Having built fine custom homes for the last 29 years, we have found that potential homeowners tend to ask the same kinds of questions:

" What is the first step?
" How long will the building process take?
" Who can I go to for advice in home design?
" What does the building process entail?
" What does your price per square foot not include?

What is the first step?
Every building project is unique. However, most custom home projects start with the land. If you already have land, we will walk your lot with you free of charge, to advise on the optimal position of your future home as well as potential issues you may run into depending on the topography and constraints of your land. If you own land and do not yet have a home design or blueprints, the next step is to begin the design process. Our partner design firm will guide you through that process, their website is located here at www.tucsondrafting.com.

If you don’t already own your own land, our partner company Corshelle Realty can help you find the perfect lot. We also maintain relationships with professionals specializing in financing the construction of your home.

How long will the building process take?
Because each custom home is very different, there is no way to tell exactly how long a home will take to build. However, our average build time for a wood frame home is 9-12 months.
Many factors can impact the building process. We stay on schedule through excellent communication and a streamlined process we have developed through decades of building custom homes.
It is important to note that the building process time does not include the design and plan submittal time, which vary according to the clients specific needs.

Who can I go to for advice in home design?
Our in house design team, Axiom Design, can help you design your dream home and stay on budget through a streamlined design process that includes elements to help you design a home that will be both beautiful and cost effective to build. You can learn more about our partner design group at www.tucsondrafting.com. We also maintain professional relationships with Tucson's best architects and interior designers.

What does the building process entail?

Foundation strength and details
The foundation and concrete are the most important part of the home. We take it as a personal pride to provide the greatest strength and endurance in every home we build. Our standard foundation and slab contains more steel reinforcing than required by code. The result is a strong concrete slab that contributes to the overall quality of the home. Porches and sidewalks have rebar and wire mesh with deep toe-down, which we include to increase strength and prevent cracking for years to come.

Energy Efficiency
All of our homes are built to conserve energy, thus lowering the maintenance cost of your home while adding to your comfort and quality of living. We believe energy efficiency starts with quality of construction. Our wall and roof framing is constructed to strict specifications and tolerances to increase overall quality and energy efficiency. In addition to our outstanding frame construction, we use very high quality insulation material and methods. All openings and penetrations are sealed using insulating foam. Our standard windows and doors are high-quality and energy efficient, specifically designed and selected for our desert environment.

Although we specialize in wood frame construction, we have the experience and competency to build using any popular method, including steel, adobe, and block construction. We can add any 'green' elements you desire, including solar, radiant barrier, gray water, and water harvesting systems.

Options and selections
As the building process progresses you will begin to better visualize the interior of your new home. During the early stages of the building process, clients usually come to our showroom for a series of meetings to choose the architectural elements of your home. During these meetings your selections are facilitated by one of our experienced consultants. You will choose your granite, flooring, paint, lighting, and other fixtures.

Although we offer an extensive selection of architectural elements and fixtures, we are happy to accommodate your wishes if you are looking for exotic or rare imports in your home.

Intermediates and Final Detail
Golden Star Properties uses the best craftsmen and trades in Southern Arizona to ensure quality control through every phase of construction. In addition to our fine craftsmen, your home is inspected and supervised by our experienced superintendents throughout the construction process. Our goal in quality control is to prevent problems before they become problems. We do this through rigorous inspection of your home and excellent communication.

The end result of our diligent hard work and effective attention to detail is a home that will exceed your expectations for years to come.

Items not Included in the Price Per Square Foot

Golden Star Properties has a reputation for integrity and honesty in building. Part of this comes from our showing you exactly what is and is not included in the price per square foot. After meeting you at your lot, we can give you a fairly accurate price on the entire cost of your home from initial blueprint design to the final cleaning before moving in.

LAND
We have a talented staff of real estate agents who can help you to find the perfect land for you and your home anywhere in Southern Arizona.

BLUEPRINTS
Our partner company Axiom would be happy to draft your Golden Star Home for $0.95 per square foot of living space, garage, and patios. You may either use our existing prints as a model for your home, or come up with your unique design at no extra charge.

ENGINEERING
Some rather difficult land parcels require extra engineering in order to build. Our land expert and team of engineers can help you get your land ready for building. Changes vary according to terrain.

PERMITS
The city or county in which you build will require the purchase of several permits in order to build. Because these charges vary according to location and the home itself, we cannot include it exactly in the overall price.

UTILITIES
We include 50 feet of utility, which usually will suffice for most subdivision lots. However, depending on the size and type of the lot, utilities may need to be brought a great distance.

SEPTIC SYSTEM
Your lot may require a septic instead of sewer connection. The septic system is designed case by case in order to best serve the needs of each home and terrain, and thus a definite price cannot be included in the overall price.

LANDSCAPING