custom homes. If you want to build a custom luxury house, we can help you with every step of the process, from conceptualization through closing. Contact us to talk to a Delaware custom home builder about building a high-end custom house.
Have questions about building a home or making home renovations? Sometimes talking directly to an expert is easier than reading a post. Speak with a builder at Carl Deputy & Son Builders > (302) 284-3041
Why Build a Luxury Home in Delaware?
Delaware is an ideal place to build a luxury home. This small, historic state (the first in the union!) has it all. Not only is it close to gorgeous East Coast beaches, but it also offers easy access to major cities like Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
Diverse Landscapes
Building in Delaware means that you have the option of choosing a waterfront property, a large wooded estate, or even a lot in the heart of a city like Wilmington. Whether you want a modern coastal estate or a Colonial-inspired mansion, you can find the perfect location for your new house in Delaware.
Vibrant Economy & Low Cost of Living
Delaware offers a great quality of life. It has a lower cost of living compared to many states along the Eastern Seaboard. It also has a growing economy, whether you choose to build in a beach resort town like Rehoboth Beach or the state capital of Dover. Many communities throughout Delaware have a close-knit vibe, with charming downtown areas and historic buildings.
Low Taxes
Building a luxury home in Delaware is also a smart financial decision. Delaware is a very tax-friendly state, with some of the lowest property tax rates in the country and no state-level sales tax. Delaware also offers more cost-efficient construction costs, allowing you to truly build the home of your dreams, with lower prices for both land and labor than in many nearby states like New Jersey.
Ultimately, Delaware is a great place to call home. It can also be a fantastic place to invest in a new luxury house. If you are ready to make the leap, Carl Deputy & Son Builders can walk you through your options and help you design a beautiful new custom house.
The Process To Build a Luxury Custom Home in Delaware
Building a luxury home anywhere is a significant investment. Before undertaking a project of this scope, it is important to understand the process and what to expect along the way. Below, we break down each step involved in building a Delaware luxury home.
Setting a Budget
On average, you might expect to spend in the neighborhood of $400,000 to $500,000 to build a custom home in Delaware. When looking at a luxury house, including both larger homes and houses with more complicated designs, this number can increase significantly.
The price per square foot for a luxury custom home can range from $280 to $450 per square foot. For a 3,000 square foot home, this can mean an investment of more than $1,000,000 in the home itself. That is on top of the cost of the land, site work, and permits.
Building in a coastal area can significantly increase costs, as land typically costs more, and additional steps may be necessary to build in that environment. Certain neighborhoods in Delaware cities may also have higher price tags, as land is often in higher demand.
There are several factors that can affect the total cost of your luxury home. High-end finishes, specialized rooms, custom architectural designs, and difficult-to-build lots can also increase the expenses. Other factors to consider include:
- Land purchase, with certain areas having significantly higher costs
- Site prep, such as utilities, grading, topography, and clearing, adds to the overall cost
- Permits and fees
- Materials and finishes
- Labor, with skilled craftsmen for high-end custom builds accounting for a large portion of your expenses
At Carl Deputy & Son Builders, we will sit down with you and go over each aspect of your luxury home build in detail. If you need to stick within a certain budget, we can advise you on how certain choices can help you stay within it. We know that building a luxury custom home in Delaware may be one of the biggest purchases that you ever make. We want to help you get it right.
Our team recognizes that even homeowners looking for a luxury home have budgets. We strive to help our clients get the home of their dreams while making financially smart decisions.
Our team can also recommend lenders to you if you need financing for your build. Whether you choose a construction-to-permanent loan, a standalone construction loan, or to use existing home equity or cash, it’s always a good idea to explore financing early so that you know exactly what you can afford.
Choosing a Location
In real estate, it’s all about location. Delaware’s diverse communities offer everything from gorgeous rural settings to big city living to coastal beach town living.
For many homeowners, location is based on factors such as proximity to work and to family. The community where you build is also an important consideration. Whether you want the comfort of a small town or a more adventurous city life, you should consider your lifestyle when you are picking a location.
Lot selection is also incredibly important. When choosing a lot, you should consider factors like zoning regulations, orientation to the sun and water, views, and the availability of utilities. Because site preparation can add significantly to the construction timeline and expense, you should also evaluate any lot for its suitability for construction. If you need some help, our team is happy to take a look at lots with you and offer our expert opinion based on 40 years in the construction field.
Designing Your Luxury Home
There are many different features that you can choose to include when designing your luxury home. Some of the top design trends for luxury houses in Delaware include:
- High-end kitchens with professional appliances and custom cabinetry
- Smart home integration for climate control, entertainment, and security
- Energy-efficient and sustainable materials
- Spa-inspired bathrooms with premium fixtures
- Plenty of natural light
- Open floor plans for spacious interiors
- Outdoor living spaces, like resort-style pools, outdoor kitchens, and fireplaces, to blend indoor and outdoor living
- Natural materials, such as stone, marble, and wood, for a warm feel
- Refined lighting
Of course, you will be the one living in your house, so trends might not matter that much to you. If warm minimalism is all the rage and you prefer a more ornate style, you should go with what you want, not what is popular.
If you plan to sell your house in a few years, then you might focus more on what potential buyers would want. Our design team is experienced in helping homeowners make selections that will both increase the value of a custom home and your enjoyment of your house.
The Building Process
There are three key phases in a luxury home build:
- Pre-construction
- Building
- Final inspections and closing
Pre-Construction
During the pre-construction stage, you will work with professionals to complete a custom home design that suits your vision and the site requirements. Typically, you will work with an architect or designer, a custom home builder, real estate agents, and/or attorneys during this stage. You might also hire an interior designer to help you perfect the interior of your house to go with the style of the home.
Pre-construction is also when your builder will secure all of the necessary permits and approvals. This often happens while you complete paperwork and secure financing. Obtaining local government permits can take weeks or months, depending on the types of approvals you may need. For example, if you build in a coastal area, you may be required to get specialized permits.
Building
Once the home design is finished and all permits are in place, it is time to start building. This stage starts with site preparation. Depending on the lot you choose, this may involve clearing and grading the land, removing tree stumps and rocks, and even more involved work.
When the site is fully prepared for construction, the initial stages of pouring the foundation and framing the house will begin. Construction will proceed in carefully-managed steps, including roughing in the plumbing and electrical, and installing exterior walls, windows, doors, and the roof. At each stage, your builder will coordinate the necessary inspections to ensure that the house is being built to code and your contract standards.
The interior finish work will happen in the later phases of construction. With a luxury home build, this step can take a significant amount of time. For example, if you are having all custom cabinetry built or a complex tile design laid in the bathrooms, it may take more time for skilled craftspeople to complete the work.
Final Inspections & Closing
When the house is complete, your builder will go through the final inspections to receive a certificate of occupancy. They will also schedule a walk-through of your home so that you can learn about all of the features of your new house. During this tour, you can also ask us to complete any punchlist items.
The final step in a luxury home build is the closing. This is where we will complete all of the paperwork necessary to officially transfer the title of your house to you. You’ll then get your house keys and get ready to start your new life in your gorgeous, luxury custom home.
Many custom homes in Delaware take anywhere from 9 to 15 months to complete, from initial ground breaking to the final closing. For particularly large or complicated homes or for waterfront builds, this timeline may be longer.
Build a Luxury Custom Home in Delaware with Carl Deputy & Son Builders
Building a luxury home in Delaware can be a major undertaking. With thoughtful planning and collaboration with professionals, you can build the home of your dreams, complete with high-end finishes and bespoke design. Whether you want a beachfront home or an inland estate, our team can help to bring your vision to life.
Carl Deputy & Son Builders is renowned for our outstanding craftsmanship, unparalleled customer service, and attention to detail. We build luxury custom houses for homeowners throughout Kent and Sussex Counties in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. To learn more or to schedule a consultation with a member of our team on your luxury home build, give us a call at 302-284-3041 or fill out our online contact form.
The numbers on this page are only for reference and may not reflect the costs for your specific project. You should contact us for an accurate project estimate.
