Many people resort to building a home because they realize that it is highly unlikely that another person has built and will be selling their dream home. This is a fair assertion. In some counties, it can even be cheaper to build a house than to buy a finished one. Not to mention, a used house has many issues that you will need to fix once it is your own, on top of the remodeling to make it suit your tastes. This can all add up to a much higher price than the cost of building a house from the ground up.
There are many affordable house and land packages out there. You can choose the community you want to live in, the type of view you want to have, and the size and design of your home. The freedom you get to make these big decisions will excite your passion for your new family home a great deal.
But remember that comfort is in getting the little details correct. Many people get carried away with the overall design and look and placing of furniture to the point that they forget that it is the little things that ensure convenience in living.
Outlets Should be Everywhere
You will need to place an outlet in every room, and several in family rooms that will see a lot of electronics and movement. Everyone has devices that need charging, and comfortable living requires gadgets that will need to be plugged in. Therefore, take a detailed evaluation of the gadgets, smartphones, tablets, and other such electronic devices that will be in your home and plan enough outlets to ensure no issues occur.
Build a Storage Area
Build a storage room for everything you can think of that will need to be put away. This will help to keep your home looking organized and clean as this will guarantee a lack of clutter. The only outside storage options should be aesthetically placed or necessities such as fire extinguisher holders.
Plan for Pets
If you have a growing family then you know that eventually you will have pets to take care of, and they will require space as well. Consider building in an extended space to the back of the house that can act as a mudroom. This will be easy to convert into the space for your pet to have its sleeping area. It will also allow you to place any litter boxes out of sight and contain any unpleasant smells. Make sure to have an exhaust fan in this area to help the flow of unpleasant houses to the outside rather than remaining inside the house.
Finish All Possible Storage Spaces
After you are done building in storage, you may think this is enough. But a growing family has needs that you cannot fully anticipate. Thus, do not close off areas under stairs or leave the basement unfinished. Make sure these areas receive the same treatment and painting as the rest of the house. This will make it much easier and cheaper to convert them for whatever you need when the time comes.
Two-Way Switches
Two-way switches in bedrooms, kitchens, living areas, and stairways are very convenient. They will allow you to ensure that you switch off lights even if you have already climbed to the top of the stairs or already tucked yourself into bed.
Having them in living spaces ensures that you can avoid bumping into anything while searching for the switch. Planning for them from the outset allows you to integrate the switches to fit with the interior design. Installing them after building will leave unsightly wires and mismatched paint colors. Solar Powered Water Heaters Design a house that will have solar panels integrated into the roof to heat all your water. This will make it easier to lay the pipes and place the generator. It will allow you to guarantee hot water even in the event of a power crisis.
Put Lights Everywhere
LED lights are easy to install, have long lifespans, and are very power efficient. Put them inside closets, wardrobes, and cabinets to make it easier to see everything and keep organized. Motion sensor lights for the outside of the house are also a good way to scare off potential larceny or wild animals that may want to prey on your pets.
Extra Plumbing is Useful
You may have put in as many bathrooms as you think you will need. But it is always convenient to have the option to build another bathroom if the need arises. That said, make sure that the builders lay plumbing for a possible bathroom into the basement. Building a bathroom from scratch without the plumbing fixtures already available can be very expensive. Having the plumbing already in place will make it much easier and a less expensive investment. Extra bathrooms also increase the value of your home in the event that you decide to sell.
If you are integrating smart technology into your house, then you need to keep checking the system as each section is installed. It is better to check as the builders go along to ensure that everything works fine. This will allow any errors to be fixed before the work is complete, saving you repair fees.
It is also a good idea to have a dedicated tablet to manage the smart technology in addition to having it all connected to your phones. This tablet will always remain at the house and allow the person in the home to make real-time changes or choices. This will work well, as smart home systems can be programmed to behave in certain ways but do need the input of people to guarantee seamless functionality.
