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When should you start the design process?
I’ve been asked many times over the years by clients, “I don’t own my land yet, but I’d like to begin designing my new timber frame or post and beam home. Is this wise?”
The advice I’ve always given is to wait until you close on your land, because starting the design process too soon could end up costing you more money. For example, the site you decide to purchase may have the potential for a walk-out basement, which could allow for more usable square footage, such as a recreation room or extra bedrooms for guests or children. Items such as these may not have been incorporated into the original design.
In contrast, if you design a SIPs or timber frame home prior to the purchase of your land, you may find that the site or local restrictions will not accommodate the size or placement of the home you’ve paid someone to design, and you need to return to the drawing board…literally!
Designing your custom home should be an enjoyable and memorable process. Waiting to have the home designed until after you have purchased the property will ensure you will build a home that fits your lifestyle, your budget, and your site.
The advice I’ve always given is to wait until you close on your land, because starting the design process too soon could end up costing you more money. For example, the site you decide to purchase may have the potential for a walk-out basement, which could allow for more usable square footage, such as a recreation room or extra bedrooms for guests or children. Items such as these may not have been incorporated into the original design.
In contrast, if you design a SIPs or timber frame home prior to the purchase of your land, you may find that the site or local restrictions will not accommodate the size or placement of the home you’ve paid someone to design, and you need to return to the drawing board…literally!
Designing your custom home should be an enjoyable and memorable process. Waiting to have the home designed until after you have purchased the property will ensure you will build a home that fits your lifestyle, your budget, and your site.
Comment
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Comment by Jeremy Bonin, AIA NCARB LEED AP on April 23, 2009 at 4:12pm - Hi Pam. A very lucky break, indeed! In some instances you can find the piece of property to fit your home design perfectly - or you can modify the plan (and your budget) to match the site. I'm glad it worked out for you!
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Comment by Pam Pringle on April 22, 2009 at 9:02pm - Jeremy, great advise. My husband and I were an exception. We designed our first home based on a lot we had under contract. The developer was a little shaky and when we went to our attorney to make sure we were covered contract wise, he advised us not to proceed (later we found out that he knew something we did not and couldn't share that knowledge with us due to client priviledge). We therefore went back to our timber framer and said, okay, we love the plan but now have no land. She told us about another development nearby that a friend was doing and at that moment he and his wife walked in to the office and they immediately took us out to look. We fell in love with two lots that just so happened to work with our plan. We were back under contract in 48 hours. Yes, plan should come first, but, in our case we were very fortunate to love our plan and find property that it fit on perfectly. Kismet - a very lucky break.
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