Building a home exactly how you want it can be a daunting, yet exciting task. There are many things to consider, including finding the right builder, your role during the design and construction of your home, and finding the right financing, which we discussed in a previous post. But with as many details and decisions that are required when designing and building a custom home, a few tips on what to do and what not to do may be helpful!

DO select your lot carefully.

You know what they say about buying a home: “location, location, location”. The same rings true when selecting a plot of land to build your custom home. Here are some things to consider when selecting a lot.

• Is the area going to be developed further? 

• What is the drainage like in this area, and will it require any special preparation prior to construction?

• What are the taxes, fees, or permits going to be in this area?

• Where are the underground utilities located, and how old are they?  Will an additional irrigation meter be required for your property?

• Are there any large trees that need to be removed prior to construction?
  
  
  

If you have selected the right home builder, they will likely ask you these questions (and many more) during the planning and design phase. However, these things are important to consider, as most of them may be costly additions once construction begins.

DON'T hold back your ideas on what you want your home to look like.

Though building a home comes with countless options, it is very important to speak up about your wants and needs during the design phase. This includes any floor plan necessities, but also opinions on finishes from cabinetry color, flooring, counter tops, wall color, and more. Waiting until the home is nearly complete to speak up about what you really want can be very costly and time-consuming.

DO prioritize your needs and wants when it comes to your home design.

When designing and building a custom home, especially if you are budget-conscience, it is important to prioritize your needs and wants. There is always the possibility of unexpected delays or issues coming up, which is often costly. This could make some of the designs or finishes change or be excluded altogether. Knowing what your absolute must-haves are will help the process run more smoothly and letting your builder know these up-front will make the decision process a bit easier as well.

DON'T forget to think long-term.

Many people who build custom homes plan to stay in their home for the rest of their lives. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to spend the rest of their lives in the home they helped design? However, it is important to think about the layout and design of your home when it comes to potential limited mobility. Is the home you are designing going to work for you if mobility becomes an issue without a major upgrade or renovation? Building these features into your home the first time around can not only save you money in the long run, but also save you the headache of having to deal with these renovations later.

DO include enough space for everyone and everything, including extra storage!

Custom homes can be as big or small as you want, with countless options when it comes to floorplans. It’s important to consider the number of people in your family, your hobbies, visiting friends and family, and any other entity that may take up space. Many people forget about hobbies or collections that may need additional space when choosing their floor plan and regret not including extra storage space or closets. Having an office space, guest bedroom, additional garage space for a boat or RV, space for future children or grandchildren, an area for pets, a game room or great room for entertaining, and hobby/project areas are just a few things people forget to consider when choosing their floor plans.

DON'T be surprised with a few delays.

Designing and constructing a home has a lot of moving parts, decisions, and people involved. If one thing doesn’t go as planned, it could cause delays for other parts of the project. Anticipating delays before they even happen will help reduce anxiety and help the process go a bit smoother. Some reasons delays happen include weather, incorrect custom orders, delays in orders or delivery, or a change in design during construction.

DO check out J. Thompson Builder's Home Planning Worksheet.

Interested in learning more about building your own custom home? Check out our Home Planning Worksheet. We’d like to say we are the experts when it comes to designing and building custom homes! Our Home Planning Worksheet is a great place to start if you are thinking about building a custom home. Contact us with questions or for more information.