If you’re thinking about building a custom home, you will most likely have a lot of questions. But, two of the most common ones are about how much it will cost and how long it will take. Both of these questions make a lot of sense. Price is often a determining factor when it comes to deciding which home builder to hire, but the timeline isn’t too far behind in relative importance. Besides these two, there are plenty of other considerations you should explore before you commit to a home builder because it can be the difference between owning your dream home and one that’s second-rate (or even worse).
Here are some important items to consider when buying a new home in Corpus Christi
The word “custom” lies on a spectrum, which can range from touch-ups to full-on remodels. A 100% customization is where you can decide on every single detail in the home, but most home buyers want something in the middle. However, the biggest customization gap among home builders is whether they will let you make changes to its architecture. This can include any of the following:
Some home builders say that they’re custom, even though they only allow for cosmetic changes (such as countertops and cabinet finishes). They won’t allow you to make changes to their preset blueprints in any way, shape, or form. True custom home builders will allow you to expand on a design, even after the construction process has already begun. You can add a fifth bedroom, have a bigger kitchen, or expand your patio area.
If you want to build a semi-custom or custom home, you can choose from a variety of details. But, you need to know how the interior design process works for each builder, because all of them are different. Typically, there are three main options:
Because there’s no extra coordination necessary, the first option will be the easiest. The second option is also good, but it’s probably not a good idea to go with option three.
Features on a custom home are usually available in two formats:
Most home builders will use both forms. Certain high-end features will often be included in the base price, but you can also add more with a luxury package. You should, however, take any base price with a grain of salt once, especially after you ask about what kind of features are included. One builder may have a low cost, but the features you want may not be available without paying for a hefty upgrade. Make sure you pay attention to whether the following features are included in the base price:
All of these are important, because you don’t want to pay more than you need to.
The land you buy will determine what you can do with your home (both on a structural and aesthetic level). Some neighborhoods have design guidelines that you need to follow and are typically set by the homeowner’s association. Also, the land may not support the kind of home you really want. If a builder can help you find land, they will often make sure it can accommodate the kind of home you want to build. But, if the builder doesn’t provide that kind of service (or you want to do it yourself), you will be responsible for finding your own property. You will have to work with an architect, land surveyor, or builder to determine if that land can bring your vision to life.
If you have already found a property, you should ask your home builder if they can inspect the land or if you need to hire someone else to do it for you. Other things you can discuss with your home builder include:
If you’re looking for a custom home builder in Corpus Christi, be sure to reach out of Devonshire Custom Homes.
There’s a lot to think about when you plan on building a home. Whether it’s a new layout or some new design finishes, the features you put into a custom home design will be there for many years. But, it’s also an opportunity to get creative by putting in a set of unique features that you might not be able to find in a home that has already been built. Whether you’re planning to build a custom home or are curious about what you can put into its design, here are some great ideas that you should take into careful consideration.
If you’re planning to build a new home, this is the best time to add some custom shelving. A good built-in shelf that’s strategically located (such as a set of bookshelves around an archway or a multimedia unit that fits inside a space in your main living area) can be the focal point for any room. Custom shelving can also have a utilitarian purpose. There may be places in your custom home design where you can add some extra storage, so be sure to work with your builder to see if there are any places where you can use this option.
When it comes to opening up your space, it’s almost always worth it to splurge on some taller ceilings. There’s a big difference between the look and feel of six-foot ceilings and eight-foot ceilings, with the latter options adding not just the literal amount of space, but in how luxurious it looks. It will also allow you to add more finishing touches (such as extra fixtures and wall art).
Moving laundry up and down the stairs isn’t the worst thing in the world, but there’s no reason why you shouldn’t avoid it if you can. Having an upstairs laundry room can make an everyday activity a lot more convenient. If you can add a window to brighten up the space, it can make loading washers and folding clothes a more pleasant experience.
Building a new home can give you a chance to play around with different home design ideas, so you can add things that you didn’t have in homes you have had before. If you know about the hassle of walking into the front door with no place to hang your coat or to take off your muddy shoes, you know how useful a mudroom could be. But, it doesn’t have to be big or extravagant. Even a closet-sized space with a wall of cubbies and a bench can be useful, especially on days when it’s pouring down rain.
Why should you share a closet with your spouse if you don’t have to? Why not add a set of his and hers closets for each of you? That way, you can have enough room for all your stuff. It’s becoming an increasingly popular option for custom homes, because they’re not finding as much appeal in sacrificing storage for the sake of adding extra space. They want to have areas of their home that serve a particular function. Talk to your builder or architect to see if it’s possible to take some extra square footage from the master bedroom or bathroom to put toward a dual closet solution.
Adding some lighting both in and under your cabinets can not only create more aesthetic appeal, but can also be useful (especially in your kitchen). While it’s something you can add later with some adhesive strip lighting, a built-in option will be brighter and better-looking. You can choose between standard bulbs or LED strips, and you can have them wired to a main switch so you can turn them on an off.
Heated floors are becoming popular in custom home design plans. Warming coils run under your floorboards, which can be turned on and off with a switch. They can warm up the floors located in cooler areas of your home (such as homes that have been built over a set of slabs instead of a foundation) and can be great additions to any bathroom. If you want to stay warmer during the winter months or would like to be a little cozier when you step out of the shower, talk to your builder to see if this is an option.
If you like the idea of not having to carry a vacuum cleaner from one room to another, a central vacuum system might be something worth looking into. It’s a vacuum that lives inside your walls and has a collection container for dirt, dust, and debris housed in a central location. If you want to use it, just plug in a hose to one of the portals around your house. Central vacuum systems will also throw less dust and dander into the air than traditional vacuums, which is a good perk if you have allergies.
If you’re looking for one of the best home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes.
When buying or building a home, it’s a common belief that bigger is better. But, you may not need a house as big as you think. In fact, size is one of the important things to consider if you’re on the market for a new home. It’s the dream of every homeowner to own a big house, but it all depends on what’s considered “big.” Also, that “big house” that everyone dreams about can come with long-term heating and cooling bills as well as high property taxes. At the same time, you don’t want a house where everyone in your family is cramped together. That’s why you need to ask yourself, “How much square footage do I really need?”
A lot of self-evaluation goes into figuring out how big of a house you really need when you’re building a home. You have to live in the present, but you want to plan for the future. Here are some questions you should ask yourself as you think about your home’s design:
Be sure to speak to a professional if you need more help in coming up with your home design.
It’s impossible to predict how many people will be living with you in the future, which makes it difficult to know how much house you really need. But, there are some industry averages that can help you get a better idea of what may happen later on. According to the most recent US Census Report, the average size of a household is 2.6 people. That number may seem low, especially if you think about the large families that existed in the past. But even though families are getting smaller, the average house size has increased. In 1973, the average square footage of a home was 1,660 square feet. Now, it has gone up to 2,631 square feet.
It’s obvious that some households have more than 2.6 people and that some of them have less. While 2,631 square feet may seem like a mansion to some, others might see it as a proverbial broom closet. But, based on the current family and house-size average, you can estimate approximately 1,000 square feet per person. So if you’re thinking about building a home, you need to think about whether you want to live in a home that’s larger than 2,600 square feet.
Some of the typical home features include:
Inside the home, current trends are pointing to the desire for high ceilings, lots of window that bring nature indoors, and flexible spaces (such as guest rooms as well as combined dining and kitchen spaces). Homes with two or more stories make up about 50% of all the homes completed, while over 37% have three or more bedrooms.
There are hundreds of things to consider when it comes to determining how much square footage you need, but the national averages can lead to the following conclusions:
While size is directly related to how much you’re going to spend on the home, the budget is just as important.
Smaller homes used to be the norm. In 1950, the average home size was 983 square feet. But, during the building boom in 2004, the average home size was 2,340 square feet. Now, it’s over 2,600 square feet. These numbers come from the Survey of Construction (SOC), which is a partially funded analysis by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Here are some factors to consider while you’re deciding on how big your home should be:
If you’re looking for one of the best home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes.
You spend a lot of time in the bathroom — whether it’s for taking a shower, getting ready for work, or spending bath time with the kids. Because so much time is spent here, you want to make sure it’s more than just another room in the house. If you add the right bathroom design elements, you can make it a place where you can unwind after a hard day. It could even be a room that inspires you with a creative jump-start in the morning. After all, the best ideas come in the shower.
Here are some of the key elements that go into a good bathroom design.
A space can be beautiful, but functionality is just as important. That’s why you should meet with a qualified designer to help you with your bathroom design ideas. You want to think about how it will be organized, as well as how it will be used throughout the day. You want a bathroom design that will work for your specific needs. By keeping functionality in mind, you’ll be able to keep it organized.
Because it’s typically a 5’ x 9’ space with a tub and shower combo, water closet, and small vanity, most bathrooms don’t seem to have enough storage. That’s why every square inch is important. If you want to add more organization to your bathroom design, you should consider some of the following storage solutions:
If you want some more bathroom design ideas for adding extra storage, be sure to speak to a qualified designer.
There’s no wrong way to approach it, but you do need to understand your vision before you come up with a bathroom design. Make sure you speak with a professional designer to help you put things into focus, and it would be a good idea to bring any reference photos that you can bring to your consultation. That way, the designer will be able to understand what you want for the space.
Almost every luxury bathroom feels spacious, even if it isn’t. A good bathroom design feels orderly, light, tall, and roomy (even if it’s in a confined space). People may not notice the actual room dimensions, but they will remember how it felt when they walked in. This is the one thing you need to remember as you go through your bathroom design ideas. You can use certain tricks to give people the illusion of space — that it feels larger than it actually is.
Architects will play with positive and negative spaces when they come up with a design. Whether it’s a room, a house, a park, or an entire city block, they know that the spaces in between are sometimes more important than the structure itself. Space can be broken into one of these two categories:
Be sure to speak to a design professional for more information.
Lighting can make the biggest difference in a bathroom design. In fact, it’s the primary cause of a room feeling like it’s under-decorated and underappreciated. We don’t want to spend a lot of time in dark rooms. But we love rooms that are light, cheerful, and have a feeling of openness. Some people say that their bathrooms don’t have an external wall to make use of natural light, but that’s no longer an excuse. Solar tubes can bring the light of the sun to any room in the house. It acts like a skylight, except it can be used anywhere. But even if natural light is hard to come by, it doesn’t mean your bathroom has to feel dark and depressing. Adding quality lighting fixtures in the right places can make a massive difference in your bathroom design.
If you’re looking for one of the best home builders in Corpus Christi to help you come up with bathroom design ideas, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes.
Your home’s floor plan is one of the most important choices you will ever make when it comes to its design. Whether you live in an apartment, a condominium, or a house, the layout of your rooms and how they flow will depend on your lifestyle. You may prefer a single-story or multiple floors, and you may want all the bedrooms on the top floors. All of these details can make this part of home design stressful. So, here are some tips that can help you to decide on a plan that’s right for you and your family.
Choosing a room layout that works for the size of your family and the ages of your children is important. Most families with young children want to have private spaces with bedrooms and bathrooms that are grouped into a single area, while families with teenagers and young adults prefer to have separate bedrooms. If you’re looking for home design ideas, all of these factors are important. Take a look at the pros and cons of a particular floor plan. And if it doesn’t work, you can always redesign it.
Many homes have floor plans that focus on entertaining and making the home more welcoming to guests. A wide foyer opening that goes into an open living and dining room that meanders to an outdoor area would be an ideal home design for welcoming guests. But if you and your family are more private, you may want to pick a floor plan that doesn’t put your home on full display every time the front door opens. You could have a formal living room that’s adjacent to the front door. This would give guests a place to sit down and feel comfortable, while leaving the rest of your home private.
Many people prefer single-story homes because they don’t have to hear the sound of overhead foot traffic. Some single-story homes (called “Ranch-style homes”) will often group public rooms into the center, while bedrooms and bathroom are located on the “wings.” Multistory homes have the added benefit of more outside views instead of looking straight into the neighbor’s window. They can also give each family member their own space and room, so it will be more private than a single-story home design.
You may have a live-in family member that needs more space to move around, or you may want wider hallways so children have room to run around. You should consider all these factors as you decide on a floor plan. Renovating or altering a location without a load-bearing wall sometime in the future can also be an option. So if you have a floor plan that you have fallen in love with, this is something you can think about doing later on.
Your home design will most likely have a floor plan that includes an outdoor leisure area — whether it’s a porch, lanai, or swimming pool. As you pick a floor plan, look at how much your family will use these outdoor spaces. Like a large yard, it looks beautiful if you keep up with it. But it can look terrible if you don’t. Make sure you’re willing take on the added responsibility of keeping up with a larger outdoor space in addition to what you have indoors.
Not everyone likes to talk about money. But if you don’t look at the cost of your new home design, you may find yourself in a great deal of trouble. It’s not just about spending too much money. Other things can cause problems as well. You may spend too little to get what you really want, and you may not be happy with the result later on.
Closets and other built-in storage spaced are difficult to expand, so you want to think about how much you actually need. Coat closets, large pantries, and walk-in bedroom closets are a few of the storage amenities that you may want to think about as you look at home design ideas. You may also want to think about whether your family can use a designated area near the main entrance for backpacks, raincoats, umbrellas, and muddy boots that need to be dropped off because it can reduce the amount of clutter and dirt that builds up around your home.
If you’re looking for one of the best home builders in Corpus Christi to help you with your next home design, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes.
Buying a new home can be an exciting experience, but building one is a massive commitment. That’s why choosing the right home builder is just as important as finding the right location (or even coming up with the right floor plan). The one you choose to work with will be your primary point of contact for the next couple of months, as you go through the process of building a custom home. A good builder will be able to give you the house of your dreams. But, if you make the wrong choice, you can experience a great deal of stress and frustration.
Here are some questions you should ask any new home builder before you make your final decision.
It’s important to ask this question, because it will give you an idea about the builder’s qualifications. If they have the knowledge and experience necessary to keep their business going and to make their customers satisfied, you could be one of their happy clients. A company that has only been in business for a short time may not give you the same level of service as a company that has been building custom homes for over four decades.
It’s good to know if your home builder has built a home in the style you want. A builder whose focus is on bungalows or infills may not be the perfect choice if you want to build a duplex. Make sure your builder either focuses on the style you want or has experience in a variety of building styles.
If person you hire for building a custom home isn’t fully licensed and insured, you’re taking on more unnecessary risk. You could lose your deposit and even more money if something went wrong. You’re also held liable for unlicensed workers, so make sure your home builder is legitimate and legal.
This is a great question to ask if you’re trying to choose from a couple of different builders. It’s good to know what the perks are, because the little details that make your builder go above and beyond what others offer can make the steps in building a custom home more special.
This is similar to the previous question, because it gives you information on what they do that goes “above and beyond” other builders. You want to know what they’re homes will have that you can’t get if you hired someone else — whether it’s in the finishes and design, a stronger foundation, or better appliances.
The bigger the purchase, the more you want to know about your warranty options. Because building a custom home is one of the largest investments in your life, a good warranty program will give you more peace of mind if something goes wrong. It will also give you more faith in your builder’s level of workmanship.
In an investment as big as building a custom home, asking to verify claims with outside sources is a reasonable request. A good home builder will have a list of references from happy customers and will allow you to listen to what they have to say about the person you’re considering.
Energy-efficient homes can save you a lot of money every month. So if a home builder can make your home more efficient, you should take that into serious consideration.
Every home builder is different. If you don’t know what’s included in your builder’s fees, you won’t know how to put together your budget or mortgage request. Make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into, so you don’t have any added expenses that can make the process more stressful. Ask them about things like landscaping, decks, garages, and fencing.
Like all the standard features, you want to know about any upgrade options you have available. Being able to add a double sink to your master bedroom, add an ensuite to your spare bedroom, upgrade (or even downgrade) your kitchen appliances, or install hardwood floors are good things to know and is something that your home builder can help you with.
If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes.
Are you ready to build your dream kitchen? If so, then you need to have a good plan. The kitchen is where people spend most of their time. So, having a functional and well-planned design is critical if you want to have a fabulous kitchen for you and your family. There are also some things that you need to carefully consider as you go through your set of kitchen design ideas.
Here are some tips on how you can come up with a good design for your dream kitchen.
The most important thing to think about while you come up with a kitchen design (or the design of any space) is the purpose you want it to serve. Cooking has always been the main function of any kitchen. But over the years, it has been used for a lot more than that. It has become the heart of any home. In fact, it has become the most important room in the house. People use the kitchen for a lot more than cooking. They use it to work, watch TV, read the mail, or hang out with friends. You may not plan to use the kitchen for all those things, but it’s still important to think about what you see yourself doing in this space so you can make it work for you and your family.
As you come up with kitchen design ideas, you need to think about the flow of your workspace (what is often referred to as the “work triangle”). Think about the distance between your stove, refrigerator, and sink. You want to have an efficient workflow that will allow you to move easily between these three points. A poorly-designed work triangle will cause you to run all over your kitchen to access its most important areas. There’s no hard and fast rule, but you want to think about the distance between each point on your triangle. A good rule of thumb is somewhere between 40 and 60 inches.
One of the most common complaints from people who want to renovate their kitchen is that it doesn’t have enough storage space, but even the smallest kitchen can maximize its storage space. If you use small appliances on a regular basis, think about where you can access them more easily. You might be able to create an appliance garage with retractable doors, or you can build a large pantry with pull-out drawers that you can lift easily. You can also make your kitchen more functional by adding drawers for your pots and pans. you might even be able to include a walk-in pantry.
It may seem simple, but it’s important to have the right amount of light in your kitchen. You always want to have enough electrical layouts to accommodate your kitchen design. There are three types of lighting you can add to your kitchen design:
Be sure to speak to a professional designer for more ideas on how you can use lighting effectively.
You won’t be able to come up with a good kitchen design unless you know what kind of appliances you want to put in it. If you like to cook, you might want to add a six-burner stove or cooktop. And do you prefer gas or electric? If you like to bake, double-wall ovens might be a good option. Refrigerators can also vary in both size and depth, or you may want to add a built-in microwave. A professional designer can help you make a choice that will work best for your needs.
If you plan to build a home in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes.
A new home can be one of the biggest investments you will ever make, which is why you need to make smart decisions early in the process. All the things you have to think about, one of the first is whether you should buy one or build it yourself. By the time people reach out to a homebuilder, they’re already committed to either buying or building a home. But, if you’re not quite there yet, there are some things you should think about before you make your decision. Both approaches have their pros and cons. There is no right or wrong answer, but there are some factors that you need to take into consideration.
There are two main advantages to home buying: convenience and cost. Once you’re pre-approved by a lender, you can shop around, choose a home, and make an offer. A qualified real estate agent can make the home buying process easier by helping you to find the right properties, guiding you throughout the negotiation process, and helping you with the paperwork. Once your offer has been accepted, you might be able to close the deal. You can move in after a month or two, depending on the circumstances of the closing process.
The home buying process involves many different steps, which can include:
Being able to move right away is a convenience that can cause many people to decide to buy an existing home instead of building one from scratch. The need to buy an existing home is especially true for home buyers who are on a tight schedule. You might be relocating because you got a new job, or you may have kids that will be attending a new school. Home buying is also cheaper in most cases. Once you have found a prospective home, you can use a mortgage calculator to get a better estimate of how much it will cost to purchase it based on today’s interest rates.
If you’re moving into an established neighborhood that’s near work, school, friends, or family, there’s a good chance the home will have mature landscaping. You won’t have to worry about starting a lawn, planting shrubs, and waiting for trees to grow. If you want to live close to town, home buying will be your best choice. Most or all of the land will already have homes built on them. But despite all the advantages of buying an existing home, there is one major disadvantage. You won’t be able to get exactly what you want, and it can be hard to find a home that’s in perfect condition. You may have to think about the cost of updating or renovations.
Home building won’t give you the same convenience as buying one that already exists. Not only do you have to find the land (which may not be in an established neighborhood), but you also have to take the time find an architect or builder. You also have to decide on every element of the new structure. You can minimize your risk of going over budget or having unexpected delays if you work with a reputable home builder and have a good contract in place. Getting in on an existing development may streamline the process, but it can limit your choices. You’ll have to worry about systems (such as whether the land will give you access to municipal water and sewage), and you have to work on getting the right permits.
One big advantage of home building is that you have a better chance of getting exactly what you want, which is why many people choose to build than to buy. But there are other advantages to home building as well. It will allow you to create a more efficient home that will meet current energy standards, especially in the following areas:
Better efficiency will not only be good for the environment but can also save you money on your monthly utility bills. Older homes can have asbestos, lead paint, or mold. So if you build a home, you can use materials that are better for the environment and won’t affect your health. Building a home can also give you a kind of satisfaction that you won’t be able to get from home buying. You’ll have a certain emotional connection to living in a home that you created.
If you’re looking for a custom home building company that can help you create your dream home, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes. We would be happy to speak with you about your specific needs!
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