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Designing and building a custom home provides an opportunity to include must-have features while eliminating those that merely take up space. It’s essential to settle on a good building plan and layout before construction begins since making changes midway through the project can be expensive or even impossible. Here is what to consider to get the layout right.

Think About How The House is Lived In
A formal living room is a benefit for those who entertain often but could be wasted space for those who don’t. Those who love to cook might want a large and luxurious kitchen, while others may just want to stick to the basics. Outdoor living spaces are also more important to some than others.

Those who wish to age in place may benefit from a ranch style home, for instance. But a two-story can offer better views and give large families more privacy. Give serious thought to how the home’s residents will use the space and choose a plan that realistically fits an individual’s lifestyle choices. A house needs to function as well as look good.

Think About Where The Home Is
The location of a house may affect the elected floor plan and layout. Carefully examine the land where the home will sit and take note of what it offers. Choose a floor plan that takes advantage of beautiful views, natural breezes, and shade trees. Consider the neighbors, as well. They may not take kindly to a new home positioned in a way that blocks their view or removes an old shade tree.

Think About Budget
Figure out the budget before thumbing through catalogs and combing the internet for building plans and ideas. This reduces the risk of falling in love with a design only to realize it’s out of reach. The budget will affect what the builder can achieve, so its best to keep it close at hand when planning the home.

Think About an Architect
Working with an architect is an excellent way to get the most out of a custom layout. Architects have experience at listening to people’s dream home features and then turning as many of them as possible into reality. An architect can create a personalized plan from scratch or modify a generic one to suit a particular homeowner better. Architects also understand the granular details of what’s physically and structurally possible along with local building codes.