Every homeowner should consider what they want in their dream home. Even if you aren’t going to follow through on your entire vision, it helps you focus on priorities and understand what you want out of your home. Who knows, maybe your dream home is actually a little bit closer than you think?

In this month’s blog post, we’ll go over how to make your dream home a reality. We’ll talk about things to consider, how to prioritize, and how to get started, once you’ve decided to take the plunge.

Decide What You Want in a Home

While you likely have a vision of your perfect home, it’s good to take a step back and seriously consider what you really want in your dream home. While you may have tons of ideas in your head, are those ideas realistic?

Consider….

• What you value in a home?
• What home features do you want- and which do you need?
• What don’t you like about your current home?
• Do you see any future needs that aren’t in your current home?
• Is there anything you can compromise on?
• Are there any “must-have” items?

Remember, your home is your most important investment. You want to make sure you’ll like it in the long run and that it will serve you for years to come.

Decide on a Budget

We always recommend setting a budget early in the process. This provides a realistic expectation as you enter subsequent steps of the architectural design process. It’s not fun to fall in love with a layout or feature just to realize it’s financially out of reach.

It’s also important to remember a poorly built remodel is not one that you’ll be happy with long-term. Use your budget to work on one room well rather than an entire home poorly. You can always build your dream home over multiple projects.

To get an idea of what your specific remodel will cost, take a look at Remodeling Magazine’s 2018 Cost Vs Value Report.

Consider Your Lifestyle (Now and in the Future)

When you think of your dream home, you are likely thinking of yourself living your best life. Your dream home should be one that allows you to function at your best within the realities of your life.

Consider:

• Location: Is it near where you work and have daily responsibilities?
• Children and Pets: Is your house designed in a way to accommodate them?
• Hobbies: Do you have a place where you can find personal fulfillment?
• Maintenance: Is your house set up so you can take care of it at the level it needs
• Parents and Children: Will either be moving back home?

Also, consider what your needs will be in 5, 10, and 20 years. Does this remodel fit in with what your lifestyle will be then? While you can never know exactly how you’ll be living down the line, if you intend to live in your dream house for a long time, the future, and your future needs, must be considered.

Evaluate What You Have

Once you have decided on your priorities, budget, and considered your lifestyle, the next step is deciding where you’d like to implement your dream home. All of these aspects will lead you to your answer.

No matter the direction you go, you’ll need a top Boston architectural design firm to build a dream house that will last, and you’ll love, for generations.

Give us a call today at (617) 708-0676 or contact us online to schedule your free design consultation.

A Whole Home Remodel

Whole home remodels are a great way to leverage your existing home’s bones and desirable features into the perfect home.
With whole home remodels you are still able to:

• Change the architectural design and layout and of your home’s interior
• Upgrade flooring
• Add modern features and appliances throughout your home

Changing the layout of your home through better architectural design can increase the usable space in your home significantly, dramatically changing the look, feel, and functionality of your home.

Another option between a custom home and a whole home remodel is buying a new house with the intention of conducting a whole home remodel. This allows you to not have to build an entire new house, but also choose the exterior and location of your perfect home.

Specific Room Remodel

Not everyone’s dream home is that far off. Maybe after evaluating your current situation you’ve realized you are already incredibly close to the home you’ve always wanted. Remodels in your bathroom, bedroom, or kitchen can make all the difference if the rest of your home is already the way you love it.

If budget is a concern, you can also incrementally remodel different rooms, with the goal of a completely remodeled end product. This is a better option than trying to fit a whole home remodel into your budget; nobody’s dream home is one that is poorly built.

Do You Need a Home Addition?

Whether you are remodeling the rest of your home or not, maybe an additional room is the solution. Maybe you need an additional bedroom for the family? Or an office to work in when working from home?

Some home additions we’ve worked on include:

• Master suite
• Bedrooms
• Home offices
• Bedrooms
• Family rooms

It’s important to remember with home additions that they must look seamlessly built and as if they were built with the main structure. Nothing will ruin the aesthetic of a beautifully built home quite like a home addition that looks like a room that was just tacked on.

This makes the architectural design of the home addition key to ensure your home looks as beautiful and cohesive as it did prior to the addition.

Hire an Architectural Design Firm That Can Deliver

No matter the route that you go with your Boston remodel or home addition, you need an architectural design firm that can crystallize your dreams into the home you’ve always wanted.

Make sure any firm you hire will listen to your goals, concerns about lifestyle, and how you plan to use this space. Make sure they also:

• Complete a complimentary design consultation home des inspection
• Listen to your goals, concerns, and plan for the space
• Develop a design that works for you and your family
• Collaborate with you on material selection
• Establish the cost and present an itemized budget prior to construction
• Provide clear communication throughout the process
• Offer a comprehensive warranty on your project

At New England Design & Construction, we specialize in concept to completion remodeling by mobilizing architecture, design, and construction professionals to provide quality home remodels in the Boston area.

Want to see what New England Design & Construction can do for your home? Give us a call today at (617) 708-0676 or contact us online to see how we can make your dream a reality.