From Dirt to Done: Being Your Own Contractor

Most banks help people buy houses. At The Bank of Southside Virginia (BSV), some customers take it a step further by building them from the ground up.

For Danny Beale, a longtime Southside Virginia resident, building his own home wasn't just a dream. It was a practical decision rooted in experience, relationships and a desire to save.

"I just didn't want to pay the extra $30,000 to $40,000 for someone to oversee it when I could do it myself," said Beale, a construction crew leader with a local electric cooperative.

That decision put him in the role of general contractor for the first time, as he coordinated with every electrician, carpenter, plumber and other trades professionals - not to mention every permit and every timeline. From purchasing land in early 2025 to moving in by January, Beale managed the entire process himself, leaning on decades of relationships with contractors whom he worked with in his day job and a willingness to learn.

"It was very challenging," he said, "but I had resources to go to."

From the start, those resources included BSV, which is the only local bank in Southside Virginia offering both construction loans and owner-builder loans. Those options give customers like Beale, who came to BSV after getting referrals from friends, the ability to take control of their build - without sacrificing financial guidance or support. Customers who opt for these loans often are building on inherited land or a plot carved out of family property.

Throughout the process, Beale stayed in close contact with his BSV lender, Lauren Harper, senior vice president for business development, who worked with him at the Franklin branch.

The first step, however, involved several thorough and honest conversations to ensure that customers truly understand every cost involved. The loan application process includes "getting bids for every single task from the first shovel in the ground to the finished project," Harper said.

Financing may be available for a portion of eligible project costs, and customers should be prepared to contribute some of their own funds while also keeping reserves on hand for unexpected increases in materials or labor.

"Every time I had a question, Lauren was in contact with me three or four times a week all through the process," said Beale, a first-time customer. "She was very great to work with."

That level of access and responsiveness made a difference, not just in navigating financing, but in tackling the unexpected. From permits to fencing to scheduling trades, Beale wasn't alone.

The result is a 1,200-square-foot home on a wooded lot in Isle of Wight County, complete with a large porch and a detached garage. After first demolishing a rundown 60-year-old home on the property, he sited the new residence to take advantage of the existing septic system, though he had to have an updated well dug. Woods run along both sides of the property, with open fields in front and behind the new home he shares with Rebecca Beale.

Ultimately, Beale built his dream home on his terms, within his budget and designed for the next chapter of life.

"This is my retirement home," he said.

For BSV, stories like Danny's reflect a deeper understanding of the communities they serve. In Southside Virginia, building a home often means more than choosing finishes. It means managing land, costs and relationships in a hands-on way.

The partnership with BSV also prompted Beale to bring his personal banking accounts to the Franklin branch, where the team greets him by name every time he walks in the door.

And while Beale admits he once said he'd "never do this again," he also acknowledges what the experience gave him.

"I learned a lot," he said. "If I had to do it again, I would."

With BSV, that choice is always on the table - from the first piece of dirt to the final move-in day.

"The Bank of Southside Virginia is a Member FDIC Bank."