Odyssey Homes

Frequently Asked Questions About Building With Odyssey Homes

Building a home raises real questions — and we get most of them from buyers before they sign anything. Here are answers to the ones we hear most often. Don't see yours? (208) 450-5500 or send us a message — we'll get you a straight answer the same day.

About Odyssey Homes

Do you do remodels? +

No. Odyssey is new construction only — we build homes from the foundation up. We don't do remodels, additions, or renovations on existing homes. If you're looking for a remodel, we can point you toward local remodelers, but it's not what we do.

What's your service area? +

Eastern Idaho. We build in Idaho Falls, Ammon, Rigby, Rexburg, Shelley, and Blackfoot — plus the smaller communities in between (Iona, Ucon, and others). We've done a few homes in Pocatello and may take more in the future. We don't build in Boise or western Idaho.

If you're moving to Eastern Idaho from out of state, we'd love to talk — we work with relocating families regularly and can help you understand the area, lot options, school districts, and what your build looks like from a distance. Read our relocation guide →

Who is Odyssey Homes? +

Odyssey Homes is a semi-custom production home builder based in Ammon, Idaho. We're locally owned, building primarily in Idaho Falls, Ammon, and surrounding Eastern Idaho communities. Curtis Ward and Derek Thompson lead the company, and Curtis brings 20 years of building experience to every home. We're a team of around ten — small enough that you'll know the person managing your build, big enough to deliver consistently. Meet the team →

What's a "semi-custom" home, and how is it different from custom or production? +

A fully custom home starts from a blank page — every wall, every window, every dimension decided in design meetings. Wonderful, but slow and expensive.

A production home is the opposite: a fixed plan with limited finish choices, optimized for speed and price.

A semi-custom home is the middle. We start with a proven floor plan that builds well at predictable cost, then let you customize finishes, fixtures, exterior style, and many layout details. You get a home that feels like yours — without the timeline and price ceiling of fully custom. Browse our floor plans →

How many homes do you build per year? +

About 60 homes per year right now, scaling toward 120. We're growing deliberately — adding capacity without losing the build quality that got us here.

Are you the same company as Guardian Homes? +

Curtis Ward co-owns both Odyssey Homes and Guardian Homes, but they're separate companies with different teams and different focuses. Odyssey is semi-custom production. Guardian is fully custom, high-end. If you're considering a fully custom luxury home, Guardian may be a better fit — we'll happily point you that direction.

The Semi-Custom Build Process

How long does it take to build an Odyssey home? +

Typically 6 to 9 months from contract signing to keys, depending on plan, season, and weather. We'll give you a more specific timeline at contract.

Can I see the home being built during construction? +

Yes. We're transparent about the build process. Once the home is past framing and the site is safe, we'll walk you through it as work progresses. You'll also have access to Buildertrend, our client portal, where you can see daily updates, photos, and decisions in one place.

How much of the home can I customize? +

Quite a bit. Within the chosen floor plan, you can customize:

  • Exterior style — Farmhouse, Modern, or Traditional
  • Cabinets, countertops, flooring, paint, lighting, and plumbing fixtures
  • Many interior layout details (open or closed kitchen, bedroom configurations)
  • Add-ons like covered patios, fireplace styles, and basement finishes

What we don't typically change is the structural envelope of the floor plan. If you want a fundamentally different layout, we'll talk about whether that's a semi-custom job or a Guardian Homes conversation. See all floor plans →

Do you handle the lot, or do I bring my own? +

Both options work. We have lots available in Granite Creek, Hawks Landing, and Sand Creek Estates. If you already own a lot and it works structurally for the plan you want, we can build there too. See available lots →

Who's my main point of contact during the build? +

Natasha Ellis runs client communication day to day — billing, selections, design meetings. Rick Michelson is your foreman on site and manages quality and trades. Curtis or Derek will be involved at key decision points. You won't be passed around — you'll know who to call. Meet the full team →

Pricing & Financing

How much does an Odyssey home cost? +

It depends on the floor plan, exterior style, finish selections, and which community you build in. We don't publish a price list because every home prices slightly differently — but our free online estimator lets you build a real itemized number in about 5 minutes, before you talk to anyone. Or call us at (208) 450-5500 for a straight conversation.

Do you carry construction financing, or do I get my own loan? +

You'll typically get your own construction loan from a local lender — most of our buyers use one of the Eastern Idaho banks or credit unions who understand new construction. We work alongside whichever lender you choose. In rare cases, we can carry financing if a bank loan falls through; ask us about it directly if that's relevant.

What does the contract look like — fixed price or cost-plus? +

Most Odyssey contracts are fixed price for the base plan plus your selected upgrades. Change orders after contract get priced and signed individually, so you always know what you're paying before the work happens.

Communities & Lots

What communities do you build in right now? +

Five communities across four Eastern Idaho cities.

Lots available + spec homes in progress:

Spec homes only (community built out):

  • The Parks — Shelley. Finished homes ready to claim.
  • Moser Estates — Rigby. Finished or in-progress homes available.

We don't own or develop these communities — we buy lots inside master-planned developments and build semi-custom homes.

Is there an HOA in your communities? +

Communities with HOA dues: Granite Creek, Hawks Landing, Moser Estates.

Communities without HOA dues: Sand Creek Estates, The Parks.

HOA fees vary by community — current amounts and what each covers are listed on the individual community pages.

What school district are your communities in? +

Most Ammon-area communities are in Bonneville Joint School District 93. Idaho Falls–area builds fall in District 91. Specific schools depend on the community — we'll tell you the exact elementary, middle, and high school zone for your lot before you sign.

Warranty & After-Move-In

What warranty comes with an Odyssey home? +

Every Odyssey home includes a 2-10 Home Builders Warranty: 1 year on workmanship, 2 years on systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC), and 10 years on structural. See how to submit a warranty request →

What if something goes wrong after I move in? +

You call us. Rick or Natasha will route the issue to the right trade and we'll fix it. For year-1 workmanship items we coordinate directly; for system or structural items the 2-10 warranty process kicks in. We don't disappear after you close.

Can I see homes you've built recently? +

Yes. We have model homes you can tour, and recently completed Odyssey homes throughout Granite Creek and Hawks Landing. Browse spec homes → or schedule a tour — Susan, Kaysha, or Gary will show you around.

Idaho Falls & Eastern Idaho

Why are you only in Eastern Idaho? +

Because we're from here. Curtis has 20 years building in this region. Our trades, our suppliers, our team — everyone is local. That's not a limitation, it's the reason quality stays consistent. We know which subs to use and which not to. We know the inspectors. We know what builds well in Idaho winters.

What's the new-construction market like in Idaho Falls right now? +

Demand has stayed strong even with higher interest rates. Inventory of move-in-ready new homes is tight. Lots in established Ammon and Idaho Falls communities are still selling, but pricing has moved up over the last two years. If you're thinking about it, call us — we'll give you a straight read on what's happening on the ground right now.

Still Have Questions?

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We answer every question the same day. No sales pressure, just straight answers.

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