Ask Erin: Building? Consider This!

by ERIN SHARPLIN LOVE | [email protected]

Are you in the process of building a new home (your dream home)? If so, I can tell you from experience that it can be a fun endeavor but completely overwhelming at the same time. Although I have created hundreds of beautifully- decorated and organized homes for my clients, I was not yet involved with the building process of an ENTIRE home until I built my own home almost two years ago. It was a huge undertaking, but it opened up a whole new world full of inspiration and dreams. I am now working with a local construction company to help guide their clients through the design and building process. Needless to say, I have a lot of information that might help you, and I can’t wait to share it! Check out my tips below:

1. Get organized NOW! I suggest that you create a binder, divide it by room, and begin inserting pictures and notes of things that you want and don’t want. As you search Pinterest and Houzz, for instance, you may see ONE item in a picture that you love or you may love the overall color scheme, etc. Make note of these so your designer can piece together a look for you.

2. Discuss your non-negotiables up front. Before your contractor begins the building process, figure out your non-negotiables and state them as soon as possible. For instance, a non-negotiable may be a free-standing tub instead of a built-in. Or, maybe you want a large back porch equipped with an outdoor kitchen for entertaining. For me it was a lot of ironwork and the highest ceilings I could get! My point is that these non-negotiables should be decided BEFORE the building process begins (and preferably before the bidding process) so that your contractor and designer know what they need to keep as high priority.

3. Get ready to compromise. Unless you have an unlimited budget, you will probably have to compromise on a few things. It should be easier, though, since you have already discussed your non-negotiables and won’t have to compromise where they are concerned.

4. Building takes time. To make the building process as seamless as possible, you will need to meet with the contractor and designer often; so if you work, you may need to make sure you have some vacation days to take because most of the vendors will have typical “nine to five” hours of business. You should also plan to be available via text message when questions arise.

5. Hire a designer. If your contractor does not have a designer on staff, I suggest hiring someone who is familiar with the building process. They can guide you, keep you on schedule (or ahead of the game), and will offer suggestions based on the style, location, and design of your home. For instance, one of the things my clients love is that I narrow down the myriad of options to a few so they are not quickly overwhelmed. This keeps them from making a choice that they may regret out of necessity and confusion.

6. Increase your budget for cabinetry. When I am asked whether or not to have a cabinet built or to buy a piece of furniture, I always suggest that you opt for the built-in! Built-ins make a home more customized and appear as a seamless piece in the design. They are typically built with all specification in mind (height of ceiling, length of wall), so they fit your spaces perfectly.

7. Trust your gut. Listen to the professionals but trust your gut! There will be so many decisions to make and YOU know what you ultimately want the look and feel of your new home to be. A designer or a contractor can offer suggestions from experience, but if you want a different color shingle than was suggested, do it! Speak up! This is your home and you know what is best for you!

8. It may appear smaller. Your home will appear smaller than it will actually be after the slab is poured and the framing begins. This is one of the top things I tell my clients! They always call me freaking out because the rooms look so small! I advise that you wait until the drywall goes up and then reassess. You will be pleasantly surprised.

9. Plugs, plugs, and more plugs! Make sure you do more than one walk through with your electrician to finalize electrical outlets, phone charging stations, dimmable lighting, light switches, and outdoor lighting. The rough-in for electricals is typically done very early during the building process, so you might miss something or forget completely. Always think of where you might need an outlet or light switch. For instance, in my own home, I did not consider that the only two light switches for my garage lighting were oddly and incorrectly placed. One was inside the garage entry door and one was inside the house. So when I arrived home at night, I would have to search my way (in the dark) to find the switch or I would have to fumble (in the dark) for my keys to unlock the door so I could get inside to turn the light on. Needless to say, consider every mode of entry, exit, function, etc. with your electrician.

10. There will be something you wish you would have done differently. No matter how much planning, how many designers, and how large the budget, you will probably wish you had done something differently. There will always be improvements to make and items to add, so prepare yourself now for this inevitability. For instance, I really wanted a central vac system, but now I don’t use it very often because the hose is so long and cumbersome. It is much easier to pull out my Shark or Swiffer! I totally could have saved that money and used it toward something I had to give up for budget concerns – HEATED BATHROOM FLOORS!

I could probably offer many more tips and stories, but I will leave it at this for now. I truly hope these tips help you through your planning process. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you ever need help or have a question. I am here!