Building a new house is an exciting and life-changing decision. To be able to create a home all about you is something homeowners dream about. Do you want big bay windows overlooking the river? Do you want an island in the kitchen for entertaining? Do you want a smart house using Insynctive technology to add safety and peace of mind?
There are endless options, so how do you ensure you’re on the right path? To make the process go as smoothly as possible, here are a few things you can do now if you plan to build a house next year.
Explore home inspiration platforms
We all have an idea of our ultimate dream home. So this is the time to not shy away from those innermost desires. Your needs and wants can be hard to describe, and sometimes you don’t even know what you want yet. There are social platforms that exist for this exact purpose. You most likely know about Pinterest, a place for home decor ideas, DIY projects, and more. But a newer platform, specifically designed for home building, décor, and renovation is Houzz.
On Houzz you can search specific keywords like “dark brown hardwood floors” or “double entry front doors.” Photos from professionals including designers, architects, builders, and suppliers like Pella Windows & Doors of Wisconsin, are then displayed for users to look through and save for inspiration.
Think beyond the house structure when setting a budget
This is the time to settle on a general number you’re looking to spend on building a new home, which should be based on what you can afford. When doing this, you will need to budget for enough to pay a general contractor, taxes, the foundation, roof, dry walling, etc. But as you plan, go beyond these initial costs.
For example, after you build a beautiful kitchen, you’ll need appliances. When picking out custom-trim windows, you will need shades or blinds too. Go through all costs beyond just the structure of your new house to help you plan for all expenses. And a bonus tip: there are homebuilding apps that will help you stay on track and organized throughout the process. Home Design 3D helps you map out your entire home including furniture so you don’t forget those next-step items. Construction Cost Estimator will help you plan out how much your inspired ideas will cost. Then, Mortgage Calculator by Quicken Loans will help plan out your finances.
Use free resources from home builder associations
Local homebuilders associations can offer many more resources than just the Parade of Homes events once a year. And these Parade houses are usually available online after the shows if you are interested in looking through homes in a certain neighborhood.
There are also lot listings, builder profiles, building permit information, and home financing resources. With local homebuilders associations, they are specific to the area where you’ll be building your home, so you can have peace of mind that you have the most relevant and current information.
To find local information in your area, visit the Wisconsin Home Builders Association.
Connect with local experts
By reaching out to local builders, general contractors, architects, and suppliers early in your planning process, you can make valuable connections that’ll help you put your dream team together.
With over 80 years of experience in the industry, our Pella team knows a thing or two about the homebuilding process. Stop by any of our four showrooms and we’ll help you choose the best doors and windows for your new home, or help with any other questions you have. We can put you in touch with our network of local Wisconsin partners including homebuilders associations, general contractors, city chambers, architects, and more.
When it comes to building a new home, it’s better to be as prepared as possible. It’s a long journey that requires your full investment, and if you put forth the effort in planning ahead, you’ll be that much closer to enjoying your new home with no regrets after construction is finished.
So kick start your home building process and get planning!
To connect with our sales rep team, visit our main web page at PellaWI.com or call 877-319-0957. We look forward to hearing from you!
