We are manufactures of pre-cast and Venetian stone that is non-combustible. We do some of the highest-end work in the southeast on custom homes, fireplaces, and architectural features. We can ship anywhere with drawings attached to enable you ease of installation, or have our own crews install anywhere in the nation. Please respond at your convenience. See www.spectrumstoneworks.com

My quibbles would be source of the ply and formaldehyde content. How are the boxes "finished"? (I prefer melamine interiors, and ply can be sourced that way.) Can you spec thicker drawer bottoms for large pot and pan drawers along with the heavier glide upgrades? Shelving is solid wood???? Are you sure it's not ply with a solid wood nosing? For the doors, MDF center panels will hold up MUCH better than solid wood center panels. They are more stable and move less with the seasonal changing humidity. If you go with solid wood, be prepared to see a lot more "beauty marks" at the joins where the wood has expanded and contracted. The only way to stop that movement in solid wood is to maintain museum quality humidity control in your home.

Very simply, you've found a builder that is sort of a mid-range production model. If you're OK with that, willing to live with his "packages" and aware that you will have less control (make sure you get costs of any upgrades you want IN WRITING right now), then fine. If you're not, search on for another builder. Keep in mind that it's possible a fully custom builder who IS willing to delete those items you feel you don't need may not end up being less expensive. A builder that is doing packages is saving up front on buying certain items in large quantities. That's why removing them doesn't save YOU that much - they aren't costing him that much and so you don't get the full retail price difference between those items for not using them. Calling himself a "custom" builder is certainly stretching the terminology here. It's not that custom builders don't do spec houses - they do. Mine occasionally will do a spec house when he has time on his hands, found a super handy lot, or just has something he wants to try. OTOH, he never builds the same house twice, either. True custom pretty much means every house is a proto-type. Since the builder has never done THAT house before, either, it's harder to be specific about what it will cost or foresee the little quirky things that will happen. Hence, why they're more expensive.

We are building a custom home; worked with architect to make it uniquely ours. What I should have said is all their custom homes include all things on their “luxury specification” listing. For example engineered hardwood floors are included in foyer, great room, sunroom, kitchen, mud room, library. However, the allowance is for one brand, Hallmark Floors, in one line Novella. (About a dozen to choose from), if you choose same brand, different line that is an upgrade. Carpet is Shaw, builder grade, any others an upgrade on on and on it goes. The contracted price was close to $240 sq ft. At that price it would seem their luxury specifications would be a little higher end. One “upgrade” that baffles me is mortar for stone. They offer gray or buff. We chose an off white, $500 upgrade.