3 Min Read
Building a house in NJ is an exciting undertaking. It might be the project of a lifetime. Of course, the idea of making your dream home a reality might also fill you with trepidation. After all, if you are not an expert, it may be difficult to know how all the pieces fit into a perfect abode for you and your family. The good news is that you have a lot of help along the way. Our expert home-building tips can make it easier to get started.
1. Find the Right Builder
Choosing the right builder is one of the most important choices you will make for your luxury home. An experienced building team knows how to take your ideas and turn them into a design that will offer maximum comfort and function, with just the right style. You may need to interview multiple businesses, to get a sense for which one will be the best fit. Be sure to ask the following questions:
- Are you licensed and insured?
- What is your experience with my preferred style of home?
- How much customization can you offer?
- How long does it take to build a luxury home?
At GTG Builders LLC, our custom home building team has more than 65 years of experience in the business. We aim to make the entire process seamless and tailored to your unique needs, so that you can rest assured that we are taking care of every aspect.
2. Prioritize Features
Although you might not have much invested into the design at first, you can certainly start to determine which features you want most. If you’re wondering, “What does every luxury home need?” you might start by browsing these unique features for a luxury home. With a generous budget and a lot that will accommodate, you can have almost anything you like, such as:
- Indoor pool
- Wine cellar
- Private gym
- Outdoor living space
Keep in mind that this is your home, and you should be able to envision the way it plays out. Although you should certainly save space for important functions like sleeping, bathing, and dining, you may have lots of room to dedicate to entertaining or hobbies.
3. Set a Budget
It may seem like setting a budget ought to be the first thing that you do, but it’s worth doing research into what you want and how much you can expect to pay first. Sometimes, people set a budget for what they want to pay, without understanding all the expenses that go into the project. You may be able to complete some basic research online, but keep in mind that prices can vary significantly by location and scope. If you are completely unsure where to start, it might be worth talking with a few builders about general price ranges per square foot, based on the features you want. A ballpark figure isn’t the same as a detailed estimate, but it will help you determine how much you are willing and able to invest. Remember, make sure you understand what you are getting with each builder's price, and don't solely base your decision on that quoted number. You can learn more about what the square cost is to build a home by checking out our YouTube video here.
4. Start Planning Early
Building a custom home can be a long process, at least several months and up to two years. It is wise to start as early as possible, especially if you need to meet a target end date. Some of that time includes coming up with the design, refining plans, requesting permits, and preparing the land. If you have a long trip planned that will keep you out of the area for months, you might want to schedule the building process to avoid that time.
If you are just starting to think about building luxury homes and you aren’t sure when you will want to begin, request our free guide full of custom home-building tips.
5. Help Your Builder Refine the Design
Although it may seem like designing the home is a one-and-done process, there is quite a bit of negotiation involved. In the early stages, your builder will take your needs and wants into consideration, and start to put together a design that meets them. Changes are not uncommon during this stage, but it’s important to choose function as a priority. If you have questions about the kitchen placement or the bedroom placement in relation to the flow of the house, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. It is better to make your concerns known before construction begins.
6. Don’t Forget About Storage
When you’re dreaming about the best home you could ever have, it is easy to forget about some of the little things that make a home flow naturally. One of the wisest decisions you can make is to plan storage for every room. That way, you don’t feel obligated to hustle items into another room when company comes. For example, if you do most of your clothing management in your laundry room, make sure there is sufficient storage for treatments, ironing, folding, and hanging to dry.
7. Do Your Part During the Design and Building Process
Although you may not be the person who is building your custom home, you are still the most important player in the custom home building process. Your role is to participate with the building team as a partner. Asking questions, sharing concerns, and staying in the loop about progress on the project are steps you can take to ensure that the final result meets your expectations. Staying in regular communication allows you to do all of these things.
At GTG Builders LLC, we know that you want only the best for your custom home. We dedicate our work to helping you achieve it. If you want to learn more about building a custom home, check out our service areas and contact us to discuss your project.
