Close your eyes; Allow your mind to wander.
Envision walking up to heavy, iron clad doors screaming opulence. As they pull open, sparkles of light cascade around your feet from the lobby chandelier. You eye the hostess desk, attended by a gently smiling lady who greets you warmly and looks up your name on the reservation sheet. You stutter to answer questions … distracted by the sounds of waterfalls and various colored tables spotted around the room.
Jackpot!
“Everything and anything you want to do, you can do in Las Vegas,” encourages comedian Drew Carey.
Except, this isn’t Vegas, baby, this is your builder’s home design center.
As one can imagine, I’ve attended many new construction meetings over the years. The glitz, the glam … hearts race and eye glaze over. Trendy-dressed designers tour unsuspecting buyers from staged kitchens and bathroom concepts past the available ATM helping to create a once-in-a-lifetime perfect home.
I get it!
Except, there is no such thing as perfect, and even Warren Buffet works on a budget (how do you think he attained and kept his wealth!). Personally, I wouldn’t go to Vegas without a maximum I’m willing to spend and I don’t advise my clients to go to the design center without a plan.
Friends, strategy is the key!
Step 1: Structural Changes: Once you have identified the lot you want and the floorplan that best suits your needs, visit with the on-site sales rep about both the standard features list and the additional options that they offer (or that they may be willing to do for you) that change the architectural drawing and also may adjust the price. Make these agreements at the initial contract meeting. Ask about available patio extension options, add in the fireplace if it’s not standard, as well as bathroom option upgrades. Simply, if it involves framing or plumbing … this needs to be done first because you can’t readily or affordably do it later.
Step 2: Attached Upgrades: Sure you can change the cabinets later, but do you really want to? Remodeling is EXPENSIVE. Ask the designer to begin with showing you the choices for cabinets, countertops, appliance packages & flooring. This is also the point to ask about any additional needs for holiday plug outlets in the soffits or mounted tv wiring (and the like) because who wants loose cords dangling around or to come back to patch drywall?
Step 3: Nice-to-Have Improvements: Assuming you have money “left over,” either from the builder incentive package or your preplanned allowance, the last items to be considered, in my opinion, are those items you CAN do after, however, you’d rather not. For example, maybe framed mirrors in the master bath would be a treat to yourself, Plantation shutters vs blinds, or perhaps a couple of fancier light fixtures like the ones that blinded you in the design center lobby (note, I suggest changing light selections be lowest on the list. I find builders to upcharge fixtures more than any other option).
Honestly, there’s nothing quite like building from the ground up; designing your future family home to be just the way you want it. Yet, I’ve yet to know anyone with an endless bag of cash that allows them to build their 100% dream house. That said, you can have a 100% successful build by taking your wish list and dividing it into affordable decision bites and remembering, a house doesn’t truly become a home until you move in and fill it with love and dreams.