There are certain things we all wish we knew when we were younger. Money? It doesn’t always equal happiness. Mistakes? They’re bound to happen. Other people’s opinions? They don’t matter as much as we might think.
Hindsight is 20/20, as they say.
The same goes for building a custom home. Here are seven things most people who have built a custom home would say they wish they knew before they got started.
1. Research the Ideal Location
The best custom home in the world won’t be as enjoyable if you’re not in an ideal location. Do your research on where you want to live—what part of town, what neighborhood and so forth. Make sure you’re comfortable with local schools, crime rates, amenities and more.
2. Design for the Future
One of the biggest perks of a custom home home is that it’s designed to improve your quality of life. It’s also often designed to be a forever home. Design accordingly, thinking about what features interest you in the moment, of course, but also what features you’ll need as the years pass by and you get older.
3. Prepare to Go Over Budget
There are ways to budget for every area of the custom home-building process, but if you have the mindset that you’ll go over budget, it won’t be as much of a shock or disappointment if/when you do. Many people plan a higher budget than they think they need in order to account for any overages that might occur.
4. Choose the Right Builder
Your custom home will only be as good as the builder you hire. Make sure your custom home builder has the experience, skill, resources and dedication to customer satisfaction required to exceed your expectations and deliver the home of your dreams.
5. Keep Your Timeline Flexible
Do you want to move into a home quickly or do you want the perfect home? When it comes to custom homes, you can’t rush it. The best builders will complete the home as efficiently as possible, but it’s a wise idea to remain flexible with your timeline in case there are any complications that extend any phase in the custom home-building process.
6. Stick to a Safe Style
Certain trends come and go. Shag carpet, for example, wasn’t popular for very long. Make sure you choose a style and features in your home that will be classic and timeless. Don’t worry, there are several different home styles that stand the test of time while letting your personality shine through.
7. Don’t Forget the Yard!
When building, budgeting and planning your home, don’t forget about landscaping. It’s part of what will make a first impression on friends, family and guests, after all. It can also significantly impact your budget. Make sure you’re thinking about the exterior of the home before you get started on designing the interior.
If you have other questions about what you need to know before building a custom home, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
