What to Know Before Building a Home

Are you building a home? Or maybe dreaming about building a home?

In my opinion, building a home should be a multi-year planning process. Even if you have a wonderful builder and general contractor, it’s still your responsibility to make sure the home fits your family’s needs and checks all the boxes. Because while some things can easily be changed, other things are pretty permanent.

 

And that means planning well in advance of a big hole being dug.

And while it’s really easy to get caught up in the little details – wood floors and granite countertops and walk in closets – I think the planning really starts well before that. It’s about the overall lifestyle you want to achieve in your new home. And that has nothing to do with those (beautiful, wonderful) finishing touches.

There are lots of other things to consider.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE BUILDING A HOME

So, whether you are in the initial planning process of building or are just dreaming for your someday home, here are 23 things to ask yourself and your family members about your future home.

Grab a piece of paper and a cup of coffee and have fun dreaming.

The answers to these questions should help you to have a more firm vision for your home when you meet with a home designer or choose a floor plan. It will also help you make changes to your home plan that are better suited to you and your family.

Overall inspiration for building a home

How would you describe your home style? (For example, traditional, Craftsman, etc.)

When you think about your dream home, what do you visualize? (Feel free to find inspiration images of an overall look and feel.)

What three words would you want others to use to describe your home?

Inside your home, do you want an open feel or something with separate and defined spaces?

What’s something you definitely DON’T want in your home?

Cleaning and maintenance of your new home

How much time would you ideally want to spend cleaning your home every week?

Do you want products that require ongoing maintenance (like wood decks and painted siding) or prefer more low-maintenance options?

Room use in your new home

How many people will need bedrooms? Who can share? (Remember that shared spaces will probably need to be a bit bigger.)

How many people will need bathrooms? Who can share?

Are there accessible bathrooms for guests? (Remember to consider guest bathrooms near living spaces and guest bedrooms.)

Do you see the need for a separate dining room or prefer a casual eat-in kitchen?

What other types of rooms will be necessary? (Do you need an office, toy room, guest room, exercise room, storage room, etc.?)

What type of space will meet the needs for your long-term storage? (Don’t forget holiday decorations, kids storage, and even garage and tool storage.)

Room to grow in your new home

How many people do you expect to live in your home? (Future children, grandchildren, parents, etc.)

If your family expands, will more space be needed?

Accessibility in your new home

Do you or any family members need specific accommodations to make the home more accessible?

Would you feel comfortable having a more accessible home for the future?

Entertaining in your new home

How many people would you like to be able to comfortably entertain in your home?

How often do you think you’ll entertain?

Outdoor spaces at your new home

Is the weather in your area conducive to outdoor living spaces?

Would you use outdoor living spaces to relax, dine, or do activities? (How do you envision using porches, yards and other outdoor areas?)

Are there any issues that make outdoor living annoying or difficult? (For example: bugs, heat, cold, sunlight.)

What type of landscaping would you prefer? (For example: native plants, perennials, cottage garden, etc.)

MORE ON BUILDING A HOME

How much does it cost to build a new house?

What we’d do differently in our new house

Is there anything you would add to this list? What am I missing?

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