Seven Mistakes To Avoid When Building A Home
For most people, building a custom home is an exciting and occasionally stressful experience. While the OMG look on most clients’ faces when we hand over the keys is a rewarding experience, building a custom home is a complex process.
As a fourth-generation custom home builder in Asheville, experience and generational knowledge have taught us a thing or two about how clients can set themselves up for success or heartache when building a custom home.
What to Avoid
To help you avoid heartache, we’re sharing the seven common mistakes we see homeowners often make when building their first custom home.
- Underestimating the Budget. One of the most common mistakes is underestimating the total cost of building a custom home. One of the reasons we provide detailed, transparent estimates to clients is that many homeowners don’t account for various expenses like design fees, permits, landscaping, or unexpected construction costs. It’s crucial to create a realistic budget that includes a buffer for unforeseen expenses.
- Not Doing Enough Research. Lack of research can lead to poor decision-making. Research is especially important when selecting your builder and your architect. While it’s helpful to be familiar with local building codes, your builder and architect need to be experts. You also need to know of any covenants and restrictions that may apply to your lot and any other regulation that can impact your project. Insufficient research can result in avoidable challenges, subpar construction, or even legal issues.
- Ignoring Long-Term Needs. It can be a mistake to focus solely on immediate needs and preferences without considering how the home will meet future needs. Your family and lifestyle may change, so it’s important to plan for long-term functionality. Wider hallways and doorways can accommodate mobility devices; stacked closets can become an elevator shaft; and a main level ensuite are all examples of planning for future needs.
- Over-customizing. The phrase “custom home” implies individuality, that you are building a home that is unique to you and specific to your needs and preferences. However, there is such a thing as over-customizing. Features that are too unique can lead to excessive costs and potential resale difficulties. Working with a reputable interior designer can help you balance your unique style with what can be changed in the future.
- Skipping the Planning Stage. Rushing into construction without a comprehensive plan – especially a site plan – can lead to costly changes and delays. For example, building in the mountains can bring challenges like steep slopes, water percolation, and utility access. Ensuring you’re working with an experience, reputable builder as early as possible in the process will help you avoid any foreseeable pitfalls. And they’ll ensure you have the correct detailed blueprints, a clear timeline, and a project management strategy in place. Download our Guide to Building a Custom Home.
- Neglecting Energy Efficiency. While money may be no object, most people don’t like to waste money. Building an energy efficient home is a smart decision because, failing to incorporate energy-efficient features during the design and construction can lead to higher utility bills and environmental impact. Consider eco-friendly options like insulation, energy-efficient appliances, and renewable energy sources. Click to learn more about green building.
- Ignoring Professional Guidance. Some homeowners try to manage the entire construction process on their own. From our perspective, this approach can be abundantly problematic. In most circumstances, the homeowners lack process knowledge, code and permitting expertise, and adequate resources to secure materials and reputable labor. Do not underestimate the value of professional input. Experienced architects, builders, and designers can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure the project runs smoothly.
TL:DL Essential Actions to Avoid Mistakes
To avoid these mistakes, which can be costly in terms of time and money, it’s essential to plan thoroughly, create a realistic budget with a reserve for potential contingencies, and seek professional advice. It is worthwhile to take the time to educate yourself and make informed decisions. Doing so can exponentially improve the building process and your experience.
Our goal is to make building a custom home a delightful progression, from vision to dream home, for you. Click to learn more about our process, and when you’re ready to build, let’s talk.