One of the most exciting aspects of building a custom modular home is that homeowners get to choose and customize their home’s floor plan. Unlike buying a site-built home, homeowners are included in the building process, allowing them to create a home that meets their unique needs and lifestyle.
Choosing the right floor plan can sometimes be overwhelming. Our goal is to help you feel empowered and excited about your decision. Here’s our advice on what to consider when choosing a floor plan for your modular home.
1. Evaluate Your Lifestyle
Before building your modular home, take stock of how much time your family spends in your home and what activities you spend the most time doing. The purpose is to evaluate how your family currently uses your home. For example, do you and your family members spend most of your time in common areas such as the living room or kitchen? Does anyone work from home? Is your house a major gathering place for the holidays?
Once you have a full picture of your family’s lifestyle, you can let your needs guide your decision when selecting a floor plan for your modular home.
Plan for the future
Another question we ask our customers is where they see themselves five, ten, or even twenty years from now. While prioritizing your current situation is important, we also want our customers to design for the future. If you and your spouse envision yourself as empty nesters in the near future, you may not need a sprawling floor plan. A ranch-style home with a split-bedroom layout may appeal more to growing families than a young couple just starting out. The goal is to communicate your priorities with your building professional so that they can connect you with a tour or provide 3D drawings.
2. Consider Your Budget
Buying a home is an investment that should be thoughtfully approached. Our goal is to help you find a floor plan that fits your lifestyle and your budget. Before helping you select a floor plan, your builder will pre-qualify you for a mortgage so you can begin the design and building process with confidence.
One of the best ways to start is by determining your budget and your priorities, then consulting your builder. Your team will guide you through options that meet your needs. While factors such as square footage and floor plan complexity will affect the build price, we also advise homeowners to consider future costs that you may incur such as maintenance and energy consumption.
3. Your Build Site
If you’re new to the modular home building process, you may be surprised to learn about how much your build site can either complement or work against your floor plan. Factors such as the topography, amount of acreage, shape of the lot, climate, and positioning of your home can play a huge role in your home’s feel and experience.
For example, choosing a home with a stand-alone garage may be a great idea if you have an expansive property, but could waste precious yard space in a more compact area. Your dream of picturesque sunsets from your back porch may be quickly foiled if your home is positioned in the opposite direction.
If you’re building in a close-knit neighborhood, you may also want to take into account the existing setting. Do you want to be the only two-story house in a neighborhood full of ranch homes? Considering how your home fits into your neighborhood may be important if you plan on selling your home in the future.
Focus on the Floor Plan First
It can be easy to get excited about details such as flooring and countertops. Trust that the time to choose these finishes will come! Our advice is to focus first on choosing the right floor plan for your modular home that suits your needs. Decorative and aesthetic details are easy to switch out—your layout is forever.
Talk to your Building Professional
At the end of the day, this is your home and investment. If you have a question or instinct about any of our modular home floor plans, talk to your building professional about a tour or ask to provide any 3D drawings to help you visualize a layout.
Build the Home of Your Dreams
We know that building your modular home for the first time can be daunting. We’re there to guide you through the entire process. Contact us today to get started.