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What to upgrade now - and what you can do later - from a Custom Home Builder

Smart home building tips for the Family Room and Living Areas

 

You can save money and build your new home the way you want it - by doing some of the final details later.   

Here are the top 5 questions that will help you decide what's a must and what can wait - along with our suggestions and tips.

1.        What kind of flooring best fits your lifestyle?

Will babies be crawling? Will children be working on crafts, or playing with toys that require a floor you can easily clean? Are there dogs, cats, or other small pets who will be roaming the house?  There are a lot more choices than you may realize in flooring. YOU CAN UPGRADE LATER.

2.       Is a fireplace a focal point?

Do you intend to spend winter evenings relaxing in front of a fire? Consider your fireplace options. UPGRADE NOW BUT YOU CAN MAKE IT EVEN BETTER LATER.

3.       Are movies, television or music a big part of your life?

Take a look at what you can do with built-in storage or an entertainment spaces. UPGRADE NOW OR MAKE SURE IT'S FRAMED FOR LATER.

4.        Do you yearn for wide open spaces?

Ceilings heights can range widely.  Would you like a spacious feeling, with a huge cathedral ceiling, or something cozier that allows for another room on the second floor?  UPGRADE NOW.

5.       Are artistic details a must-have?

Is the visual appeal of artistic touches something you'd really love to look at in the kind of room where people will often gather? UPGRADE NOW AND PLAN FOR LATER.

How To Save Money in the Family Room - Your New Raleigh Home

Why some things need to be upgraded now: Some features will cost a lot more later.  Others might be impossible without totally ripping the house apart to make structural changes.

How some options can be upgraded later: With proper planning, homes can be constructed so that additional features can be added, changed or embellished later - as long as they don't involve structural changes, and the floor plan allows enough space.

1.       Flooring - how to save money

The most common flooring choices in the family room or great room are carpeting, laminate hardwood, engineered hardwood, or site-finished solid hardwood.  Carpet is usually the least expensive option, but may need to be replaced in 5-10 years, due to wear.  

Site-finished hardwood has a higher upfront cost, but with proper care and eventual refinishing, can last for the life of the home.   High-quality engineered or laminate floors can cost as much as site-finished natural hardwoods, or even more.  

Determine what the best investment is for your budget, both initially and long-term.

2.       Fireplace - how to save money

In today's homes, fireplaces are chosen more often for their visual appeal and the lure of cozy, romantic winter evenings than for traditional heating imperatives.  In 1991, 62% of new homes had a fireplace.  By 2007, only 51% of new homes included fireplaces.   And most fireplaces today are gas, rather than wood-burning.

A fireplace should be included at the building stage, due to special framing and venting requirements - but you can add to its look and feel later.  A full, floor-to-ceiling stone surround can be the most striking focal point in your home.  But talk to your builder - you can add a minimal amount of stone upfront, and plan to add more later.  

3.       The Television - how to save money

Think carefully about where you'll want to have your TV and other electronics.   

A special area can be designed as part of the initial construction, such as a deep, recessed area over the top of a fireplace with cubbies for different electronics, or a large, flat wall with cable and electrical outlets where you can place your large screen TV or theatre screen. 

If built-ins aren't a big deal to you, just make sure windows and walls are spaced so that there's room in between for all the things you'll want to be working with.  

4.       Entertainment Centers and Built Ins - how to save money

A beautiful, furniture grade built in with lower cabinetry, upper bookshelves, and special places for electronics can really make a room sizzle. 

But this type of upgrade can cost upwards of several thousand dollars, depending on the type and size.  Not enough room in the budget?  Talk to your builder about "framing" in preparation for future additions, including adding an outlet or two just where you'll need them later. 

A "standard" width alcove (such as 6', 8', or 9') can allow many more cabinetry options later, while a "non-standard" wall length might require more expensive custom cabinetry. 

5.       Ceiling Height - how to save money

A higher ceiling can make a home feel much larger than it actually is - and smaller, better planned homes are much more cost effective.  Vaulted or two-story ceilings are part of the structural design that can't be easily reverted later.  

If lower heating and cooling costs and more efficient use of space are more important to you than open space overhead, you might agree with the most recent trends that are replacing wide-open ceilings with a full size bonus room occupying that space - and at a fraction of typical square footage costs. 

6.       Special Ceiling Treatments - how to save money

Coffered ceilings are one of our most requested custom touches in family rooms.  These are usually built in the initial construction, but if your builder knows you want to add that later, he can make sure that your ceiling height and framing allows for you to add a "beam" ceiling treatment later.  

The most cost effective "detail" option for a family room ceiling?  Consider adding four to six can or recessed lights, and some two piece crown moulding around the perimeter of the room.  The lights should be added during construction, but the moulding can be added later, if desired!

7.       Architectural Details - how to save money

At Stanton Homes, we offer our signature archways and rounded corners as part of our standard package.  Ask your builder whether there's an extra charge before requesting these artistic elements - but if you want them, they need to be constructed as the home is built, as this is not an easy change-out later.

Another idea?  Consider a built-in art niche.  A simple art niche can be added to many locations at the framing stage, for a minimal cost.   Adding a full treatment of interior trimwork to the niche is one more idea to consider, for a cost-effective wow factor. 

Staying in Budget - and leaving room for future changes

Talk to your builder about your lifestyle, and let him help guide your choices, from layout through amenities. 

Ask your builder if they will allow you to take a second look at all your choices before making a final decision, and make sure they walk through each one of these features and any others you're considering so you know just what you're paying for - and what you really don't need to come up with until later.

Room-by-room: Smart building choices that help you stay on budget.

Watch for upcoming articles - and learn what's smart to "upgrade" in your new home, while keeping your overall budget in line. 

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Most Up-to-Date Raleigh Market Reports - How is the Housing Market in Raleigh?

 

Wondering how to save money in your new home?

Tips on What's Worth Upgrading - From a Custom Home Builder

Smart home building tips for the Kitchen

This questionnaire will help you determine where to spend your money in the kitchen as you  build - and what you can do differently, later.

1. Where do you spend your time in the kitchen? Factor in ease-of-use and functionality.

2.  Who hangs there with you? Do you need an island, breakfast bar , or conversation corner? Do the countertops need to incorporate extra width or arches, or will something simple do?

3.  How important is the overall look and feel - layout, cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting, cooking, sink capacity?

4.  How much traffic flow through capability is necessary?

5.  How much usage will the room get? Do you need the strength of granite, or will a laminate be sufficient?

6.  What's a reasonable cabinetry package for your budget?  Do you need a higher-end wood like cherry or exotics, or will a maple or oak package with lots of extra storage options be better for you? 

7.  Cooking for a crowd? Need two ovens, deep freeze, heavy duty dishwasher?

Some things are more costly than others to change later.  Here's what to focus on:

Layout

The layout is extremely expensive to do all over again. Expanding the kitchen to gain more space involves major renovations that can cost three times more later than during initial construction.

Adding an island or moving major appliances

Another costly renovation; unless your kitchen has a lot of extra space, an island added later can actually reduce your ability to maneuver.

Deciding the oven would be better in another area means rewiring and restructuring, plus changes to cabinetry (which may not match the originals). 

Major structural changes to a kitchen can be the most costly change in the house.

Adding windows

The ability to add windows or sky lights later can depend on the construction of your home. It's not always possible to put it where you want it, once the home has been completed, due to structural issues. This is one of the things you'll want to get right, the first time.  Not sure?  Talk to your builder about "preframing" a future window. 

Adding lighting

If you're going to want a lot of lights in the ceiling, under the cabinets, or in special areas, this is something you'll pay a lot less for if you have it wired when the house is under construction. Doing it later can involve a lot more time and complexity. 

However, you don't need to spend a lot of money up front on the latest designer lighting fixtures.  If the prewire is in place, you can add many of the fixtures later.

Start simple, with basic lighting.

Putting in a bigger pantry

If you want a big, walk-in pantry, you're going to pay a whole lot less to start right out with that. Unless you're willing to knock out some walls and lose some space later in the adjoining family room, dining room or hallway, there's just no way to add another room in the middle of the house without a lot more work than you're going to want to adjust to.

Cabinets

If you decide on inexpensive cabinets, don't be under the mistaken impression they can be changed out easily later on.

The process can involve much more than the cupboards - including removal of countertops, flooring, trimwork and appliances. Ask your builder how to choose a quality cabinetry that you'll be happy with, without breaking the bank - and start with these tips:

Type of Wood - Consider oak or maple as an alternative to more expensive hickory or cherry choices.  A well-made cabinet can be just as appealing in a variety of different species, at varying costs.  

Glazes and Special Finishes - a glaze can add 15-35% or more to your total cabinetry package.  Consider accent pieces as an alternative if you're on a tight budget. A pair of glass doors or a contrasting accent door hardware can spark up the decor at a lower cost.    

Storage Solutions - Have your builder tell you whether that built-in recycle center or wine rack involves an extra charge. It may be just what you want - but find out what it's costing, just in case.

Countertops

The difference in cost can be huge depending on what kind of countertop you use. Recycled glass countertops may sound economical, but can cost three times as much as granite. Your builder can walk you through the choices, benefits and costs of every option out there, so you know just what you're getting - and paying.

Countertop questions to ask your builder:

What kind of countertops are best for each room?

What would it take to change countertops in a few years?

What are my best ways to save money on countertops?

Will a few changes in design save some money on countertops?

Flooring

Starting with a laminate floor won't break the budget later if you decide to go tile or hardwood. The floor is one of the easier things in the kitchen to change later - and many kinds of flooring can be done with some "do it yourself" skills. 

Appliances

As long as you don't want two ovens instead of one, or a bigger appliance than what you're starting with, changing out appliances is not going to involve ripping apart the entire kitchen. But before you decide to start with the most economical brands available, determine other cost factors such as energy saving and estimated life cycle. 

Ask your builder if you can supply your own appliances - then shop around for the very best pricing. 

Keeping Upgrades in Line

Talk to your builder about your lifestyle, and let him help guide your choices, from layout through amenities.  Ask your builder if they'll let you take a second look at all your choices before making a final decision - sometimes it's easier to decide when you can sit down with the price tag for each feature.

Read about 2012 new home kitchen trends, styles, and ideas:

Kitchen Cabinets - 2012 Kitchen Cabinet Styles

Kitchen Tile Backsplash - Today's Top 5 Designs

Formal Dining Rooms - Disappearing, or Here to Stay?

Top 5 New Home Kitchen Design Trends