It's the dream of many people to build a custom home on their own lot. A newly built home in a well-chosen location can easily become a forever home, or even a home that could be in the family for generations. Understanding the process of building a custom home on your own lot can make the experience a success.
Start by choosing a lot that will meet your unique needs. Consider a range of factors to help you decide which one is right for you, including:
Get an inspection before making an offer on a lot. Inspectors perform environmental tests to look for presence of toxins in the soil and water. Some inspectors also test air quality. Not all inspectors test for the same things, so know what your inspector will look for before choosing the right one.
Your custom home should be designed completely for you and your family. When making your list of must-haves, talk with other members of your household and discuss plans for the future. Make decisions about your upcoming life changes, whether you're hoping to have more children, age in place or invite senior relatives to come with you. Establishing goals up front can help you decide how many floors and how many bedrooms, where the bedrooms should be, how large the house needs to be, how many bathrooms and other considerations.
Once you've bought a piece of land and know the must-haves for your house, it's time to find a custom builder. Some home buyers hire an architect to work with their home builder, others hire a design build contractor who is capable of designing and building the home without services from an outside firm. Hiring a design build contractor is an easy way to streamline the building process.
Reputation and experience are key when hiring a home builder. Check references and read the contract thoroughly before making your selection.
Once you've hired a contractor, work with them closely to customize your new home. Explore features like built-in furnishings, laundry chutes, outdoor living space and a wine cellar to decide which features are right for you.