If you’re embarking on a custom home building adventure, you probably have a lot of thoughts, feelings, opinions, and questions. Having served many families during this exciting time, the New Era Homes team has encountered every custom home building scenario imaginable.
Since the floor plan cannot be changed later, making the final decision is difficult. New Era Homes has created a list of questions to assist you in selecting a plan that meets your needs now and in the future. Whether you’re working with us to build a custom home in central Oregon or anywhere else, we’re here to help.
What is a Floor Plan?
A floor plan is a scale drawing illustrating how rooms, spaces, and physical features relate. Using them lets you visualize how people will move throughout the space. Before moving forward to more elaborate planning or building stages, floor plans enable you to evaluate whether the space suits its intended purpose, overcome any challenges, and redesign it if needed. Experimenting with various design alternatives and circulation flows can be fun, which shows how people use the space.
Questions to Ask Your Architect or Builder About Floor Plans
1. Can we afford a home with this floor plan?
Finances are sometimes a stressful aspect of building your custom dream home, but it’s an important conversation. You should come to your builder prepared with your mortgage and monthly payment budget ranges in mind.
Don’t forget to consider smaller aspects of budgeting for a new home. For example, a large home with huge picture windows will cost more to keep warm in the winter than a smaller home.
Read More: Custom Home Pricing: The New Era Home Pricing Model
2. Does this home work with our location and lot size?
In some cases, you may have your lot already picked out when you come to your builder. Ask them if the floor plans you’re considering fit the lot size and shape. Other considerations, such as neighborhood or municipal regulations, may need to be considered.
3. Is this home’s floor plan the right size for my family?
Families all have different reasons for taking the step towards a new custom home life. Maybe you’re parents looking to upsize to make room for a new child. Or maybe you’ve just sent your last kid off to college and don’t need all that space anymore. Whatever your personal situation, be prepared to discuss it with your builder to choose the perfect floor plan.
4. Does this floor plan have enough storage space?
You’ll likely find it easy to remember to ask about a floor plan’s number and size of rooms for your family members – but don’t forget about storage space. Whether you rely on closets, the garage, the attic, or all three for storage space, you’ll want to have room for all of your things.
5. Will this floor plan fit our lifestyles?
This next question may seem less concrete than the others, but it’s just as important. Here are some questions to ask to answer it:
- Does the floor plan include a home office if someone in your family frequently works from home?
- Do you plan on having friends or extended family stay with you? A guest bedroom is a must-have.
- Spend a lot of time with everyone in the kitchen? There needs to be enough counter space for everybody to work with.
Every family is a little different, so you’ll want to think through all the most important aspects of your home life before talking to your architect
Ask your builder for their input on the floor plan design. They may have suggestions on design or functionality that will impact how a finished home feels. Their input early in the design phase will help ensure the design fits your budget.
6. What are the standard features and available upgrades?
There are a variety of standard features that every builder has, which you will want to know upfront. You may be surprised to learn that what you assume is standard may cost extra. Don’t let unnecessary costs accumulate before you ask. Find out what’s standard in their spec sheet. Get an upgrade sheet from your builder to help you decide what upgrades to choose.
7. Will this floor plan fit my future needs?
It’s time to consider what amenities and space you’ll need in a few years. Consider the following examples:
- Are you growing or downsizing your family? As your family changes, will your home still meet your needs?
- Is this going to be your forever home when you retire? What could you do to make it more aging-in-place-friendly?
- Do you need an office if you work from home? What about a separate client entrance?
- Are your hobbies and special interests reflected in your layout?
- Is your floor plan pet-friendly? Pet-friendly floor coverings?
Regardless of your decision, we will be with you every step of the way, ensuring your needs are met.
A Floorplan to Meet All Your Needs In Bend
No matter your questions or concerns about building a custom house, your builder should be there to talk you through it all. If you come prepared to discuss the above questions, you’ll set yourself up for a more successful build.
New Era Homes takes a distinctive approach to crafting floor plans that cater to our customers’ diverse needs and preferences. We recognize that every homeowner has a unique dream, and we aim to provide floor plans encompassing a wide range of features and upgrades to fit that dream. Our customer-centric philosophy sets us apart from many other home builders in Central Oregon.
If you’re in Bend or anywhere nearby in Central Oregon, drop us a line, and we’ll be happy to guide you through this exciting process.
