Starting on a journey of designing and building your dream home is an exciting experience filled with possibilities. As a Central Coast builder, we have had the privilege of working with more than 130 families to create their own dream homes & lifestyles, and you can read more about their experiences here. Based on this experience, we have created a list of design elements that can put you at risk of blowing your budget. We hope that by sharing this information, you will feel confident as you begin your build journey.
“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” – James Madison.
DESIGN COMPLEXITY: DON’T SPEND ALL YOUR MONEY IN ONE PLACE
The design process you undertake for your home sets the tone for its overall aesthetic and functionality. There are often many ways of achieving the overall vision for your home, some of which are rather costly, while others can be reasonably cost-effective.
Unnecessarily complex design features put you at risk of overextending your budget. This is because the quality of craftsmanship and required skill to complete complex and detailed work cost more and more often require more time and attention. The outcome is beautiful; however, if you want to avoid allocating your total budget to a single element of your home, we suggest striking a balance between complex and cost-effective options to create a beautiful and practical outcome.
Working closely with your design team and builder ensures the final design aligns with your vision and budget. You will not have to pay additional design fees to rework a home that doesn’t fit your budget.
You can read more about Edwards Family Homes Design and Construct Process Here.
MATERIALS AND FINISHES: WHEN TO SPEND AND HOW TO SAVE
The quality and allure of high-end materials are undeniable, which is why it can be so easy to overspend in this area. A great way to maximise your budget is to be intentional with how and where high-end materials are used, be strategic in their placement, and utilise cost-effective materials to build out the surrounding spaces to create a cohesive look and feel for the spaces throughout your home.
We have a skilled selections team that works alongside you to create your vision without blowing your budget and because we are a central coast builder that means they are based right here local to you.
LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL: WHEN AND HOW TO UPGRADE
We all agree that lighting is crucial in a home, but when we consider using it creatively rather than just practically, it can quickly stretch the budget well beyond our plans.
The colour, placement, and style of lights used in your home are vital to creating ambience and are often what sets apart the ‘basic’ and ‘beautiful’ homes on the street. Lighting creates an atmosphere and is responsible for the ‘feel’ of your home.
Some people get into trouble by solely focusing on how the light looks, opting for visual statement pieces that often cost a lot of money and can be hard to place together.
As a central coast builder, we partner with a local lighting specialist skilled at optimising your lighting plan to create the beautiful, welcoming ambience you want for your home. The specialist will focus on the placement of your lighting and optimise not the visual style but the technical elements of your lighting to create a balanced and purposeful feel rather than the sterile/commercial feel we often hear of.
LANDSCAPING: THE FIGURATIVE PICTURE FRAME OF YOUR HOME
Living in Australia, there is no denying the natural beauty around us, which is why we spend so much of our time living and entertaining outside. But how far should you take landscaping, as it can be one of the most expensive and underestimated areas of your new home build?
Not to mention, with all the stress of building your home and a budget that only goes so far, it can be all too much at once. Our suggestion is always to do as little as you can in the short term, and once you’ve moved into your home and had the chance to live in the area for a while, start planning your landscaping.
During construction, you can run any electrical, gas, and water you will need as a method of future-proofing, as this will be the most cost-effective time.
THE INSIDE INFORMATION FROM A CENTRAL COAST BUILDER
Consultants and specialist contractors are often required throughout the design stage of your project. Depending on the type of report/work to be completed, along with the consultants you’ll need to engage, they can sometimes even blow your budget before you get to the quoting and construction part of the build.
We are fortunate enough, as a central coast builder who has been working locally on the coast for generations, to have a wealth of knowledge about the local area. We can assist you with engaging the right professionals so you do not waste money speaking to the wrong people and waiting weeks and weeks for the wrong documents.
READY TO START BUILDING?
If you’re ready to take the next step & would like to speak with a professional builder at a time that suits you, Book a discovery call now using our online booking calendar.
You can speak to our team (obligation-free), and we can answer any questions about your project or the build process.
Still not ready to speak with a builder? That’s okay! Doing as much research as possible during this stage of your build journey will save you from making some big mistakes. Download our free guide, “7 things you must know before designing a Home.”. This guide will provide the correct information to help you avoid some critical mistakes homeowners make throughout the planning process.
