Where to Save & Where to Splurge: Custom Home Building

Building a custom home is exciting because you get to make so many decisions from the ground up. But with that freedom comes a challenge: where should you spend more, and where can you save without sacrificing the quality of your home?

The key is to think beyond the price tag and consider how you’ll use the home and what you might want to change in a few years.

Where to Splurge

1. The Floor Plan and Layout

This is one area where you might not want to cut corners.

You can replace countertops, paint walls and change light fixtures. You can’t easily change the fundamental layout of your home once it is built. Spend time getting the floor plan right. Think about how your family actually lives. Do you need a larger pantry? A dedicated home office? More storage near the garage? A laundry room closer to the bedrooms?

A well-designed floor plan can make a home feel far more luxurious than a home with a poorly planned layout.

2. Windows and Exterior Doors

Quality windows and exterior doors are worth the investment! Most people don’t regret splurging on their windows.

They affect energy efficiency, comfort, natural light, noise and the overall appearance of your home. They're also difficult and a bit disruptive to your home and routine to upgrade later. This doesn't mean you need the most expensive windows available. Instead, prioritize products that offer the performance, durability and appearance that make sense for your climate and your home design.

3. Insulation and Energy Efficiency

The things you don't see can be some of the smartest places to spend your money.

Good insulation, proper air sealing, quality HVAC design and energy-efficient systems can make your home more comfortable and potentially reduce ongoing utility costs. These aren't necessarily the most exciting selections during the building process, but they're investments you'll experience every day and you’ll be glad you made careful decisions about this aspect of your home.

4. Kitchen Cabinetry and Hardware

If you're going to splurge anywhere in the kitchen, consider investing in high quality cabinetry.

Cabinets take up a significant amount of visual space and get used constantly. Look for quality construction, durable finishes and an interior configuration that works for the way you cook and store appliances and cookware. Also, think about the placement of the cabinetry in relation to how you cook or clean in the kitchen!

5. Plumbing Fixtures You'll Use Every Day

There's a big difference between spending more on a fixture you interact with multiple times a day and spending more on something purely decorative.

Kitchen faucets, shower fixtures, toilets and other frequently used plumbing products are worth checking out the “top of the line”. Focus on reliability, convenience, warranties, replacement parts and ease of use and maintenance. Many of these fixtures have new modernized features and abilities that can truly change your life.

Where to Save

1. Trendy Finishes

One of the easiest ways to overspend is chasing the latest design trend that is likely very trendy for just a short time.

A finish that looks fantastic today may feel dated in five years. Instead of putting your entire budget into overpriced trendy tile, hardware or countertops, create a timeless foundation and bring personality in through items that are easier to replace. Paint, decorative lighting, mirrors, cabinet hardware and furnishings can all change the personality of a room without requiring a full renovation.

2. Light Fixtures

Lighting is important, but you don't have to buy the most expensive fixture for every room.

Splurge on statement pieces where they have a major visual impact, like over the dining table or in the foyer, and save on secondary fixtures. In many cases, thoughtfully selected, reasonably priced fixtures can deliver the same visual impact as much more expensive options.

3. Flooring in Low-Traffic Areas

Not every room needs the same flooring investment.

Consider putting your flooring budget toward the spaces that receive the most traffic and wear. Bedrooms, guest rooms and other lower-traffic areas may offer opportunities to choose a slightly more budget-friendly product, but still quality you’ll enjoy in the more private spaces.

The goal isn't to choose the cheapest flooring. It's to spend where durability and appearance matter most, but go above and beyond in the high traffic zones.

4. Technology That May Become Outdated

It's tempting to load a new custom home with every smart-home feature available. But technology changes quickly. So, add the smart home features you want the most or feel confident will still be used in a couple years.

Invest in the infrastructure that makes future upgrades easier…such as appropriate electrical planning, wiring and convenient power locations, rather than spending heavily on the wild trendy gadgets that could be obsolete in a few years.

The Biggest Rules:

Spend on what is hard to change. Think about what is hard to change and what would be easier to change in a few years.

And, build for the way you live.

The best custom home isn't necessarily the one with the most expensive finishes. It's the one where the budget is aligned with the homeowner's priorities.