When undertaking a major project, a plan must be in place
for success. With home construction, a solid custom built home plan is the most
important piece of the puzzle. Building a new home is often a dream for many people
and is a major investment in both money and time. Often, years will pass before
the final product is standing tall. Planning out what your dream home will look
like should not be taken lightly, nor should it be rushed. With so many
elements and details that can impact how the construction process will go, the
wisest step to take is to partner with a design-build construction firm who
specializes in custom built homes.
Design-build construction differs from the mainstream
approach to home building. Often, clients will meet with several different
teams who represent different companies. A designer who specializes in custom
built home plans will sit with you and create a design with your feedback.
Those designs then get sent to an architect who will review and determine if
the plans are feasible on the land and if the project can move forward from a
structural standpoint. Then contractors who specialize in different elements of
construction (carpentry, dry wall, electrical, plumbing, etc.) will be hired to
complete their individual parts. The sum of all these parts is not often
seamless.
However, imagine meeting with one team who will manage your
custom built home from the ground up. Working together as one company, this
team includes designers, architects and contractors who cohesively represent
one firm. They work with you to determine a specific budget and then work
together to carry out your project. Communication flows all ways on a
design-build team, keeping each other and more importantly the client in the
loop on elements of the build. While other companies may boast years of
experience, a design-build firm will have the added experience of working
together on projects.
When outlining a custom built home plan, clients will want
to identify their "must-have” amenities and their "wish-list” items. For
example, a bathroom with every bedroom may be a little excessive and will most
certainly add to your budget! One suggestion is to make two lists when sitting
down to design your dream home. One list will include your basic needs, while the
other will include luxuries that would be nice, but you can live without.
Once the project starts, try to minimize any changes to the
plans. The added benefit of using a design-build team is that if a change is
absolutely necessary, all parties are involved in the change from the beginning
and communication is heard across the board. While you may not think a small
change will have an impact across all parties or contractors involved,
professionals see the big picture. Any gap in communication could have
detrimental effects on the completion of your dream house!
Trust a reputable design-build firm with your custom built
home plans. All parties involved must be on the same page to deliver a home you
can build a future in.