Many of us dream about the idea of one day being able to build our very own custom home that is perfect for us. When the time comes, it can feel daunting, but it does not have to be. Here at Lofty Building Group, we are here to guide you through from beginning to end making the building process extra smooth. Prior to building there are some preliminary elements to consider before all the fun and excitement begins. So read on as we outline these elements as well as a step-by-step guide for building your very own dream custom home. What are you waiting for? Get reading and feel inspired with us.

#1 FIRST THINGS FIRST, GENERATE A BUDGET

Whether you are applying for a loan or not, generating a budget is extremely important. Planning is key, especially regarding the financial aspect of building a home. Although sticking to a budget can at times be difficult, it is the best way to ensure a smooth, not under or overestimated build. Not having a budget can easily land you in strife as you may spend too much, too soon. Whereas with a budget you know exactly how much you can spend on each aspect of the home without feeling as though your finances are in hot water. Not only will this provide security, but also peace of mind knowing each part of your house will receive sufficient funding. Further to this, a budget will also give a clear indication of what design features can be included and what may be a little out of range.

#2 LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

In the wise words of Phil Spencer…location, location, location. This is the second and perhaps most important decision you will have to make when building your dream custom home. Choosing the location that best suits you is vital, as it will determine what you will be able to do with the house both structurally and aesthetically. Some things to consider when choosing the location for your custom home to be built in are:

• Size of the block
• Slope of the block
• How close the surrounding blocks/neighbours are
• Direction of the sun (orientation of the block)
• Natural surroundings (parks, trees, rivers, etc.)
• Proximity to main, noisy roads
• The style of other houses nearby (if this is something that concerns you)
• The suburb itself (if this is something that concerns you)

Our handy tip: When choosing a location or suburb to build, think about your lifestyle and what area would suit this best. For example, if you have an active dog that needs lots of exercise, perhaps build nearby a park, or if you are a swimmer or surfer then perhaps near the beach will suit you best. This is an extremely personal decision and different for everyone, so do what feels right for YOU.

#3 HIRING THE SUITABLE TEAM AND DESIGNING YOUR CUSTOM HOME

When building a custom home, it takes a village. From designers to contractors, every person plays a role in bringing your vision to life. Following on from the idea of bringing your vision to life, this will first take place on paper. A sketch of your custom home will be produced where you will go over ideas and decide what works, what does not and ultimately work to incorporate your ideas into a functional and realistic design that meets your budget.

The size of your custom home is an important part of the initial design process. Your wants and needs of your future home will effectively determine how big you build, this includes:

• How many bedrooms will you need?
• How many bathrooms will you need?
• Do you want a home office?
• Do you want a walk-in pantry?
• Do you want a dining room?
• Do you want a walk-in wardrobe?
• Do you want a home theatre?
• How many stories do you want?
• Do you want high ceilings?
• Do you want a big backyard? A pool?

This list could go on for pages and pages, but it proves the immense number of considerations that are to be made when building a custom home.

Our handy tip: Go big, go bold and include ALL your realistic ideas and then scale back to the elements you absolutely want and remove those you can pass up.

#4 WHAT’S ON THE INSIDE MATTERS TOO

You may get caught up on the external or structural features of your home but do not forget you have an entire interior to design and decorate. From plumbing fixtures, to heating and cooling, lighting, painting, flooring and of course furniture. Although this is the final part of the building process it is something to be considering along the way.

Our handy tip: Whenever you find or see something that you like, SAVE IT! This way you can always refer to it and ensure you find room to incorporate it into your final custom design.

When your custom home is complete, there is bound to be some loose ends that need finishing up. Quite often this includes finishing touches to landscaping, cleaning up and then the most important part, MOVING IN. Whilst building a custom home may require many choices and lots of planning, the best part is that it will be perfect for you as it was designed by you for you.