Building a custom home can be very exciting. You will be able to choose your home’s layout and features to suit your family. However, there are some considerations you should be aware of while going through the design and building process. Here are some tips to help you navigate your home-building journey.
1. Be Careful When Selecting a Site
Certain features of a site can make it very hard to build on. Be cautious if the lot or land is very steep, the land is eroded, the fill is unstable or the site contains wetlands or large rock outcroppings. Before you purchase land for your home, it is best to check with your builder or developer to make sure the site is suitable.
2. Consider Your Budget for Land Development
Besides the cost of your home, you will need to allocate room in your budget for the development of the land. This can include such things as grading the site, removing rocks, adding utility hookups and installing a septic tank. Have your developer come to the lot to give you an estimate, and be prepared for cost overruns due to unexpected challenges.
3. Be Aware of Legal Constraints and Easements
There are always certain places on a lot where you cannot put your house. There are regulations for the home’s setbacks from the property lines. There also may be easements allotted to utility companies or open space regulations. There may be other areas that can’t be built on, such as protected tree areas or Native American burial grounds. You may not find these easements and restrictions on the deed itself, so it is best to check with the building department in your city or have your builder investigate before you finalize your home plans.
4. Come up With a Vision for Your Home
This is the fun part of designing your custom home. Before you meet with the architect or builder to design your home, think about the things you want in your home. What style of home do you want? Should it have one story or two? How big a garage do you need? What kind of outdoor living spaces, such as porches and patios, do you want? You will also need to think about the rooms you want to have in your home. You might want to browse the internet and look at custom home builder pictures for ideas.
5. Think About Your Site Design
Deciding where to situate the home on the land is very important. This will determine your views and how the sun hits various rooms. It will also affect where you put other elements on the site, such as a swimming pool, outdoor living areas, driveways, trees and landscaping. The design of your home should fit well with the other features on the property. Be sure to allow enough time in your process to think through the site design.
With these tips in mind, you should be well on your way to coming up with a beautiful design for your custom home and the land it will sit on.
