Building a house has a ton of benefits, including that fact that you get to choose every single feature so your new home is exactly what you want it to be. That being said, you might be obsessing over the kitchen or focusing a lot on the tile in the master bathroom. While those features are important, here are some other major features you need to think about too while you’re building.
The roof
The roof is an extremely important part of your home. A high-quality roof will protect your new home and last a long time. Just one inch of summer rain pours nearly 1,500 gallons of water onto your roof. If your roof is in bad shape, that water can find its way into your brand new home. Consider durable materials like metal for your roof so you don’t have to think about the roof again for a long time.
Your furnace
Unless you want to live in an indoor tundra, your house is going to need a furnace. Again, you’ll need a high-quality furnace if you want to feel comfortable in your home. Make sure your unit is strong enough to heat the entire square footage of your home, and purchase one that’s energy efficient. Furnaces typically last 15 to 18 years on average, and they can last longer than that if you purchase a great one and take care of it.
The foundation
The foundation is something your builders will worry about more than you will, but it’s still important that you understand what’s going on down there. Your foundation should be strong enough to hold up your new home for (hopefully) hundreds of years, and it should keep water out of your basement/crawl space as well. Concrete is used more than any other manmade material in the world, and it works really well for foundations too.
Modular construction
Since you have the building power in your hands, consider using modular construction for your new home. Because modular buildings are constructed in an off-site factory and only assembled on-site, this type of construction saves you a lot of time and money. Plus, modular construction is environmentally friendly. It reduces energy consumption during the building process up nearly 67%, and it reduces energy costs later on for the occupants.
Tankless water heater
You have many options when it comes to heating your water for your new home, and you should consider going with a tankless water heater. You won’t be running out of hot water when you need it anymore. Tankless water heaters heat your water on demand instead of storing at water in the tank. They’re more energy efficient too, saving you nearly $100 a year. They also last around 20 years or more, longer than traditional water heaters.
Landscaping
You’re concerned about the inside of your new home, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about the outside. So many people are dedicating less time and resources to their landscapes, and that’s a mistake. So, when you’re planning the build, leave ample space around the house for landscaping and outdoor living spaces.
Smart thermostat
Despite what many people think, your new home doesn’t have to be at optimal temperature 24/7. Get yourself a smart thermostat so you can program your home’s temperature even when you aren’t there. This can help you save a ton of money on your energy bills every month.
Windows
This one may sound silly because you can’t possibly forget to install windows in your new home, but that’s not what this section is for. When you’re building, you should have to option to upgrade the windows or add more, depending on your city’s bylaws regarding the percentage of glass you can have in correlation with the distance to the property line. If you have the option, add big windows for more natural light, and make sure they’re incredibly energy efficient and sealed well.
There are so many details to plan when you’re building a home. That being said, don’t forget about some of the major ones that many people tend to overlook.