We're finally ready to take the plunge and build our own place, but honestly, it's a bit overwhelming. I've heard some horror stories about builders who promise the moon and deliver... well, not the moon, lol. If you've built your own home around here, who did you use and how'd it go? Any tips or warnings would be super appreciated.
Totally get where you're coming from—building our first custom home was exciting but nerve-wracking too. Have you thought about checking out local builder showcases or open houses? We found ours that way, and it really helped seeing their work firsthand. Also, maybe ask builders about their subcontractors...we learned the hard way that good subs make a huge difference. Are you leaning towards a certain style or size yet?
We went the showcase route too and honestly, seeing the craftsmanship in person made all the difference. One thing I'd add—don't underestimate lighting. We spent ages picking fixtures, but man, it totally set the vibe for our whole place...worth every minute spent scrolling Pinterest at midnight.
Couldn't agree more about lighting. I was skeptical at first—thought fixtures were just another overpriced detail designers pushed to inflate budgets—but after moving into our custom build, I gotta admit, it makes a huge difference. We went a bit minimalist, focusing more on placement and dimming options rather than super elaborate fixtures, and it turned out great. One thing I'd suggest is thinking about natural lighting too. We splurged on larger windows and skylights, which seemed excessive initially (trust me, I rolled my eyes at the architect), but now...the amount of daylight we get totally changes the feel of the place, especially in winter. Fixtures are important, sure, but don't forget the power of sunlight—it’s free and honestly hard to beat.
We're still early in the planning stage, but the natural lighting point really hits home. Our current place feels dark and cramped, especially during winter months, so big windows are definitely on our wishlist. Skylights sound awesome too, but I'm nervous about leaks or maintenance issues down the road. Did you have any trouble with yours? Budget-wise, we're trying to prioritize carefully—spending extra on good windows seems worth it, but it's tough deciding where else to cut back...
