Building a custom home is an exciting and rewarding journey, but it can also be a daunting task for those who have never done it before. In this blog post, we will guide you through the steps to building a custom home, so that you can turn your dream home into a reality.
Step 1: Define your vision
The first step to building a custom home is to define your vision. This involves determining what you want in a home, including the size, style, layout, and features. Consider your lifestyle, family size, and future needs when making this decision. It's important to have a clear idea of what you want before moving on to the next step. Create a scrapbook of images and ideas that appeal to you.
Step 2: Figure out your budget
The next step is defining your budget. You may have many ideas, but will you be able to afford them? The first step is to figure out what you can afford and by separating the must-haves and the wants, much like buying an existing house. It’s important that you understand what your priorities are for the home. An architect can assist you during the design phase, weighing in on your desires. Ultimately, designing a house within your budget will save time and money.
Step 3: Find the right location
Once you have a vision and a budget, the next step is to find the right location to build your dream home. Consider factors like the neighborhood, school district, and proximity to amenities like shopping centers and parks. Also, consider the topography of the land and any zoning restrictions that may impact your plans.
Step 4: Designing your home
The next step is to design your home. This process should not be rushed. Work with an architect to create the plans for your dream home. Be sure to communicate with the architect all the features and details that you want, and ensure that the design meets your needs and goals. When working with clients on designing their custom space, we include in our contract an opportunity for feedback and revisions to the design. This allows you to refine the project and get it closer to your vision. Often you will need to weigh in on your priorities and make compromises.
Step 5: Have a realistic timeline
A custom home may take anywhere from 10-16 months to build. Depending upon the land and zoning restrictions, sometimes your project may need to go before multiple boards in the town and/or the state to receive the necessary approvals. Typical boards may be Zoning Board of Appeals, Historic Commission, if in or abutting an historic district, or Environmental boards. These may add to the time to ultimately get a building permit and start construction. It is also recommended that you start to research contractors. Often, we can provide recommendations of contractors that we have previously worked with, and you can hire the one whom you believe will be the best fit for your project. Once the construction begins, most of your contact will be with the contractor, so make sure they are a good fit and easy to communicate with. Many times, delays happen during construction, so don’t be alarmed if your build-time is increased. It is wise to have a realistic deadline of when you need to be in your new home. This will aid in the contractor setting and scheduling an appropriate timeline.
Step 6: Making your dream home a reality
Below is a rendering of a custom home that I recently designed for a client, keeping their desire for high ceilings, lots of windows, an intimate front porch and an entry which incorporated a motor court.
The client wished to have a bedroom above the garage, but the design of the roof on the garage was too low to allow for adequate headroom. Raising the roof pitch would make the garage roof higher than the main house. I resolved the problem of getting a second-floor bedroom by locating it above the first floor bedrooms and still allowing high ceilings and the open floor plan that the client desired.
The front entry highlights the staircase and bridge. Looking down from the second floor there are clear views of both the front entry and the kitchen.
The second floor bedroom complete with a walk-in closet and a private bathroom.
The kitchen is open to the adjacent living/dining space, as well as a view onto the screened porch. The large windows offer glimpses of the pool and patio. This layout allows for those in the kitchen to be able to interact with occupants of other spaces, which is great for entertaining.
High ceilings and large doors and windows allow for the indoor spaces to connect to the outdoor spaces.
The exterior side of the living room and screened porch.
The view from the pool shows access to the living room, screened porch, and the primary bedroom, all of which connect to the outdoor space.
The primary bedroom feels spacious with high ceilings and a stunning view of the pool.
The journey to your custom home can be challenging yet thrilling. It's crucial to have the right team by your side. As award-winning Custom Home Architects, O'Sullivan Architects offers top-tier services to ensure your vision becomes a reality. We take pride in our outstanding reputation and commitment to designing homes that are not only beautiful but also highly functional and creative