Five questions to ask your builder about floor plans
If you’re starting off on the adventure of building a custom home, you probably have a lot of thoughts, feelings, opinions, and questions. The New Era Homes team has helped so many families during this exciting time in their lives that we’ve probably encountered every custom-home building scenario imaginable!
We want to make sure that you know all the right questions to ask your builder when you’re getting started, which is why we compiled this handy list. Whether you’re working with us to build a custom home in central Oregon or anywhere else in the country, we’re here to help!
What is a floor plan?
So, this isn’t a question you should ask your builder, but we wanted to make sure to define this important term before we go any further. A floor plan is a small-scale diagram of the architectural layout of the rooms of a house. Floor plans typically show the direction doors open in, built-in fixtures of the house, and occasionally where furniture might go.
If you’re unfamiliar with what floor plans look like, check out our starter floor plans for custom homes!
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 to have. 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.
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. Make sure to 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 is, be prepared to discuss it with your builder so you can 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 last question may seem less concrete than the others, but it’s just as important.
- If someone in your family frequently works from home, does the floor plan include a home office?
- 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. Also, their input early in the design phase will help ensure the design fits your budget.
Building your dream house is a conversation
No matter what questions or concerns you have 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 be setting yourself up for a more successful build.
And 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!
