Common Home Building Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Building a new home is a tremendous undertaking and often a life-event that is exciting, terrifying and sometimes exhausting. There are so many items from big to small that you want to factor into your new home, it can be overwhelming to try to think of all of them. One certainty is that the last thing that you want is to immediately regret some part of your house.

We’ve compiled some of the best advice from our peers and clients regarding common home building mistakes and how you can avoid them.

Have you carefully assessed the house plans?

Initially, planning the building of your new home can be fun and enjoyable as you dream of what you’d love to have in your new home. Nearly every expert agrees: you must pare down your “wants” versus your “must haves.”

While professionals can offer suggestions, only you know what you truly need out of your home. Some things to consider when you’re building:

• How many bedrooms are needed? Will you be expanding your family by having children, or will a parent need to move in?
• How many full bathrooms do you need? If you might expand your home in the future, be sure to add plumbing options throughout the home in the build process, as it makes for much less work and money in the future.
• Will you plan to age in your home, or plan to sell within five or ten years? Knowing what you expect from the lifespan of your home helps you to hone in on the critical aspects of building.

Have you considered all health concerns and HVAC safety?

Many people note that they wish they’d spent more money on better HVAC systems, which are responsible for the heating and cooling of your home. If you spend too little on your heating and cooling systems, you could encounter health problems from moisture, dirt and mold growth, like allergies and asthma.

Investing in higher-end, high-efficiency HVAC systems might seem like a hefty bill upfront, but it is sure to pay high dividends throughout the life of your home.

Have you thought about your use of traditional vs. non-traditional space?

Many clients have noted that they wish they hadn’t caved to traditional rooms when planning their homes, and have instead gone with optimized spaces that fit their lifestyle.

For example, while dining rooms are frequently seen in homes, you and your family might not want one; instead opting for a larger kitchen that allows for a dining table, or large play rooms that can later be easily transformed into different rooms, like a den or library as the needs of your family change throughout the years.

Remember to focus on lighting.

Lighting is a key element in any home. Natural light is the optimal source of luminosity and best bet to assure that your home is always well-lit and bright. In addition to paying close attention to windows and doors, also give consideration to skylights or small port-hole windows that can add sunlight to small spaces like closets.

Always think ahead regarding lighting in the building stage—it’s far easier to wire for potential lights while your new home is under construction than to add wiring years down the road.

Getting dirty: contemplating the placement of your laundry room.

Traditional placement of laundry rooms has been in basements, or in areas off of the garage, which doesn’t necessarily lend to ease of access or make much sense if most of the laundry being generated is a floor or two away.

You may want to consider a bedroom-level laundry room to add convenience to your household tasks. If you don’t think that a laundry room is a possibility on the floor where the bedrooms are located, perhaps consider having a laundry chute built in so that carrying loads of laundry down stairs can be eliminated.

Consider your curb appeal.

Many new homeowners cite that they wish they would have been as focused on the exteriors of their homes as they were on the insides. Always make sure to improve your curb appeal. Do not forget about how touches outside of your house can define your home and make a statement to your neighbors. Make sure it’s a reflection of your tastes and needs.