Ways to Stick to Your Budget When Building a New Home
If you’ve made a decision to build instead of buying a home, that’s a great start. Unfortunately, the real work starts when you sit down with your builder to choose a plan, finishes, and overall budget. Of course, the things that make sense on paper don’t always work when it’s time to break ground. Sudden changes and fluctuations in the construction industry, unplanned setbacks, and price fluctuations can all derail even the most thought-through budget. Although many people often assume it’s impossible to stay on budget, here are some proven ways to stick to your budget when building a new home.
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Have a Detailed Plan
Many building processes often begin before many decisions regarding the design or interior finishes have been completed. Without a clear plan with blueprints, work schedule, and all the materials required, you’ll find yourself adjusting so much on the fly, which could easily derail your budget. Always put down a solid plan you can commit to so you can keep your budget on track from day one.
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Track Your Spending
Always keep your eye on your budget during every phase of your home building by tracking all expenditures and flagging any overruns as early as possible. Consider mapping out your expenses on a monthly basis and noting everything down to help you keep the project organized and on track.
Depending on the size of your project, you can use a notebook or paper planner to keep track of all purchases and costs without spending a fortune. Alternatively, you can download expense-tracking software on your mobile phone, tablet, or desktop computer. You can then upload invoices, receipts, and other essential spending there.
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Establish Non-Negotiables
The key to establishing a plan you can stick to is to establish your priorities in terms of style, function, and finishing materials. You need to work with your builder to agree on what aspects of the building you could skimp on when the need arises to accommodate non-negotiable categories. For instance, you may want to skip finishing your basement and keep it for the future and instead focus on more outstanding features like siding and gutter system. Or, you may want to opt for quality laminate or wood-look tile for your flooring, rather than genuine wood in order to cut costs. You may even choose granite countertops rather than marble for your countertops to save even more on spending.
Always hire professional architects, plumbers, electricians, etc., who respect your vision and prioritize your non-negotiables. More often, professionals can work within your budget and will offer you options for cost savings. Work with a reputable building contractor with a solid track record on completing homes of comparable design and budget. With experience in project management, professional builders can help you stay on budget without compromising quality.
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Set a Realistic Budget for the Cost of Each Stage
Your final plan should include a breakdown of each stage of the building and line-item costs within each stage. Make things as close as you can get to the last penny. Find the most updated data and material and labor prices based on your location. A good way to do that is to evaluate competing bids, ask around about recent nearby new home buildings, and talk to designers and tradespeople who know real-life costs.
The more you dive into the nitty-gritty of selecting finishes before you start new home construction, the less likely you’ll run into budget overruns. Interior finishes often take the biggest chunk out of the total building budget. So, it’s important to plan for every penny down to your bathroom tile and kitchen faucets. To avoid budget-busting surprises, choose your finishes ahead of time and identify where you can tighten your budget or where you can splurge.
Reliable Custom Home Builders in Amarillo, TX Area!
Whether you are looking to build your first home or are ready to purchase the custom home of your dreams, you can trust Experience Homes to make it happen. Our new construction homes offer exceptional energy efficiency, quality craftsmanship, and a home that is uniquely yours! Contact us today to learn about our home trade-in program in Amarillo, TX!
You have made lists, budgets, and spreadsheets and finally settled on the perfect house plan. Your finances are also ready, you have done your due diligence and settled on your builder of choice, and now you are set to start your home building journey.
Be sure to ask the following questions before you commit:
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What Financing Plans Do You Offer?
Today, many financing options are available to homeowners who wish to design and build their dream homes. At Experience Homes, we can help you find flexible financing for your project. We can also help pay your closing costs in some instances to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. We also work with a preferred lender to help resolve credit issues.
Additionally, we offer a home trade-in program where you can swap your old home with a brand new construction one. Our home trade-in options mean we will buy your old home in exchange for a new custom-built one. So you can select your dream home, help design it, and see it take shape. Then, once construction is complete, we will buy your current home.
The program is hassle-free and has no pressure, hidden fees, or realtors. What’s more, we can offer you up to 90% for your old home and save you the hassle of selling, putting your house on the market, multiple showings, and moving twice.
Will I be Actively Involved in the Design Process?
When building your dream home, you deserve a say every step of the way. At Experience Homes, we build long-lasting homes using the latest technology. But all our homes are built to suit the client’s personal needs and wants. We also offer customizable floor plans and can accommodate more upon request.
Additionally, we offer a broad selection of styles, designs, and finishes, including brick color, roof color, window color, exterior trim color, flooring type and color, hardware lighting, plumbing fixture color, and kitchen backsplash, among others.
Can I See Recent Projects You Have Completed and Meet the Owners?
A solid, reputable builder like Experience Homes with satisfied clients will not hesitate to provide a list of past customers. Past customers will tell you their home building experience with the builder and whether they were organized, pleasant to work with, and professional. Ask if they finished their project to their expectations, on time, and within budget. Also, look at the projects and homes to see if they appeal to your taste.
How Often Will I Receive Updates of the Budget and Schedule
Time and money are invaluable commodities during construction. However, a common complaint from homebuyers is they are frequently unsure of how much money they have left, how much the project needs for completion, and how much longer it will take. Timely updates allow you to make informed ongoing decisions on materials and finishes.
What Happens If a Problem Arises?
Home-building is a complex process, and issues often arise throughout the project duration. Ask how the builder guarantees their work, how they handle setbacks, and whether they offer a building maintenance period to fix any problems.
Work With the Best Amarillo Home Builders
Experience Homes is a top Amarillo home builder specializing in custom homes and innovative home-ownership solutions in Texas. We’ve got your back when you’re ready to buy your first home or build one of your dreams.
We build custom dream homes designed to your family’s needs and wants – down to the last detail. With over a decade of building custom homes, we give our clients a smooth and stress-free home building experience from start to finish. Additionally, we can help you finance your new home with our many available financing options. Contact us today.
Top 5 Design Trends for 2022
Home designs change with time. Currently, people prefer home designs that portray their personalities and tastes.
The Covid-19 pandemic changed the working environment from offices to homes. As a result, homeowners had to adjust their home space to accommodate them while they worked. It will contribute to many people changing their home’s design in 2022.
If looking for an ideal trending design for your home that will meet all your needs, continue reading this article. You will have insight into the best design trends you can choose for your home. They include the following;
- Colors and Paint Colors
One of the main ways homeowners are changing the look of their homes is by applying a coat of quality paint and different colors. Designers in 2022 will make homes look calm by painting calming colors, such as neutrals or green.
Muddled jewel and brown-toned grays will continue being used in 2022 design trends because of their quiet inspiration and calmness. That’s why they suit rooms such as a home library, study room, bedrooms, and sitting rooms.
You will also find them in other areas requiring your resting states, such as the kitchen, entry halls, and breakfast rooms.
Creamy whites offer comfort in the bedrooms or living rooms.
Terracotta is also a trending color. Designers love the beautiful, alluring dirt color that calms. Ideal places to paint them are areas most people visit, such as kitchens and libraries.
- Interior Design
Another design trend to see in 2022 is the biophilic designs. Designers will bring the outside into the interior space using natural colors, materials, and plants. Currently, they are the critical consideration and are expected to rock in 2022.
Also, a good number of home designs consist of a home office. It used to be a luxury for most people before the pandemic, but it’s now a necessity. You are likely to see many homes with home offices in 2022.
Such designs will integrate biophilic designs to bring the feeling and ambiance of nature to the interior as people spend time indoors amid a lingering pandemic.
- Curved Design
In the past, architecture and furniture designs used geometrical and angular shapes. But recent design trends have replaced them with curved lines, which are softer and wavier. That’s why you’ll see much of curved designs in 2022.
Most furniture collections like coaches and tables will consist of curved or round lines, while certain rooms will have curved walls. The curved design looks classy and pleasing to the eyes. They are also more calming and intriguing than the straight or sharp-angled walls or furniture.
- Fixtures
Home fixtures attribute to the look of a home. They also have their functions in each space.
Designers today are considering up-to-date fixtures with multiple functions. They are also looking at their durability and cost.
The 2022 design trends will feature unique, elegant fixtures that blend well with the interior décor. You will also see a mix of traditional and modern fixtures for those who love the old touch in their homes.
- Décor
Currently, most people are conscious of their environment and appreciate what it offers. We will see more nature inspired wallpapers and surfaces with exotic fauna and flora.
Some designers in 2022 will use décor that releases no or little carbon into the air to safeguard the environment. Additionally,
Conclusion
Design trends for 2022 are many. The list discussed above is part of the long list.
Make your living space favorable for your stay by establishing your statement through any of the above design trends. It will make your home more comfortable and relaxing. There’s nowhere else you’ll want to be in 2022 other than in your home if it accommodates your taste and personality! If you’re looking to build a gorgeous home with professionals who know design and take the time to get to know your specific tastes and desires, contact us at Experience Homes today!
Better than “Quality”
Quality (noun) – 1. The standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the degree of excellence of something.
If “quality” could be measured in the amount of time it takes to achieve something, then it would be easy to say that ours is “good.” If “quality” was measured in the amount of communication we keep to ensure everything was going to plan, then it would be easy to say that ours is “great.” If “quality” was determined in the ability to create timelessly beautiful designs, then it would be easy to say that ours is “excellent.” But there’s more to great “quality” than what the eye can see. So what makes us, our homes, and our service better than just “quality?”
It’s All In The Details
At Experience Homes, we don’t just want to build exceptional homes. We want to exceed the understanding of what it means to be “exceptional,” and take what we offer to a whole other level. It’s not just about the materials we use, sure, that’s part of it – only choosing the best-made, best-grade, highest-quality products to construct our time-tested, Texas-tough homes. But it’s about the meticulous, almost pain-staking process we take to pinpoint every detail, every nook and cranny, of every home.
From the paint colors, flooring, and high-end finishes, to the smallest of details, we don’t want one part of your home to go unnoticed, looked over, or untouched. Every aspect of what we build must be purposeful and well-thought-out, specifically with your individual needs and desires in mind. It’s easy to be cookie-cutter, but it’s better to take the time to do it right, build it tough, and make it meaningful.
Come for the Experience
When you choose us to custom-build your forever home, you get our professional and passionate team to take every step of the process and turn it into an experience that will leave you feeling truly at home and at peace. That’s why we chose the name “Experience Homes” for our business, because the “experience” doesn’t just end when the house is built and finished, it should continue for years to come.
Our customer service goes deeper than simply checking off your list of wants and needs in a home. We want you to fall in LOVE with what we create for you, over and over again, every time you step through the door – so we’re just as equally as passionate about the outcome. It’s the feeling you get, and the beautiful memories associated with your home that we’re working toward – if “forever” could be a feeling, that’s our goal. If you’re in the Amarillo, TX area, and are ready to walk through the door of your “forever,” let us be partners in creating your perfect dream home. Perfectly you and perfectly built – that’s what “quality” means to us. Give us a call at 806-318-8686 or contact us today!
Wood, laminate, tile, carpet, even stained concrete. With a market filled with so many different types of flooring, choosing the right flooring for your home can be overwhelming. In addition to aesthetics, there are numerous other considerations such as cost, durability, lighting, and who will be living there.
HARDWOOD
Hardwood flooring is extremely popular due to its durability, warm feel, classic look, and the many different choices available. While traditional oak is still in high demand, there are lots of other interesting choices such as Tasmanian oak and Brazilian cherry. It’s also available in walnut, hickory, and maple. Hardwood flooring averages approximately $5 per square foot. It cannot be exposed to high humidity, however, because its susceptible to swelling that causes depressions in the board’s center.
LAMINATE
A popular cost-effective choice is laminate flooring. Today’s choices achieve the look of tile or natural hardwood, and there are numerous styles and colors to choose from. Some of the most popular hardwood styles include:
- Water-Resistant
- Stain-Resistant
- Embossed
- Distressed Wood-Look
- Rustic Wood-Look
Colors range from whitewashed to gray to light and dark wood.
The latest pattern trends include herringbone and chevron patterns, which look absolutely stunning in entranceways and long hallways. Wide plank laminate remains a popular style choice as well.
Tile-look laminate flooring comes in numerous water-resistant styles that mimic the look of marble and stone in a range of colors and patterns.
The average cost of laminate flooring ranges from $2 to $6 per square foot.
TILE
Tile comes in many varieties and price points ranging from $1 to $20 per square foot including:
- Porcelain
- Ceramic
- Marble
- Granite
- Natural Stone
- Slate
- Terra Cotta
- Travertine
Porcelain, while cost-effective, is also beautiful and low maintenance. If glazed, it can even stand up to high traffic. Marble, while stunning, is your most expensive choice, and due to its porous nature, it requires periodic resealing.
Many homeowners stay within the $2 to $4 per square foot price range by choosing glazed ceramic tile.
CARPET
Carpet is a comfortable choice that keeps your rooms warm and helps absorb sound. It is the most cost-effective flooring option averaging $2.50 per square foot. It has a number of drawbacks, however:
- It is more difficult to clean than other types of flooring.
- It is not pet friendly, because it stains easily and retains odors.
- It also retains moisture leading to mold buildup.
- It holds allergens, including dust, that can be dangerous for people with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory illnesses.
- It attracts dust mites and other pests.
STAINED CONCRETE
If you are planning on selling your home, stained concrete is an excellent choice. It’s an extremely versatile option, because it can be stained to look like virtually any type of flooring your imagination can dream up. Far and away, it is the most durable choice and practically maintenance-free. The average cost per square foot falls between $7 and $15 per square foot. More elaborate designs can run as high as $25 per square foot.
Experience Homes lives up to its name as experienced home builders and experts in helping you choose the best flooring options for your home. We will install a variety of flooring types in your home to help you make it your own. We are also innovative, creating interesting patterns to help you create a more attractive look.
We also offer the unique option of our Home Trade-In Program so that you can make your dream home a reality. You can trade-in your old home for a brand new construction home. We help you get financing, and you won’t have the pressure of two mortgages. There are also no realtors fees, no house showings, and no pressure to be out of your trade-in by a certain time.
Contact the experts at Experience Homes in Amarillo, TX today.
