We have a blog that will be featured soon on Redfin on working with an interior designer. You will want to find a licensed designer or architect to help to make sure you have structurally sound places given the kid factor. Know your budget, stick to it, and be willing to make the occasional concession to stick within your budget. I'm jealous. Your place sounds fabulous and you will just love it in the end!

This all said, what will make or break your budget will be a good contractor, or the right places to get materials at a reasonable cost and a solid time investment. Please feel free to email us and we can send you some things to look out for as you find a qualified professional.

Thank you! Kid factor isn't exactly a problem since all of our kids are over the age of 25...but we are excited at the possibilities - unfortunately, this is tucked 5 miles up a road and it is difficult to find honest...reasonable construction help. The land is seriously crazy beautiful. Thanks again!

Sounds beautiful!

We fell in love with some land in the Western US as well. We thought it would be relatively easy and fun to build something we both loved. But honestly, it was quite challenging and it is taking longer and costing more than we had initially estimated. And it hasn't been fun. And I think we are most likely closer to town than you are.

First you need to know what all of your options are before you can make an informed decision. You might want to explore modular and kit homes. It might be easier to truck 4 pieces into the woods and place them on the site with a crane and bolt them together than have a crew build a custom home. Though contemporary modular homes are not necessarily cheap, they might be a solution for the problem of not having enough trades in the area.

Best of luck! I hope you keep us informed of your progress!

Thanks!....yes, we have talked about something modular. We have these two buildings that we would love to fix up..it won't take much to make them super cool - but we would like to build our own place as well - maybe just a little bit larger. I just can't live in 200 square feet with all of my kids, dogs, and a cat. I can't..I admire everyone that can - and we have gotten rid of a lot of stuff..but we have so much more that can go...it's a process and a frustrating one at that. The land we found is in Weston, CO...southeastern part of the state. Near Trinidad and Pueblo...pretty much off of the beaten track - but magnificent and peaceful..something I really need right now. BIG TIME!