Building a Custom Home? Tips to Smooth the Decision-Making Process

Building your dream home is a complex project and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the process, especially when you’re confronted by the hundreds of decisions you’ll have to make! Here are some tips from a leading residential architect on how to make this a little easier – and your home an even bigger success.
  • Don’t wait to mention big changes: It’s normal to want to tweak your home’s architectural design even when the building is in process, but any change – especially a big one – needs to be mentioned as soon as possible to your team. Things like adding a fireplace or window, or moving a wall can have a dramatic impact on the design and construction of your home, even affecting major structural areas, so the sooner you talk to your architect and contractor, the better.
  • Keep track of your choices: There are hundreds of choices to be made when constructing a home, so it’s easy to forget what options your team suggested and what you chose. Start early with a big notebook and gather product samples to catalogue and write down every choice you make. This is the perfect reference for when you do have a moment to breathe and make a final decision on paint colors, door handles, lights, cabinet finishes and all the rest. Everything is about your personal taste, so you need a clear record of what your options are if you’re going to get the result you want.
  • Don’t over-customize: Building a home is often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and you’ll want to get everything just right. However, unless you have a limitless budget, customizing every single feature is going to make your home unaffordable. It’s also important for resale purposes, where over-customized homes simply don’t suit most people and it’s difficult to find a buyer. Instead, standardize your basic features and customize smaller stuff to add personality.
Custom Home Plans from Your New Jersey Residential Architect 
With 20 years of experience, the architecture firm of Seth A. Leeb knows that the secret to creating outstanding homes is building a great client relationship. As a full-service architectural firm, we are able to assist our clients all the way from site analysis and design conception through the construction of their home itself. For more information on our residential architecture design services and custom home plans, please contact us today and speak to a talented residential architect or visit our website at http://sethleeb.wpengine.com/

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