When it comes to building your dream home, you want to get all the “must have” features and beauty. You also want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your investment. Sometimes, that’s as simple as knowing which features to splurge on and which to keep economical. Let’s take a look at a few key areas worth investing in as you build your new home.
Where should I make premium investments?
- Insulation
Insulation will not only impact how comfortable your home is, but how much you spend on utilities every month of every year. Remember, summer heat and humidity in Eastern North Carolina is no joke.
It is difficult to add insulation in the future if you need to, but it’s recommended and most cost effective to do so when building. Investing in high-quality insulation during your build will save you money for years. Ask us about the different types of insulation available for your build.
- Foundation
Anything that is considered permanent, or essentially permanent, merits a good investment. An experienced foundation contractor who uses quality materials is essential. Choose a slab foundation instead of a crawlspace or basement, but don’t skimp on quality materials or workmanship. Any of these can be good options if you use quality materials and contractors. A monolithic slab tends to be more cost effective than a raised foundation, or crawl. However, since you cannot raise your house after pouring the foundation really consider the investment at the beginning of your home build because it cannot be changed later.
- Framing
A highly qualified framing contractor will save you in time, frustration, waste materials and repairs down the road. If you can, consider 2×6 exterior walls instead of 2×4. This makes walls thicker, allowing more space for more insulation against weather and noise.
Where should I skip the splurge?
- Appliances
Don’t panic! Of course, you want great quality appliances. But unless you’re a gourmet chef, you probably don’t need to invest in professional grade ovens and a blast chiller.
- Countertops and backsplash
These are important to the aesthetic of your new kitchen. But keep in mind, they are cosmetic. You can always change out a countertop or backsplash if styles change or you want a makeover in the future.
- Paint Variations
Painters often charge based on the number of colors used throughout your house. Stick with one color for the majority of the home, using accent walls or varying colors sparingly at first. Keep in mind, walls will be painted again over the years. You can always add more color later to save a little expense now.