Building a new custom home can be an enormous undertaking. When you have the flexibility to change or adjust just about every detail in your new home, there is no limit to the amount of obsessing and second-guessing to which you may subject yourself.
Deciding which features are worth the expense long before the foundation is poured can be a little overwhelming! You don’t want to regret saving money on one aspect of your home, where you wish you would have invested a little more. But in most cases, there is a limit to the amount you can spend!
It’s important to think of each item from three different angles. You want to have a solid understanding of how each upgrade will impact your life in the home, the way your home consumes energy, and the impact to the resale value.
Here are five areas where you might want to consider going the extra mile for your new home:
Flooring
If you’ve spent any amount of time watching HGTV, you already know that hardwood flooring is incredibly popular. While carpet and laminate floors had their moment in the 80s, hardwood floors have stood the test of time. They are easy to keep clean, and with proper care, can last forever.
You will probably be tempted to save money on the less-expensive hardwood look-a-likes that have gained popularity recently, but this will have a negative impact on both the resale value and your overall enjoyment of the home.
Countertops
Another very popular place to splurge on a new home is on fantastic granite or stone countertops. Nothing makes a statement in a kitchen like a dramatic and beautiful countertop, and a stunning piece of granite can do just that.
Granite countertops are also incredibly durable and are far less likely to be accidentally damaged during your daily routines.
Appliances
When it comes to appliances, you are most likely going to get what you pay for. Stainless steel appliances are very popular at the moment, while many of our customers still enjoy white appliances for their timeless appeal. The key is to purchase quality appliances that are going to survive the daily wear and tear you will be putting them through.
It will also pay dividends to invest the extra money in appliances that are energy efficient. Appliances that use less energy and last longer will pay for themselves over the course of their lifetime.
Lighting
One of the most dramatic ways to accent your new home is with stunning modern lighting. There are many options for different types of lighting, but almost any upgrade over standard ceiling lights will be worth the extra cost in terms of your enjoyment of the home.
Light fixtures that use energy efficient bulbs are also a great way to reduce the amount you will spend on utilities.
Windows
Upgrading the windows of your new home might seem like a waste of time at first glance, but when you consider the amount of energy savings that you can enjoy from better-insulated windows, the upgrade may actually pay for itself over the life of the windows. Many upgraded windows are also easier to clean and maintain.
As you might have guessed, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to home upgrades. You might not be concerned with the resale value or maybe you prefer laminate floors or countertops. That’s perfectly fine!
The important thing is to understand what benefits you can expect from any potential upgrade and from there, you can then decide whether it will be able to deliver on those expectations.