It’s no secret that the housing market has been on a downturn for a while now. In some areas, this means new home construction is booming. Maryland is one of those places. Whether you’re looking to buy or build your first house or upgrade to something newer and better, now might be the perfect time to do so.
What to Consider Before Building a New Home
Before you break ground on your new home, it’s important to take a few things into consideration. How much can you afford to spend? What kind of house do you want? What area do you want to live in? Do you need room for a growing family?
Your budget is going to be one of the most important factors in your decision-making process. You don’t want to build a home that’s too expensive for you to maintain, and you also don’t want to skimp on features that are important to you.
Another thing to keep in mind is the type of house you want. If you have a family, you might need more space than someone who is single or retired. Do you want to live in the city or the suburbs? The type of house you build will largely depend on your answer to that question.
Finally, you’ll need to think about where you want to live. Maryland has a wide variety of neighborhoods and areas to choose from, each with its own unique set of benefits and drawbacks. You don’t want to build a home in an area that you’re not going to be happy with long-term.
The Benefits of New Home Construction
There are a number of benefits to building a new home. Perhaps the most obvious one is that you get to design the house exactly the way you want it. You can choose your floor plan, your finishes, and even your landscaping.
Another big benefit is that new homes tend to be more energy efficient than older ones. They have better insulation and more up-to-date appliances, which means you’ll save money on your monthly energy bills.
Additionally, many new homes come with warranties on the appliances and construction materials. This means that if anything goes wrong during the first few years of ownership, you don’t have to pay for it out of pocket.
Finally, when you build a new home, you’re increasing the value of your property. If you ever decide to sell, you’ll be able to ask for a higher price than if you were selling an older home.
The Process of Building a New Home
It may be a difficult task to build a home from scratch, but it’s also a very rewarding one. Here’s a general overview of the process:
- Come up with a design for your new home.
- Get approval from the city or town where you want to build.
- Have the foundation and framing installed.
- Install the roof, windows, and doors.
- Finish the interior and exterior of the house.
- Move in!
Of course, this is just a general overview – each project will be different depending on the situation and the specific needs and requirements of the homeowner. For instance, if the site is on a sloping block, the building techniques required for the foundation and framing will be different than if the block was level.
Costs Associated With Building a New Home
Building a new home can be expensive, but there are ways to keep the costs down. Here are some of the main expenses you’ll need to budget for:
- The land
- The home itself
- Permits and approvals from the city or town
- Construction materials and labor
- Landscaping and exterior finishes
- Interior finishes and appliances
- Homeowner’s insurance
- Property taxes
- Maintenance and repair costs over the years
It’s important to remember that these costs can vary widely depending on your location and the type of house you build. For example, the cost of land in a rural area will be much lower than the cost of land in a city.
Taking the Plunge
If you’re thinking of building a new home in Maryland or Washington DC, it can be helpful to work with a contractor who specializes in custom home construction like Winthorpe Design & Build. With our nearly 30 years of experience in the industry, we will work with you through the entire process, from design to completion. We will also be able to give you advice on what materials and finishes are best for your budget.
We understand that building a new home can be a big investment of not just money, but of time and effort as well, and we want to make sure that you’re happy with the final product. Get in touch with us through our new process and our team of experienced builders will make sure your home is constructed to the highest standards.