When deciding to have a home built, it’s important to do your research and plan well in order to get the best home for your family.
Choosing the right home design, finding a high-quality reliable builder, and understanding inclusions and upgrades are all extremely important. These six tips will help you and your family end up with the beautiful home you deserve.
1. Tour existing homes
Walking through display homes will help you get an idea of the overall construction quality, as well as an idea of what your finished home may look like. Keep in mind that some show homes may feature upgraded finishes and additional touches that may not be included in a standard package.
2. Carefully examine the paperwork
A builder’s information package should provide floor plans and architectural drawings, as well as a specification sheet with detailed information about construction materials, electrical and plumbing information, appliances, and finishes. It should also include information about warranties for heating systems and appliances.
3. Understand upgrades
A display home will often have a ‘base price’ and an ‘as displayed’ price to reflect all
the included upgrades. When you find a model home you’re interested in, have the
salesperson walk you through each room and explain what finishes are standard and what
will cost extra. Upgrades can raise the budget substantially, so it’s important that you know
your options.
4. Consider the timeframe
Ask builders how long they will take to complete your home. Some builders may take several months longer than others, leading to frustration and added expenses while you wait to move in.
5. Measure your furniture
When looking at model homes, it helps to bring along measurements of some of your key furniture pieces. This can help you envision what it would be like to live in a particular space. Will your grandmother’s antique table fit easily into the dining room? Will your large entertainment centre look good in the living room, or will it block the front window? You can also create scale models of your furniture and arrange them on a floor plan drawing to get an idea of how everything will fit.
6. Think about flow
Think about movement patterns, the placement of doors, and the flow from one room to the next. Try to envision your family living in the display home, and think of how everyone’s daily routine will occur in the new space. Consider your family’s current and future needs. Whether you have young kids and need a playroom, or you need home office space to run your business, some designs will simply make more sense for how your live your daily life.
Building your own home can be an exciting and somewhat stressful process. If you take steps to understand what is involved, aren’t shy about asking questions and taking notes, and get things in writing before making a commitment, you should have a smooth home building process.
