The Wall Street Journal states that the cost to build a new single-family home in the United States stands between $95 and $150 per square foot. Factors such as location, materials and your floor plan can drive these costs even higher, so it's important that you make good decisions when building your dream home. Here are some issues you want to consider before beginning work on your new house.
Resale Value
Unless you plan to live in the home until long after retirement, resale value should factor into your decisions. Carefully reconsider any non-standard features in your home, such as home offices, art spaces or enormous garages that may be of great use to you but baffling or unwanted by potential buyers. If you want unusual spaces in your home, consider building them so they can be repurposed easily. For example, a huge garage could be sectioned in two and the extra space turned into an entertaining space. Home offices should be built with closets so they could be used as bedrooms. A loft made for creating art could also function as a family room if a fireplace or bay window is included. Think carefully about a potential buyer's impressions of the space.
Multi-Purpose Space
Don't build a room into your house unless you're absolutely sure you need it and will use it. Many people mistakenly include a home gym or craft room that turns into a dumping ground for all sorts of odds and ends. You can end up paying to heat, cool and maintain a room that is largely used for storage. Consider including multi-purpose rooms. For example, a sewing room can double as a guest room. A home gym, properly set up, can also be used as entertaining space using sliding doors to hide larger machines from view.
Ease of Maintenance
While a twelve-foot ceiling and a huge chandelier can look gorgeous in an entryway, it can be expensive to pay to have it cleaned regularly. Acres of rolling, maintained lawn and plantings may look gorgeous, but can cost you hours of back-breaking labor or paying someone to care for it. Floor-to-ceiling windows are next to impossible to clean safely yourself, so you may have to hire a cleaning service. Factor all of the maintenance into the overall cost of your home. Otherwise, you may be overcome with unexpected expenses.
Aging in Place
Making your home accessible in your older years is an important consideration. Climbing stairs can get difficult with age or while recovering from an injury. Narrow hallways and small bathrooms may not be easy to navigate with a wheelchair or walking aids. You may find climbing up on a high stool at your butcher-block island difficult. Consider accessibility if you plan to live in the house as you age.
The Neighborhood in General
You don't want to build an enormous, rambling Victorian in a neighborhood full of small ranch-style homes. You also don't want to put an ultra-modern home on a street full of carefully maintained Craftsman homes. Not only can this be a problem if you decide to sell, it could upset your neighbors. Try not to dwarf the neighboring houses or get too far away from the feel of the local area. Carefully consider the area you're building in to avoid making a huge mistake.
Building your dream home is an exciting time in your life. For other tips and help, consult with a trusted homebuilder like Princeton Classic Luxury Homes for what you should do for your custom home. By keeping these issues in mind, you can avoid making costly errors in judgment. Of course, you'll want the input of your architect or contractor, but thinking these things through will help you bring your dream to fruition.