Building a custom home is about so much more than placing a roof over your head. This is the space where you are going to play with your grandchildren, host meals around the dining table every Thanksgiving, and spend time gardening on summer evenings. Below are our top expert tips to save money while building your custom home.
Know What You Want
No one has a better idea than you do of how you use your home. If you don’t like to spend time cooking, it makes sense that you would want to pour more attention and money into your master bedroom than the cabinet space of your new kitchen. If your family is notorious for having weekly movie nights, that attention might instead go to a spacious living room and a built-in fireplace. Make a list of the non-negotiable priorities that you are looking for in your custom-built home, as well as some things that you would like to see but are flexible around.
Choose Cost-Effective Features
Once you have an idea of the features you want included in your home, consider how you can make them more cost-effective. If hardwood flooring is important to you, consider the cost difference of using faux wood instead of real wood. Talk to your contractor about opportunities to install energy-efficient features that will save you on electric costs in the long term, such as proper ventilation systems and ceiling skylights for more natural light.
Consider the Area
Remember that your home is not the only cost you need to account for. The lot you choose to build on, the neighborhood you join, and the community you live in will all affect your wallet. Take the time to research the area you are building your home in and talk to your home builder about how it may affect the cost of building your home.
Learn More: Buying Land 101: What you Need to Know
Experience a Virtual Walkthrough
Even when you know what you want in your custom home, it can be hard to imagine living in it when you’re looking at a floor plan. Fortunately, virtual reality has given us the power to completely reimagine the custom home-building process. You can virtually walk through your custom home to immerse yourself in the details before your home is built. This gives you the opportunity to make design changes and give real-time feedback before giving your final approval.
Learn More: Virtual Reality Resources
Find the Right Builder
Finding the right builder for your custom home building project directly affects both the long-term and short-term costs of your home. It’s important to find someone who is going to spend the time making sure your home is built correctly and in a way that serves you and your family. At LaFollette Custom Homes, we know that people are what make a house a home. When you are ready for a builder who understands your family’s dreams and desires, talk to our family at LaFollette Custom Homes. Our team of Custom Home Consultants will guide you through the process from start to finish. Contact us today to get started.