10 Questions To ask Yourself Before Building a Custom Home
If you plan on building a custom home to suit your own personal lifestyle and needs there are several important factors you need to consider. You’ll be designing and building the home from scratch rather than purchasing a house that has already been built and things can get complicated fast if you don’t have every detail planned out. Here in Toronto, many people are turning to custom built homes, not only for the mega-mansions you see out in the suburbs but for smaller custom builds inside the city.
Below is a list of important questions you should ask yourself before the building process gets underway.
1. Am I positive I want to build a custom home?
Before you get too involved with the idea of building a custom home you should decide if it’s the best option for your lifestyle and financial situation. You should weigh the pros and cons of a custom home and determine if it’s actually better than purchasing an existing dwelling. You may find some existing homes which fit your ideal location, budget, lifestyle and family’s housing needs.
2. How much should we spend?
Unfortunately, the sky’s not the limit for most homeowners when building their dream home. You need to be realistic when designing the home and make sure it suits your financial budget. It’s wise to come up with the budget first and then make sure you don’t add extra rooms and amenities that you know you won’t use.
3. Can the soil support a home?
When looking for the ideal location for your home it’s important to have the soil checked out. Since the quality of soil differs from area to area you’ll need to be sure it won’t lead to any foundation problems in the future. It’s never a bad idea to have the lot’s soil examined by a Geotechnical Engineer..
4. Who will be living in the home and for how long?
It’s not always easy to predict how long you’ll live in a home, but you may have a good idea if you plan on raising a family in it. If you plan on having children you’ll need to know how many bedrooms are needed along with bathrooms and a family room etc. If you’re raising a family it may also affect your location since you may want to build close to a school and recreational facilities/parks etc. Homeowners who don’t plan on having children may decide on fewer bedrooms and bathrooms and the location of the home may be more dependent on proximity to their place of employment.
5. What are the most important factors for my home?
Each homeowner may be looking for different things in their new home. For instance, it will usually depend on how many people will be residing in it and what the house will be used for. The best way to plan your home is to ask yourself specific questions about it and rank them in order of importance.
For instance, you’ll need to ask yourself how much room is required for entertaining. How many bedrooms and bathrooms are needed and how important the location is. You need to consider if a back yard is important to you and if you’d like the exterior to be built out of low-maintenance materials such as stone or brick. It’s also a good idea to consider the home’s insulation and see if you can use energy-saving features to help save money in the long run.
6. What would you like your home to be constructed of?
There are several types of construction materials that can be incorporated into your dream home and you’ll need to decide which ones you’d like to use. Some homeowners choose specific materials to reflect their personality while others simply want the most durable and functional materials available. The decision often comes down to the appearance and style of the home you’d like to live in.
7. Which home will have the greatest resale value?
If you don’t plan on spending the rest of your life in your new home you’ll likely be interested in its resale value down the road. Most experienced real estate agents believe brick homes have the greatest resale value when compared to other materials. It may cost a bit more to construct, but the long-term value is greater.
8. Who will design and build the home?
Many homeowners will hire an architect to help design the home or translate your unique ideas and plans to paper. Architects and homeowners can utilize computer software when planning the home, but you need a good builder to take those plans and turn them into an actual home. Some contractors offer Design Build services where they take responsibility for the entire process, from design to finished home. Building a home isn’t as easy as planning one on a computer and you’ll need to find an experienced builder who fits your budget and timeline.
9. How important is the kitchen?
A home’s kitchen is generally seen as the most important and social and room in the house as so much time is spent there either on your own or when entertaining family and friends. Custom kitchens are very popular when it comes to design and functionality. You can be very creative when it comes to kitchen design and you’ll need to know how many work islands are needed and if there are any specific appliances you’d like to add such as a brick pizza oven etc. You’ll need to know how big you’d like the kitchen and how much money you’d like to spend in this area.
10. Should I ask the builder for references?
There’s a good chance the cost of your custom home will be the biggest financial investment you make in your lifetime. Don’t be afraid to ask the builder for references and to view their previous work. A good builder should have no problem with this request. However, you may want to think twice if the request is denied.
About Novacon Construction
Novacon Construction is a Design Build construction company located in Toronto. We offer custom custom solutions and provide an easy and cost-effective way to build the custom home you’ve always wanted. We offer free consultations. Contact us here to learn more.
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