The spaces in which we live shape how we live. So, is your house capable of matching your lifestyle? Consider if it has enough rooms for your family, ample storage for your goodies, or a practical layout with appealing design features. If so, you’re one of the lucky ones. If not, it may be time to think about moving, or building something new.
Custom homebuilding presents the unique opportunity to create something tailored to your liking. From the floor plan to door hinges, our buyers can choose most everything that goes into their house. However, the plethora of options and design selections can quickly become overwhelming. To relieve some of the stress, we’ll provide some questions to consider before going into your first consultation with your custom home builder. Your builder will need answers to some of these questions to provide an accurate estimate as to how much your new home will cost.
Our very first recommendation is that you review your current floorplan, and think about what changes you would want to make. Larger rooms, higher ceilings, more closets? What are its strengths and weaknesses? Do you have a floorplan in mind, would you like to create something new, or will you alter one of our model plans?
Once we establish the rough size and layout what we’re aiming for, we dive into some practical and climate related selections. If we’re building in an area susceptible to hurricanes, as we are in Brevard County, would you like to spend more for impact glass as opposed to the standard non-impact? If you’re worried about power outages, a standby generator is in your best interest. If we’re facing hot summers, like we do in Melbourne, consider choosing spray-foam insulation over blown-in fiberglass for the attic. You can further improve your energy efficiency with a higher SEER rating on your HVAC system. Is the home being built in a wet climate? Mitigate some of the flooding with whole house gutters. Do you experience cold winters? Opt for a fireplace. How much hot water do you think you or your family will use? We can go for a traditional gas-fired tank heater, or a new tankless heater.
Next, how much time do you project you’ll spend outdoors and is your outdoor living area important to you? If the size of the lot permits it, perhaps you’d like a pool. We’re located in Satellite Beach, a quick dip in the water may be nice after a day soaking in the sun on the sand. As the mosquitoes are thick here, screening in your pool could save a lot of itching in the future. Do you plan on cooking outside? Many of our buyers choose to install a summer kitchen, providing a great space to grill with your friends and family. On the few nights that it gets cold in this part of Florida, a firepit is a great space for making s’mores. Are there any other features you might want to include?
Lastly, we’ll follow up with some design questions. Do you have any architectural inspiration for the elevation? Historically, DiPrima built a lot of houses with Mediterranean or Spanish influence, but coastal and contemporary farmhouse styling is now popular. Are we putting onstone facades, and in what locations? Do you want shingles, or tile on the roof? Concrete tile isoften more attractive, but significantly more expensive. How extravagant would you like to go on the landscaping package? We can create special landscaping designs with particular species of plants or trees. On the inside, what flooring would you like to use throughout the house? Many of our buyers select tile, but hardwoods, laminates, vinyls, and carpets are all available. If you’ve visited our models, you’ll notice the tray ceilings. Would you like to do faux beams or tongue and groove in the trays?
Your answers to those questions allow us to start designing your next house. We can generally gauge how much the project might cost, and how long it will take to build. Of course, there will be quite a few more meetings to hash out the contract and selections, but we’re off to a good start.