construction – Xtreme Builders LLC

By Tyler Gallahar | Xtreme Builders LLC

Building a home is more than just a project — it’s a personal investment in your future. At Xtreme Builders, I’ve seen time and again how a little preparation and the right mindset can turn an overwhelming experience into one you’ll truly enjoy. Whether you’re building your forever home or your first step into homeownership, here are five of the most common mistakes I’ve seen people make when getting started — and how you can sidestep them with confidence.

1. Not Having a Clear Budget (and a Little Breathing Room)

Some people walk into the home-building process with only a ballpark number in mind — but without a detailed budget, it’s easy to end up stretched too thin.

For example, imagine someone planning to spend $300,000 on their build, but forgetting to account for things like excavation, driveway grading, utility hookup fees, or even appliance upgrades. Suddenly, they’re over budget before framing begins.

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost…”
— Luke 14:28

Builder Tip: Have a complete budget breakdown from the beginning, including a 10–15% contingency fund. We help clients line-item every part of their build so they’re never caught off guard.

2. Rushing the Design Process

A beautiful house isn’t always a livable one — and when you rush through the design phase, you risk missing the small details that make a home functional.

Take a hypothetical family that quickly approves their floor plan without walking through how they’ll live in it day-to-day. Later, they realize their laundry room is too far from the bedrooms, or that the open-concept living area offers no privacy when guests come over.

Builder Tip: We use advanced design software to help you virtually walk through your home before a single nail is driven. It’s better to take a few extra days now than regret a layout for years.

3. Choosing the Cheapest Bid Just to Save Money

On paper, a low bid looks great — but behind the scenes, it might come with subpar materials, poor communication, or costly change orders down the road.

Imagine someone comparing two builders. One offers a fair price with detailed scope. The other is 20% cheaper — but doesn’t include grading, cleanup, or permit costs. In the end, that “cheap” build ends up more expensive.

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
— Proverbs 22:1

Builder Tip: We believe in honest estimates, not bait-and-switch tactics. You deserve to know exactly what you’re paying for — and why.

4. Having Unrealistic Expectations About the Timeline

TV shows and social media can make it seem like a home goes from dirt to dream in 60 days. In reality, timelines depend on weather, inspections, material availability, and more.

Picture a couple planning to move in by a specific holiday. But then it rains for two weeks straight, delaying the foundation. Electrical inspections get rescheduled. Materials are backordered. Now their timeline is off and frustration sets in.

Builder Tip: We create realistic timelines with room for the unexpected, keeping you informed every step of the way. When you plan for flexibility, the process stays positive.

5. Trying to Manage the Project Without a Builder

Some people think they can manage trades themselves to save money, but without experience, it quickly becomes overwhelming. Missed permits, scheduling delays, or failed inspections can cost more than hiring a pro in the first place.

Imagine someone trying to line up framing, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical on their own — while working full-time. Stress builds. Mistakes happen. And deadlines get missed. Because of the delays the project ends up costing more money than expected.

Builder Tip: At Xtreme Builders, we coordinate every part of your project from start to finish. That means you get peace of mind and a clear point of contact from day one.

Final Thoughts from Tyler:

Building your home should be a rewarding experience — not a stressful one. I believe in using wisdom, communication, and craftsmanship to guide every project. We don’t just build houses. We want to build trust, structure, and peace of mind.

“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”
— Proverbs 24:3-4

If you’re ready to build with a team that puts your needs — and your faith — first, we’d be honored to help you get started. Let’s build something lasting.

“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: and by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3-4 (KJV)

When you start a construction project, the excitement is often paired with one major concern: How long is this going to take? At Xtreme Builders LLC, we’ve had countless conversations with clients who are eager to see their vision come to life but are understandably worried about potential delays and cost overruns. Timelines matter because time, in construction, is money—and more importantly, it’s your home or project at stake.

Let’s break down the stages of a typical project so you can understand how we approach timelines and why careful planning is key to a smooth build.

1. Pre-Construction (Planning and Design)

This is where it all begins. We start with an in-depth consultation to discuss your needs, wants, and ideas. From there, we work on creating blueprints that reflect your vision while adhering to structural and legal requirements. We also handle permits during this phase—often the part that takes the most time but is crucial for keeping everything above board. Thorough preparation at this stage prevents many potential delays later, and with the help of our design and build software, we can move efficiently through the process.

2. Breaking Ground (Site Preparation and Foundation)

Next, we prepare the site by clearing and leveling the land. Excavation begins, and we lay the foundation—the literal and figurative cornerstone of your entire project. This phase is all about precision; if the foundation isn’t perfect, nothing else will be. Depending on the size and complexity of your project, this can take a week or two, but it sets the stage for everything to follow.

3. Structural Work (Framing, Roofing, and Exterior)

Here’s where your dream starts to take shape. Framing is the process of building the skeleton of your home, followed by roofing and exterior work. At this point, you’ll finally start seeing real progress as walls go up and spaces start to form. For a mid-sized project, this stage usually takes a few weeks to a month, but it can extend depending on the size and materials chosen. Using our integrated software, we manage this phase with a close eye on detail and efficiency, ensuring we hit our targets.

4. Interior Finishing (Plumbing, Electrical, and Drywall)

Behind the scenes, a lot is happening as tradespeople coordinate to install plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC, and drywall. This part of the process requires seamless coordination between different trades to avoid overlap and delays. Timing is crucial here because if one trade falls behind, it can affect everyone else. We use advanced scheduling tools to keep everyone on track, ensuring that this stage progresses smoothly.

5. Final Inspection and Walkthrough

After months of hard work, we’re in the final stages. We conduct thorough inspections to ensure everything is up to code, safe, and functioning properly. Once we’ve checked everything, we invite you to do a walkthrough of your project, ensuring that it meets your expectations down to the last detail.

Conclusion

At Xtreme Builders LLC, we know that sticking to a timeline is about more than just deadlines—it’s about trust and delivering on promises. Our use of cutting-edge technology allows us to work efficiently, providing cost-effective solutions without sacrificing quality. With proper planning, clear communication, and a focus on every detail, we ensure that your project moves from blueprint to build as smoothly as possible.

If you’re ready to build, we’re here to turn your vision into reality, on time and within budget.