Summer is here in the gorge! Many new homes are breaking ground, so we thought we touch on some tips for navigating the new home building process.
Building a new home has great perks, such as considering the options of a walk-in shower or soaking tub, as well as a host of other decisions, all of which will impact how much you enjoy your new home. Moving into a brand-new home also comes with some challenges. Today’s market looks a bit different than it did 4 years ago. Here are some tips to help prepare you for building a new home in our current market.
Prepare for Decision Fatigue
This is a real thing. There are hundreds of decisions to make throughout the home building process. It’s important to start early and know that towards the end of the project you will likely feel “over it…no more decisions please!” Luckily, my job is to start working with you very early in the process. I break the decisions into bite size pieces that reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed. I like to give my clients three options for each item to select. If you know what you want or have a pretty good idea, make your selections early and get them finalized.
Order Early
In today’s world, it’s important to order your fixtures and finishes early. If you have a great builder, they know things must be ordered much earlier than in previous history. Some categories have recovered since COVID while others still are struggling. Paying attention to the current market for supply pricing is also important. Furniture is another area that fluctuates greatly with product availability. Many companies are 6 months out for delivery!
Be skeptical of the timeline
When we built our home, a surprise takeaway was to never trust a move in date. I would say this is just common in construction, but this is even more true now than in the past. With items being in stock one day and backordered the next, delays are inevitable. Not to mention there are occasional delays in the occupancy permit. A builder must receive this before a homeowner can move in.
You’ll spend more than you expect
We all have an overall budget when we embark on building our dream home. However, extra costs always come up, so be prepared for the inevitable. Defining your “must haves” in the very beginning will help keep your emotions from overruling your logic.
Splurge when needed. You don’t want to install cabinets you don’t really love. Make sure you get what you want. In the end you will be living in the space and the few extra dollars spent to get your “must haves” is well worth the investment.
There are many more items that have affected the construction/design world today. These are just a few items to be prepared for. If you’re thinking about starting your new home build or renovation, I’m happy to assist you navigate the process!
Ashley Neff-Hinkle is a local White Salmon resident servicing clients design needs in new construction and remodeling. Contact us today to get started.