skip to main content

Remodeling Design Dilemma Building a Home

New build/remodel regrets?

2 years ago

What do you have in a newer build/remodel that, if you could, would do differently? Anything big or small.

Featured Answer

Verbo

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

People tend to think of ways to lower the design fees, when they should be thinking of ways of lowering their want list. Proper designing on the front end. to a list of ranked priority NEEDS, and a few of the wants, is what creates an affordable, livable, and only slightly over a realistic budget, home.

Make your needs list and rank it. Realize that ”bedrooms for each of the 4 kids“ is NOT a need. It’s a want. And if you have a lower budget, that 6 bedroom house isn’t even a realistic want. ”Some privacy, and enough storage for 4 kids” is a need. That might be achieved by individual bedrooms. Or it might not.

Get to the WHY behind the wants that are masquerading as needs, and you will be likely to have far fewer regrets, and spend your funds more wisely. This is what a good architect does. Psychology of finances and family relationships is more than half of successful designing. ”Design Exploration/Programming” is THE most important phase of design. Most people confuse ”design” with ”floor plans”. It isn’t. Initial Concepts are an *informed response* to proper Programming being done.

Even if you go off on the months long timesuck of ”floor plan sites”, youll be wasting even more of that wasted effort, without sitting down and doing that psychological assessment of finances and family relationships, and then creating ranked lists that really reflect the reality of your family.

Comments (8)

Kayla Higdon
2 years ago
We were first time home buyers buying a new build with an inexperienced realtor. Make sure you get a good realtor - and closing attorney, do not use the builders if you go that route. Those were my first 2 mistakes. Too many to list. But bottom line. Schedule regular inspections of the progress, be there for the house inspection - just bc its a new build doesnt mean its done right! Always get one.

If something is wrong, immediately speak up. That was my biggest problem. No one to blame now but myself.

Best of luck.
chispa
2 years ago
If you search on this forum, you will find several posts discussing that exact subject with lots of good answers and insights. Worth searching for.
Related Discussions
demolition + new building vs extensive remodeling
Q
Comments (2)
I worked with a client who ended up doing a teardown of the house that they had lived in for 15 years because the extent of the renovation would have cost almost as much as a new house, but the new construction would have been worth more than the old house renovated. (They are post war splits and ranches and the splits in particular do not take additions well: they look awkward, and are still a small house with a big addition.) The turning point for them was that bids were coming in for hundreds of thousands, and the builders were saying that it would be more cost effective to demolish and start over. HOWEVER, the real estate market has dropped, the homeowners got divorced and in their particular part of the neighborhood no one else has done a teardown yet. The wife is trying to sell and although there is a lot of interest, no one wants to have the biggest/nicest house in the immediate neighborhood. You have to decide whether you will be overimproving for the neighborhood as well. At the time, there was a lot of discussion that they were doing this but there were other people planning to do this, and they thought well, in 15 years if we sell, the neighborhood will have caught up. Well, two years later they were divorced and the economy has prevented anyone else from going this route. In an interesting turn of events the wife bought the house next door from an estate, its the twin of what she tore down. The house was considered "worthless", it is the land that had the value. However, she is not tearing this one down, she is doing a gut reno of the same footprint. The other thing you should consider is if you should sell the property and invest in a house that is closer to what you want.
...See More
How to install new sump pump pit for basement remodel/build out?
Q
Comments (1)
"Run Toliet drain straight into Pit underground." Sewage ejection systems are NOT sump pumps. The pumps are not the same, and the rules are not the same.
...See More
Caught between remodeling and building new.
Q
Comments (4)
We do have space to add a garage, but none are ideal and add to cost of the project. The logic place would be next to the house, but the yard severely slopes from front to back, to the point where when you walk out of the basement its still another 7' to ground level. So we would need a massive foundation to build a garage there. Could add one in front of where the old one was, but would require a reconfiguration of driveway and site work :( I would want to stay in town. Kids are comfortable here and we have made a lot of friends in town. I like it here. Not a lot of land on the market though. Have thought about just staying put until kids leave but how realistic is it going to be to build while putting two kids through college? The yard is hopeless. I need to win one of those landscape make over shows lol. It slopes all over, needs retaining walls, the lawn needs help, lots of work. I love doing the interior work but hate dealing with the yard.
...See More
Complete remodel with addition or build new?
Q
Comments (18)
Is this a cold money decision? Or are there other factors that come into play? Money will say new will win. Money being only one factor will have tossup results. Do you love the land, and the house is just a convenience in that it’s already built? If you had your choice of building site, would that be it? Or is there a better location with a better view or road access or more screening from neighbors? Do you love the house? Do you care if it cists you double to have it remodeled rather than building new? Are you a purist who would want to do more restoration than remuddle?
...See More
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
2 years ago
Years ago my future wife was having a garage built. I gave the builder sketches of a design and asked if he wanted construction drawings, and he said he could build it from the sketches. After a 12/12 roof pitch became a 4/12 roof pitch, and 2 two foot square awning windows became a five foot wide sliding window, I realized I should have given him construction drawings.
bfatx
2 years ago
You get what you pay for. Pick a reputable contractor.
PRO
JAN MOYER
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
You will get a thousand answers, and brutal truth? Nobody has built or remodeled anything without a minor regret, even a tiny one, something miniscule!! ...........SOMEWHERE.

The way to minimize regrets, is to plan, plan plan. Get an architect, a KITCHEN designer .....if at all possible. A great builder/contractor.....and yes, even interior design help . A team.

Give yourself time. Everyone loves or hates something. It's a process. A good team helping you helps GREATLY.

All build and remodel is a marriage of the site, interior/exterior/, the resources, and the way you live. It is SO personal, that the only way to tackle is to make a wish list. Be prepared to edit that list a hundred times. From would be wonderful, to could be nice, to must have....etc. Room by room. And edit yet again : )

"Perfection"? Well. How many PERFECT people do you know? It's the same with build and remodel.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
I agree with Jan the more planning and thought that goes into the design the better and the more help you can get the better .
cpartist
2 years ago
Jan said it best

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES 10 Biggest Remodeling Regrets and How to Avoid Them

By Georgia Madden

We’ve asked a panel of experts to reveal the most common renovating mistakes — and how to steer clear of them

KNOW YOUR HOUSE Building or Remodeling? Get the Lowdown on Load Codes

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Sometimes standard isn’t enough. Learn about codes for structural loads so your home will stay strong over time

TREES How to Protect Your Trees When You’re Remodeling or Building

By Falon Mihalic

Will your home be undergoing construction this year? Be sure to safeguard your landscape’s valuable trees

REMODELING GUIDES How to Remodel Your Relationship While Remodeling Your Home

By Mitchell Parker

A new Houzz survey shows how couples cope with stress and make tough choices during building and decorating projects

CONTRACTOR TIPS Building Permits: What to Know About Green Building and Energy Codes

By Matt Clawson

In Part 4 of our series examining the residential permit process, we review typical green building and energy code requirements

LATEST NEWS FOR PROFESSIONALS Remodeling and Design Firms Are Optimistic for Third-Quarter 2019

By Erin Carlyle

The Q3 Houzz Renovation Barometer reveals that heavy rains, labor shortages and tariffs have challenged build-only firms

0

HOUZZ PRODUCT NEWS When to Use Templates in Your Remodeling Business

By Erin Carlyle

Repetitive or time-consuming tasks such as building estimates and tracking project materials could be good candidates

GREEN BUILDING How to Donate or Recycle Home Remodeling Materials

By Mitchell Parker

Cut greenhouse gas emissions, ease landfill loads and give back to neighbors with an eco-friendly approach to renovation

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Modern Remodeling in North London

REMODELING GUIDES 8 Ways to Stick to Your Budget When Remodeling or Adding On

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Know thyself, plan well and beware of ‘scope creep’

Sponsored

Remodel Repair Construction

9 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Westerville

More Discussions

What stain color did you pair with your Coretec Cairo Oak floors?

5

Windows too close to floor

14

What splurges in square footage do you love about your home?

2

What type of siding should I use on our house?

6

Please critique my floorplan

4