We’ve Decided to Build a New Home – Where do we Start?
Building a new home is an exciting, often once-in-a-lifetime journey, but it can also feel overwhelming if you’re not sure where to begin. At Harren Companies, a trusted luxury custom home builder in Minnesota, we understand that navigating the custom home design process can seem daunting, especially if this is your first time. So, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you start on the right path and feel confident throughout the entire home building process.
Gather Information
The first step in building your dream home is to educate yourself on the custom home-building process. Congratulations! By reading this, you’re already completing the first step of learning how to build a custom home! Knowing what’s ahead will give you the foundation to make informed decisions and reduce surprises along the way.
What should you know?
Research topics like construction costs, timelines, and the different stages of building a custom home. It’s also a great idea to explore design trends, potential building materials, and features you want incorporated into your home. With a good grasp of the basics, you’ll feel much more comfortable as you begin working with your builder to bring your custom home to life.
Establish Your Budget
Your budget will shape every decision moving forward. Before diving into the details, it’s crucial to understand how much you’re prepared to invest in your new home. Establishing your budget is a personal journey, involving elements like evaluating your current home equity, how much you’re comfortable borrowing, and how much of your savings you’re planning to invest in your new home.
What should you consider?
Beyond construction costs, remember to account for land acquisition, home design, furnishing, moving services, and closing fees such as loan origination and appraisals. It’s always wise to build a financial buffer into your budget to cover unanticipated expenses. This step will give you a realistic perspective and set the tone for the project.
Find and Secure Land
If you don’t already own land, now’s the time to find and purchase the perfect lot. The location and characteristics of the land will influence your home’s design and construction process. Harren Companies always ready to visit potential properties to evaluate their potential before our clients finalizing the purchase.
What should you look for?
Consider property features like location, proximity to amenities, views, and the overall setting. Whether you envision a lakefront property with a walkout basement or quiet country living with a sprawling single-level home, the land you choose sets the stage for your home’s design.
Hire the Right Builder
Choosing the right builder is critical. You need someone you trust to turn your vision into reality while managing the complexities of custom home construction. With the advancement of home building technology and practices, you need a professional builder with expertise in local ordinances, energy efficiency, structural integrity and the ability to coordinate design professionals and multiple trades.
Why is this important?
The complexity of modern construction demands in depth knowledge and real-life experience. A quality builder like Harren Companies will guide you through every phase, from land selection to the final walkthrough. With years of experience building luxury custom homes, HCI prioritizes craftsmanship and client satisfaction, while ensuring your project stays on schedule and within budget.
Conceptual Plans
Now for the really exciting part – bringing it all together and visualizing your dream home! Working with your builder, you’ll start creating conceptual plans based on your budget and design preferences. With your vision clearly defined the design team will layout your home, capitalizing on your properties most desirable features while creating an environment that integrates seamlessly with your life.
How should you approach this?
Collaborate closely with your builder to align your lifestyle, preferences, and needs into a cohesive design. Stay flexible and open to suggestions while remaining true to your overall vision. Now is the time to think about how your home is going to be utilized, from everyday use to special occasions and entertaining. You’ll also want to consider outdoor living areas and how they will be utilized in conjunction with the indoor space.
Final Plans
Once the conceptual phase is complete, it’s time to finalize your design with detailed architectural plans. This includes site plans, floor plans, elevations, and cross-sections, ensuring your vision comes to life. Every detail of your custom home will be represented in these final plans.
What should you focus on?
Ensure that every design element is accounted for, and consider the functionality of spaces – from where seasonal décor will be stored to where dinnerware and utensils will be housed in your kitchen. Consider the functionality and ease of access you’ll have to every item in your home.
Owner Selections
This is where your home begins to reflect your style. You’ll work with your builder to select finishes, fixtures, and materials like flooring, countertops, and cabinetry, balancing aesthetics and practicality.
What should you consider?
Maintain design consistency with a basic palette of colors and textures while ensuring the home remains both beautiful and livable. At this phase your builder will be able to provide input on product availability and it’s effect on the overall project schedule and budget.
The Construction Process
With your plans finalized, construction can begin. This stage can be complex, but HCI manages every aspect for a smooth, organized process.
How does HCI handle this?
We handle everything, from securing permits to managing sub-contractors, ensuring the schedule and budget are maintained. While we are always available to answer questions throughout the build process, our clients also benefit from weekly video updates and regular project walkthroughs to keep them informed throughout the build.
Final Walkthrough and Handover
Once construction is complete, you’ll walk through your new home to ensure it meets your expectations.
What happens during the walkthrough?
Together with HCI, you’ll inspect every detail and identify any final adjustments. Once everything meets your standards, we’ll hand over the keys to your brand new Luxury Custom Home.
At HCI, we take pride in delivering a luxury custom home-building process that’s as seamless and enjoyable as possible. From the initial concept to the final walkthrough, we’re here to guide you, answer your questions, and ensure every detail of your vision comes to life with unmatched craftsmanship. Ready to begin your journey? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward your dream home.
