So you’ve embarked on the exciting journey of building a custom home.

Congrats! 

Along the way, there will be many decisions to make—design choices, layout options, upgrades to prioritize, and those to pass on. 

Sticking to your budget is an expected challenge, but it’s NOT an impossible feat.  

The secret? Spend your money on the things that add the MOST value to your home—both for when you live in it and when you’re ready to sell it. And SKIP the things that are either not worth their price tag or can be done more affordably on your own at a later date. 

With the expertise of a knowledgeable custom home builder—and an in-house design team—you can navigate the thousands of decisions and easily stay focused on your non-negotiables while ensuring your home stands the test of time. 

Here are a few insider secrets.

Choose Efficiency

One of the best places to allocate your dream home dollars is in energy performance. It will never stop giving you a return on your investment. And with today’s SMART features, you can dial in on this aspect of your budget.

Pay attention to the “building envelope”—or all areas that provide a barrier between the inside of your home and the external elements—in other words, doors, windows, attic, and insulation. By using energy-efficient materials, YOU keep heating and cooling costs under control.

Additionally, use the latest energy-efficient appliances and innovative home features. It all adds up to make your home more comfortable, valuable, and cost-effective.

Keep Your Maintenance Down

Anyone that owns a home knows that maintenance is an ongoing project. But there are certain choices during the building phase that will lead to MORE work efforts and some that will lead to LESS.

For example, a tile or metal roof will typically last the lifetime of your home with very little upkeep—if any. 

Compare this to a shingle roof which will need to be completely replaced in 15 years. Additionally, metal and tile roofs save on your yearly heating and electric costs. 

Wood floors never seem to go out of style, but if durability is an issue (especially with pets and kids), you could opt for wood-look tile or vinyl plank flooring—both great options which will give the warmth and texture of wood but with less maintenance and more resilience. 

Wood windows are beautiful but cost more and must be painted or stained periodically to maintain their looks and avoid damage from the elements. A great alternative, in regards to cost and maintenance, are vinyl windows. 

And a newer option, made of fiberglass and composite materials, is even more energy-efficient than vinyl. It requires less maintenance, can be painted, and is more affordable (prices fall between wood and vinyl.) 

An informed custom builder and design team will have a firm handle on all the pros and cons of each product available to you.

Let the Light In

When it comes to lighting, you can never have too much. This applies to natural lighting as well as lighting fixtures in your home. 

Lighting enhances the aesthetics of a home and is critical to accomplishing daily tasks, like cooking, reading, and putting on makeup. 

Don’t be afraid to layer light—one fixture probably can’t do everything. You might include an overhead, task & ambient light fixture to cover all your bases in a room. And adding dimmers is an inexpensive way to create mood and warmth in a room.

At Westmont…

We want to help you stretch your custom home dollars. Our entire team is ready to guide you toward LUXURY LIVING on a budget. We’ve helped hundreds of families—all with unique wishlists and needs—to make their dream homes a reality.

Give us a call, and let’s get YOUR conversation started.