If building your own home has been a longtime dream, there are many things to remember to have the best outcome.
Mind our home-building tips below and you’re sure to love your new home.
Select A Quality Contractor
You likely have many home contractors to choose from, but you should choose one that is experienced, reliable and reputable so your home building process goes smoothly.
When evaluating builders, check their financial situation and local reputation. The contractor should have a strong record of delivering custom homes on time and on budget, and the quality of work should be excellent.
You may adore the home design or subdivision, but if your builder doesn’t do a good job on your dream home, you’ll be unhappy.
Also, remember to check online reviews at Yelp and Google Reviews to find builders who do a great job in your community.
Remember To Consider The Ceiling
As you design your own home and begin the construction phase, you might not give as much thought to the ceiling of each room. After all, if the ceiling covers the studs and there isn’t water leaking, what else is there to consider?
Actually, interior designers often say that when ceiling design is carefully considered, it can provide major curb appeal.
A good choice is what is called a tray ceiling, also known as a recessed ceiling. It looks like a tray that was turned upside down and put into the room’s ceiling. This gives the ceiling varying heights and a 3-D effect that many homeowners like.
You could also consider a step ceiling, which is like a tray ceiling but with several trays.
Both options add glamor and visual appeal to your ceilings, and your home will look unique.
Don’t Just Plan For Today
Building your own home from scratch gives you the chance to design the home to fit your needs. However, your needs won’t be static; they’ll change as the months and years pass, so think about what your future looks like.
Will your children go off to college soon, or do you want to have more children in two or three years? Do you have an older parent who will need to stay with you on a regular basis?
Next, think about your employment situation. Will you be able to work from home and need a home office? If you are close to retiring, consider if you will want a room to do arts and crafts or other hobbies.
Thinking about where you will be in five or ten years will assist you in planning the design of the home for the long haul.
Have Your Finishes Ready In Advance
This is one of those super-important details of homebuilding that many aspiring owners don’t consider. Having your finishes picked and ready to install will ensure the home building process goes off without a hitch.
Building finishes to have thought out and ready during the construction process include exterior items, such as bricks, paint, or stone. On the inside, you should have your flooring and cabinets and many other finishing touches picked up, ordered, and ideally, ready to install today.
The problem with finishes is they can sometimes be back-ordered and delay the process. Or, the ideal tile for the kitchen that you picked up three months ago isn’t available anymore.
If you choose the finished items early, it usually allows the products to be on hand when the builder is ready to install them. If the builder doesn’t have all your finishes when they need them, your home project could take longer.
Think About The Land
Most of us are focused on home design, and that’s understandable. But where you build the home and choose a lot also are a huge deal.
There are many variables to consider when purchasing a parcel of land for your custom home. That’s why it’s often best to partner with a realtor who is experienced in buying lots and land for custom homes.
When selecting the lot and land for your new home, there are several factors to think about:
- Is the lot zoned for a residential building? Or is it a historical location with special zoning and building standards?
- Is your lot located in an area that floods? Some lots may look dreamy, but could turn into muddy messes during the rainy season.
- If you don’t check the lot for easements before purchasing, you could find out surprises later. If there is an easement, it allows people or entities to go through your property even if they don’t hold title to it. This can be a privacy concern so beware.
- Ask the utility and water company to check what your monthly costs will be. If your lot is far from civilization, it could be expensive to be on city water and electricity.
- Have A Contingency Fund Ready
If you’ve ever heard about going over budget on a custom build, it’s true – it happens often. However, if you’re careful, you can usually stick close to your allocated budget.
That said, you should have a contingency fund built into your budget. A common oversight is underestimating what major kitchen appliances will cost. It’s not unheard of to set a budget, only to find out that it won’t cover more than the fridge and dishwasher.
Just be honest with your builder and tell them exactly what you want in the home when they are pricing it. If you do that, you might go over budget a bit, but it won’t be too bad. It’s those finishing touches that lead to major costs.
No question, building your own home is the dream of many Americans. By following the tips outlined here, you’re more likely to enjoy a smoother home-building process.