New Construction
So you’ve decided to build your dream home from scratch. You’ve checked around to see what homes that were already available, but nothing quite gave you that spark. Now you’re here! At Enhaus Design & Build, we specialize in new home construction and will also help you with the interior design process as well. There are a variety of steps that help you get started on your dream home. We’ve gathered a few of them to help you with the process of building your dream home:
Check Your Budget
Once you’ve decided that building a custom home from the ground up is the right choice for you, the next step is figuring out how you’ll pay for it. You have the option of paying with cash or taking out a loan, just keep in mind to work within a realistic budget that works best for you.
Locate the right lot
If you don’t already own the land you plan to build on, you’ll need to shop around for the right lot. A real estate agent can help you identify lots for sale in your area.
As you narrow down lots you like, you’ll want to get in contact with your architect and builder to make sure the lot you select fits the needs of your home’s floor plan and design. They should be able to help you check zoning laws, restrictions, and identify any attributes of the lot that might make it more expensive to build on. They will be able to see and catch things that you may not be able to at first. It’s important to establish a good relationship with your architect and builder so that you all can be on the same page when it comes to building your home.
Plan and design the home
Figuring out the size, layout, and style of your home is a big task, and it can happen before or after the lot is selected, depending on your individual plans. When you’re building a custom home, the sky’s the limit, although you will need to keep in mind your budget and any limitations of your lot. Also, consider on how long you plan on living within your home. Some people live in their homes for no longer than 10 years, so you might want to consider the value of your home if you’re looking to resell in the future.
Also, for inspiration, look for interior design inspiration online or research the latest smart home features to see if you think they’re worth the added cost.
Here are a few important design decisions to consider that need to be made early on:
-
Home style
-
The number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
-
Outdoor space.
-
Single story vs. two-story or more.
-
Interior design.
-
Additional features.
-
Future resale value.
Hire professionals
Building a home isn’t an easy task, and it’s rare to take on the entire project yourself. So, you’ll need to have several different professionals by your side to ensure your home is structurally sound, follows local code and suits your needs.
-Home builder
Hiring the right builder can make or break your custom home experience. Choose someone who is not only a licensed general contractor but also has a portfolio of custom homes and success stories in recent years.
To find your builder, you can ask for a referral from friends and family, search online, or ask your real estate agent for recommendations. A good builder will help with:
-
Budget
-
Zoning laws, including acquiring permits
-
Infrastructure needs, like utilities and sewer
-Architect
In most places, in order to even apply for permits, you’ll need architectural plans. Discuss the following details with your architect before they create your blueprints:
-
Square footage
-
Stories
-
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
-
Layout
-
Functionality
-Interior designer
You may also want to hire an interior designer who can help with the finishes once the framing and structural elements are in place. From flooring to bath tiles to fixtures, there are many design choices that need to be made, and it can get overwhelming for the average home buyer if you don’t have a set plan already. If you do plan on making all the interior design choices on your own, don’t wait until installation time. Start researching finishes and fixtures early so you can set your budget.
-Other professionals
Keep in mind that there are other professionals involved in the custom-home-building process. Many of these people are hired by your home builder or general contractor:
-
Land clearing crew
-
Surveyor
-
Structural engineer
-
Inspector (from the city)
-
Plumbers
-
Electricians
These are just the few steps to consider when building your dream home.
At Enhaus Design & Build, we can help you with all of these steps and more. Feel free to check us out on Yelp!, Facebook, or Instagram. Also, call us for a quote and we can help you get started.