Choose a floor plan that suits your lifestyle
When you build you get the chance to start from scratch, and its important to consider what kind of home you want to support your lifestyle. Large families with older children may want more space and privacy between the bedrooms, or dedicated rumpus rooms so that adults and kids can have their own living spaces. Assess the floor plan of your current house and think: if you had the chance, what would you do differently? Having a house designed to your needs is essential to its enjoyment.
Entertainment or privacy
Many modern homes employ an open plan format designed with entertaining in mind, but this might not be for everyone. Think about the type of family you are and what purpose you want a home to serve – if you’d rather a house that is cosy and private, open plan living might not be for you. If you’re wanting somewhere light and spacious, think about how you can open up larger areas of the house.
Single story or multi-story?
Both single and multi-story homes have their benefits and drawbacks, and it’s good to consider what is practical for your lifestyle. If you have a large family then you might value having distinct spaces for everyone, with Mum and Dad upstairs and the kids down below. Equally, you might not want to build up and prefer to have your house on one level for accessibility reasons – just make sure that whatever you do, the house will work for you.
Accessibility needs
This is an important consideration if you have a live-in family member that needs extra space or the ability to move around easily, or if you can see your needs changing in coming years as you age. Remember that renovations are expensive, and it’s not always possible to get what you want later on, so choose wisely when thinking about the space you need.
Outdoor living
Australians love their outdoor space, but it can sometimes be more effort than it’s worth. Think carefully about the needs of your family: whether you need a big yard or just want it, if you enjoy dining and relaxing outside or if it will just be wasted space. The outside of a house is just as important as the inside, and it pays to think about the role it will play in your enjoyment of a home.
Does the design suit the land?
Your land will dictate a lot about your build, so you should always assess what is possible on your block. A sprawling single level house simply won’t work on a steep, narrow section, just as a south facing house won’t ever see the sun in winter. As well as thinking of your own needs, ask yourself if the design of your house will affect any neighbours or the surrounding environment, and whether there are any covenants or restrictions on design and style in your area.
Resale Value
This will depend on your long-term plans for the home, but for most families there will come a time at some point to sell. The eventual value of your house will depend on a lot of factors, but generally it will come down to number of bedrooms and bathrooms, number of car spaces, usable backyard/recreational areas, and the style of your home. Much as you may like it, it might not be the best long-term strategy only building a house according to your tastes.