From Interior Designers to Architects: How to Build Your Dream Home

Building your dream home is something that many people never have the opportunity to do. If you are starting to plan your home, there are quite a few things you need to consider. It’s not just a matter of hiring a construction team to start building. ´

Ground Up or Fixed Up

Your dream home doesn’t necessarily need to be built from scratch. You may find a home that has a good base but needs some loving care to improve it to the standards you have. There are pros and cons to both options.

Building from the ground up usually costs more money, but it ensures you get exactly what you want. You don’t have to design and work around existing features or walls. However, it will usually take longer to build your home from scratch than to renovate an existing one, depending on how complex the project is.

Purchasing a doer-upper allows you to start with a home and then add onto it and build it up to become what you want. This type of project allows you to get your dream home faster, but it may not be exactly what you want. An architectural firm can help you work around the existing floor plan and figure out if house extensions, kitchen extensions and interior design services will be enough to turn an existing building into something you love.

House extension costs tend to be lower because you’re only adding a small section to an existing house. This means you can take even a relatively small home and put in house extensions or even a kitchen extension to make it fit your ideals better.

Create a Budget

You’ll need to have a budget in order to begin your home. Once you’ve read through all the steps, you should have a good idea of what is necessary. An architect can help you make your budget realistic, but you should always add extra for unforeseen expenses. The same goes for your timeline, add in extra time to make it work.

The longer your timeline (which your architect and builder can help you figure out) the more time you have for getting funding. Many people begin with what they have and apply for home building loans as the project progresses. You can also count on your income as part of this process.

You may have enough money saved up to begin immediately, but if you don’t, there are other options. You can explore the possibility of getting a home loan or selling off some of your assets. After all, this will be your dream home and it is worth the money you’ll spend on it.

Determine Your Must-Have Features

Everyone has certain things they must have in their dream home. Whether it’s a pool or a walk-in closet, make sure the architectural team is aware of your needs. They should be able to create a home with all the design features you want to be incorporated, whether you’re renovating an existing home or building a new one.

Make a list of what you want and mark the highest priorities. If you need ideas, you can browse previous projects your architect has worked on or look online for ideas. Some things that people often request in a house plan include:

• Studio or office space

• Walk-in closets

• Extra counter space in the kitchen

• Separate pantry

• Kitchen island

• Extra storage space

• Master suite with master bath

• Outdoor patio for entertaining

• Two or three-car garage

• Natural light and large windows

• In-floor heating

Of course, these are just the most common things people request. You may have very different needs, but it’s up to you to let your architectural team know what is necessary to include. Keep a list over time of what you want in your home since it is often difficult to think of at the moment. You can then give the list to the architect and let them turn it into reality.

Select Your Location

You may already have land that is ready for building, but if you don’t, this is the next step in building your home. Some people prefer to do this after selecting an architect, but it is up to you. The architect will need to see the land or the house you intend to renovate so they can adjust for things like slope and views. You’ll want to evaluate the property for water issues and where trees or other landscaping items are. They will affect how you build the house or renovate an existing one.

Choose the Right Architectural Firm

The architects who work on your home will be a huge part of the process of building it. They can work with existing buildings or create an entirely new house just for you, with all your prioritised features included. However, you shouldn’t choose just any architect.

It’s usually best to choose a company with multiple architects so you can find the person who clicks best with your needs. Look through portfolios to determine who has the style you want in your home. Like everything else, architects vary greatly in their design style, so it’s best to find someone who matches your own design style.

Once you’ve found a compatible architect, you can sit down and explain what you want. It may be helpful if you have examples of what you love, particularly from their own portfolio. The architect will work with you to create the design of your dreams. You can request some changes if there are things you don’t quite love in the design, but in the end, you’ll have a house plan that you can show a builder.

Ideally, your architectural firm will also offer project management options so you can use them for all your needs.

Select Your Builder

Your architect likely has several trusted contractors that they work with and they can recommend one. This is the best option since it means you have someone who is already familiar with the architect’s methods and who is trustworthy enough to be recommended by a top firm.

If you choose your own builder, do plenty of research ahead of time. You want someone with good reviews, who is reliable and tends to finish projects as close to budget and the timeline as possible. A builder should also be licensed and insured and should have a very good track record.

Before hiring anyone, meet them face to face and talk about how they prefer to work. If the builder works with your architect, you can discuss previous projects they’ve done together. It’s also a good idea to see what their general timeline is and how they feel about your budget.

Find an Interior Designer You Love

Now that you have your home designed and in the process of being built or renovated, it’s time to start thinking about how you want it to look. Talk to some design consultants and see if your architect or builder can recommend someone. Again, this requires plenty of research to ensure you are selecting someone who has a wide range of abilities and is able to provide you with a design you love.

Interior design services won’t usually just take over unless you really want them to. Instead, they will guide you through discovering your interior design interests and will suggest colours and features to help you create just what you want in a home. They can also source the best materials and provide you with access to design features you haven’t even considered in your wildest dreams.

Finishing the Project

The final touches will be put on your home and then it’s time for you to move in. All that hard work has paid off and you can finally enjoy your dream house. Whether you decided on house extensions or built your home from the ground up, you have something to be proud of.

Spatial Design Architects: Contemporary Architecture Practice in Essex

It takes a full team to make your house a home and with the decorators, builders, and architects, you will have just what you wanted. Are you interested in building your dream home? Have a house you’d like to fix up and turn into that perfect space? Make an appointment to talk with Spatial Design Architects and let’s turn your dreams into reality.