Planning to custom build on your lot? Here are some key questions to ask yourself as you begin the process:1. Does the plan in mind “flatter” your specific property? Perhaps there may be some tweaks for curb appeal, or to make the home fit on the land with respect to boundary lines and easements. A custom plan designed or edited for your individual property maximizes your plan for ANY views, for both visible aspects and hidden features (or neighbors)!
2. Will your exterior facade complement or stand out in your street or community? What do you envision? If applicable, a homeowners association review committee or governmental authority may need to approve the plans against the deed restrictions.
3. If there is any slope to your property, is your garage on the higher side*? Not only will your driveway be flatter and thus less costly, you’ll have more useful space in the garage by reducing or eliminating the need for stairs, and there will be less of a foundation cost for the garage.
4. How do you want to enter your home? Is there a mud room or drop zone for family members? How do you want your guests to enter your home? What is the first impression guests receive, if that is important to you?
5. Do you want formal living and dining features or do you prefer a more open concept plan – or maybe a fusion of both aspects? It’s important to measure heirloom pieces or preferred sizes of furniture that you want to have in your future home. Your designer can place the furniture on your plan for a sense of scale.
6. When you’re standing at the kitchen sink, what is your view? Many homeowners want to custom design a kitchen with a window behind the sink, or position the sink to look out into an open living or great room.
7. How do you visualize your kitchen functioning? Do you want any appliances to live on the countertop, or do you prefer to have an appliance nook in an enlarged pantry? Do you have enough cabinet space, and are the cabinets wide enough, to fit specific kitchenware items where you want them?
8. Do you want to incorporate your pets into the design of your home? A cat room, doggie door, mini pocket door, raised shower (or lowered farm sink) with a sprayer in the utility room, or even an exterior accessed bathroom can be added to accommodate your furry family members.
9. Where are the utilities to the property? Will there be cost savings to flip a plan in respect to water or electricity lines? Also, where can you best screen (and not hear) the mechanicals?
10. Are you planning on a pool, workshop, barn or other future outbuildings? A site plan incorporating these future structures, especially in regards to septic tank and well placement, is extremely beneficial for a custom plan that might be built in stages.
*This is a general rule of thumb. Depending on the property, there may be instances to build the garage on the lower side of the property. At Kurk Homes, we include site visits for plans customers under contract and we’d be happy to lend you our professional opinion of which option is better for your specific property.
The team at Kurk Homes is happy to help if you want further guidance in designing your custom plan to build on your lot. We also have a multi page questionnaire that will itemize every aspect of your design that can further outline your vision of a home. We hope to serve you and your family’s custom design and build!
Contact us at 281-356-3314 or info@kurkhomes.com to get in contact with Chris or Melanie today!
