Just like an investment or major decision, it can be nerve-wracking to take the plunge into designing a custom home. Before you sign on the dotted line with any contractor or designer, it’s important to evaluate every aspect of your future design and building process, to make sure it’s the right decision for you. Here is what you should consider before you start designing a home.
Know the designer. Don’t just judge a designer by their website or social media pages. It’s important to get to know a designer beyond a preliminary level before you sign up with them. Ask about their experience, references, and credentials to get a sense of their previous work.
Know what you want. One of the trickiest parts of home design is determining the best style and design themes for you. This aspect requires research and patience. Read magazines, look at books, go online, and sift through the blogs and virtual home tours. Put yourself in these images, and you’ll be able to capture a sensory experience. You need to develop an understanding of what design elements are critical to your lifestyle, and how you want your home to operate. Many clients find collage helpful — the pasting and splicing of different images that evoke their dream home vision can help them actually envision themselves in the design.
Budget. How does this home design play into your budget, financial timeline, and goals? Make sure that this design is a priority investment for your present and future. You’ll need to sit down and consider payment options, and weigh the pros and cons of a bank payment or cash.
Timeline. A thorough and successful home design and the building of the home take time. That’s why it’s important to question if a home design fits into your current life plans. Consider the time it will take to carry out the construction of your dream home design. You don’t want life to take a backseat when you embark upon a home design. Make sure you have a dedicated project manager who will act as a liaison between you and the contractors, so that the building process is on time and on budget.
Stick to your priorities. It’s important to stay strong in your design convictions. Doing so requires that you effectively articulate and communicate your wants and needs for both your design of your home, and the building process. Staying quiet, and brushing your ideas to the side, won’t allow for success. Strong communication will help you get the most out of your design.