Building your own house is both exciting and stressful. The idea of building your home to your specifications is ideal, but you might not know everything that goes into it, which can stress you out.
But it doesn’t have to be stressful. The more you know, the easier it will be to build your own house. That’s why we recommend taking the time to do your research and make wise choices to avoid having buyer’s and builder’s remorse.
We’re here to help with your learning process! Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about building your own house, including the things no one tells you!
1. Placement is really important.
When you’re planning out your house, pay particular attention to placement. While it might be fun to envision a kind of house you’ve never seen before, it’s probably not practical. The placement of your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, laundry rooms, and other frequently used rooms need to make sense.
Think through living in these spaces. Visualize yourself moving through these areas. Moving from room to room should run smoothly and not be awkward. There is a lot to think through. If you can’t feel yourself moving naturally from one area to the next, it’s time to rethink things.
For example, when considering where to place your bedroom, be sure that it is in a private part of the house away from noise and traffic. Privacy and quiet are two essential elements to feeling relaxed enough to sleep.
Your room should also be a quiet sanctuary where you can rest. Many homes have the master bedroom off the living room and kitchen. This could be ideal for you, or you might want to consider placing your bedroom in another part of the house.
Let’s talk about the kitchen. You’ll appreciate it being close to your entry point when you’re bringing in groceries, whether that be your garage or your front door. Where do you keep your trash cans? You won’t want to carry the kitchen trash further than necessary to make it to the dumpster.
What about the guest bathroom? How far into your home do you want to allow guests? You might want your guest bathroom right off your front room to keep most elements of your home private.
Poor planning and placement are not easy fixes, so be sure you think through these decisions before building.
2. Pay attention to your HVAC system and your windows.
Poor planning when it comes to your HVAC and windows can lead to trouble with moisture, mold, and regulating house temperature. The size of your HVAC will determine your ability to cool or heat your house effectively.
Furthermore, high-quality, well-placed windows will help your house temperature stay regulated without costing you extra for your energy bills. For a more efficient and healthier house, consult an expert about your HVAC and windows.
3. Size matters.
Though it may save you money to build smaller, many millennials say they regret building as small a house as they did. Remember to think long-term. Do you have space for friends and family to stay when they visit? What about extra rooms for kids – present or future. An additional room could become your nursery or the space reserved for when college kids come home to visit.
If you realize you need a few more rooms than you originally planned for but don’t have the budget for it, it may be worth it to hold off and save up. Staying put might make you feel antsy, but you’ll be glad to wait when you have your dream home with plenty of space for everyone you love.
4. Furnishing adds up fast.
When you’re building a new home, you’ll need to furnish that home. This is something to consider when you’re budgeting for your new home unless you’re bringing all your furniture from your old home. Those costs can add up quickly!
Be sure to include a generous furnishing budget in your overall budget when building. To soften the blow, you can furnish a little at a time. Start with the essentials and slowly fill in your house as your budget loosens up.
5. Your neighborhood and school districts affect your house’s worth.
Even if you don’t have children, the quality of your local school districts and neighborhood impacts your home’s value. When choosing a lot to build on, pay attention to the community.
Is there anything about it that would bother you?
What is the noise level like?
Will it bring down the value of your house?
As for the school district, it may seem like it won’t matter if you don’t have any children attending school, but it will impact your neighborhood and your house’s overall worth.
This could be your forever home – but it might not be. You’ll want to build on an excellent lot to make a profit selling your house if you ever do. So, learning about the quality of these things before committing to a lot can benefit you down the road.
Mountain States Windows & Siding
Windows and siding are integral elements of building your own house. Windows account for lighting and ambiance. Insufficient lighting can leave your home dark and shadowy when you’ll want your home to be light, airy, and open.
Not only are windows important, but where you place them is equally important. You’ll want windows in every room. It even matters where in the room your windows are.
The good news is that Mountain States Windows & Siding is here for you. We’re experts at placing and installing windows and siding in and on your home. We’ll carefully plan with you to ensure that your home has what you want and need.
Mountain States Windows & Siding is located in Lehi, Utah, and serves Salt Lake and Utah counties. If you’re building your home and looking for experts to join you in the process, look no further. Contact us today to get started!
