If you’re one of the many people considering building a brand new home, it’s sure to be one of the most exciting moments in your life. Having the ability to freely customize is your abode is a wonderful opportunity to create a space that fits you and your family to perfection.
But before you even begin talking to contractors, you should make sure prevent any unnecessary delays or unexpected costs by performing an adequate amount of research in advance.

Things to Consider

Lot Size

Most contractors have a variety of communities, and the lot sizes can vary greatly depending on their vision. Some are intentionally placed on smaller lots with low-maintenance in mind whereas some can be multiple acres.

Homes with larger lots are usually located in more rural areas. If you’re looking for a large quantity of land in a suburban area (especially those with high rated schools) expect to pay a premium on land.

This is also an important factor when it comes to recreation. Do you need a flatter plot of land for items like a swing-set or trampoline? Would you like to be able to fit a pool in your yard? Are you planning on installing a deck or patio? How about having enough space for your yearly vegetable garden?

Asking yourself these questions in advance will help you select the right plot and adequately plan for projects both now and in the future.

Taxes

Although you may have no problem affording that gorgeous home you’re currently building, the taxes are an important concern you should research in advance. Reach out to your local municipality (or real estate agent if you have one) and discuss comparable homes on similar sized lots to ensure you have all your ducks in a row.

Layout

Potentially one of the most difficult parts of any custom home process is the layout of a home. Should you make the space large and open or would you prefer separate and defined rooms? Should your laundry room or master bedroom be upstairs or downstairs? Where should the stairs go in order to maximize space? Are you leaning more towards aesthetically pleasing or functional?

Really take into account your needs and lifestyle as well as how they may change over the years prior to making a final decision.

Thankfully most contractors have a large variety of wonderful floor plans to choose from, or at least take inspiration from as you decide.

Interior

This is where the majority of homeowners get hung up and not only waste weeks of their time deliberating over the smallest choices but also wind up going far over their initial anticipated budget.

The best thing for future home builders is to create a Plan A, B and C when it comes to every room in the house. Those beautiful cream cabinets with the fancy beveling? They could wind up costing four times more than you anticipate. So rather than going far over budget or wind up disappointed, your back up plan will allow you to move on happily and remain focused.

While inventory and price will ultimately vary based on a contractor’s options and preferred partners, you can still visit design centers and other material suppliers in advance to weigh your options better.

The top items you should research for design and even price in advance are:

1). Cabinets

  • Color
  • Depth
  • Height
  • Dimensions
  • Construction Quality (glued, stapled, dovetailed, etc)
  • Material (Cherry, Oak, Birch, etc)
  • Same or different for every room? (kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, etc)

2). Hardware

  • Handles, Pulls or Knobs

3). Sinks

  • Farmhouse Sink
  • Multiple Sections
  • Round, Square, Rectangle
  • Granite, Porcelain, Stainless Steel

4). Counter Tops

  • Heat, Stain, Scratch Resistance
  • Same Throughout Home?
  • Granite, Marble, Butcher’s Block, Stainless Steel, etc

5). Appliances

  • Gas or Electric Range
  • Stove top with wall ovens or Freestanding Stove and Oven Combo
  • Decorative Hood or Microwave Hood

6). Island

  • Stove-top, Dishwasher, Sink, Garbage bins on Island?
  • Outlets

7). Windows

  • Standard Size
  • Extra Long
  • Lattice Inserts
  • Bay Windows
  • Stained glass
  • Top and Bottom Opening Windows

8). Flooring

  • Wood
  • Tile
  • Composite
  • Wood-Grain Tile
  • Marble
  • Mosaic patterns

9) Basements

  • Deeper Pours
  • Roughed-in Plumbing for Future Bathroom

10). Add-Ons

  • Custom Drawers/Cabinets (for bowls, plates, etc)
  • Pull-Out Cutting Boards
  • Pop-up Outlets
  • USB Outlets

11). Lighting

  • Chandeliers
  • Bathroom Fixtures
  • Type of Recessed Lighting
  • Fans
  • Dimmer Switches
  • Outside Fixtures
  • Motion Sensors
  • Under Cabinet Lighting

12). Outlets

  • Hidden/Visible
  • USB or Traditional
  • Placement in Rooms
  • Install in Built-in Shelves for Decorative Lighting
  • Install in Walk-in Closets
  • Wall Outlets for Mounted Televisions

13).Trim

  • High/Low Baseboards
  • Crown Molding
  • Chair Rails
  • Recessed Ceilings

14). Doors

  • Front Door
  • Garage Door
  • Internal Doors
  • Door to Basement

15). Metal Finishes

  • Gold
  • Brass
  • Oil-Rubbed Bronze
  • Chrome
  • Polished Nickel