Building Your First New Home

If you are building your first new home, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the process. There are so many important decisions to be made and so many things to be done. It can be easy to wonder if you’ve found the right lot, chosen the right floor plan, and picked the right contractor. What if after building the home, you realize it isn’t suited to your needs, or requires costly changes to fit your family? While these and many other things can make the building process a painful experience, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. With some education and proper planning, you can avoid any unwelcomed surprises and relax knowing your new home will be just what you’ve been dreaming of.

Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail

It’s fairly reasonable to assume that if you chose to build a new home for the first time, you are planning to live there for some time. It is important to consider your current wishes, but also equally important to plan for your future. Do you plan to have more children? Is the lot large enough for future expansion? Is it in an area you expect to be comfortable in long-term? If you plan to live there for the rest of your life, will it accommodate your needs when you are older? If you plan to move, is it re-sellable? By taking the time to think about these and other considerations during the initial planning stages of the construction process, you can eliminate a great deal of that stress and make decisions that will address your future plans and needs.

Attention to Detail

Some details of your chosen home plan are straightforward. What style of home you prefer, the number of rooms you need, and the size of your family room may be fairly obvious to you. It’s important however to pay attention to other details that can save large headaches down the road. Having room for expected guests, installing bathrooms on each floor, and including a suitable laundry area can be overlooked. This applies the outside of your home as well. Do you enjoy gardening? Is there room to have one? Do you often barbecue? Is there a proper place to put your grill? Imagine how you will use your home and yard and make sure to accommodate for the activities and needs you may have.

Within Your Budget

Remember that the cost of building a new home is much more complex than just your mortgage payment. Do some research and give some thought to the size and features of your new home. The goal should be to strike a balance that meets your current needs, plans for the future, but remains affordable. Building a larger home or choosing a large lot may fit into your home building budget, but will the increase in taxes, maintenance, utilities, and furnishings exceed what you can afford each month? On the other hand, going too small will lock you into a home that feels cramped and uncomfortable. Use your best judgment, think about all expenses, and talk to professionals for advice and finding that balance that is right for you.
Make Up Your Mind before Construction Begins

Work closely with your builder and discuss all your options and preferences well in advance of the construction phases. The builder can take your budget and choose all the different elements and amenities that will go into your home from furnaces and water heaters to drawer pulls and carpeting. Once there is a plan in place and you have made the builder aware of all your decisions, it is best to step back and let them do what they do best. That is not to imply that you no longer have any contact or impact on the construction. You are encouraged to check out the construction site and if you do have changes you absolutely must have, make your contractor aware of them as soon as possible. Making these types of decisions and changing your mind often will delay the process and cost a lot more money to complete. It is perfectly fine to take the time to make sure you are pleased with your decisions rather than rush into building unsure of what you want.

Progressive Builders is dedicated to partnering with you every step of the home building process to ensure that your new home has the right floor plan to meet your needs, constructed with a focus on quality, and all at an outstanding value. With over 20 years of experience we’ve built a reputation across the Twin Cities metro area and beyond and are committed to continuing that level of excellence for your new home construction project. We have a number of customizable home plans to suit your needs and invite you to contact us today for more information about our company, or our available lots and models.