You’ve been waiting and saving for years. Finally, the day is here! You’re ready to begin the construction of your custom house. But…there are a bunch of things you haven’t considered. There are numerous factors that go into planning a custom home, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Fear not! Follow the steps below to start designing your killer dream home. Just like any aspect of a house, the foundation is key, and these foundational choices will shape the rest of your build.
Budget
The first step in any massive purchase is to establish a budget. This is, in most cases, the least fun part of any expensive project. It is, however, critical. When planning to design a custom house, however, you need the budget before you begin. Once a budget is established, you can begin determining what features are must-haves. There are a ton of great resources for budgeting for your killer dream home.
Be diligent, but be realistic. You’ll end up with several expenses you probably didn’t think about initially, such as permit fees and inspections. Don’t go over budget! It does no good to spend all of your money on a custom home, only to be completely impoverished and unable to enjoy it.
Property
You may have your interior design in mind, but where are you going to put it? Once your budget is in place, the next step is to determine location. If you already have property you can utilize, great! This will save you on cost, and makes the choice easy. If not, you’ll need to find property, and this will need to become a part of your budget.
What sort of property do you want? Do you want an open lot with lots of direct sunlight? This would be great if your home you have in mind will be very open, with plenty of windows to take advantage of the sun. Or maybe you’d like a more secluded, private property with dense tree coverage. Again, plan this out before looking for property. It will help cut through the plethora of choices.
While looking for property, also research local building codes. These will also factor in to your budget and your overall decision. Most counties now place their restrictions and requirements online, and you can compile the requirements for the areas you are considering into a file of options.
Lifestyle and Home Style
Some people already have a style of house in mind. If gargoyle-laden, gothic towers are your thing, then have at it. For the rest of you, it’s ok to be unsure of the specifics of housing style. Hopefully by this point you’ve been looking at various options online. Pick something you like aesthetically. It really is that simple.
Perhaps more important than the style of the house is to factor in your lifestyle. Does your family gather around the tv overnight for family movie night? Having a big family room may be important to you. Always hosting get-togethers? Focus on that massive kitchen. Once again, pick something you like. Hopefully you’ll be living here for years to come!
For any of your killer dream home needs, reach out to Chadwick Custom Homes. Our team is standing by and ready to help you on your homeowners journey!
