Building a custom home can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to help you avoid some of the biggest mistakes buyers make when building!
Compromising on your builder
The biggest mistake you can make when building a custom home is choosing the wrong builder. You are trusting your builder with a big project, so you need to know that you’re putting it in the hands of someone trustworthy. Be sure to do your research to find a company that has the experience and a proven track record of excellence. A builder should have strong relationships and communication with their subcontractors in order to produce a great final product. This is not a decision where settling is an option. You will be in frequent communication with your builder throughout the process, so it’s important to choose a builder that you feel comfortable with.
Unrealistic expectations
A common issue that arises in custom home building is unrealistic expectations. This is where it’s crucial to have a budget and a list of must-haves ahead of time. Unless you have an endless budget, chances are low that you will be able to have everything you’ve ever dreamed of in your home. That’s why many people create separate lists of “wants” and “needs”. If you can bring these to your builder right off the bat, then they’re able to understand your priorities. That allows them to work with your budget to incorporate the “needs” and, within reason, begin to add in the “wants.” Your builder may be able to suggest alternatives to stay within the budget or help you choose what will work best for the home and your budget.
The other unrealistic expectation that we come across often is the timeline. A custom home takes time to plan, design, and construct. It can take up to two years to complete a project from start to finish, so understanding the timeline and process is very important to help keep expectations realistic. Have a conversation with your builder to really understand and lay out the proposed timeline before beginning.
Poor planning
Beyond the obvious, like how many bedrooms and bathrooms you want your home to have, make sure you’ve properly planned for the home you want to have built. Things like leaving room in the budget for unexpected expenses, or knowing that a particular step may take a little longer than planned are often overlooked in the excitement of building. Even something as seemingly simple as choosing your piece of land is something that needs to be carefully considered and planned out, as it can affect the actual construction of your home. Your builder should have the expertise and knowledge to help you plan for the things you may not have thought of. When it comes to the home itself, take pictures in to your builder so that they can fully understand the things that are important to you and the style of home that you are drawn to. Take the time to do your research so that you don’t get overwhelmed with all of the decisions that come with building a custom home.
The best way to avoid potential mistakes is by being prepared and trusting your builder. If you’re looking for an experienced builder that will walk with you through every step of the process, contact Platinum today. Our team is happy to answer questions and help you achieve your dream of a custom home made just for you.
