When building a custom home, consider the steak and not just the sizzle

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Published Date 2/19/2020

It’s great to get advice from the experts, and Forbes’ Real Estate Council prides itself in putting information out there gleaned from lessons of the past as well as what is happening even now in the real estate market.

Council member Jessica Lagrange reports on how, while designing, building, and furnishing a luxury custom home from the ground up should be an enjoyable experience, the council has found that this isn’t always the case. “Luxury home buyers often focus on the obvious, such as fixtures, finishes, and appliances, instead of the features that will have major impacts on their lifestyles,” says Lagrange. “And they often don’t know enough about building a luxury home to ask the obvious: Is the floor plan effective for my family? What will the cabinets, countertops, tiles, and floors be made of? How about the lighting? What type of paint will be on the walls? And how many colors can we use?”

Those who plan to build a new home are often introduced to floor plans in a given neighborhood and can be mesmerized by glamorous renderings, models at sales centers, or have their hearts set on a home they saw in a magazine. What some don’t consider, however, is how a home will truly “live.” This means a floor plan that suits their needs and contains not just pretty, but also durable materials and finishes. LaGrange and the council advises buyers to consider how everything performs in the house and not to forget the importance of storage.

The well-loved open floor plan may look great in renderings or even on a set of blueprints, but how does it feel to live with one? Can your kitchen island be seen from the entry of the home, and if so, do you prefer some separation just in case dishes are yet to be washed? Try to virtually walk through your floor plan if you can. If you have small children, how comfortable will you be with them either across the house from you or on another level?

Insulation is one of those behind-the-walls construction materials little thought goes into. What homebuyers often forget, however, is that insulation not only maintains a home’s environment but also diffuses sound between rooms and floors. Many a homeowner has found out after the fact that they have noise issues, especially with hard surface flooring everywhere. Spray foam insulation, while more costly, is a good solution for noise abatement.

Review every tile or countertop choice as well. While natural stones are always more luxurious than engineered surfaces, ask yourself if they provide the properties you need. Even the quality of the paint you use is not something you should leave to chance. “Most builders — even the most luxury-focused — will paint everything some variation of white. But they may not necessarily be using top-quality paint such as C2, Fine Paints of Europe or Farrow & Ball, or offer you a range of finishes,” says Lagrange. “Will they use eggshell or satin on the walls, and semi-gloss or high-gloss on trims?”

Most homebuilders rely on their architects or interior designers instead of lighting specialists to come up with the lighting plans in their homes. LaGrange adds that builders often buy lighting fixtures in bulk, especially larger recessed ceiling fixtures that tend to be more economical. “Lighting should be purposeful,” she says. “It should highlight conversation and activity areas, art, and anything else that’s important to your lifestyle. This kind of specificity calls for a specialist.”

As for cabinetry, consider the quality of the cabinets as well as their versatility. Are the shelves movable to accommodate different items? Is the hardware solid, secure, and practically placed? High-quality cabinets can be refinished or revamped with new hardware and doors repeatedly as decor and needs change.

According to Lagrange and the Council, fully integrated tech isn’t always the best option, especially given the exponential speed at which updates are issued, and components go out of production. “Think hard about whatever tech your builder is offering. Ask how it will be supported if it’s confusing to use or if it breaks.”

Source: ForbesRealEstate | TBWS

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