It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of building your custom home in Cincinnati. After all, you’ve probably waited years – maybe decades – for your dream to finally come to fruition. But while you’re imagining how great it will feel to walk through the front door of your new home for the first time, don’t forget about the building process and the tasks that need to be completed beforehand. 

From not hiring a team of experts to choosing the wrong materials, here’s a list of common mistakes many home buyers make when building a custom home, and what you can do to avoid them.

Not spending enough time on the design process
Your dream home doesn’t become a reality when the construction team breaks ground, but when the design process begins. It’s on paper and the blueprints when the magic really starts to happen, as you brainstorm and finalize plans with your builder. And since it is far easier to revise plans before construction starts, it’s important to take your time on the design process.  

Choosing the wrong location
The neighborhood you choose is just as important as the home you’re building. We recommend researching locations to learn important things about the community, including walkability, the school system, dining and shopping options and its proximity to the city and your workplace, for example. 

Being in a hurry
Much like the advice above, you should never rush the completion of your custom home, although we completely understand wanting to move in as soon as possible! Moving too fast could mean choosing the wrong materials and overlooking critical but small details like how many electrical outlets are needed in a room. 

Remember: building a beautiful home is more like a marathon than a sprint. It should be a steady, manageable process at a pace that allows you to see the big picture without forgetting about the details. 

Not utilizing a team of experts
Building a custom home in Cincinnati gives you access to a plethora of award-winning interior designers, landscape designers and architects. You can also find experienced house painters, and other finishers who perform exceptional work. We recommend establishing your team at the beginning of the building process to keep things running smoothly. 

Failing to communicate
Once you’ve assembled your team, make it a point to communicate regularly. Being on the same page is crucial for almost every aspect of planning, from the budget to the timeline. It will also help avoid surprises and ensure that everything is done the way you want it to be, the first time. 

Not staying organized
Don’t rely on your brain to keep track of everything during the building process. There’s simply too much to plan and remember. Instead, take advantage of organizational software like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com. Even an Excel spreadsheet can help you keep track of projects and completion dates. 

Of course, you can avoid all these mistakes and many more with a single call to Bernie Kurlemann, the owner of Classic Living Homes, at 513-515-5123. Bernie has been building beautiful homes across Cincinnati for decades and knows how to help keep home buyers on track and process flowing.