The 5 Biggest Mistakes Clients Make When Building in Vail and How to Avoid Them

Building a home in the Vail Valley is an exciting investment — but it’s also a serious investment of time, money, and energy. Without the proper guidance from day one, you risk blowing your budget, falling behind schedule, and losing sleep over the costly mistakes that could have been avoided. 

At Coleman Custom Homes, we’ve seen what happens when the wrong moves are made early — and we’re here to help you avoid them. Below are the five biggest mistakes clients make when building in Vail and how to avoid them for a smoother, more successful project.

1: Trying to Self-Manage the Project

Let’s be honest: trying to self-manage your custom home project will almost always cost you more in dollars, time, and headaches.

A General Contractor is your boots-on-the-ground leader. They coordinate your core team — architect, engineer, designer — and make sure everyone is on the same page from the start. They procure competitive pricing, conduct a constructability analysis, and schedule trades to keep the project moving on schedule. There are millions of moving parts, and someone needs to orchestrate each aspect. Without a solid leader, things fall through the cracks. 

At Coleman Custom Homes, we take that pressure off your plate. We’ll keep your home moving forward — on time, on budget, and with your vision intact.

2: Not Picking the Right Team

Construction isn’t a solo sport. It’s a complex collaboration between designers, engineers, builders, governing bodies, and trades. Every player needs to be in sync and onboard. 

Choosing the right team is one of your most critical decisions. The General Contractor is the captain, leading and coordinating the entire crew. When the team is aligned, everyone works more efficiently. 

Coleman Custom Homes helps you build the right team from day one. We’ve worked with the Vail Valley’s top professionals and know how to create a collaborative dynamic that results in a better build.

3: Not Having a Realistic Budget

We get it — building a luxury home is expensive. But starting without a realistic, up-to-date budget is even more costly.

Too often, clients are quoted a price per square foot based on outdated numbers. In today’s economy, construction costs are constantly shifting. What was true last year — or even last month — may not reflect today’s market. 

In the Vail Valley, costs are higher than in many other markets. Steep lots, soil conditions, remote access, and limited subcontractor availability can all affect the building price. Before you buy land or a house, talk to a local builder who understands these variables.

Our team will help you create a comprehensive proforma for your entire project. That means factoring in land costs, permitting fees, architectural design, engineering, and construction, so you know exactly what to expect before you break ground. 

Even if the numbers are higher than expected, remember: homes in the Vail Valley are a solid long-term investment.

4: Changing the Design

Building or renovating a home means making thousands of decisions — from floor plans to finishes. And yes, it can be overwhelming. Once decisions are made and materials are ordered, sticking to the plan is critical. 

Changing the design midstream triggers a domino effect. Designs need to be redrawn and approved. Materials need to be reordered. Trades need to be rescheduled. The construction sequence, which is carefully coordinated months in advance, is thrown off, leading to delays and added costs. 

Even small changes can lead to significant setbacks. Long lead times for new materials can delay the schedule. And it’s not always easy to get subcontractors back on-site.

During the design and preconstruction phases, there’s plenty of time to make changes and review samples. Once we start building, ordering materials, and scheduling trades, the best path is the one we have already decided on.

5: Trying to Phase Renovations

Tempted to renovate in phases so you can keep living in your home? We understand the appeal, but the reality is far less comfortable.

Phased renovations are more expensive and time-consuming than doing the work in one go. Why? Because mobilizing and demobilizing come with a cost. Setting up and removing fencing, floor protections, site access, and portajons, then doing it again six months later, quickly adds up. It’s also inefficient for subcontractors. It’s more time and cost-efficient for them to do all the work simultaneously rather than stop and restart multiple times. 

Living through a renovation is not ideal. Dust, noise, constant foot traffic, and limited privacy turn your mountain sanctuary into a job site. It can take longer to complete a project due to restricted access. And we get it — we wouldn’t want someone pounding a hammer before we’ve finished our morning coffee. However, all those minor delays lead to a longer project duration.

The smarter move? Move out and complete your renovation in one go, then move back into a finished home that is clean, quiet, and complete.

Final Thoughts:

Building or renovating a home in the Vail Valley doesn’t have to be stressful as long as you go into it with the right partner and a clear plan. 

At Coleman Custom Homes, we help you make the right decisions for your home from the start. We’ll guide you through realistic budgeting, assemble the right team, and manage every detail to bring your dream home to life.

Ready to build smarter? Contact us today.