8 Questions to Ask Before Building Your Custom Home in Cincinnati

Before you break ground on your custom home, there are some questions you should ask yourself to make sure you are getting the most out of your new home. 

1. How Large Is your Family?

If you are going to invest the time and money into building a custom home, you want to make sure that it will fit your needs both now and in the future. If you are still in the childbearing years, make sure you have enough space for your future potential children. If you are moving out of having kids at home, make sure you have space for them to come and visit or for you to care for your elderly parents, if that is a goal.

2. What Do You Spend the Most Time Doing in Your Home?

When you are home, what is it that you spend your time doing? Is spending time in the family media room important, or do you enjoy relaxing in your bedrooms? Do you love to cook and entertain, or do you prefer to spend time with just your family? Answering these questions will help you design a home that will fit your family’s needs perfectly.

3. Where Do You Want to Live?

One aspect of the home building process that is important is location. You have to buy land in order to build a custom home, so make sure you are building where you want to live. Some factors to consider include:

• Proximity to your place of employment
• School districts
• Shopping and other amenities
• Size of the neighborhood
• Neighborhood amenities
• Neighborhood vibe

You are the only person who can determine the right neighborhood for your needs, so take the time to consider these factors carefully.

4. Will the Lot Work?

Once you’ve chosen a basic neighborhood, you must choose your lot. If you have a floor plan and builder in mind, have the builder check the lot you are considering to ensure the floor plan you chose will fit.

Another consideration is the soil on the lot. Some soil is not as ideal for a solid foundation. This is another thing to ask your builder about to ensure the soil and the lot itself will set the right foundation for your home.

5. Which Home Builder Should You Use?

Choosing the right home builder is an important part of the process. In addition to asking questions about how to build a custom home and the overall home building process, there are questions to ask a home builder to see if they are the right fit for your needs. These include:

• How long have you been in business?
• What are some challenges you have faced?
• What is your home building process like?
• How much wiggle room is in your quote?
• What finishes are standard?

Answers to questions like these will help you choose the best home builders in Cincinnati to complete your project.

6. What Extras Do You Want to Include?

There are many cool things to include when building a house, but all of them add to the cost. You will want to carefully consider which upgrades and perks you want to add. Some fun features to consider include:

• Smart home elements
• Upgraded flooring, counters, or cabinets
• Luxury bathroom elements
• Indoor air quality systems
• Energy-efficient elements
• Dual kitchen workspaces
• Under-cabinet lights or outlets

Prioritize these extras based on your needs and goals, then ask the builder about adding them to the home.

7. Am I Hurting or Helping Resale Value?

Building a custom home means the ability to add anything you want to the space, but you may not live in this home forever. Make sure that you are adding things that have a good effect on resale value, not a negative one. For example, choosing brick for the home’s exterior will bring a higher ROI when you choose to sell someday than any other material, so this might be a good perk to consider adding to the home. On the other hand, a craft room with tons of built-in shelving may be a deterrent to a different family that wants a more standard room design.

8. How Long Will It Take?

Finally, remember that it takes quite a bit of time to build new construction homes in Cincinnati, especially with the permits and other red tape that has to happen. Always ask the builder how long it is likely to take to complete your project. This will allow you to plan for where you will stay while the home is under construction.

There are many things to know when building a house, but most homeowners who want a custom space feel that building is better than buying an older home. If you are looking for a partner to make the home building process easier, contact Chris Gorman Homes. View our gallery of past projects, or contact us to learn how the home building process with our experienced team works.