The Denver housing market changes so often that you never know what you might find. While there’s a chance that the perfect home might hit the market tomorrow, there’s no guarantee that you’ll find everything you need or that the house will fit your budget. That is why so many Denver locals decided to build custom homes in the recent past. Your builders will help you stick to your budget and get the top things you desire. Learn the essentials that you need to add to your custom home design checklist before your first meeting with the builders.

Location is Key

Location is one of the more important things to add to your checklist because it lets the builders know where you want to live. Known as the Mile High City, the top neighborhoods in Denver include Uptown with its funky vibe and Sloans Lake, which surrounds the lake of the same name. You may even find it helpful to buy land for your custom home before you meet with the builders. They can help you make decisions based on the amount of available space and the permits they need to build there.

Create a Budget

The amount of money it takes to build a custom home in or around Denver depends on where you want to live and other factors. Homes in downtown and nearby neighborhoods are often more expensive because there is a higher demand among residents. You may need to pay more to get contractors who can work for you and your permits. Don’t forget to pad your budget to cover unforeseen expenses. You never know when you might have to pay more for some supplies or when a storm might delay your move.

Know Your Size

Homes built today range in size from tiny homes with 200 square feet to mansions with 10,000 square feet. While your budget will play a key role in your home’s size, you also want to consider how much space you really need. A home of less than 1,000 square feet will often have a single bathroom and up to two bedrooms. If you need two bathrooms or more bedrooms, you’ll want between 1,000 and 1,300 square feet. Keep in mind that the size should also include the garage you want. Custom homes in the 4,000 to 5,000 square foot range usually feature five or more bedrooms, at least three bathrooms, and other spaces such as a home office or gym.

Add Optional Features

While your builders can talk with you more about features you never considered, you can also think about the optional features that you want. Bedrooms and bathrooms are essential rooms that every home needs. Optional features often include things that you want but won’t add unless you have enough room in your budget. Heated floors are one example as they can help you stay warm on cold Denver mornings. An outdoor kitchen or living room for hanging out with your loved ones and a playroom for your kids are other examples of optional features your builders can add.

Hire an Architect

Few of the builders working in the Denver area have architects on their teams. While the builders are responsible for following building regulations and getting the permits they need, an architect comes up with the overall design. It’s often helpful to work with a team that can handle the design process. Your architect will ask questions about your wants and needs. They can design a building plan that works where you want to build and incorporates all of those features. As a bonus, they can draft new plans as your needs or budget changes and ensure that you’re happy with the final plan.

Get Your Finances in Order

Unless you have enough money saved to pay for a custom home build, you will need to finance your purchase. Many builders will not meet with you until you have financing already arranged or they will recommend that you talk to the bank before you move forward with your plans. The average cost of building a custom home starts at $100 to $200 per square foot. The price will go up from there depending on the size of the home and all the features you choose. If you need a loan to pay for the land for the home, it will increase your monthly costs.

Consider the Layout

One of the main reasons Denver locals decide to build custom homes is that the layouts of their current homes don’t work for them. Maybe you have a two-story house with all of the bedrooms on the second floor and the bathrooms on the first floor. If you need to carry heavy loads of clothes to the basement, you might want a new home that puts the laundry room in a more convenient place. It’s also helpful to consider the layout in terms of any additional spaces or rooms you might need such as a main bedroom with an attached bath or an outdoor living space right outside of your kitchen.

Room Size Options

Many people do not think about room sizes until they move into a home and start unpacking. When bedrooms and other rooms are too small, your home may not feel like home to you. It can even encourage you to move sooner than you planned. Start with the size of the master bedroom and then think about the size of any other bedrooms. While you’ll likely want a bigger master or main bedroom, make sure that your kids’ bedrooms have enough space for them as they grow. You may want a combined kitchen and dining room or an open concept with more room for entertaining. The size of your living room can also play a big role in how much you love your custom home.

Features of Each Room

Before you sit down with a team of builders, make a checklist of the features that you want in each room along with the overall features of the home. Think about your kitchen. Do you want a spacious kitchen with huge windows that overlook the backyard, an island with its own gas or electric hookups and burners, and a breakfast nook tucked into a corner? There are just as many features to consider when it comes to the bathrooms. You might love a large tub in the main bathroom with a separate shower stall and a wall that keeps the toilet hidden from view. A half bathroom is a good choice for shared or common areas because they usually have just a sink and a toilet but not a tub or shower.

Create a Dream Home Checklist

Building your dream home requires that you start with a checklist. Think about what your current home lacks and all of the must-have features you and your family have as well as the things you want to add if they fit in your budget. Your checklist should also include creating a budget you can afford and picking a piece of land for your future home.

Denver Urban Builders have experience helping residents of all types build their dream homes in Denver. Fill out this short contact form to get in touch with the crew or call (720) 902-5773 to make an appointment with Denver Urban Builders.