Luxury Homes

Luxury Homes | Work in Progress

To build a custom home, you will need a building site and an architect or a professional home designer.

Building a new home begins long before the foundation is poured. Listed here are the five most important steps you must take to avoid costly mistakes during the construction process.

1. Plan Your Budget.
Begin now to think about how much you can afford to spend and how much building your new home is likely to cost. Chances are you will need a construction loan and a mortgage. It's not too early to find out what size loan you qualify for. Also, knowing the approximate costs will help you modify your building plans to meet your budget.

How much will it cost?

2. Choose Your Lot
Whether you are building your home in a suburban development or a site with sweeping ocean views, you will almost always need to choose the land before you select floor plans or other details. You (and any pros you hire) will need to investigate factors such as soil condition, drainage, zoning and building codes in the region.

3. Line Up Your Team
Unless you are a homesteader, you will need a team of experts to design and construct your house. Key players will include a builder, an excavator, a surveyor and a home designer or an architect. Many homeowners begin by selecting the builder or contractor. That pro then selects other members of the team.

4. Pick A Plan
A custom-designed home is created specifically for the family which will live there. In most cases, custom-designed homes require the services of a licensed architect.

Find Plans for Your Dream Home

5. Negotiate A Contract
Be sure to get a written contract which has been signed and dated by both the builder or contractor and the architect or designer. A contract for new home construction will describe the project in detail and include a listing of all the parts to be included in the house. Remember to amend the contract if you or your team make any changes to the project later on.

What goes in the contract?

Putting on the Finishing Touches
Nothing will impact the appearance of your home more dramatically than the type of siding you choose. As you shop for exterior siding, look for a material that suits the style of your house and also fits your lifestyle. Listed here are the most popular materials for exterior siding.

1. Stone
2. Brick
3. Cedar Shingles
4. Wood Clapboard
5. Fiber Cement
6. Stucco
7. Engineered Wood
8. Seamless Steel
9. Aluminum
10. Vinyl