We completed what we thought would be our retirment home, just 3 years ago and we just poured our basement on a new home. As it turns out, our kids hate driving up the canyon to visit and we are getting tired of driving the 45 minutes down to see them. So I don't think it's crazy. We learn and do better the next time and our needs change. If your house just doesn't feel like home, give yourseldf a re-do. I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

It’s like child birth. It takes a couple of years of forgetting the real world painful details before you think about doing it again. Some people can’t forget, and never want to repeat the experience.

Some people believe the mistakes with the first child wont be repeated with the second or third children. But, unless they are willing to engage front end professional counseling to change themselves, and their processes, things don’t change. New and different mistakes get made. Sometimes far far worse mistakes, trying to overcompensate in the other direction, trying to ”correct” previous mistakes.

If you’re willing to hire the professional on the front end this time, maybe things can end up with a better balance, rather than being Goldilocks ever in search of the right fit, but still not knowing what you don’t know.

I think you’re in a lucky position! You’re not rushed to make a decision, your current home is more than fine. There’s nothing wrong with building again, but definitely take your time, take inventory of lessons learned, and identify very specifically what you’ll do differently and why. I like Verbos advice too— small, ad hoc changes in approach won’t be worth the trouble.

Mrs. Architectrunnerguy and I have built three houses over the past 35 years and would be interested in doing it again if the right circumstances presented themselves. We've enjoyed doing all the builds (we were the GC too) but as I tell my clients building a house is sometimes like a long distance road race.... when one is in the middle of it and having come so far but with still a long way to go, one wonders what they are doing out there and questions motives but when the finish line is crossed, it's a tremendous feeling of accomplishment.

Building a home is not for everybody of course, same as long distance running but for me, as a professional, I found it gave me a certain valuable perspective on the endeavor and made me a better architect.....it's a whole lot different when I'm spending my own money!!

Thank you all for responding.

Glad to know we are not the only ones, Ellen! The land we would relocate to would be closer to “town” and shave the final 15 min. of my 1 hour commute of my days I do not work from home, so location is definitely a plus. We thought this might be our retirement home, but also kinda knew it was an investment. We definitely see opportunity opening up literally in our yard! Houses and land sell fast here right now, and we have both. We are very very lucky and I don’t take that for granted for one second! Speaking of a basement- we are interested in that, or maybe a half basement or “daylight basement” - what are your reasons for having one in your area? Mine would 1000% be tornado shelter. And a cool space, of course.

Verbo, I am definitely a one-and-done mother, haha! More because of the lack of sleep for 2-3 years, not childbirth pain. I know what you’re getting at with repeating mistakes, and believe me I definitely do not want to try my hand at designing a floor plan ever again. I will save myself so much grief most importantly! I am looking at stock plans, specifically southern living atm, and wondering if we should use an architect. Of course the answer is probably yes, and by not using a general contractor this time maybe we trade that cost for the architect. I LOVE this plan, but the more I study the more “buts” I have: https://houseplans.southernliving.com/plans/SL1873

rainyseason very lucky indeed, and we would definitely have a whole new approach.

runnerguy - I love this analogy! I know exactly what you mean. Actually, just after moving in this home, I decided to change my life and lose weight. I spent two years working my butt off to lose 150 lbs and the last two (and counting) keeping the weight off. It is a LONG journey and so incredibly rewarding!!! One little step at a time! It’s interesting thinking back to design decisions I made in this home that I realize now were based in my physical status at the time. How I designed my bathroom and keeping our entire living area on one level are what comes to mind first.

Make it your hobby one more time. Build something that will not be "lacking" but will be "enhancing". Take those "hard lessons" and turn them into applied wisdom. Find a local architect that can be part of your team to design a home with you with your best interest in mind. It is not another destination, it is another journey. Have a blessed build.

Thank you, Mark 🙏

My late DM was a Realtor. She had three couples as clients over the years who never lived long in any home they built. Eventually, all three tired of building...and divorced.

Just sayin'.

Haha Verbo said it right, it’s def like childbirth, we completely remodeled our current home (all 4200 square feet of it), and while the process went smoothly we did live in it while it was remodeled, and it was a royal pain in the you-know-what. Now we’re building a new house. We’re in month 13 of (hopefully) 18 months until completion, and it hasn’t been that bad, since we’re living in a different house! Ha. For us it wasn’t about the home itself, our house is great, but it was about size and location.