What You Need To Know Before Building Your Custom Home

Miller Construction & Design September 27, 2019 Home Construction

Building your custom home can bring immense fulfillment, but it can also cause you some real headaches if you aren’t prepared. There are some key factors that you should consider before starting the process. Here’s what you need to know before building your custom home.

Identify The Right Location

Finding the right location for your custom home can make-or-break the project. You may ask, “How hard can this be?”

At the end of the day, not all land plots are the same and some come with hidden challenges. Issues like topography, soil quality, title/deed issues, as well as the location’s centrality to amenities should be considered.

You want to make sure that you’re buying property in a quality neighborhood. Some neighborhoods make better investment sense than others and will reward you with a greater return over time. You also don’t want to overspend on the property because there are many other costs to consider when building your custom home.

What’s The Budget?

Any custom home build requires a budget. Prices for new homes can range from between $150 to $250 per square foot depending on location and upgrades; costs can add up fast! Your budget will determine the size of your home, as well as the style and finishes that you decide on. Budgetary considerations should include:

The cost of the property
Architectural and other design fees
Construction fees
Landscaping costs
Local fees and permits
Upfront mortgage fees, if applicable

Another really important thing to consider is a contingency budget. Housing construction projects always come with unforeseen and hidden costs. A build will almost always cost more than you think it will once you’ve taken all the ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ costs into consideration. ‘Hard’ costs are the direct costs of the actual construction such as the building materials and labor costs. ‘Soft’ costs are the ‘non-building’ costs such as the architectural fees, real estate commissions, and permitting fees. These can add up quickly.

What Size Is Right?

Once you have decided on a budget, you can look at choosing the right size for your custom home. Decide upfront how much space you have to work with and how big you want your home to be. You may need to look into zoning restrictions as there might be issues such as height restrictions. Deciding on your living requirements is a must and you should consider the following questions:

How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need?
How many living areas do you require?
Do you require a home office?
What about a dedicated laundry room?
Do you require a garage?
What about a dining room area?

You will also want to think about the layout and flow of your home. How open-plan do you require it to be? How many entrances do you want? It’s also wise to build your lifestyle requirements into your home. For instance, if you love music, you may want to consider a music room. If you’re a nature-lover, you’ll want to ensure that you incorporate a nice garden into your property. Various other custom home design preferences will also need to be considered such as the style of the house as well as the interior finishes.

Choose The Right Building Team

Choosing the right building team can make-or-break your custom home project.

First, you should choose an architect or home design plan created by an architect. Don’t wait too long! Architects not only create floor plans; they also make your dream home a reality.

You may also want to consult with an interior designer or professional landscaper to decide on the style and design elements for your house.

Perhaps the most important consideration is to hire the right building contractor. The right contractor will bring your home to life and you want to make the right choice, the first time. There are some key do’s and don’ts of construction. At Miller Construction and Design, we offer a full range of contractor and design services.

Build Your Custom Home With Confidence

Building your custom home doesn’t have to be stressful when you have the right team behind you. At Miller Construction and Design, we specialize in residential home builds. We will ensure that you have confidence and peace of mind of knowing that your dream home will indeed become a reality!