Am I Ready To Build a Custom Home? - The Essential Checklist
While your home is typically a large investment, it is also an extremely personal space. It’s the place where we spend most of our time, where we potentially raise a family, and where we choose to relax after a long day. Choosing to build a custom home allows this investment to be completely customized to your wants and needs.
While many people have dreamed about designing or building a custom home, there are a few things to consider to ensure you are fully prepared for the process. We’ve come up with a checklist of essential questions to talk through to determine if you are ready to begin your home building journey.
1.Can You Afford To Build a Custom Home?
At MCH we charge a flat fee plus exact cost of construction, additionally , we encourage you to reserve a buffer for unforeseen circumstances. For example, lumber may have a certain price today, but if your build is delayed, that lumber cost could increase. Or, while your land may appear to be ready to build on, you may find that it needs additional excavation. This isn’t to say everything will go wrong, but having some wiggle room to work with will ensure that one setback won’t blow your entire budget.
Be realistic when running the numbers and sign on for what you can afford. Padding your budget will allow you to easily navigate any road bumps you may come across.
2. Do You Have The Time To Build a Home?
You may not realize how many decisions go into building a custom home. You will be making choices between light fixtures, back splashes, paint colors, materials, flooring, square footage, and many more. Building and designing a custom home requires much more energy and time than buying an existing home. The most basic stock-built homes take 3-6 months to complete, while custom homes can take much longer. Building a home isn’t for people that want to be moved in right away, but in the end, all the decisions will have been yours! By working with us at Mansfield Custom Homes, our typical timeline allows 4-6 months prep time for plans, bidding, financing, and permitting. After permits have been issued you can expect 7-9 months build time.
3. Do You Know Your Exact Wants And Needs In a Home?
Before starting the building process sit down and discuss a list for your wants and needs. For “needs” write down all the features your home must have. Such as a certain number of bedrooms, a spacious kitchen, or a kids game room. Under the “wants” category, list the features or finishes that would be nice to have but won’t make or break your building experience. Such as a theater room, a mudroom, or vaulted ceilings. This will help you plan your budget accordingly so if you have money left over, you can pick and choose which additional luxuries you can afford.
A great place to start is to think about what you are missing in your current home, or vice versa, including any features that you love about your current home. Several of our clients utilize Pinterest to create inspiration boards for their dream house. This is a big help for your builder and architect to get a firm understanding of the style and design you are looking for.
4. Do You Have a Location To Build?
A large part of our business at Mansfield Custom Homes is offering the ability to build on your pre existing lot or piece of land. Before starting the home building process, it will be important to know the location of where you will be building. Take time to look around at land for sale in your area - price per acre varies depending on location! We would be happy to assist you with this process and can connect you with a trusted realtor.
Furthermore, determine whether you will be financing the purchase of your land or buying it cash. At MCH, we will also work with you to consider additional costs of the location such as any excavation, landscaping, or lot preparation that needs to be completed before building can begin.
5. Do You Have a Builder?
Finding and choosing a builder is possibly the single most important decision you will make before you build a home. Working with a builder that is professional, accomplished, and transparent will contribute to making the home building process a positive one. Remember that you will be spending a lot of time together, so you want someone with experience, integrity, transparency, flexibility, and a great reputation. At MCH, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional craftsmanship while delivering a 100% transparent process. Be sure to review our testimonials, awards, and portfolio!
Deciding to build a custom home means devoting time, energy, money, and patience into a project for many months. But in the end, you’ll watch your dream become a reality and you will have a special place to make memories for the rest of your life.
If you’re ready to build a new house or are looking for more information on our process, contact us today!
