Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
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Most people begin by meeting with a builder to discuss goals, budget, timeline, and the type of home they want. From there, you'll assemble a design team and start planning your home’s layout and style.
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A custom home starts with a blank slate. It’s 100% your layout, your finishes, and your priorities. Semi-custom homes offer some personalization but largely follow preset plans. Spec homes are designed by developers without a specific buyer in mind. With a custom build, every detail is tailored with intention, and you have full control over design, materials, and functionality.
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Not at all. Many clients reach out before they’ve purchased a lot. We can help evaluate potential properties, identify site challenges, and give you a sense of how the land may affect design, engineering, and overall costs. If you already own a lot, we’ll review it together to ensure it’s suitable for your vision.
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Custom home costs in Scottsdale vary widely depending on design, finishes, and the complexity of the build. Luxury custom homes in our market typically start around $500 per square foot, with many high-end projects reaching $600–$800+ per square foot due to advanced engineering, premium materials, and custom craftsmanship. We work closely with your architect and designer to create a clear, realistic budget early on, so you understand exactly how your decisions impact cost.
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A luxury custom home in Scottsdale typically takes 18–36 months, including design, permitting, and construction. The timeline depends on the size of the home, engineering requirements, level of customization, and how quickly selections are made. We keep you updated weekly so you always know what’s happening next.
Our Process
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We guide you through a structured, collaborative process, starting with an initial conversation about your goals and budget. From there, we help assemble your design team, support you through planning and selections, handle estimating and permitting, and then manage every aspect of construction. The process is designed to keep you informed, prepared, and excited, not overwhelmed.
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Very closely. We don’t have in-house architects or designers, so we collaborate with the design professionals of your choice. This gives you the freedom to choose the right creative partners while we ensure the entire team stays aligned on budget, design intent, logistics, and build feasibility.
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Not at all. Our role is to guide you through each step at the right time. We support your designer by providing timelines, site information, and technical details so selections stay organized and manageable. You’ll always know what needs to be decided, when, and why it matters.
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We conduct an in-depth “Team Walk” where multiple team members review the home from top to bottom. This ensures everything is polished, functioning, and ready for you. The goal is a smooth, enjoyable handoff, so you walk into a home that feels complete and truly yours.
Services & Customization
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Completely. From the floor plan to the finishes, everything is tailored to your lifestyle. Whether you want a glass-walled great room, a wellness suite, a rooftop deck, or a resort-grade backyard, we help bring those ideas to life. No two homes we build are ever the same.
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Yes! We have extensive experience building on slopes, view lots, and properties that require specialized engineering. These projects often create some of the most stunning results, and we’re comfortable managing the extra planning that comes with them.
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Absolutely. You're welcome to bring professionals you already love. If you don’t have a team in place, we curate recommendations based on your style and project goals.
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Definitely. We routinely work with custom steel fabrication, natural stone, oversized glass systems, luxury millwork, and advanced mechanical systems. If you can dream it — and it's structurally feasible — we can build it.
Budget, Pricing & Financing
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During early planning, we walk you through realistic budget ranges based on your goals, desired square footage, and the level of finishes you’re considering. We give you honest feedback so your design and budget stay aligned as the project progresses.
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The most common factors are design changes, material upgrades, complex engineering, and site challenges. We communicate clearly about cost implications at every stage, so you’re never surprised.
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Yes! While we don’t provide financing ourselves, we work hand-in-hand with your lender and can connect you with lenders who specialize in construction loans.
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Our goal is transparency. With early design-phase involvement, detailed estimating, and weekly communication, we work hard to minimize unexpected expenses.
Timeline & Project Management
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Permitting delays, specialty material lead times, engineering revisions, and last-minute design changes are the most common causes. We help you reduce delays by planning early, making selections at the right time, and identifying challenges before construction begins.
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You’ll receive weekly updates outlining what’s been completed, what’s next, and any decisions or details that need your attention. We’re committed to clear communication from start to finish.
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Our on-site project managers and field superintendents coordinate trades, oversee quality, maintain schedules, and ensure the home is built to our standards.
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Yes, clients are welcome to visit the site. We’ll coordinate safe and productive walk-throughs at appropriate stages.
Quality, Materials & Sustainability
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We specialize in high-detail, luxury construction. Our trade partners are carefully vetted and experienced in building architecturally complex, premium-quality homes. Every detail, from framing to finish, is executed with precision.
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Definitely! We can incorporate energy-saving systems, advanced insulation, high-performance windows, and eco-conscious materials based on your goals. Sustainability is integrated into the design process when desired.
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Our on-site project managers and field superintendents coordinate trades, oversee quality, maintain schedules, and ensure the home is built to our standards.
Site & Construction Logistics
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Yes. Site evaluations are an essential first step. We assess grade, access, utilities, geotechnical factors, and any restrictions that could impact the design or cost.
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We manage the entire permitting and engineering process so everything stays organized and on schedule.
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Yes! We oversee the full exterior scope, including pools, hardscape, landscape, outdoor kitchens, and specialty features. We want your indoor and outdoor spaces to feel cohesive and complete.
Communication & Client Experience
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You can be as hands-on or as hands-off as you prefer. We guide you through each decision and share updates consistently so the process feels smooth and enjoyable.
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Clients often describe the experience as personalized, thorough, and stress-reducing. Our goal is to create an exciting, well-supported journey from the first meeting to move-in.
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We believe in open communication. If anything comes up, you’ll hear from us quickly, whether it's a design opportunity, a decision that needs to be made, or a challenge we’ve already solved.
Warranties, Aftercare & Guarantees
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Absolutely! We provide a construction warranty that covers workmanship and materials for a defined period. We’ll review the details with you before building begins.
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You can reach out anytime. We stand behind our work and are committed to addressing post-move-in items promptly.
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Most issues are resolved before you move in, thanks to our thorough team review. Anything that does arise is documented, scheduled, and completed as quickly as possible.
build The Home of Your Dreams Without the headache
At AFT Construction , we build luxury custom homes from the ground up, so you can rest easy knowing every impeccable detail will be in its place.