Frequently Asked Questions

Most conversations start with a direct email or a call initiated through a real estate professional. From there we schedule a first meeting — and these tend to be genuine back-and-forth conversations, not a sales pitch. We want to hear what's most important to you, understand the spaces you care about most, and walk you through how our build process works from start to finish.

At the end of that meeting, we'll ask you to take some time to put together a wish list — what you want, in order of priority. Once you send that back to us, we begin bidding out the relevant aspects of the project and building a formal proposal tailored to you.

Not at all. We build in several communities across the Fort Wayne area where lots are available, and we're also happy to work with buyers who already own land or have a specific parcel in mind. If you're still figuring out where you want to be, we can help you think through that too. The lot conversation and the home conversation can happen at the same time.

Both work. We have floor plans that are carefully thought out and build-ready, and every one of them can be customized to fit your specific needs. If you're coming to us with your own plan or one you've found elsewhere, bring it — we're comfortable working from it. The goal is a home that fits the way you live, not one that fits a catalog.

We build all sizes of homes — there's no floor and no ceiling. Our bread and butter tends to be homes in the 1,600–2,800 sqft range, which covers a wide spectrum from efficient starter homes to comfortable family builds with room to grow. But if you're looking for something larger, we can absolutely do that too. The size of the home should be driven by what you need, not by what's convenient for us.

The honest answer is that it depends — and anyone who gives you a firm number before understanding your project is guessing. That said, as a general reference point, a typical 1,600 sqft home runs in the range of $250,000–$300,000, excluding the lot and any significant upgrades or extras.

That number scales as square footage and amenities grow. The best way to get an accurate figure is to sit down with us, share your wish list, and let us build a real proposal around your specific project.

No hidden costs — that's something we take seriously. Once we finalize the proposal, everything included in the home price is laid out as individual line items, covering the full build from start to finish. You'll know exactly what you're paying for before we break ground, and we don't add surprise charges during construction.

It's worth noting that items like lot costs, tap fees, sidewalks, and site prep are separate from the home price itself — we're upfront about those distinctions from the beginning so nothing catches you off guard.

A construction loan is a short-term loan that funds the build as it progresses, then converts to a traditional mortgage when the home is complete. It works differently from a standard home purchase, and the timeline for closing on a construction loan can add roughly 30 days to the start of your project — something we factor into your build schedule from the beginning.

We're happy to walk you through how it works in more detail when we meet. It's one of the things we make sure every client understands before we get started.

We don't have preferred lenders — you're welcome to work with whichever lender you choose. Our team will coordinate with your agent and your lender throughout the process to make sure everyone stays on the same page and the closing goes smoothly.

Six to nine months is a realistic estimate from signed documents to handing over keys. That range accounts for the natural variables in any build — weather, selections, inspections, and the occasional surprise that comes with construction. We give you a projected timeline at the start and keep you updated throughout so you're never left guessing where things stand.

A few things can affect the timeline. If you're using a construction loan, the closing process with your lender typically adds around 30 days before we can break ground — that's the most common early delay and one we plan for from the start.

Weather is the other significant factor. A project that starts in winter naturally moves at a different pace than one that starts in summer. We build year-round, but we're honest about what that looks like on the schedule.

Post-pandemic, most of the supply chain and labor shortage issues that affected the industry have resolved. Material availability and subcontractor scheduling are generally predictable again, which has made timelines much more reliable than they were a few years ago.

Yes — and we encourage it. We invite you to visit the construction site throughout the process. Watching your home take shape from foundation to finish is one of the most rewarding parts of building, and we want you to experience it. Just let us know when you'd like to come out.

Directly and consistently. You'll have open lines of communication with our team throughout the entire project. We're responsive, upfront about where things stand, and you'll never be left wondering what's happening on your build. Have a question on a Tuesday evening? Contact us. Want to walk the site on a Saturday? Let's go.

Yes — changes can absolutely be made after construction begins. We handle these through a simple change order process: identify what needs to change, request it, and we take care of the rest. You pay for the cost of the change itself, nothing more.

We are the only builder in the Fort Wayne area that charges no change order fee. We never want to stand in the way of a client getting the home they want, and we don't think you should be penalized financially just for asking. It's one of the ways we do things differently.

We're a small, hands-on team — and that's intentional. The people you meet at the first conversation are the same ones handing you the keys at the end. No handoffs, no getting shuffled between project managers, no feeling like you're just another job in the pipeline.

We also don't charge change order fees — something no other Fort Wayne builder can say. And we build for every stage of life, from first homes to retirement downsizes, which means we're focused on what actually works for the way you live rather than fitting you into a standard package.

A mixture of both. Some work is done by our own crews, and other trades are handled by subcontractors — but not just anyone we call when we need them. Every subcontractor we work with is someone we've had a relationship with for a decade or more. We know their work, they know our standards, and that consistency shows up in the quality of every home we build.

Yes. Every Hawthorn Valley home goes through multiple inspections throughout the build process and is independently tested for energy efficiency at the end — a third-party test that verifies the home meets a high standard before we hand over the keys. This isn't a box we check; it's built into how we construct every home.

Our standard features include R-45 attic insulation, R-15 exterior wall insulation, foam insulation around all exterior doors, windows, and penetrations, sealed sillplates, and Bryant high-efficiency HVAC systems — among other energy-conscious specs.

Every Hawthorn Valley home comes with a Residential Warranty Corp.® Home Warranty as a standard inclusion — not an add-on. This gives you structured protection on your investment after you move in, covering workmanship and systems according to the warranty terms. We're happy to walk you through the details during our first meeting.

We currently build in Silverstone South, Chestnut Creek, The Haven, The Ranch at Broad Acres, Rolling Oaks, and Valdosta. But those six are just where we have active presence right now — the Fort Wayne area has many open neighborhoods where we can build, and we're also happy to build on land you already own. If you have a community in mind that isn't on that list, reach out and ask. Chances are we can work there.

Absolutely. We work with buyers who come to us with their own land just as often as those who are still finding a homesite. If you own a parcel — or have your eye on one — bring it to us and we'll talk through what we can build on it and what the site considerations might look like.

In communities where we own lots, we do sell them separately. Lot inventory and pricing changes regularly, so the best way to get current availability is to contact us directly. We'll tell you what we have and what each lot looks like.