Building a custom home sounds like an expensive, exhausting, and frustrating process. However, with the right information in your hands before you begin building, you can design and build a home that meets all of your needs for years to come. Following these tips will help you make building your new home easier.
Create a Wish List
One of the first things you should do is make a list of exactly what you do and don’t want in your new home. This information will be critical to your home-building team. Custom home builder, Bill Starkey understands the importance of creating a home that is unique to your needs. Many builders recommend going to open houses to get a feel for features that you may or may not want in your new home.
Interview Builders
Ask for custom builder references from friends, family, and co-workers. Perform an online search for builders that work in your area. Make sure to see a portfolio of their past projects to ensure that they build homes similar to your dream home. The builder should provide references for you to speak with previous customers and ask about their experiences. Some questions you should ask your home builder include:
- Who will be my primary contact regarding the construction of my home?
- Do you offer a new home warranty?
- Can I provide my own blueprints?
- Do you have a preferred land surveyor, engineer or architect?
- How do your homes differ from other custom homes?
Purchase the Lot
If you do not already own the lot, work with a realtor to purchase a piece of property in your desired location. Make sure you hire a realtor that specializes in building lots. You will need to invest in a land survey that indicates the buildable area of the parcel, including building setbacks and easements. Contact the local planning and zoning department and the homeowner’s association to familiarize yourself with building requirements.
Integrate Green Alternatives
Designing your new home allows you to easily integrate green building options. Sustainable features allow you to protect the environment and save money simultaneously. Seek out a custom home builder like Bill Starkey that specializes in using sustainable building materials and incorporates energy-efficient systems into the home. Some ideas to make your home more environmentally friendly are:
- Cool roof
- Stormwater irrigation
- Solar energy
- Insulated basement
- Permeable pavement
Enjoy Your Home
Once you move in, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your home. You have worked hard to make sure that your home meets all of your requirements from the day you move in. There is no need to worry about frustrating renovation projects. You have selected all of the appliances that you need. Even the hardware on the doors is exactly the style you wanted.
Designing and building your own custom home is an exciting opportunity for you to create a home that meets all of your needs. Taking the time to detail exactly what features you want in your home is an important step in the building process.