7 Solid Tips to Keep in Mind When Building Your New Home in 2020

Are you currently building a house or thinking about it? Worried about making all the right choices?

It’s hard not to feel that way when 44 percent of Americans have regrets about their new home. There are lots of choices when you build, so it can feel overwhelming at times.

Check out these home building tips to help you make decisions to enjoy your new home for years to come.

1. Start With a Budget

You need to consider your budget as soon as you start planning your house. You need to have a good idea of what you can really afford. A bigger house comes with a larger mortgage and property taxes, and you will need to factor in utilities and maintenance.

This will help guide all your decisions so you can determine wants vs needs. It will help you make a few cuts when needed. You will want to make cuts of things you can update later, and stick to the things you need like the right lot or other items on your “must-have” list.

You may need a construction loan and a mortgage. Be aware—banks may approve you for more than you can afford comfortably. You also need to plan for construction going over budget.

A general guideline is to allocate half to two-thirds of what you can afford toward building your home. Builds typically come in over budget, and not under, due to upgrades, materials, fixtures, and more.

2. Give Yourself Plenty of Storage

Planning for storage may not be exciting, but you will not regret having ample storage. Having enough storage can impact your organization and your lifestyle, so consider adding cabinets, more closets, and other storage options when you design your home.

You should also pay attention to your storage placement. You don’t want to take away from living space, so you can consider things like cubbies and built-ins to add storage and keep living space.

3. Make Sure You Have Enough Light

Be sure that you plan for plenty of outlets and light fixtures as you build your first home. You should also have windows in every room so natural light can be a main source of light. It is expensive to add windows after your house is complete.

Adding extra outlets will not add much to your cost, and you will be thankful to have them when you are moved in because you will not be locked into a specific room layout.

4. Think About Unused Rooms

When you look at floor plans, think about all the rooms such as a formal dining room, playroom, or multipurpose room. You want to make sure these rooms will be used. If you don’t think you will use these rooms daily, you may want to reconsider.

These rooms tend to become dumping grounds for stuff. If you want a spare bedroom, you can come up with multiple purposes for it, such as making it a spare bedroom, craft room, and office.

5. Choose the Right Lot

Your land is typically around 20 to 25 percent of your home cost. It is something you cannot change down the road, so you need to be certain of your lot.

You may want to ask a realtor about the area and check out the factors like drainage, zoning, soil condition, and building codes. If it’s a neighborhood, ask to see the homeowners association agreement to review any restrictions.

If you need to make special designs to customize your home to fit your lot, your costs will rise considerably.

You will also have to think about the build and talk to your contractor. Will excavation trucks be able to enter your property easily or will the contractor have to make special accommodations to build your home? For example, if your house is near the water or in the woods, your contractor will need to consider getting materials and construction equipment on and off the property.

You also need to consider which way your house will face on your lot. Think about if the westerly sun will shine in your living room as you are trying to relax, or if the eastern rising sun, will shine in your children’s bedroom too early. You want to know where the sun will be throughout the day.

6. Don’t Settle

You don’t have to settle for things that you don’t want unless they don’t fit your budget. Contractors want things to run smoothly, so sometimes the contractor or tradesmen don’t want to put in the extra effort.

If you settle for something you don’t want, you may regret it later. You are in control of your home and keep it that way. You know your family and lifestyle best.

7. Kitchen Layout

You spend a lot of time in your kitchen, and the layout is crucial. You need to think about its functionality, placement of appliances, and design to get the most out of your kitchen.

Take time to list what you like and don’t like about your current kitchen. Write down any ideas you have. Look around your friends’ and family’s kitchens to get an idea of what you like and you don’t.

Also, think about the placement. Is it close enough to bring in all your groceries easily? You will want it close to your garage or back entrance for this purpose alone.

What about the sink? Do you want multiple sinks? Make sure you have easy access to sinks for your cooking preferences, and also the location of your dishwasher.

Use These Home Building Tips

Ready to build that new home? Consider these home building tips so you don’t regret a few decisions down the road.

Looking for more advice as you build your home? Check out our Specialist section to find local businesses that can help you build your home.

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