Congratulations on being ready to build your custom home! With such a huge investment on your plate, you want to make sure you get it right, the first time. Both first-time homeowners and seasoned veterans can make some missteps along the way. Don’t let that be you. Here are 12 mistakes to avoid when building your custom home.
1. Failing to budget
Budgeting should be the first step on your to-do list, not second and certainly not last, to make sure every aspect of building your custom home stays on target.
2. Not doing your research
Failing to look up reviews or ask around about the reputation of the contractor or builder you decide to employ is a huge misstep.
3. Choosing an untrustworthy builder
Some homeowners choose the cheapest builder, not necessarily the most trustworthy, and this is a mistake. Since this will be your home for years to come, and the building process will be stressful, it’s imperative that you choose a builder you trust to be your advocate.
4. Buying a land lot too quickly
Make sure you know all the property, building and environmental restrictions on the land you’re interested in — and how much it will cost to prep it for building — before you make the purchase.
5. Overlooking paperwork
Verbal agreements won’t hold water legally. If something goes awry during construction, you need to make sure all your paperwork is signed and easily accessible.
6. Skimming through the design process
Second only to budget, the design process is vital to setting the tone of your project. Spend the necessary time on this step to ensure your home meets all your needs and will make you happy for years to come.
7. Overspending on the 10%
If spaces in your home will be used only 10% of the time (guest rooms, for example), it’s a waste of valuable budget to include them in your home design.
8. Forgetting to plan for storage
You might not need a huge house, but you certainly need enough room to live comfortably. Especially if you live in a climate that experiences all four seasons, you’ll need to plan for storage space.
9. Dragging your feet on decisions
With long lead times and busy schedules, it’s important to make decisions quickly and decisively to keep you and your team on track to complete your custom home build on time.
10. Second guessing yourself
You’ll have countless decisions to make over the course of building your custom home, so follow your gut and depend on your team for support.
11. Making changes during construction
It’s important to do your prep work with an experienced builder before construction begins, because adjustments during can be costly.
12. Skipping inspection
Before you move in, make sure you have a home inspector check out the construction. This will protect you financially and give you peace of mind.
If you avoid these mistakes, your home construction process will be simple and one of the best decisions you have made! For more advice on building a custom home, check out our blog.