Building a New Home - The Pros and Cons of a Ground Up Build

This year has us completing two brand new homes from the ground up.  While they are very different projects - a custom lake home and a semi-custom row home - both properties offer a glimpse into the pros and cons of new construction. Adding these two homes to our repertoire of new construction interior design experience and we’re sharing our insights into best practices.

Pros - 

Theoretically, building a home from start to finish should net you the best opportunity for true customization.  Beginning with the architect, spaces can be thoughtfully designed to accommodate your requirements.  Focus on the site placement can prioritize daylight, privacy and the seasons.  Square footage can be optimized - with the appropriate amount of storage, sleeping space, common and working spaces all scaled to your specific usage.  From accommodating hobbies and future planning for aging in place, to space for Costco overflow, a new build can factor in all the various elements with careful planning.

A second benefit to new construction is the opportunity to utilize modern technology.  Automated window treatments, smart home features, sound and light systems, and security can all be addressed with the most up to date bells and whistles without any retrofitting required.

Along with modern technology, the most current amenities can be incorporated seamlessly into ground up construction.  Automatic hot water taps, filtered and touch-less faucets, steam showers and towel warmers, efficient HVAC systems, radiant floor heat, soft close doors and cabinetry, a kitchen with an efficient layout and appliances and indoor/outdoor flex spaces are all upgrades some of our recent clients have requested.  

Finally and perhaps most importantly - the aesthetics of your new home are largely up to you.  If a homeowner’s association is not a factor, the options are almost endless, limited only by site restrictions.  This is the opportunity to create the look and feel you desire without being held back by existing architecture to consider.  

Cons - (File Under: Why you should hire the best GC and and Designer you can afford!)

Similar to renovation projects, at the end of the day you are at the mercy of your build team.  If you choose wisely, though there may be unavoidable setbacks (weather, permit delays, etc.), a good construction and design team will have synergy to keep your project on track and should seamlessly manage the inevitable issues.  Your team has a powerful influence on how enjoyable the new construction process will be.

Along with all of the benefits of endless customization often comes stress and overwhelm at allocating the overall budget to all the options and prioritizing what features you will get the most satisfaction from.  Having a firm “must have” and “nice to have" list can help mitigate this, along with having a competent design firm to help guide and bring experience to the table.  Budget creep is very common (somewhat unavoidable so have a decent contingency), and a good understanding of what your build contract includes as well as allowances is also important.

Lastly — of course, we want you to avoid “new build syndrome.”  Full disclosure - this is my own term — basically I just want you to have the budget to build something that doesn’t feel generic or cheap.  For new construction to feel authentic and welcoming, a fair amount of attention (and budget) must be paid to interior architectural details - millwork, upgraded cabinetry, lighting and finishes, fireplaces, windows, and the palette of materials.  With the right attention to these elements, you can access the benefit of a quality new space minus the basic vibe.

To see more interior design ideas for new build homes, check out the homes our team has helped with over the years: