Building a Custom Luxury Home? Here’s Some Advice from a General Contractor in San Luis Obispo County

Few people have significant experience going into the process of designing and building a new home. Unless you are in the industry, it probably will be the first and last time you take part in the new home construction process. As a result, it is crucial that you work closely with, and listen to the advice of, a general contractor in San Luis Obispo County. Without help, it is all too easy to get lost in the process and to potentially make mistakes along the way.

The primary reason to build a home is to get exactly what you want, while likely having to make some compromises along the way. Especially if you are just beginning a home design project, you may wonder what things you should be considering at this early stage. Read ahead for some advice to consider from a general contractor in San Luis Obispo County.

• Decide on your budget: The one word many people designing and building a home do not want to hear is “budget.” Making the decision to build is all about dreaming big, using loads of imagination and ultimately about getting what you want rather than settling for an already existing house. Budget figures very little into big ideas, but the reality is that just about every new home has to be placed within a particular budget, no matter how large or small. Determining a general budget, with some room for flexibility, is very important early on in the process. Understanding budget matters will help guide many of your decisions later on, so the earlier you come up with one, the better.
• Consider energy-efficient features: More and more new homes are built with a great deal of attention placed on energy efficiency. Before getting skeptical about this, recall that there are often tax incentives available for high-rated energy-efficient home components, such as windows, and that by going energy-efficient, you guarantee low utility bills for as long as you live in the house. The bottom line is that energy efficiency, in many cases, will save you some money and absolutely will help with resale value.
• Focus on developing what you want and need: When it comes to layout planning, keep two things in mind. The first is to seriously consider the right size for you and your family—building big is not always the best idea. Second, with your budget in mind, remember to prioritize what is important to you. Have you always dreamed of a certain style of kitchen? If so, put more money toward this rather than adding that extra bathroom.
• Remember that your home is an investment: When you are just beginning the design and building process, thinking about ever selling the home is probably the last thing on your mind! However, as most general contractors in San Luis Obispo County will remind you, your new home is an investment, and thinking of it in those terms, you should consider how your investment will pay off over the long term. Designing with resale value in mind is critical to protecting your long term financial security. Research what factors increase home value and reduce overall sale time, and consider applying these principles when designing your new home. For more advice on custom home design, consider contacting a general contractor in San Luis Obispo County.