In February 2025, we began exploring custom home‑building options and connected with Hank, the…read moreowner of Aaronal Homes. After touring several of his projects, we decided to move forward and provided him with a scaled sketch, a list of finishes, and a target budget of $1.15M. A few weeks later, Hank presented a preliminary estimate of $1.2M and stated that any upgrades beyond the allowances would be added at cost, without additional markup.
Over the next six months, we worked with an architect and met with Hank multiple times to review progress. No concerns were raised about the budget during this period, and the final architectural plans were nearly identical in size and layout to our original sketch.
Once plans were complete, we obtained quotes for cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, tile, plumbing fixtures, and lighting, and submitted them for final pricing. We expected an increase because our selections were approximately $175k above the original allowances. We also added several structural changes, including taller ceilings, a cathedral ceiling in the screened porch, and a double wall for pocket sliding doors.
In October, we met to finalize selections. Hank mentioned he would have updated pricing the following week. After two weeks without an update, we reached out, and he provided a revised price of $1.849M. This was nearly $650k higher than the initial estimate.
We were confused for two reasons:
1. We understood the builder fee was already included in the initial pricing.
2. Adding the flat cost of our upgrades ($175k) to the initial estimate ($1.2M) brings the total to roughly $1.375M. The new quote was still $474k higher than that amount.
To better understand the discrepancy, we obtained an independent appraisal, which came back at $1.43M. When we shared this information, Hank acknowledged that he had mistakenly applied markup to the upgrades despite previously stating he would not. We asked for clarification on his fee structure, but he declined to provide it.
Three weeks later, revised pricing came back at $1.63M. Instead of removing the markup that had been applied in error, several of our allowances were reduced by a total of $125k to lower the overall number. Requests such as replacing a deck with a concrete patio were not reflected in the updated cost sheet. This left us uncertain about how pricing decisions were being made.
Throughout the process, communication was slow and inconsistent, often taking two to three weeks for responses. We were also asked multiple times to make a decision on moving forward, even though we were waiting on pricing. Itemized breakdowns and subcontractor bids were not provided despite repeated requests, making it difficult to understand how costs were being calculated. The final price remained $200k above the appraisal, and we were unable to get a clear explanation for the difference.
Hank builds a quality home, and that was a major reason we stayed in the process as long as we did. However, the lack of transparency and the communication challenges made it difficult for us to feel confident moving forward. We ultimately decided to walk away and pursue another builder.
We learned a great deal during this 10‑month process. For anyone beginning a custom build, we highly recommend asking detailed questions upfront about pricing structure, allowances, markup, and communication expectations. Having this clarity early on can save significant time and prevent misunderstandings later.
