Amid the ever-changing housing market, many homeowners are opting to build their own home to create a space that perfectly suits their lifestyle and their family’s needs. Custom homes also enable you to choose your dream finishes and styles.

Even if you’re still exploring your options and aren’t sure if a custom home is the best fit for you, here are the 5 things to consider when designing and building a custom home.

New Construction vs Buying a Home 

Building a custom home is a significant undertaking and a major life decision. So is new construction or purchasing an existing home best for you? It’s a big commitment in terms of time, money, and energy. While this shouldn’t scare you away from your dream home, it’s important to know what you’re getting into. If you’re already feeling overwhelmed with family or work commitments, for example, it may be best to start this process later or opt for a more traditional home buying experience.

Hire the Right Contractor and Construction Professionals

You may be a DIY pro, but this isn’t a project you want to take on yourself, even partly. Key professionals you’ll need to work with include an architect, plumber, electrician, and more. Consider also working with an interior designer who can help make sure the space is as functional as it is beautiful. Do your research to find quality experts — this isn’t the time to skimp on labor. Here are some tips for assembling your design/build team.

Furniture Layout and Space Planning - Start Early

While it may seem a bit premature to start decorating your living room before the foundation is laid, knowing how you’ll want to use and layout each room can help you during the building and design process. For example, you can save time and money down the line when you know from the get-go that you’ll want a window seat and two large couches to face the fireplace. 

Where to Splurge and Where to Save

Costs can quickly add up, so it’s important to decide early on what matters most to you and what’s worth investing in. You can always upgrade your flooring or cabinetry at a later point, but you can never change the foundation.

Build your home to last longer with building materials like Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) from Nudura. ICFs provides superior energy efficiency, sound-proofing, and lower utility costs over the lifespan of your home versus traditional building methods like wood-frame construction.

Homes built with Nudura are also disaster-resilient, offering strength, safety, and durability against extreme weather conditions. Our ICFs even give your architect greater design flexibility, allowing them to build your dream home to your specifications.

Get Organized and Prepare for the Unexpected

Building a new home is a long, often unpredictable process. Plan for things like weather delays and fluctuating material costs. The unexpected can also lead to positive changes in your plans. For example, you might come across a new flooring material that’s more eco-friendly, or a smart-home automation system might hit the market and you’ll want to integrate it into the design. Be flexible. 

Want to learn more about ICFs and see how they’ve been used to build beautiful dream homes across North America? Get inspired with our residential project gallery.