Custom Homes - What You Should Know

There are several key players involved in building a custom home. While many of these experts are not completely necessary in this huge under-taking, their knowledge, advice and opinion are highly valued in such a process. An architect and interior designer, and of course, the builder are just few of the important parties involved in building a home.

An architect is not entirely essential to designing custom homes. There are excellent resources online, as well as home plans and blueprints available in home design books and magazines. If you elect to hire an architect, but are unsure as to where to find one, check out your local chamber of commerce or visit the American Institute of Architects online at AIA.org. These are great resources if you don’t have a personal reference. Keep in mind that an architect will run you about 10 to 15 percent of the total home price.

An architect is qualified to assist the owner in the planning and conception of the custom residence. They have the ability to direct every critical aspect of the design and construction process in order to preserve the integrity of the final result, as well as increase its investment value. You will need to make sure the architect you’ve chosen can survey the site well prior to even beginning to conceptualize a plan. It helps to have a current survey of the property showing property and zoning lines to get a head start.

Although they are not detrimental to building a home, an interior decorator/designer is useful in many aspects of the project. A decorator is responsible for the interior design, decoration, and functionality of a client’s residence. They can help in choosing paint colors, fabrics, finishes, lighting, and many other fixtures. All the elements that make a home personal and original, an interior decorator can help make them your own.

It is important to note the difference in whether you are looking for an interior decorator or designer. While a decorator may focus purely on aesthetics, an interior designer works to improve the function and safety of a space. The designer carries expertise in both the engineering and art of home design, including electrical capacity, safety, and construction. This broader range of required knowledge distinguishes them from interior decorators. Interior designers and decorators have to work closely with contractors and clients, and your builder or architect might deal with someone specific who can assist you with your interior designing and decorating needs.

While architects and interior decorator/designers are extremely helpful in planning a custom home; the builder is the key figure to make such a project happen. Building a home is not something one does often. Finding a builder who is just right for you will make a typically stressful project much more seamless and enjoyable. The local chamber of commerce can provide assistance in selecting a builder. It is also extremely helpful to drive around the neighborhoods with the style and look that you prefer and check out the new homes being developed. In doing so, you can locate potential builders based on what you see in the homes currently undergoing construction. If you can, do a walk-through of these homes, identify things you like and things you don’t. If you like what you see, approach the construction supervisor, and obtain the builder’s contact information. Always check references to see if any complaints have been made against the builder. The more you know about them, not just the quality of construction, but also their demeanor and attitude will go a long way in the process. Pick a builder with whom you can build a good working relationship.