Deciding to build a new home is one of the most important things in life, especially if you think you’re going to live there for many years. Today, most people prefer houses that are already built so that they won’t have to spend a lot of time and effort. Instead, they just renovate the whole house.
On the other hand, for some, it’s necessary to choose customised houses since they want a fresh start with a home that they’ve been dreaming of. However, choosing a customised home is not as easy as you think. You’ll need to make smart and practical decisions before you dive into the world of dealing with construction materials and custom home builders.
As a preparation for this new chapter of your life, here are some things you should consider before finalising your decision to avail a custom home.
1. Financial status
As you may already know, you’ll be needing more than a handful of money when you’re going for a custom home. Thus, you should know your financial status.
Unlike home renovations, custom homes take a lot of additional permits and professional consultations so it’s more likely that you’ll need money every step of the way. Fortunately, if you have credible financial status, you can opt for bank loans. But of course, you’ll also need your savings at some point.
More importantly, whether you’ll be using your savings or having bank loans, have your budget ready so that you have an expected amount you’ll spend on this project.
2. Number of household members
Are you going to live in this house alone, or do you have a family to live with? Of course, a lot of things will vary according to the number of people who’ll be living in your custom home. For instance, it’s easier to decide on the number of bedrooms if there’s a finalised number of people in mind.
Furthermore, you can easily determine if you’ll need a bigger space or not. However, there are designs that you can just adjust later on, so there’s room for improvement. It’ll be easier to decide on the measurements of the space if you try to visit display homes. Usually, they include the exact measurements of each room in their brochures just so you have a reference.
3. Location
Have you thoroughly inspected the land where you’re planning to build your house? Most areas have rules and regulations when it comes to building construction. In addition, you’ll need to have their approval when it comes to your final design. But if there’s no problem with that, including the installation of your necessities, then it’ll be fine!
However, it doesn’t end there, you’ll also need to consider some updates in the community, and the distance from school, market, and parks. This is even more important if you’ve purchased the land in the past years.
4. Custom home builders
If you search for custom home builders, you’ll find a lot of businesses that offer what you’re looking for. Unfortunately, it’s not recommended that you just pick randomly among all these builders.
First, you’ll need to look at the most reviewed custom home builders. It’s important that you analyse the legitimacy of these reviews to avoid facing problems in the future.
Then, look for their contact details, and set a face-to-face interview. If there are a lot of reliable custom home builders near you, you can just select the top three which you can screen further.
Lastly, if everything goes well after the interviews, you can select the custom home builders team that you think you can trust.
5. Your dream design
Do you have an idaea of your entire dream house? If you already have a draught or even just bits of what you really want, it’s time to make this dream come true!
Since you’re availing of a custom home, you can include whatever you want as long as it’s allowed. Some ideas you can include are skylights, a playroom, and a safe room.
It’s also the time when you can be as creative as you want with the built-in shelves and multi-purpose staircase. But if you want to settle with other designs, it’s up to you to decide.
6. Time frame
According to experts, an average home might take up to six months to finish. So if you’re going for a more modern and bigger house, there’s a possibility that it will take more time. That’s why it’s important that you have a time frame.
To avoid any interruptions with the actual construction, it’s best if you arrange the paperwork prior to the building season which is during summer.
Furthermore, having a time frame will help you save time and money. Of course, with the ongoing construction, you’ll still need to pay for additional bills and other permits.
7. Home maintenance
When thinking of your dream house, you’ll have to consider your needs and wants. Unfortunately, some people tend to forget the fact that houses need to be maintained. So if you want a big space, make sure that you also have time to clean or have them cleaned.
Furthermore, you should apply for house insurance just in case you face some damages in the future.
It’s important that you take these post-build expenses because you’re building a house not just for today, but for your future. Besides, having a custom home is a great investment so you shouldn’t let it go to waste.
Finally, you should never expect that everything will flow smoothly. Things will definitely go wrong, especially in terms of time and money. So if you choose to have a custom home, be as patient as possible, as it’ll all be worth it!
Don’t forget to share with us your custom home building experience by commenting below.
