How to design your dream custom-built home
There are many advantages to designing your own home . Gone are the builder-basic styles , layouts that don ’ t work for your family and exteriors you can ’ t tell apart from your neighbors ’. To help with your planning , check out these tips .
• Find the right property . There are no limits to what you can create with a custom-built home , but the size and quality of your lot do impose restrictions . While you don ’ t need to have everything decided when you purchase the property , make sure you have a general idea of what you need — your architect can help with this . Also , double check zoning laws , so you don ’ t wind up not being able to build your dream three-story home on a residential street that only allows bungalows .
• Build for the future . Your needs and wants right now are at the top of your mind , but a custom home is a significant investment in time , money and energy . It ’ s also likely you want this to be your forever home , so it ’ s a smart idea to build for tomorrow . Think about how your family will evolve and what your future needs will be . Consider building materials that are designed to stand the test of time , like insulated concrete forms ( ICFs ) from Nudura . This alternative to wood framing is a greener option and offers disaster resilience against high winds and fire . The superior insulation also means more comfortable , uniform indoor temperatures and less money spent on heating and cooling your home .
• Avoid the fantasy trap . This is your dream home , so it ’ s okay to indulge on that outdoor fireplace or luxury bathroom tiles that you ’ ve been envisioning . But to keep your budget in check , focus on the priorities and items that will give you the best value for your dollar . Invest in features that will improve your everyday living and boost your property value , like energy-efficient construction or a finished basement .
Find more information about designing your new home with insulated concrete forms at nudura . com . n
• Consider your lifestyle . What kind of lifestyle do you want to live ? What ’ s important to you ? From bigger elements like smart home automation and sustainability to smaller considerations like storage and organization , think of these things when designing the layout and built-in elements . For example , if you hate shoveling , now is the opportunity to make sure you have the shortest driveway possible .
38 Winter 2023 Thomasville Scene