Our Blog | Latest Updates and Tips for Building

• Solar-centric housing: Homeowners want to live off the grid as much as possible, and solar energy options make this easier to do. Whether it’s solar panels on the roof or other solar options, net-zero housing design is on the rise.
• Multigenerational housing: According to recent statistics from various sources, 40% of adults are making plans to accommodate family members in their home, such as an adult child, a parent, or a grandparent. The housing industry is responding with designs that make these living arrangements suitable for all.  
• Smart technology: Over the last several years, smart technology made it possible for people to turn on lights, lock their doors, and adjust their home’s temperature from their phones. As 2020 progresses, home builders will continue to meet the demand from buyers to prewire and set up homes for smart integration.

• Don’t hire a cheap home builder: Building a new home is expensive, and you don’t want to spend more than necessary, but don’t choose a cheap home builder. Quality custom home builders use materials that last and build structurally sound homes that last for generations. Paying more for quality is always a better investment.
• Understand the contract and ask questions: Before construction begins on your new home, read through all contracts. If you’re not sure what something means, ask questions. Many people sign contracts without realizing what they agree to and may end up with a home they didn’t envision.
• Expect delays: Custom homebuilders do their best to meet deadlines, but bad weather, material shortages, permit issues, and other delays can throw off the timeline for completion. Expecting delays will help you stay patient and lower your stress levels.
• Don’t forget to schedule a home inspection: Pre-owned homes aren’t the only properties that need a home inspection before they move in. New construction homes can have issues that get overlooked too. Hiring an independent home inspection gives you peace of mind that you won’t have any major problems when you move in.

• Buying a Spec Home: A spec, or specification home, is built by a professional homebuilder, who designs houses to appeal to the masses based on market trends.
• Customizing a Spec Home: A professional builder will construct several similar homes in a community but may allow you to select certain customization features or upgrades. You can choose your countertops, wall paint, extra amenities such as a fireplace, etc.
• Buying a Custom Home: When you buy a custom home, you work with a custom design team to build a home from scratch according to your specific tastes and wish list. Choose the number of bedrooms, energy-efficient features, the orientation of your house on your property, etc.
• Who's in Charge?: With a spec home, a builder is in charge of the process but will take input about some features from you. When you customize a home, you're in charge and dictate the visual design choices according to your dream home standards. As long as it's up to construction code, it's up to you.

• Energy Efficiency: Upgrade your home for a better HERS-index rating, a measure of energy efficiency for environmental impact and utility costs. Smart thermostats, efficient heating systems, and other green features save you money.
• Kitchen Layouts: Choose the kitchen layout that appeals to you most, including angular layouts for better entertaining or large islands for superior home cooking potential. Customize a kitchen that’s as beautiful as it is functional for your lifestyle, and then select your favorite cabinetry for everyday elegance.
• Basement: Whether you want extra living space, storage space, or a hobby room, a basement is an excellent addition that you can select for your home.
• Flooring: Select the best material for your new house, like durable and elegant vinyl flooring or classic tile, and then customize its color and style to suit your interior design tastes. Go for a natural, traditional aesthetic or install flooring that has a contemporary feel.
• Siding: Siding made from vinyl and other modern materials is a popular exterior construction choice. Many home builders give you the option to customize the style and color for your home siding. This puts you in control of your home’s curb appeal and exterior personality.

Are you planning to move to a new house? Maybe you’re thinking of working with a new homebuilder in Fort Wayne, IN, instead of buying a preexisting residence. Building a custom home is the only way to ensure that your new abode has everything that you want it to. But this also means making a lot more decisions about home design, some that you may not have considered before. So, what makes a home design good? Keep reading to discover the most important characteristics to look for in your custom home design.

Functionality

Home design should never sacrifice functionality for design. Of course, you want your home to look good, but it should, first and foremost, be functional. It should have been designed with actual people in mind. Hallways should be wide and easy to walk through, doors should open fully without hitting other things, and fixtures should be placed sensibly. The kitchen needs to have plenty of counter space and storage room. And all the square footage in the home should be used to its fullest extent.

Spacious

On top of being usable, the home should also feel spacious. There should be ample room for all your furniture as well as plenty of storage space throughout the house. Even if the home is on the smaller side, the rooms and hallways shouldn’t ever feel cramped. The same goes for houses with more traditional, closed floor plans.

Quality of Construction

Design isn’t just about creating a smart and stunning floor plan; it also involves planning out how you will build the home. Look for a builder who uses high-quality materials to construct the house, along with first-rate finishes. This will not only make your home look better, but it will also prevent a lot of future problems down the road.

Consideration of Your Preferences

You are going to be living in your home for many years to come; it’s only natural to have a lot of opinions about what the home should look like. Your ideal home designer and builder should be communicative and a great listener. The builder should listen to your desires and concerns and take them into consideration throughout the design process. But they should also help to keep you on track and realistic about your preferences and budget.

Ascetically Pleasing

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but ideally, you should think that your new custom home is beautiful. You will, after all, be living in it for many years to come. You should at least enjoy it! Try to find a designer who fits your design ascetic and will be able to create the house of your dreams.

To learn even more about custom home design or to talk to one of our specialists, contact us at Lancia Homes today! Call (260) 489-4433.