When designing custom homes, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the hundreds of choices that need to be made to bring the project to completion. A luxury architectural design firm can help make the process seamless and hassle-free, but there are still a few key elements of your custom home design that you’ll need to decide on. Before you begin the home renovation process, keep in mind these important decisions that need to be made — and when you should make them.

Finalize Your Vision for Your Custom Home

The first decision that you’ll need to make during the custom home design process is to generally know and understand the overall vision for your new home. Your architectural design firm will work with you to establish the desired architectural style, stylistic elements, and initial floor plan.

This is an initial brainstorming session, so specific details can always be changed later in the process. However, you should have a clear idea of the overall style you want and potentially how it will fit into your neighborhood. This is also a good time to share your must-haves with your luxury home builders so they can be sure to accommodate them and prioritize them from day one. 

Confirm Exterior Home Renovation Materials

Once you’ve finalized the home’s overall style, the next important decision to begin planning is exterior materials and color palettes. The exterior of the home should be to degree decided on prior to putting a shovel in the ground, not only because it’s the first design-element you see of a home, but also because you may need to approve these design choices with your neighborhood’s HOA or with the city, depending on where you live.

Decisions that should be finalized at this stage in the process include siding material details, locations of stone or brick, roof materials, possible paint colors, gutter types and colors, and the list goes on. If applicable, your HOA will want to approve these to ensure that your custom home design meets all community guidelines and fits in with the neighborhood. Generally, your architectural design firm can help guide you through this process to make it as hassle-free as possible.

Make All Decisions As Early As Possible

Although not all design decisions are needed right away, it’s always best to make as many decisions as possible as early as possible. Ideally, all decisions should be made during the preliminary study or design development phases, before construction begins. This will help prevent any delays in construction or surprise additions to the budget.

Certain decisions are required to be made before construction begins, including windows and exterior doors, exterior materials, roof materials, appliances, plumbing fixtures, fireplace details, and flooring materials. Any selections that have an impact on the architectural design or foundation of the home are required before construction to ensure that everything is completed on-time and on-budget. Interior materials and appliances should be finalized early so there’s ample time to order and receive them before their scheduled installation.

There are thousands of design options when creating custom homes from scratch, so the possibilities are endless. At C&C Partners, we understand how overwhelming home renovation and new home construction can be, which is why we work closely alongside you from concept to completion, guaranteeing a seamless process that results in a one-of-a-kind design/build experience. 

Since 1987, C&C Partners has committed to an unwavering standard of excellence and top-tier client satisfaction that has helped us stand above the rest and remain Southern California’s premier luxury architectural design firm. If you want to experience the C&C Partners difference for yourself, contact us online or give us a call at 310-322-0803 today.