How does the Schell Brothers home buying and building process work?
Our building process is designed to be clear, engaging, and collaborative, managed through our proprietary Heartbeat Customer Portal & App. The journey follows these major milestones:
- Discovery: We ask questions to understand your lifestyle, motivation, and needs to help guide you to the perfect community, floor plan, and homesite. To curate your experience, consider our team of Online Sales Team as your concierge for your home buying journey. They can help you select the correct community for you and your family.
- Homesite & Plan Selection: Our Sales Team will help you explore available homesites and floor plans and help you choose the right one for you.
- Transparent Pricing: Unlike many custom homebuilders, when you contract to purchase a home with us, you know your pricing and it is locked in. Our Sales Team will help you price and select structural choices and then our talented Design Experts will help you choose your home finishes! After Design Day, you will have your final home price! This will never change even if we experience material price increases. Your final home price is secure with us.
- Design Selections: There are countless ways to see the thousands of personalization choices you have with Schell Brothers. We have on Online Design Studio where you can see all of our selections, and create your favorite boards to save! Doing this is helpful for you to start imagining your new home. Additionally, you can explore our models in-person ahead of your Design Day. Our models are a great place to see our beautiful selections. You will also have a Design Preview Day (should you choose to) where you can meet one of our designers to see all of our finishes in person. Design Day in our Design Studio is the final step of selecting all the finishes in your new home.
- Construction Tracking: Your Construction Manager keeps you up-to-date on your build progress with frequent updates, and photos uploaded directly to your personal Heartbeat
portal. Our construction team also makes weekly calls to every customer to personally update you on your build and answer any questions you may have. - Settlement & Care: After our team delivers your beautiful new home, you participate in home walk-throughs, close on your home, and transition into our post-build customer care system. We have a fully staffed Warranty Team who helps manage any questions or needs you may have post-build.
What is a quick move-in home?
Quick move-in homes are brand-new homes within our communities that are either already completed or currently under construction. They drastically reduce the standard build wait time while still delivering full landscaping, premium features, and our ultra-energy-efficient Schellter™ Technology.
Do you have decorated model homes available for purchase?
Yes. We build beautifully appointed model homes across our divisions to showcase our craftsmanship and layout livability. Depending on the phase and availability of a specific community, these decorated models may occasionally be offered for sale. Please coordinate with an Online or Community Sales Consultant to check status.
Can I buy a Schell Brothers home as an investment home?
Investment and rental regulations vary entirely by neighborhood and local HOA bylaws. Contact the Community Sales Manager at your specific community of interest to learn about rental guidelines.
Can I build a home design from another area?
Our architectural teams optimize home plans specifically for the regional style, climate demands, and topography of each market. While several highly popular floor plans (like The Cassidy) span multiple states, local building codes and community aesthetics dictate availability. Your Sales Consultant can show you the exact line-up of home designs offered in your area.
How long does it take to build a Schell Brothers home?
Construction timelines vary depending on the community, site conditions, and the complexity of your chosen floor plan. Your Community Sales Manager will outline realistic expectations at contract signing, and you can track your build milestone-by-milestone inside the Heartbeat app. For immediate housing needs, we sometimes have Quick Move-in opportunities available.
What is included in the base price of a Schell Brothers home?
Every home comes standard with exceptional curb appeal and Schellter™ Advanced Building Science. This includes 2x6 exterior framing (offering 63% more insulation than traditional 2x4 walls), stick-built on-site construction for structural integrity, draft-stopping foam air-sealing, and our HomeIQ™ smart home package (featuring a smart command center, communicating thermostat, video doorbell, keyless entry, and smart switches). Interior material standards and landscaping packages vary by community. Additionally, we use high-end materials much like a custom home included in our homes.
Are there any additional costs we will need to plan and consider?
When pricing your home, considerations include optional structural expansions and design upgrades chosen at the Design Studio. Certain individual homesites may also carry a homesite premium based on factors like size, view, or specific location features. All pricing is fully detailed and transparent at our in-person or virtual appointments before you contract to purchase your home.
What is required to purchase a home?
Securing a homesite and buying a home typically requires a consultation with a Community Sales Manager to verify your floor plan and home choice, followed by completing a standard purchase agreement and deposit. Because demand can be high, contact your community of choice to learn about their specific homesite release schedules.
How do I speak with a Schell Brothers Sales Consultant?
You can connect directly with our Online Sales Consultants (OSC) by submitting a request through our website or by calling our regional lines. Our OSCs act as your concierge to answer floor plan questions and coordinate your initial community visits.
Do I need a real estate agent to purchase a new construction home?
No, you do not need an agent to buy a home from us. Our on-site Community Sales Managers handle the entire process transparently. However, we highly value our Real Estate Partners; if you choose to work with an agent, we simply ask that they accompany you or register with you on your very first contact with the community.
What is an Active Adult community?
While we build diverse neighborhoods centered around connecting neighbors, several of our communities feature low-maintenance living options perfectly suited for active adults. In these select neighborhoods (such as Independence and Sundance Club in Delaware), all yard mowing and exterior landscaping maintenance are fully taken care of for you, giving you time to enjoy resort-style amenities, pools, and clubhouses.
When will a future community be opening near me?
You can view our actively building and upcoming neighborhoods under the regional tabs on our main website, or sign up for our email list to get priority notifications regarding new community launches.
What is a homesite premium?
A homesite premium is an added cost applied to a specific lot that boasts premium characteristics, such as larger acreage, cul-de-sac placement, added privacy, scenic views, or proximity to open space.
Does Schell Brothers do renovations after my home is completed?
No. Schell Brothers does not provide remodeling or post-settlement construction services. Following the completion of your home, our relationship transitions to dedicated structural warranty support.
Does Schell Brothers finish the yard and landscaping?
Yes! Outdoor living is a core part of the Schell experience. Our homes feature built-in landscaping options, and we offer structural outdoor personalization like screened porches, expansive, courtyards, and fire pits. Furthermore, several of our communities feature low-maintenance agreements where ongoing lawn care and landscaping are managed for you.
Does Schell Brothers offer a homeowner referral program?
At Schell Brothers, we want to thank you for introducing us to your family and friends. When you refer* someone to us, you will receive a $500 gift card and they will receive $1,000 in Design Studio Selections towards their new home. Your referral is the highest compliment you can give us. Simply fill our form and pass along happiness.
What should I do if I haven't found the answer to my question?
We are always here to help maximize your happiness! If you have additional questions, please click the "Ask a Question" button on our website to chat with an Online Sales Consultant, or visit any of our neighborhood model homes to speak directly with a Community Sales Manager.
