As you think about starting a custom home building project in the new year, it’s important to understand that the process isn’t as simple as handing floor plans to a builder and saying go. A custom home is built to fit you and your family. It’s based on what you’ve dreamed of for years. It’s a representation of your style. As you embark on this journey, here are 4 things to consider:
Leave wiggle room in your budget.
No matter how carefully you plan out your custom home building project, you’ll most likely run into unexpected challenges. Whether the foundation needs to be reinforced, hooking up to the utilities costs more, or you decide to go with the white Italian marble in the master suite bathroom, extra expenses will happen. If you plan your custom home and don’t have wiggle room in your budget, you could end up needing to borrow more money to complete the project. Your custom home builder will work with you to determine an appropriate budget for your dream home, but when you make changes to the design or layout of your home, it could impact the overall cost of the project. Plus, changing details like the type of cabinets you want in the kitchen could cause the price of your project to increase.
Be prepared for the unexpected.
We touched on this in the above section, but it’s really important to keep in mind that the unexpected can and probably will happen during your custom home building project. If a custom home builder tells you otherwise, then you might want to question their honesty and integrity. The truth is that a custom home builder, no matter how experienced, cannot predict every little aspect of a project. Things like hooking into the sewer lines or running new electrical lines can end up costing more than expected. Running into other issues like severe weather can cause the entire project to be delayed. These challenges aren’t the fault of the builder, but it helps if everyone involved understands that unexpected things do occur during a project like this.
Stay organized with a binder.
During the process of building a custom home, you’re going to have a lot of information thrown at you. You’ll also have a lot of different ideas for your future home that you want to share with everyone involved in the project. Staying organized can easily and quickly become a challenging aspect of the project. One of the best ways to stay on top of the project is to use a binder that you can keep everything in. Opt for a larger binder that allows you to create separate sections for things like, decor ideas, bills, layouts, and important documentation. When your house is complete, it’s a great idea to create another binder that has things like paint colors and appliance manuals in it, so if you need to buy more paint down the road or have your appliances serviced, you know exactly where the information is.
Don’t make any assumptions.
Finally, one of the best ways to make your custom home building project go smoother is by not making assumptions. If you assume one thing and your custom home builder assumes something else, then your project can easily be derailed. Rather than make assumptions, it’s better to ask questions and communicate with your builder about any concerns you may have. Making assumptions can leave you with a home that you don’t completely fall in love with the minute you walk through the front door. Open, honest communication with your custom home builder will result in the home of your dreams being built.
Are you still in the early stages of planning your custom home? Be sure to download our free e-book, “Tips for Building Your Custom Home,” to learn more about the process, what to look for in a lot, and how to hire the right builder for your project.
If you’re ready to get started now, then contact Hamilton Homes to set up a consultation meeting. Our builders would love to hear about your dream home and how we can turn it into a reality.
