Are you one of the many homebuyers driving around to numerous listings only to be disappointed that none of them ticked off the “must have” list of essentials? Perhaps, you are simply looking for a home that will express your individual style.

Buying a new house is a highly emotional decision but it is best to conduct your research and find out exactly what and where you want to buy.

Working with a custom home builder, like Cogdill Builders Florida, is a wise decision for those who do not want a cookie cutter home and would prefer to install their own design features without the remodel process. Custom builders’ years of experience can help you with these features while balancing your desire of a large walk in closets and garden tub and still meet budget requirements.

Of course, custom building is not for everyone. Just like any other project, it comes with pros and cons including expenses, time, and stress.

Expense

A problem many custom home builders fall into is that they go ahead and buy their dream home and then find out they cannot afford it. Unfortunately, whenever you have anything custom made it will always be more expensive than buying an off the shelf model. The same holds true in this situation.

Building a custom home has higher upfront costs compared to purchasing an already built home. Home buyers are responsible for permits, soil testing and other inspections which cost thousands of dollars without the blueprints.  Appraisals alone can cost $1000.

American Financial Resources suggests it is a good rule of thumb for anyone considering a custom build is to have an emergency fund plus ten percent more than the builder quotes. Planning and allocating funds ahead of time is a must since you may have to cover two loans, one for interim financing which covers the home while it is being built, and the second being your standard mortgage. Sadly,few banks will be willing to provide loans for construction.

If expense becomes a concern, consider a production home. Typically, they are able to offer several design styles and layouts for smaller homes, townhouses, and condos and may be more flexible in accommodating the budget.

Time

If time is an issue the custom route is definitely not for you. Naturally, construction takes time and building a custom home will take longer. Move in dates can be delayed by up to 18 months due to permits and material acquisitions.

Custom building also sucks up lot of time planning and making decisions, from insulation and fixtures to flooring and switch plates. Not only are you deciding on the layout and number of rooms but a decision must be made on every component. Sometimes couples don’t always agree since there are no standard options to choose from which could extend the timeline a little longer.

The upside is that you know exactly what you get and pay for in this process.

Stress

There is going to be some level of stress associated with every building project but especially for a custom build. As if the stress of finances, loans, permits, and time delays weren’t enough you are also picking out doorknobs, paint colors, and every other feature of the home with nothing to compare it to. Buyers are forced to trust their builder which might be the biggest source of stress and worry.

Finding the right builder, reviewing references, and seeing their work in person will help alleviate some negative thoughts and remove a portion of the burden. Doing your homework and going the extra mile can go a long way in the custom build process.

Custom home building may seem like the perfect solution to your current housing needs.  The pros and cons of expenses, time, and stress should be considered in addition to how long you intend to live in your custom home. The values of custom homes depreciate swifter than traditional homes.

Keep in mind that the custom moldings and top-of-the-line features may not be what a future buyer is looking for. The custom paint job you have done throughout the house may need to be repainted a more neutral color prior to resale. Built-ins, oversized rooms and color schemes are can impact how quickly your custom home may sell.

The decision to custom build is a huge undertaking but ultimately up to the individual. Carefully plan and map out the pros and cons as well as having in-depth talks with your contractor before making your final decision.