Congratulations! You’ve decided to invest in a custom home. You likely have many questions about the factors to consider when designing a new home. Your early choices and the professionals you consult will steer the rest of your project, and we’re happy to help you do your homework if you’re wondering what to do first when designing a house. Should you first hire a designer to draft blueprints or hire a builder to recommend designers? When should you purchase the lot? These are (not quite) age-old questions.
Although we specialize in Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) at R-Value Homes in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the initial steps you take in building a custom home will look the same. You can benefit from our expertise no matter what kind of custom home you envision or where you plan to build it. If you happen to live in West Michigan, including the greater Grand Rapids Area and lakeshore, we would love to talk to you about your custom home dreams and the ICF difference.
Are you wondering about the cost of a custom home in Grand Rapids? We dive into it here. Curious about the price of an energy-efficient home? We’ve covered that too.
Many people who want to build a new home look for a lot first. Here is what you gain by buying your lot first:
Here are some excellent reasons to start your new home construction by hiring a builder:
Hiring a designer as your first step toward building a custom home includes the following advantages:
Our role as custom builders has given us a unique perspective on hiring a designer for your new home. We have worked with many different designers who have impressed us with their knowledge and know-how. We specialize in Zero Energy Homes, ICF, and homes with balanced ventilation. We love to work with designers with overlapping expertise, and we have great relationships with a number of local designers. However, we’ve also had great experiences with local architects and interior designers who were new to Insulated Concrete Forms and willing to learn. Their fresh perspective can bring in new ideas to support our client’s unique vision.
There are many design decisions to be made outside of your typical cabinets and countertops. We’ve included our interior design finishes checklist to illustrate some components of your new construction that involve an interior designer that you may not have considered:
It helps many clients visualize the responsibilities of the owner, architect, interior designer, builder, and landscape architect by viewing a breakdown of responsibilities. We are happy to offer up our typical process as an example:
Everything about the design process is more efficient when your team works together early. Here’s a real-life example: A recent project began with our clients finding a designer specializing in Zero-Energy homes. That designer immediately recommended us, and we were present from their second meeting onward. Both the designer and I gave our client input on the properties they were considering. Before they commissioned the design, they purchased their lot. We then began to assemble a team, including the interior designer and key Trade Partners such as HVAC and window suppliers, to guide us and answer questions as they arose during design. This approach to home design is far better, and it ensures that the builder or designer does not have to make assumptions, leaving you with a blueprint that includes their best guesses and blind spots. A truly custom-built home is created by a team of experts shining in their specialties. If you’re interested in this experience in the Grand Rapids area, reach out today.