We’re building our dream home — and documenting everything so you don’t have to learn the hard way.
If you’re thinking about building with Schumacher Homes in Charleston, SC — this is your friendly nudge to pause, prep, and maybe grab a spreadsheet (and a coffee).
We’re mid-build with their Charleston office — living the real-life dream-meets-dust story — and we’re sharing all the parts we wish someone had told us sooner. Think: actual costs, early steps, and smart swaps that made this dream possible without blowing the budget.
💌 P.S. Want our actual tracker?
Grab the Budget Build Starter Sheet we used to plan everything from permits to pendant lights.
We considered a handful of builders, but Schumacher’s Charleston office stood out — partly because of the flexible floorplans, partly because we could bring our own land, and partly because they didn’t blink when we said, “we’re on a budget but want charm.”
Here’s what sealed the deal: – Customization without full custom cost – Lots of floorplan variety and flexibility – Local team who understood the area (and our zoning headaches) – Timeline that worked for us
No builder is perfect, but the experience overall has been really positive. We’ve had a few bumps, sure — but we’ve also had the support to smooth them out. And hey… they’re hosting an open house at our build, so clearly we did something right. 😉
We picked the Meadowview because it checked our most important boxes: – Open-concept living – Walk-in pantry (non-negotiable) – Enough bedrooms and flex space for real life
What we changed in the floor plan:
This plan gave us a cozy but functional layout that didn’t feel too “cookie cutter,” and the tweaks we made? Game changers.
Let’s just say… we were not emotionally prepared for our first line item.
Because our lot is just outside Charleston (read: no town water or sewer), we needed a perc test to see if the soil could support a traditional septic system.
Spoiler: it couldn’t.
That’s when we swapped our metal roof dreams for an engineered septic reality — a $38,000 curveball.
Would we do it again? Honestly… yeah. Because now we know what to expect, and we’re here to help you walk in smarter.
These hit before Schumacher even opened a floorplan file. So if you’re managing your own land: plan early, get quotes, and keep receipts. You’ll thank yourself.
Let’s talk numbers (because someone has to).
Schumacher’s base prices start around $140/sq ft — but that doesn’t tell the full story. Between upgrades, lot costs, septic, and builder requirements?
We’re coming in around $336/sq ft all-in.
That includes:
Not everything was fancy — but it was intentional. Our goal was to build something that looked charming on a budget, and we’re getting there.
Every build teaches you something. Here’s what we’d ask upfront:
None of these are deal breakers — they’re just questions that help set expectations early.
We’re still mid-build — but what we’ve learned already could fill a binder (actually, it has — and a spreadsheet).
If you’re thinking about building with Schumacher in Charleston: go for it. But go in with info, a plan, and a few backup dreams in case your metal roof turns into engineered septic. 😉
💌 Want to budget smarter from day one?
Grab the free Budget Build Starter Sheet — it’s the exact doc we used before committing a single dollar.
