Questions & Answers

Pricing depends on your specific vision, lot conditions, and finish selections — every home is different. What we can promise is that Rian walks you through costs openly and honestly from your very first conversation. No surprises buried in the contract later. The best way to get a real number is to start a conversation.

Our quotes cover all labor and materials to complete the home as designed — foundation, framing, roofing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, insulation, drywall, flooring, fixtures, cabinetry, and finishes. Land purchase, permits, surveys, and site preparation are typically line-itemed separately. We walk through every category with you before anything is signed.

Yes. We regularly work with buyers who use construction-to-permanent loans. Kara can connect you with lenders familiar with custom build financing in the Upstate SC market. We'll provide the documentation lenders typically need — plans, specs, cost breakdown — as part of the process.

Absolutely. Upgrades — better countertops, higher-end fixtures, vaulted ceilings, etc. — are priced transparently as add-ons during the design phase. We show you the real cost of each upgrade so you can make informed choices that fit your budget. No inflated "allowances" that don't reflect reality.

From first conversation to move-in, plan on 12–18 months total. That breaks down as: design and planning (1–3 months), permitting (1–2 months depending on county), and construction (8–12 months). Larger or more complex homes can take longer. We give you realistic timelines from the start — not optimistic ones that slip.

As involved as you want to be. Some clients want weekly site visits; others prefer regular photo updates and milestone check-ins. What we guarantee is that you're never left wondering what's happening. Rian oversees the build personally and keeps you in the loop throughout.

We work with experienced, licensed local tradespeople in the Upstate — electricians, plumbers, framers, HVAC, and finish crews who we've built a working relationship with over time. We don't use the lowest bidder; we use tradespeople whose work we stand behind.

No. Kara Lafayette is a licensed realtor who specializes in finding the right land for custom builds across Upstate SC. She knows which lots are buildable, which have setback or utility complications, and which are well-priced for the area. If you already have land, great — we start there.

We build throughout Upstate South Carolina — Greenville County, Spartanburg County, Anderson County, Pickens County, Cherokee County, and surrounding communities. If you're not sure whether we cover your area, reach out and we'll let you know.

Yes. We work in subdivisions, rural lots, and in-town infill lots. Subdivisions sometimes have HOA design guidelines or architectural review processes — Kara and Rian are both familiar with navigating these in the Upstate market.

Kara Lafayette handles interior design and finish selections for every Lafayette Homes build. She works with you on flooring, cabinetry, countertops, tile, fixtures, paint colors, and more — so your home reflects your taste, not a generic builder palette. Having the designer and the builder under the same roof means fewer miscommunications and a more cohesive result.

Yes. We can build from plans you've purchased or had drawn, or we can work with you to develop something from scratch. Kara reviews all plans for design flow and livability, and Rian reviews them for buildability and cost efficiency. If we see something that's going to cost you extra or cause problems later, we'll tell you before you're committed.

Minor changes (fixtures, finishes, paint) are often possible well into the build. Structural changes after framing is complete are much harder and more expensive. That's exactly why we invest serious time in the design phase — we want you confident in every decision before a shovel hits the ground.

Fill out the Start Your Build form and Rian will reach out personally — usually within one business day. The first conversation is just that: a conversation. No commitment, no pressure. We'll talk through your vision, your timeline, and whether we're the right fit for each other.

We don't have a traditional showroom. What we do have is a portfolio of completed homes — some of which Kara can arrange to show if current owners are agreeable. Our Built Homes gallery also shows real photos from actual builds so you can see the quality of our work firsthand.

Yes. Lafayette Homes holds a South Carolina General Contractor license and carries full general liability and workers' compensation insurance. We can provide certificates of insurance at any point in the process — we encourage you to verify this with any builder you're considering.

South Carolina law requires a one-year workmanship warranty on new construction. We stand behind our work beyond that — if something we built causes a problem, reach out and we'll address it. We're not hard to find; we live and work in the same community as our clients.