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6 Questions to Ask Yourself When Designing Your Custom Home

When designing a custom home, there is a great deal to consider. Custom home designs offer many opportunities to get exactly what you want, but you need to know what questions to be asking, or it's easy to miss something big.

To help custom home builders plan a bit more thoroughly, we've put together a list of the most important questions you should be asking before starting on your project.



​Question #1: Why Are You Making a Custom Home?This is a simple but critical question any custom home builder had better ask. In essence, why are you doing this?
That's not a facetious question. There are plenty of reasons to want a custom home. You get an immense amount of customizability that's almost impossible to get with a traditional home purchase.
At the same time, you now have many design choices you'll be making. So what do you want out of your new home?
For some people, it's about style or achieving a strong aesthetic. Others have the perfect room layout in mind, allowing for day-to-day convenience and pleasing flow to one's day.
Your answer to this question and the next we mention will guide almost every aspect of the project in ways both big and small.
Question #2: What is the Base Design Aesthetic?There are many different kinds of homes one can build. While there are certain to be types of homes outside your price range, you still have a choice to make. What sort of home do you see yourself living in?
This could be called your base design aesthetic. If you're making custom home plans, a great many of your choices should be built around that base. This will help your home maintain a sense of coherence.
You can still make design decisions that deviate from the base. What's important is you know when you're deviating in the first place.
Question #3: How Will You Set Your Budget?It is next to impossible to predict with total accuracy how much a construction project will cost. What isn't impossible is estimating the cost to an accurate enough degree that setbacks won't ruin the project or your wallet.
There are a few ways to estimate the cost of a project, but one of the best is talking with an expert. For many people, building a custom home is a new, alien experience. For construction experts, it's just another job.
How difficult it is to set your budget will depend on how specific your plans for your home and how much you're willing to spend.
If you cannot deviate on your design goals or price, it may be a lengthy process to figure out exactly what is and isn't doable. If you're able to budge, a lot of that complexity can be smoothed over.
Question #4: Who Will You Be Working With?Unless you're a construction expert, building a custom home will mean working with a construction company.
We don't think we're just biased in thinking Jeff Watson Homes should be one of the first companies you consider for a project like this. While we do have a horse in this race, this kind of work is literally our specialty.
Whatever your choice, make sure the process is transparent, with check-ins at every step to confirm details with you and make sure you're getting what you want.
Unless you want a lot of work ahead of you, make sure you're choosing a company that knows how to interact with vendors and subcontractors to nail down the nitty-gritty of the project without your needing to make dozens of tiny choices.
Question #5: Where Will You Be Living?Perhaps as important as the home itself is where it will be located. Lot selection and evaluation is an important element of the building process.
Location can have a big impact on your costs and determine what your day-to-day life in the home is going to look like. Even if you don't spend much time outside, the choice still matters.
You can't phone in lot selection; changing terrain if you decide you're unhappy with it is expensive and time-consuming. That aside, it's also just silly not to try and get either the nicest or most affordable lot for your needs.
Keep in mind this all also determines things like what businesses will be in range, what events will be nearby, and the overall culture you'll be immersed in.
Question #6: Are There Any Plans to Expand?If you plan on expanding your home in the future, it can do a great deal of good to design a house with that in mind.
Done right, this sort of planning can have a dramatic impact on the costs of your plans. The fewer things need to be moved and altered, the more affordable the project.
This is also important for aesthetic reasons. Home expansions run the risk of looking globbed onto a home if there wasn't any planning involved. With effort, the new construction can fit in more seamlessly.
We'd Love to Help Meet Your Custom Home NeedsA custom home is a big undertaking but one that is well worth it if done right. By asking the right questions and working with the right professionals, a custom home can bring joy for literal decades.
No matter what part of the process you're on, the odds are good our team at Jeff Watson Homes can help. If you'd like to work with a company specializing in these kinds of projects and with a good track history, contact us!

Customizable Homes vs Spec Homes vs Tract Homes

December 27, 2023
Buying a new home is an exciting process, but it comes with a lot of decisions to make. First of all, are you going to build a custom home, or purchase a spec or tract home? Do you know the difference between the three types of new home options and which one is best for you and your family? If not, keep reading. We're going to break down everything you need to know about the types of homes you can buy so you can feel confident during your house-hunting journey. We'll also discuss whether or not customizable homes are right for you so you can get started on your dream home in Georgetown, Texas. Let's jump in.  ​What Is a Customizable Home?The first type of custom house is a customizable home. With customizable homes, homeowners get to choose everything. If you want to be part of designing your floorplan, choosing all of your fixtures, colors, and materials, this is the option for you. The perk of completely customizable homes is that you can have your hands in every part of the process, and the end product will be exactly what you want. Most homeowners love this aspect; however, some find the endless choices overwhelming. If you find yourself easily overwhelmed, a spec or tract house may be better for you, which we'll get into next. On the other hand, a good home builder can guide you through the process and remove the overwhelm of a customizable home. Plus, getting to choose customizable home floor plans is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that not many homeowners have the chance to do. You can finally have the home of your dreams that your family will cherish for decades. This option also allows you to work closely with your home builder and see the daily progress of your house. Finally, another perk of customizable homes is that you can choose your location. Simply choose the lot you want to build on and your team can get to work. What Is a Spec Home?A spec home, or speculative home, is a house that a contractor builds first and sells later. Since they don't have a buyer in mind, the builder makes most of the design choices, and the goal is to appeal to the most prospective buyers as possible. However, if you buy a spec home before it's complete, you can still make some design choices. For instance, you may be able to customize the fixtures or paint colors. If you aren't ready to be involved in the home building process and want to move into a ready-made house, this option is the right one for you. Homebuyers who need a house quickly and want a good deal usually choose the spec home route. It's a great way to get into a new house; however, you have to keep in mind that it limits your choices. You may not get your design preferences, and if you are wanting a certain builder, you have to look in the neighborhoods they build in. What is a Tract Home?Have you ever been to a neighborhood where all the houses look the same? That's because they are tract houses. Tract homes are usually found in planned subdivisions . It's easier and faster for the builder to repeat the same basic floor plans that appeal to a mass audience in one neighborhood. If you are building a house in a new planned subdivision that uses tract homes, you will most likely have your choice between three or four floorplans. Depending on how your builder operates, once you choose your floor plan you may also be able to customize some of the features. You can't change around where the bedrooms are, but you could choose the kitchen countertops and paint colors. However, your options are not limitless. Part of the goal of tract homes is to build cost-effective houses, which means the variety and quality of materials aren't the same as a custom home. For example, you may be able to choose between three to four options of mid-range kitchen countertops, or they may only use one paint supplier, so you have to choose an option from that brand. Tract homes are a great way to have some level of choice without spending a fortune. They are an ideal choice for first-time buyers who aren't ready to build a custom home; however, it's important to remember that the quality of the materials used is also reflected in the lower price. Which Home Option Is Right For You?Now that you know the options, how do you figure out which one is right for you and your family? First, consider your budget and the investment you are making. Spec and tract homes are definitely less expensive than customizable homes. However, a customizable home is a forever home that you will keep for decades, so it is a worthwhile investment. Next, how involved in the building process do you want to be? Spec homes give you the least amount of choice, whereas tract homes let you choose between a couple of design options. With customizable homes, you can make all of the decisions and be part of the home building process from the ground up. It also gives you freedom with where you build your home. Speaking of that, location is another factor to consider. Do you want to choose your lot, or even build on a piece of property, or do you want to live in a planned community? After you factor in each of these decisions, you can choose which home option is right for you. Get Started With Customizable Homes in Central Texas TodayIf you're ready to build your dream home in central Texas, Jeff Watson Homes has 30 years experience of in building customizable homes in the Georgetown area. We pride ourselves on unmatched quality, outstanding attention to detail, and exceptional customer service. You deserve the home you want. Our team can partner with you to make it a reality. Contact us today to get started on your dream house.

8 Custom Home Building Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

December 27, 2023
Do you want to create your own dream home? Using custom home builders can allow you to do that! However, there are many things that you need to consider before you hire a custom home builder. Do you want to learn more about the options for home builders and building custom homes? Keep reading these tips to choose the right builders for your new home! Have the Right Licensing and Credentials First things first, you need to find a custom home builder with the right licensing and credentials. Home building has many risks and potential complications. Because so many things can go wrong when you are building a home, it is vital that you find a company that has enough education. Having a qualified contractor build your home also ensures that you will have a high-quality home. When you make sure they are licensed, you know that they are a professional company that is qualified and experienced. Covered by Insurance Just as important as having the right credentials is having insurance. There are many common injuries that can occur to construction workers. These range anywhere from falling off a roof to losing limbs to dangerous machinery. Regardless of how minor the injury, you do not want to be held liable for any accidents that occur while building your dream home. When you hire a company that has good insurance coverage, it protects both parties involved. It will keep the construction employees safer in the event of an accident and it will prevent you from getting sued. The most common types of insurance that a contractor should have are liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance. This will not only protect you from injuries and accidents on the job, but it will also protect any property that is damaged as well. Great Reviews Next, you should look for a custom home builder that has great online customer reviews. Having good reviews shows that a company values its clients and is willing to do what it takes to make them happy. When you look for online reviews, you want to avoid companies that have had issues with communication, low-quality materials, and more. Looking at online customer reviews can save you a lot of time and money in the long run! Not only will it help you know what to look out for, but it will also help you identify traits you want in a home builder company. Offer Pricing and Quotes Buying or building a home can be expensive. In fact, many homeowners pay up to $445,000 to build a house. Because this is such a huge purchase, you want to check the pricing offered by different companies. When you are comparing building fees from different contractors and home building companies, it is beneficial to find companies that offer online pricing, quotes, and consultations. This will allow you to find a home builder that fits your budget. However, you do not want to sign a contract with the company that offers the cheapest prices. Often, contractors that use cheaper materials can offer lower prices on their homes. When you use cheap materials, it is more likely that they will wear out sooner and need to be replaced. Make sure you find a company that offers high-quality homes at a price that fits your budget. Industry Experience Having industry experience is a vital attribute for any home building company. Companies that are more experienced offer better quality homes and have more knowledge when it comes to home building. While most contractors have experience with building, there is a big difference between building commercial buildings versus building a home. Home building requires much more detail and design, so you want to make sure you hire a company that specializes in custom homes. One way you can check for industry experience is by checking the online galleries of a company you are interested in. This can show you projects they have completed in the past and what style of homes they currently offer. Choosing a company with home building experience can provide you with better results! Good Communication Good communication is a vital characteristic for a home building company. When you are building a house, there are so many moving parts and deadlines that make it difficult to keep up. When you hire a company that prioritizes good communication with their clients, they will keep you up to speed and will make sure you know what is going on with your custom home. Good Reputation and Recommendations Finally, you should hire a company that has a good reputation and has many recommendations! High-quality home builders create their reputation for themselves by the quality of homes they provide. If clients are not satisfied with the final product of their home, they will likely leave bad reviews. If you have any local family or friends who have built a home, asking them for recommendations can also help you find a reliable home building company. Find Professional Custom Home Builders Today When you are building a home, you want to make sure everything is up to standards. One way to ensure a quality home is by hiring quality custom home builders. Are you looking for a home builder in Georgetown, Texas? Jeff Watson Homes can help! We have nearly 30 years of experience building custom homes and offer unmatched quality to our customers. Contact our team today to learn more about our custom home building services and to see how we can help bring your dream home to life!
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