New build/remodel regrets?

Carolyn Morog

2 years ago

What do you have in a newer build/remodel that, if you could, would do differently? Anything big or small.

Featured Answer

User

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

People tend to think of ways to lower the design fees, when they should be thinking of ways of lowering their want list. Proper designing on the front end. to a list of ranked priority NEEDS, and a few of the wants, is what creates an affordable, livable, and only slightly over a realistic budget, home.

Make your needs list and rank it. Realize that ”bedrooms for each of the 4 kids“ is NOT a need. It’s a want. And if you have a lower budget, that 6 bedroom house isn’t even a realistic want. ”Some privacy, and enough storage for 4 kids” is a need. That might be achieved by individual bedrooms. Or it might not.

Get to the WHY behind the wants that are masquerading as needs, and you will be likely to have far fewer regrets, and spend your funds more wisely. This is what a good architect does. Psychology of finances and family relationships is more than half of successful designing. ”Design Exploration/Programming” is THE most important phase of design. Most people confuse ”design” with ”floor plans”. It isn’t. Initial Concepts are an *informed response* to proper Programming being done.

Even if you go off on the months long timesuck of ”floor plan sites”, youll be wasting even more of that wasted effort, without sitting down and doing that psychological assessment of finances and family relationships, and then creating ranked lists that really reflect the reality of your family.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

Kayla Higdon
2 years ago
We were first time home buyers buying a new build with an inexperienced realtor. Make sure you get a good realtor - and closing attorney, do not use the builders if you go that route. Those were my first 2 mistakes. Too many to list. But bottom line. Schedule regular inspections of the progress, be there for the house inspection - just bc its a new build doesnt mean its done right! Always get one.

If something is wrong, immediately speak up. That was my biggest problem. No one to blame now but myself.

Best of luck.
chispa
2 years ago
If you search on this forum, you will find several posts discussing that exact subject with lots of good answers and insights. Worth searching for.
Related Professionals
Cherry Hill Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Champlin Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Four Corners General Contractors · Hayward General Contractors · Jackson General Contractors · Green Bay General Contractors · Hanford General Contractors · Ken Caryl General Contractors · Five Corners Architects & Building Designers · Lansdale Architects & Building Designers · Bryan General Contractors · Monroe General Contractors · Rancho Cordova General Contractors · Wolf Trap General Contractors · Wright General Contractors
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
2 years ago
Years ago my future wife was having a garage built. I gave the builder sketches of a design and asked if he wanted construction drawings, and he said he could build it from the sketches. After a 12/12 roof pitch became a 4/12 roof pitch, and 2 two foot square awning windows became a five foot wide sliding window, I realized I should have given him construction drawings.
bfatx
2 years ago
You get what you pay for. Pick a reputable contractor.
PRO
JAN MOYER
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
You will get a thousand answers, and brutal truth? Nobody has built or remodeled anything without a minor regret, even a tiny one, something miniscule!! ...........SOMEWHERE.

The way to minimize regrets, is to plan, plan plan. Get an architect, a KITCHEN designer .....if at all possible. A great builder/contractor.....and yes, even interior design help . A team.

Give yourself time. Everyone loves or hates something. It's a process. A good team helping you helps GREATLY.

All build and remodel is a marriage of the site, interior/exterior/, the resources, and the way you live. It is SO personal, that the only way to tackle is to make a wish list. Be prepared to edit that list a hundred times. From would be wonderful, to could be nice, to must have....etc. Room by room. And edit yet again : )

"Perfection"? Well. How many PERFECT people do you know? It's the same with build and remodel.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
I agree with Jan the more planning and thought that goes into the design the better and the more help you can get the better .
cpartist
2 years ago
Jan said it best