How to Plan Your Custom Home Build: A Step-by-Step Guide

When we were young, moving from one home to another didn’t feel that big of a deal. Sure, we would miss our old friends, our old school, and our neighbors. But there was nothing about that move that felt hectic to us.

We’ve long since moved out of our teenage years. As we learn the basics of “adulting,” we learn quite a lot about the more difficult aspects of moving to a new home. Add to that the chaos of constructing a new home from the ground up, and it begins to feel like you’ve bit off a lot more than you can chew.

A custom build requires guts, patience, and a whole lot of creativity. If you are considering building a custom home, it is important to plan ahead. Be prepared for the entire process to take years before the home is ready to move in.  

Step 1: The Story that Drives the Design

Don’t immediately start thinking about all the walls, the rooms, windows, and square footage to fill. Think long and hard about the story that drives your passion to build a custom home. Why did you want to invest in a custom home in the first place?

This can drive creativity for most of the design. Close your eyes and imagine living inside the home. What would a day in the home look like? Where would you like to spend most of your time? Where would you want to unwind in the evenings?

Let’s slightly change the script. Imagine you’re hosting a party. Where would you like your friends or family to gather? How does the space feel and what is the center of attraction? You could even jot down a “day in the life” script of your ideal home experience and hand it over to expert custom home builders so they can understand your vision.

Step 2: The Budget that Runs Backwards

Most people begin with a vision board or a wish list of all the things they want to see in their home. The budget follows those lofty aspirations which results in a lot of changes being made either to the wish list itself or to the budget, leaving you feeling uncomfortable.

Instead, consider listing down your absolute must-haves such as energy efficient windows, the pantry, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and so on. Follow this up with things that would be nice to have, but aren’t really a necessity. These could include a home theater, a second home office, a sunroom, etc.

Remember that you can always add luxuries in later if your budget allows it!

Pro Tip: We suggest you research well and factor in hidden costs such as those relating to the permits, landscaping and furniture. Most people forget these which leads to a much bigger price tag by the end.

Step 3: Time to Choose the Dream Team

Your builder and your architect are co-pilots on this journey. Choosing the right kind of experts can make or break your custom home build. Make sure you;

• Look for builders who pay close attention to your needs instead of trying to rope you into their standard pitch.
• Find an architect or a designer who shares your design sense and vision but also puts functionality at the center of the design.
• Ask for references before you settle and don’t be afraid to visit past projects they have completed.

The best Cranberry custom home builders will definitely have quite a lot of reviews published online as well as portfolios that they can lend you. Don’t shy away from asking for it.

Step 4: First the Location, Then the Floor Plan

It is quite tempting to fall in love with a floor plan you might have seen on Pinterest. However, before you choose the floor plan, don’t forget to pick out the plot and finalize the deal along with the financing. The land you choose will be a deciding factor a lot of the time.

Think in terms of how much natural light your home will receive, how your floor plan would function, and the type of foundation you may need.

Once you have chosen the location, start planning out the floor plans. Consider sunlight exposure as well as the direction of the wind. Will there be enough ventilation? Do you need to soundproof your home against noise pollution? What about local zoning laws? How will they affect your custom home build?  

Step 5: Start Sketching and Develop a Mood Board

Now for the fun part! Start turning all your rough ideas into visuals. Now is the right time to rely on Pinterest or make up a mood board to collect inspiration. Use 3D home design software to virtually walk through your space before you commit to the design.

Factor in the unexpected. Even the most perfect plans can go off track. This can happen due to materials being out of stock, the weather causing delays, or inflation leading to major shifts in cost. Be flexible with the choice of material and provide your builders with enough alternatives so that there are as few roadblocks in the roadmap as possible.

Step 6: Let the Construction Begin… But Don’t Wander Off!

Once the construction begins, you can relax and let the builders handle it all. However, don’t forget to visit the site a couple of times a week, ask questions, and make sure the build aligns with your vision. A small mistake caught earlier is much easier to fix than a major issue uncovered once the house is ready to move into.

Take photos at different stages so you can use it as a reference for future maintenance and don’t be afraid to ask the builders why something is being done a certain way.

P.S. There’s nothing wrong with bringing coffee and snacks for the construction crew. It builds goodwill and keeps the entire team motivated.

The Final Walkthrough

Before you sign off, don’t forget to do a detailed walkthrough with the builder. Check for paint touch-ups, flooring flaws, as well as any plumbing issues that might suddenly spring up. Ensure all the customizations are there, as needed and instructed by you!

We suggest you go slow. Do not rush in to fill up the entire space immediately. Let the house settle before you make any big interior design choices. Oh, we almost forgot the most important thing! Don’t forget to have fun and throw a big party to celebrate your new home!