01/07/2021
THINGS you should CONSIDER before BUILDING your DREAM HOME 🏡
1. BUDGETING
While sparks of inspiration will keep you motivated throughout your build, it’s your budget that is really going to drive the direction of your project. Start by getting a clear idea of your finances and make a wants and needs list. This will help you determine what your non-negotiables are and it will help you to weigh your options if you end up having to make tough decisions.
2. FIND THE PERFECT LOCATION
You will want a view you will love for a lifetime, wonderful neighbors, and a safe and fun town.
Consider whether the neighborhood is located near your job, shopping, and other things that are important to you. Location matters and can make a difference in your daily life
*LOCATION – It’s one of the cardinal factors you should take note when constructing your dream house. After all, you need a piece of land on which your new home will be set up. Before buying property, make sure the location is the right one for you. Consider the place’s security as well as the accessibility to facilities such as hospitals, schools, shops, and churches. Doing so will make your life in that area more comfortable and secure.
3. GO OVER BLUEPRINTS WITH YOUR DESIGNER
Sit down with your contractor and go over blueprints before moving forward in the design process. It gives you the chance to add on or remove space wherever you need and to adjust placement as needed.
4. CONSIDER YOUR STYLE OF HOUSE
This is the fun bit! From external cladding and windows treatments to fixtures and finishes, start collecting images of home exteriors and interiors you love on Pinterest or in a scrapbook and organise your images into categories – you will notice themes start to appear. Remember to stay practical and keep your budget in mind.
5. UNDERSTANDING YOUR OWN UNIQUE NEEDS
Creating a checklist of ideas and deciding on important must-haves for any new project is crucial in order for your home to feel like home. If you are working with an architect, communicate your ideas and get feedback. The size of the home will be important as you will want to take into account the number of people who will be living there.
6. PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
Evaluate the future as you decide how your house will need to grow along with your life. Do you have plans to expand your family? Perhaps you have a child away at college who could possibly return to the nest one day. Maybe you have an aging parent who may eventually need to move into your home.
Consider the possibilities of your occupation. Have you ever considered working from home, in which case you would want a private home office? If you are nearing retirement, having a separate woodworking area or craft room might be ideal. Thinking about the future and how your home may need to support you 5 or 10 years from now will help you plan out what you need for your changing lifestyle.
7. PLAN FOR STORAGE
No one gets that excited to plan their storage spaces. Most of the attention goes to the master bath finishes and picking out cabinetry details. But I’d bet that if you polled homeowners, most would say they’d rather have more storage space than, say, a deeper bathtub. I wish I’d known that storage is prime real estate in a home. Planning for storage isn’t the most exciting part of the process, but it has a huge influence on your lifestyle and organization later on. Keep it in the forefront of your mind when designing and building a home.
