You’ve got a vision for your home that you don’t want to compromise on. But nothing on the market quite fits your description. So, you’ve decided that a custom home is the way to go.
Once you decide to take on a project of this magnitude, you’ve got some work ahead of you. Prebuilt homes have all the decisions made for you—with a custom house, you’ll play a role in choosing each part of it, from the floor tiles to the square footage. How do you get started on such a big project? Here are a few things to consider when designing your custom home:
Creating a Budget
With an undertaking like a custom home, setting up a realistic budget can be overwhelming.
A good place to start is by making a list of priorities. What are the features that your house needs for you to be happy living in it? Once you’ve ironed out a few must-haves, you can start moving down the list and writing aspects that you could live without. You might not be willing to settle on a home with fewer than 3 bedrooms, but you could possibly do without an in-suite bathroom or an island in the kitchen.
Custom homes are one of those projects that are notorious for going over-budget. But this doesn’t have to be the case. Be sure to factor in all the non-building costs—permit fees, taxes, and construction expenses.
Location, Location, Location!
This factor will influence the future value of your home, so be picky about it. Consider what the view will be like on all sides of your property. If you have dreams of expanding your home in the future, keep your options open by purchasing a spacious lot of land. Thinking about getting a dog? They’ll love it if you have a big backyard.
When you’re settling on a location, ask yourself the following questions: are there water and power lines nearby? Are there any environmental risks in the area (flooding, earthquakes, etc.)? Is the lot close to amenities like grocery stores and shopping malls?
Choosing the Layout
It’s nice to have more space, but it also involves more cleaning and maintenance. If you plan to start a family down the road, a second floor will give you more space for additional bedrooms. Is your lifestyle better-suited to a one-story home, or two?
You can choose to implement an open concept in your home, or keep things private with more walls.
You also have to consider the size that each room should be. If you’re really into cooking, then you’ll want a big kitchen. But if you’re more of a shopaholic, you may want extra space for a walk-in closet in the bedroom.
The beauty of building a custom home is that there are no limits on your creativity (aside from your budget). You’re free to design your home in ways that suit your lifestyle.
Selecting Materials
Now it’s time to think about the building blocks of your home. You’ll want a roof that’s durable for better roofing maintenance, like a metal roof. Protect yourself (and your energy bill) against extreme weather conditions by using high-quality insulation. When it comes to the flooring, ask yourself if you prefer hardwoods, tiles, or carpets.
In this step, you’ll really put your budget to the test. Higher-end fixtures will cost more, from lights to faucets. To stay within your budget, you’ll need to think carefully about which materials are a priority to you.
Finding the Right Team
Making a detailed plan with an air-tight budget is the first step toward designing your custom home. After that, you need to find the right crew to help you actualize your vision.
With any kind of construction work, be sure to shop around for several bids. When you’re choosing your plumbers, ask your friends or family members if they have recommendations. Then, meet with at least three businesses and ask for an estimate on the cost of setting up the plumbing in your home. The least expensive option isn’t always the best—the plumber may be underestimating the expenses, or maybe they don’t perform high-quality work.
The same advice goes for when you’re choosing builders and architects. Make sure they respect the budget that you’ve set for your project. Ask for a time frame so that you know when the job should be completed.
Designing a custom home takes careful planning, problem-solving, and patience. It’s a bit more work than just buying a prebuilt home and moving in once the papers are signed. However, nothing matches the excitement of unpacking your bags in your dream house. When you’re ready to start your San Antonio custom home, call on the experts at Urbano Design and Build. Your efforts will be well worth it!
