BUILDING A CUSTOM HOME IN TAMPA – THE FIRST STEPS

Building a custom home in Tampa is a dream for many Bay Area residents. You get to choose what you like, what you want, and how to enjoy who you are. From start to finish, it’s a big part of a lifelong dream. In order to have a smooth and satisfying home building experience, invest some time in understanding how it works, from inception to construction.

Get Started On Your Custom Home

While each experience is unique, the first steps to building a custom home are typically the same for everyone. Set your budget, select your style, choose your builder.

Budget For A Custom Home

In Tampa, building a custom home is not necessarily more expensive than buying an existing home. Your decisions regarding land, design, and materials will all impact the final price. You must figure out what you can afford and dissect every little detail.

Start by using a spreadsheet program to itemize your project. Include everything that will be involved in the project: land costs, local fees and permitting, taxes, design and engineering fees, construction costs, furniture, and decorating. Talk to your contractor and prepare for every contingency. A good builder can help you get what you want and stick to your budget. They’ll work alongside you every step of the way to ensure your budget is realistic and respected.

Select Your Home’s Style

When it comes to designing a custom home, the options are endless. Don’t let it overwhelm you: with some careful consideration and a lot of shopping around, you will find what you love.

Pay attention to how you and your family live, along with your wants and needs when you’re thinking of style basics. Ask yourself questions like:

Do you enjoy entertaining guests?

Are overnight visitors frequent?

Do you need a quiet space for working?

How much storage space do you need?

Will you be an empty nester soon?

Your custom home should reflect how you currently live and how you plan to live in the future. Asking these questions will help you determine your livability needs before you dive into the design.

Choose Your Home’s Builder

It’s important to find a builder you feel comfortable with and you can trust. You will be very involved with them for the entire building process and beyond. They will be your guide through the whole process. Choosing the wrong builder will make the experience far less enjoyable, so be sure you know and trust your builder.

A good place to start is to ask friends and family for recommendations, research local homes you like, or read local reviews. You can pick a builder, an architect, an interior designer, and other team members individually, or you can select a full-service builder that take care of everything for you.

If you need help deciding where to start, call Caroline Contractors at 813-931-4611 and let us help you build your dreams.