Ada is a gem in the heart of West Michigan, where small-town charm meets modern amenities. Situated just 12 miles east of Grand Rapids, this beautiful town is full of scenic landscapes and plenty of green space. If you have dreamed of building a custom house in Ada, then we can help you achieve that goal.
At Snowden Builders, we construct luxury custom homes throughout Western Michigan, including Ada. We offer outstanding customer service and a commitment to top-quality materials and workmanship, making our homes stand out from others on the street. If you are considering building a luxury custom home in Ada, reach out to our team to learn more about our work and process.
Why Choose Snowden Builders for Your Custom Home?
Snowden Builders has proudly worked with homeowners throughout Western Michigan for three generations. We help our clients build absolutely stunning custom homes by working with the top designers and craftsmen in the area. When you work with Snowden Builders, you can trust that you will both enjoy the process of building your home and be thrilled with the result.
Unmatched Craftsmanship
As home builders, the primary focus of our work is on constructing the highest quality houses. We take pride in our excellent craftsmanship, blending time-honored construction techniques and traditions with modern advances. We use only the highest quality materials and never cut corners when it comes to our work or the materials we put into your home.
At Snowden Builders, we have built strong relationships with some of the most respected tradespeople in the region. In fact, we have worked with some of these contractors for more than 25 years. Because we are so thoughtful when it comes to every detail of how your house is built, each of our custom homes is impeccably built and visually stunning.
A True Partnership
There is a saying in the sports world that talent wins games, but teamwork wins championships. When it comes to building custom homes, we very much believe this to be true. We are talented builders and can build a great house for you. But for your house to be truly exceptional, we have to work together.
People build custom homes because they want them to be built for them, not based on what someone else wants or what is currently trendy in the real estate world. We make sure that we accomplish this goal by taking the time to really get to know and listen to our homeowners. This starts with the initial design consultation, where we will ask you lots of questions about your vision and dreams for your house (plus plenty of practical questions, too).
We maintain open lines of communication throughout the design and construction process. You’ll have a dedicated project manager who can answer questions and address any concerns that you may have. The most important thing to us is that you are happy with your house, both in terms of how it looks and functions, and how it was built.
Personalized Attention
While building a custom home is exciting, it can also be a source of anxiety. When you are making such a large investment in your future, you want to make sure that every detail is right. We offer excellent customer service to help ease the stress of this process. Our proverbial door is always open, as we are always available to answer calls, emails, and texts. By providing a high level of individual attention, we hope to ease your concerns about the process and make it as enjoyable as possible.
Snowden Builders has been recognized as one of the best general contractors in Grand Rapids. We received this honor partially due to our commitment to working closely with our clients to realize their dreams. If you want to build a custom home in Ada, we are happy to schedule a meeting so that we can chat more about what you want in a new house and how we can make your dreams a reality.
Building a Custom Home in Ada
Most people build one custom home in their lifetime. Even if you have previously built a home with another builder, our process is a bit different. We focus more on collaboration and teamwork than many construction companies. This allows us to help our clients conceptualize their vision and bring it to life in a gorgeous custom home.
Initial Consultation
Each and every one of our custom houses starts with a consultation. As we mentioned earlier, this meeting is an opportunity for us to get to know each other. What we really want to know at this point is more about the big picture – we’ll get into the details later. We might ask you:
- Why do you want to live in Ada? What about this area appeals to you?
- Is there a particular area of the village or township where you’d like to build? Are you interested in a more wooded setting or being on the water?
- How do you “live” in your house? Do you work from home? Or is it the place that you go after a stressful day at work to relax and unwind? Do you host a lot of guests?
- What is your lifestyle like? Do you need space for bikes, boats, skis, and other outdoor equipment? Would you like an option for one-floor living?
We can also explain more about the building process and timeline. Based on your input, we can provide a ballpark estimate of the cost (which, of course, will likely change once we start finalizing the plan and details). We can also answer any and all questions you may have about our work, the process, or anything else that you may want to know about us.
Homesite Inspection
If you have already purchased a piece of property, we will head out to take a look at it. This step is important so that we understand exactly how much work will need to happen to clear the property and get it ready for construction (which will impact the overall cost and timeline). If you haven’t purchased land yet, we can help you find a great piece of land for your new custom house.
Home Design
The next step is the fun part for many of our clients: designing your new home. There are many decisions to be made at this stage on everything from the floor plan to the type of tile that you want in the primary bathroom. Many of our clients get a bit overwhelmed at the thought of making all of these choices. Luckily, we have about 30 years of experience walking homeowners through the process. You can take a look at our work for home design inspiration. We can also introduce you to some of the best architects and interior designers in Western Michigan for additional guidance. While we know that you might be anxious to break ground, we encourage homeowners to take their time so that they are comfortable with the decisions that they are making.
Contract Review
Once your design is finalized, we will start getting into the legal and financial details. We will draft a contract that includes material terms such as the estimated cost and completion date. Remember that there are many factors outside of our control, like bad weather and supply chain issues, that can affect both pricing and timing. We will always update you on any cost changes or if construction is delayed. If necessary, you can use the executed contract to secure financing.
Final Design Choices
While we are obtaining building permits, you will be finalizing all of the details of your home design. There are dozens and dozens of choices to be made when building a custom home, from big things like the type of roof that you want to smaller details that are also important, like the type of hardware you want for your cabinets. We’ll be happy to offer our input if you’d like it during this stage.
Construction
After the design is finalized, all of the details have been selected, and the permits are in place, construction can begin. We will start by clearing and grading the property so that we can dig and then pour the foundation. Construction will then proceed in stages, including framing the walls, roughing in the plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems, and putting on the roof. We will have the necessary inspections performed along the way and get your approval before we proceed to the next step.
Throughout construction, you can visit the site to check on progress or offer input. Your project manager can arrange tours for you so that you can see how your house is coming along. It can be fun to see your vision coming to life. You may also realize that the things that you thought were great on paper aren’t your favorite in real life. We can accommodate most change orders if you aren’t happy with any of the details.
Most custom homes are built in 6 to 8 months. Depending on the size of your house, the complexity of your design, the features of your property, and factors like the weather, that time frame could be condensed or extended. Our goal is to keep you updated along each step so that you know exactly what to expect in terms of cost and schedule.
Final Walkthrough
When construction is complete, we will schedule a final walkthrough. During this tour, we will explain all of the custom features of your house and offer you advice on how to maintain them. We will also complete any punch list items that you may request.
Closing
The very last step in the process is the closing. We’ll meet to sign a lot of paperwork so that we can transfer the legal title of your house to you. Once all of the documents have been signed, the deed will be recorded, and the house will officially be yours. You will then be able to move into your new custom home in Ada!
About Ada
Located just 12 miles east of Grand Rapids, Ada is a village that is part of the larger Ada Township. It is just south of Forest Hills and located directly on M-21, making for an easy commute to Grand Rapids. It is also an easy drive to the many beaches along Lake Michigan and the lakes and rivers that dot Western Michigan’s landscape..
In the early 1800s, Ada was a village of the Grand River Band of Ottawa. The land was eventually purchased by two colonial settlers, Rix Robinson and Lucius Lyon. The two men established a fur trading post and a saw mill, which helped the area develop. While the history of when Ada was settled isn’t clear, it appears that it was established at some point in the late 1830s. It was named after Ada Smith, the daughter of the postmaster.
Ada’s growth as a township can be attributed in part to Amway, which is headquartered in Ada. There are 40 buildings and 3.5 million square feet of office and manufacturing space in Ada, helping to boost the local economy.
Ada is situated at the convergence of the Grand and Thornapple Rivers. It is also home to one of the only remaining covered bridges in the state of Michigan, the Ada Covered Bridge. It is part of Leonard Park and crosses the Thornapple River.
Ada has more than 1,000 acres of public lands and parks. This includes three community parks: Ada Township Park, Leonard Park, and Roselle Park. There are three preserves in Ada: the Grand River Natural Area, the Carl Creek Crossing Preserve, and the Carl Creek Wetlands Preserve. In addition, there are multiple Kent County Parks and State Game Area lands.
If you like to bike, walk, or run, then Ada’s long trails are also a great feature of the town. Known as Ada Pathways, these trails stretch over 30 miles. They offer the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy the stunning beauty and picturesque views of the area.
Ada is known for its excellent schools. This includes two private schools, St. Robert Catholic School and Ada Christian. Students in Ada may attend Lowell Area Schools, Forest Hills Public Schools, or Northview Public Schools.
In Ada, residents enjoy a quieter lifestyle. However, there is still plenty to do in Ada. This includes the Ada Farmers Market, with more than 35 vendors, and the August in Ada event. The Ada Historical Society helps to preserve and celebrate the history of the region. It also hosts a summer series, Music on the Lawn, that features local musicians.
Ada has a great downtown area, with unique shops and great historical buildings like the Ada Hotel and the original Ada Village General Store. Residents can shop at boutiques like Laurel & Jack or Croft Haus or pick up a present at Pursuit Paper and Gift. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, including favorites like Schnitz Ada Grill, Sultan Turkish Restaurant, Nonna’s: The Trattoria, The Post Tavern, and Scooper’s Ice Cream Shop.
The village of Ada is known for blending old-fashioned charm with modern amenities. In terms of housing, there is a great mix of grand older homes and newer houses and townhouses. There is also plenty of open space and land for sale, particularly in the larger Ada Township, for anyone who wants to build a house in the region.
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Build a Stunning Custom Home In Ada with Snowden Builders
Ada is a perfect mix of history and nature, located just outside of Grand Rapids. It is a great place to raise a family or simply to live a quieter lifestyle (while still being close to the city).
If you are yearning to live in a smaller town with unique charm, Snowden Builders can help you build a beautiful custom house in Ada.
Based in Grandville, Snowden Builders is widely recognized as one of the top home builders in Western Michigan. We take a client-centric approach to home building, focusing on high-quality luxury homes and outstanding customer service. To learn more about building a custom home in Ada or to schedule a consultation with a member of our team, give us a call at 616-532-1800 or fill out our online contact form.
