The Ultimate Custom Home Building Checklist: Everything to Consider Before You Build

When you build your dream home there are many decisions. You need a builder and a realtor, but most importantly, you need a plan. 

You probably have some ideas for the home you want to build, like the number of bedrooms or the pool in the backyard. 

But once you start building, there will be weather conditions, deadlines, and pressure. And without a plan, you may end up making decisions you wouldn’t normally make. 

To help, we created the ultimate home design checklist. This checklist is the perfect starting point to guide you through everything, from the lot you select to all the perfect little details. 

Now let’s go through the list. At the end of this article, we have provided a downloadable version as well.

The Perfect Lot

Your lot is where your home will be built. If you don’t have a lot already selected, there are many important things to consider before purchasing. Though location is usually the driving factor for the lot you choose, your land’s features will also alter how your home can be built. 

Here are the things to keep in mind when you make a choice:

• Development Status – Is the land ready for building or does it still need to be developed? Development is the process of bringing utilities, like electricity and water to the property. Preparing the land for building typically takes 6-12 months.
• Topography – You need to ensure there is a large enough level area for the footprint of your home. Sloping lots may require different floor plans, like a walk-out basement or underground garage. 
• Direction of the Home – Will the morning sun be on your front or back door? Many people prefer east or south-facing homes because they get better sunlight. 
• Buildable Area – Your lot will have restrictions regarding how close a structure can be to the edge of a property. Make sure you can build the size of home you want on your specific lot. 
• Neighborhood – Is there a Homeowner’s Association? Though they can ensure neighborhood standards, many prefer to avoid their restrictions. Your community also may have CC&R’s, or Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions. These rules are guidelines for everything from home square footage to the type of fence you can have. Make sure you know what they are.

Reserving the perfect lot is the first step in the custom home-building process. Next is designing the floor plan for your dream home. 

A Custom Floor Plan

A floor plan is a drawing created by an architect with scaled representations of the layout of your home. It should accurately depict the home’s sizing, spacing, and flow. 

There are many things to consider for your home plan, your architect will give guidance and reminders, but it’s always best to have a plan. 

Some decisions to make early:

• The Basics – What is your ideal square footage? How many bedrooms and bathrooms? Single story or multiple floors?
• Layout – Homes with an open layout are trendy currently, but there is a growing movement towards more walls and room divisions. Even if you don’t know the exact configuration, decide between an open or closed plan.
• Utilities – Your floor plan will account for utility access in your home. This includes your electrical setup like the location of your outlets and hookups. Gas and water lines are also established during this phase so consider things like a gas range, outdoor kitchen, or hot tub.
• Storage – Where in your home is storage most important? Some people want to devote more square footage to their closets, while others prefer the pantry. Either way, make sure your home has enough space where you need it. 
• Accessibility – Your home plan will account for all of your doors. Easier access to the backyard, garage, or storage space access may be essential for you.
• Garage – Decide how many cars you would like to fit in your garage. Garage orientation is also relevant. Do you want front, side, or rear-loading garages?
• Must Haves – List things you must have in your home. A music room, RV bay, office space, vaulted ceilings, anything built into your home should be decided now. 

Your architect designs the floor plan depending on your needs. Make sure your custom home building checklist reflects what is most important to you!

Elevate Your Exterior 

Your architect also designs your home’s exterior, or elevation. These designs are part of the building plans sent to your construction team. 

The outside of your home is the most visible element. Planning this part of your home is important, so keep in mind these decisions:

• Elevation Style – Is your home modern, transitional, or southern? Get an idea of the elevation styles you like. Rooflines and facades will go a long way to defining your home style. 
• Textures and Colors – Most homes use a mix of siding, stone, stucco, or wood cladding. Pay attention to the textures and colors of home exteriors you like to get the perfect look for your home.
• Doors and Windows – Figure out the ideal style for your front door and garage doors, and consider finishes and window inserts. Windows also make a big difference in the look of your home. Statement windows, black windows, and shuttered windows are all available. 
• Lighting – Sconces, porch lights, and landscape lighting all matter to your home’s exterior. 
• Landscaping – What do you want the finished product of your home to look like? Your builder likely offers some standard landscaping like sod and fencing, but you might add trees, garden spaces, and shrubbery.
• Outdoor living spaces – Your home plans will include important outdoor features like covered patio spaces, verandas, and outdoor kitchens. Suppose you want a pool, that also matters for your floor plans, even if it is added later. 

These choices combine to set the tone for the outside of your home. 

Style Your Interior

Inside your home, the tone is set by a few foundational design choices. During the home building process, you select these critical elements with the help of your builder’s interior designer. 

Before you are faced with dozens of samples, carefully consider these selections:

• Wood Floors and Tiling – Most modern-built homes have hardwood, engineered hardwood, or vinyl plank flooring throughout much of the house. You decide the color and finish of these floors. Alternatively, you could use tiling in some of these spaces.
• Carpeting – Carpeting is often installed in bedrooms, closets, and stairways, but you can choose it for your living spaces. Know what variety of colors and textures you want to choose from. 
• Paint Colors – With the designer, you select your walls’ default color and trim color. Additionally, you choose any feature wall colors or room colors to add style and variety to your home. 
• Fireplace and Hearth – Another foundational style element of your home is a fireplace or multiple fireplaces. The stone finish, mantel, and size are key design choices. 
• Lighting – There are many options for feature lighting throughout your home, like the dining room, foyer, kitchen, and living spaces. You also must select default lighting options. 
• Built-Ins – Built-in shelving, cabinets, or desks are great options throughout your home. Consider a built-in tv space in the living area, a bar in the great room, or bookcases in an office. Tech rooms are also increasingly popular.

All these selections feature throughout your home, creating a sense of style and feel. Do your research about each element to come prepared when it’s time to make these crucial decisions.

Kitchen: The Heart of the Home

The kitchen is the centerpiece of your home. It is the place where you spend the most time, so it deserves a lot of time during the design. 

There are many individual decisions to make regarding your kitchen, but it is best to start with the inspiration for the entire kitchen. Find several kitchens you love; then, you can combine the best elements into a unique heart for your home. 

Here are the pieces that make up your kitchen:

• Kitchen Layout – Most kitchens now are L-shaped with a large island, but there are many layout options. 
• Appliances – Do you want wall ovens or a full range? Gas-top or induction range? Do you want a built-in refrigerator? There are also finishes to consider and specialty appliances, like ice makers or drink fridges. 
• Countertops and Backsplash – The look of your countertop matters, but so does the material. The backsplash, or wall tiling, in the kitchen, is also influential. 
• Custom Cabinets – You choose the finish and style of your cabinets for a custom kitchen, but you can also select custom cabinetry. Pull-out trash cabinets, spice drawers, and appliance garages are popular options.
• Sinks and Faucets – Kitchens usually have a central sink and faucet with many style options. Additionally, there are pot fillers and extra sinks to consider. 

Keep in mind that your kitchen is the most functional room in the house as well. Style choices matter, but a kitchen that functions properly for your needs matters more.

Personalize Your Bedrooms and Bathrooms

The primary suite is a great place to add touches just for you. Additional bedrooms and bathrooms are full of personalization opportunities. Keep your personal needs in mind when selecting these personal spaces. 

For bedrooms, consider the following:

• Storage – Decide on each bedroom’s closet size and functionality, considering built-in options like shelving units. 
• Personalized Features – Wall color, wallpaper, decorative shelving, window benches, and feature walls are great ways to personalize a bedroom.

Bathrooms are a bit more complicated. Selections are made for the following:

• Showers and Tubs – The master bath usually has a tile shower and free-standing or built-in tub, but there are many styles to choose from. Other bathrooms could have either option or a shower-tub combo. You may add specialized options like a steam shower, rain shower, or jetted tub.
• Bathroom Vanity – Consider how many sinks you need and cabinet and countertop style. 
• Tile – Bathrooms utilize tile for flooring, shower walls, and vanity backsplash. There are tile features to consider, like a shower alcove or heating under the floor.
• Sinks, Mirrors, and Lighting – These selections complete the look and style of your bathrooms.

The bedroom and bathroom selections finish off the central design choices for your home, but it’s time to consider the functional spaces.

A Functional Home

Your custom home includes many functional spaces, but the three most important places are your laundry room, pantry, and mudroom spaces. The size and functions of these spaces depend on your needs and the square footage of your home.

Regardless of how large or small these rooms are in your home, they each have unique options for you to choose from.

• Mudroom – The transition space between your garage and your home can become a dumping ground. Depending on the area available, you can include shoe shelves, coat hooks, or storage lockers. 
• Laundry Room – You need space for a washer and dryer here, but most homes add countertops for folding and storage cabinetry. You might add a basin sink, dog shower, or drying racks. 
• Pantry – Do you want cabinets or shelves in your pantry? Or a combination of the two? Many pantries also house special appliances like drink fridges, ice makers, or a microwave. 

These rooms are great places to add custom features to your home. 

Extras

Remember, you are planning your custom home. This is your opportunity to build a one-of-a-kind home to fulfill your unique needs. Consider what you want in your home during the planning process, even if you can’t find it elsewhere. 

You could consider extras like green construction features for an energy-efficient home through the big picture of your build. Consider adding a shop or a custom outdoor kitchen. A security system or an office with a special entrance for privacy while you work from home.

There are also small-scale special features, like a drinking fountain in your mudroom, hidden outlets, or heated tile floors. 

Write down your ideas during the planning process to get pricing from your builder before you start. 

Download Your Custom Home Design Checklist

There are so many decisions that need to be thought through when building a custom home. Having a checklist makes planning your build an easier and more enjoyable process. 

We want to make it easier. Download our easy custom home checklist here. 

Building custom can be one of the most exciting experiences of your life. With a little planning, you can get the dream home you always wanted. 

Good luck building the home of your dreams!