Tips For Building a Custom Home in the Tampa Bay Area

The Tampa Bay area is known for great weather, beautiful beaches, diversity, and nightlife. That’s probably why 51,000 people moved to the area in 2019. As a result, there is more demand for homes than supply.

People are getting around the high demand of the housing market by building new homes. The great thing about building a custom home is that you can make it your own.

But, building a new custom home comes with challenges. Finding the right designer, getting permits, and countless decisions makes building a home stressful.

If you want to ensure your custom home turns into your dream home, follow these tips.

Plan

You probably already have your dream home in mind but communicating that vision to your builders is essential. Sit down with your builder and architect before the project begins to plan the layout and understand what things will cost.

You’ll want to create an appropriate budget for your custom home. Things add up quickly, so budget for everything on your must-have list. Don’t forget to give yourself some extra money for overages or unexpected costs.

Expect Decision Fatigue

The most exciting part of building a custom home is choosing all the features to make it what you want. But, with everything from building style to flooring to fixtures that must be selected, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

When choosing finishes and layouts, have samples and take tours to compare looks. A visual reference can help you avoid a costly remodel. If you don’t want to make design decisions alone, work with a designer to pick materials that will look great and fit your vision.

Incorporate Energy Efficient Features

Florida’s annual electricity expenditure per household is 40% higher than the US average. By making your home energy-efficient, you can reduce these costs.

To make your new home energy efficient, you can do things like buying energy-efficient appliances, installing solar panels, or using sustainable lighting. There are tons of ways to go green, so work with your builder to incorporate these features.

You can even make your home ENERGY STAR certified. These homes meet high standards for energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR homes have many benefits, including a higher resale value.

Location Matters

Where you build plays a huge role in the cost of your home and the building process. The size of your lot and zoning restrictions impact your design options. Some parts of the Tampa Bay area are in flood zones, so you’ll need flood insurance and build for these standards.

Think about whether you want to live in a neighborhood or a more secluded location because each has pros and cons. If you choose a community, they may already have graded land and utility hookups to reduce your lot prep costs. But a custom location offers more space and privacy.

Hire the Right Tampa Bay Area Custom Home Builder

Be picky when choosing a custom home builder. The last thing you want is to have a bad experience or end up with poor quality work. Look up builders’ reputations online to ensure they are experienced and reliable and create a shortlist.

Then, talk to each builder and ask them questions. Also, check out their past work. These will give you an idea of what to expect and if you feel comfortable working with them.

Keep in mind that April through June is the busiest time for builders. So plan accordingly to ensure your chosen builder has the time and resources to devote to your custom home.

Create Your Dream Home

When it comes to building your dream home, preparation is key to avoiding headaches. You’ll want to plan as much as possible and manage your design decisions. Then, finding the right builder and location can help ensure you are happy with your new home.

Are you ready to build your dream home in the Tampa Bay Area? Then contact us today.