A custom home is just that, custom. It gives you the freedom to build your dream home and give you the exact amount of space you need to live comfortably. As builders, we know that there are a lot of options available in custom homes. Some of the features may seem insignificant at first, but may end up being more important than you think.
Lot Selection Drives Everything That Follows
The lot you build on can affect many of your build decisions. The lot can affect whether you can have a basement and what the cost of the foundation will be. The lot can also affect where water will flow when it rains. Many lots have both good and bad points. Some lots have a great view, but may be more expensive to build due to slope. Other lots may be very cheap to build, but lack some of the features you are looking for.
Orientation of the house (e.g. how it faces: south, east, west, more north-south oriented) – Even if a house has the perfect floor plan for you, having it sit on the wrong type of lot can affect how the house feels. A south facing lot can be incredibly cost effective in the winter because of all of the natural light it receives. An east or west facing lot receives morning and late afternoon sunlight, but stays cool in the peak of the day. Aspects such as existing trees on the lot, prevailing winds, and proximity to neighboring lots all impact the home’s orientation.
Fall in love with a lot AFTER you have determined if the utilities are accessible to the property. Depending on the location and size of the lot, extending the service lines to the lot (electric, gas, water, sewer and internet) could be very expensive. If you’re purchasing a rural lot, chances are you will need to drill a well and install a septic system for an initial fee plus annual maintenance. Likewise, building codes from one municipality to another can vary greatly affecting aspects such as maximum house size and required roof pitch.
Floor Plan Design Determines How You’ll Live
Choose a floor plan honestly based on how you live. Just because you have a formal dining room does not mean you will use it. Many people eat off their kitchen island, so to spend money on extra square feet in your home that will only be used on special occasions is a waste.
As the new home of the family, everyone will blame you for misunderstanding how traffic will flow once the house is moved in. Get the pathway from garage to kitchen optimized for groceries, the distance between the bedrooms and family room optimized for sleep, and access to the bathrooms around the house optimized for late night cleaning up.
Young families with kids want a playroom and extra bedrooms. Empty nesters want a single-level single-story home with single-floor living and a home office. But that first-floor bedroom that young families want can start out as a home office and later serve as a bedroom, enabling them to age in place.
Storage planning can save a lot of heart ache. Every room needs storage in some form. In terms of value, it is always best to include storage in the design of the home and have it built as cupboards rather than come back to add built-ins later. Consider where you will store items for the seasons, hobbies etc and how your family may change and require more space in the future.
Material Choices Create Long-term Consequences
Whatever materials you choose to use in your home have initial cost. However, there is also a lifetime cost that should be taken into consideration. Many people like the look of hardwood, but rarely consider the annual maintenance cost of having to refinish high-traffic areas every few years. Not so with our Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) products. Similar looks without the added cost of ongoing maintenance. Zero maintenance needs.
The exterior of your house faces the elements year round. There are several options for exterior material, some expensive up front, some inexpensive to install but expensive to maintain. Brick and stone are the most expensive material to install, but they need little to no maintenance. They can last decades without painting or staining, unlike most other exterior materials. Vinyl siding is a cost effective material to install, but it must be painted periodically to maintain its color. Because of this, it is not as long lasting as brick. When selecting the exterior of your home, your climate is a big factor. What works well in hot and dry climates won’t do well in cold and rainy climates. For example, vinyl siding can provide great protection from the rain in a rainy climate, but it can get very hot in dry climates causing it to warp or crack.
Countertops and tile backsplashes in kitchens and bathrooms are a large investment because they are hard to replace with inexpensive renovations later on. While cabinetry, lighting, and interior paint are easy to update seasonally with new hardware or a new coat of paint, choosing durable high quality countertops and tile is a better investment over time than choosing hot trends that will quickly become outdated.
Energy Efficiency Needs Early Integration
Common performance features are often discussed during the design process; how walls and ceilings perform is also dependent on architectural decisions made regarding window placement, building dimensions, shapes, and interior volume configurations. Additionally, many performing features relate to specific products and construction methods that qualify for tax credits and utility rebates. Researching these rebates and credits prior to selection of building components can lead to cost savings for project teams.
Professional Expertise Prevents Expensive Mistakes
There are many aspects of custom home construction that homeowners should and should not be concerned with. Allow the custom home builder in Erie County Ohio to handle the details of the project so it is completed as scheduled and on time. Not only have we built custom homes for clients in the past, we also live in the same area that you do, here in Erie County Ohio. Our custom home builder in Erie County Ohio have years of experience designing and building custom homes, so we can advise you on all the details and help you choose options that will affect your home in ways you may have never thought about. We can work within your style, budget, and needs.
Having built homes for years we have a strong network of architects, suppliers and tradespeople that we have worked with on previous projects. We have access to blocks of land, have a wealth of knowledge in the area, and are well aware of the building codes and regulations. Our house and land packages enable you to select a lot and floor plan first, then work your way through the details, starting with the major items such as electrical, plumbing and air conditioning, and then work your way down to the finishes, fixtures and colours.