Waukesha County Home

Even considering being able to design your own custom home is an exciting prospect. Whether you're ready to take the plunge or just exploring your options, here are tips to keep in mind. ■ Know what you're signing up for. Building a custom home is a signifi- cant undertaking and a major life decision. It's a big commitment in terms of time, money and energy. While this shouldn't scare you away from your dream home, it's important to know what you're getting into. If you're feeling over- whelmed with the kids or busy caring for an ailing parent, it may be best to start this later. ■ Hire the right profes- sionals. You may be a DIY pro, but this isn't a project you want to take on your- self, even partly. Key profes- sionals you'll need to work with include an architect, plumber, electrician and more. Consider also work- ing with a designer who can help with the interiors to make sure the space is as functional as it is beautiful. Do your research to find quality pros — this isn't the time to skimp on labor. ■ Think about furni- ture layout early. While it may seem a bit premature to start decorating your liv- ing room before the founda- tion is laid, knowing how you'll want to use and lay out each room can help you during the building and design process. For exam- ple, you can save time and money down the line when you know from the get-go you'll want a window seat and two large couches to face the fireplace. ■ Know where to save and spend. Costs can quickly add up, so it's important for you to decide early on what matters most to you, and what's worth investing in. You can always upgrade your floor- ing or cabinetry, but you can never change the foun- dation. Build your home to last longer and perform better with innovative building materials like insulated custom forms (ICFs) from Nudura. This alternative to wood fram- ing can withstand fire and high winds and provides superior insulation, lead- ing to significant savings on your energy bills year after year. ■ Prepare for the unex- pected. Building a new home is a process, and you can minimize stress by embracing that it will be unpredictable and can change throughout the journey. Plan for things like weather delays and higher costs. The unexpect- ed can also lead to positive changes in your plans. For example, you might come across a new flooring mate- rial that's more eco-friend- ly, or a smart home automa- tion system might hit the market and you'll want to integrate it into the design. Be flexible. HOME MAY 2021 6 Custom home-buying tips for first timers Before building a custom home, there are several steps to take into consideration. The first is knowing what you are getting into. A home is a major undertaking. The bigger the home, the bigger the project. Hiring the right professionals can ease the burden. Time to replace your windows? When spring arrives, it's time to get the grill out, work on the lawn, update your landscaping, clean the siding, check out the roof and, yes, the perfect time to make sure your windows are performing well. Are you noticing condensation, warping, difficulty in opening, closing or locking, cracking or other problems? It might be time to replace your windows. Drafts You furnace will have to work overtime, resulting in a higher energy bill, if you can hear the breeze coming in or see light around your window frames, especially dur- ing the colder winter months. During peri- ods of extreme cold, there is likely to be some moisture or even frost appearing, but if it's constant, it's a case of poor windows. Sometimes caulking is the answer. Proper functioning Windows should open and close with ease. A properly functioning lock is an added seal against air entering from the outside, and also provide additional security. Outside noise Birds chirping might be a comforting sound that you enjoy, but if you start hear- ing the neighbor's conversations from a good distance away, maybe it's time to replace your older windows. New windows can help absorb sound which makes for a quieter home. Decay High-quality window frames and sills can rot and decay over time. If there are signs of decay or mold growth, consider replacing your windows using aluminum, composite, vinyl, fiberglass or traditional wooden win- dow frames. The style, energy efficiency and durability of each model will differ slightly, therefore choose a window that best suits your needs. Appearance No question that windows are on the most important features of your home. If they look outdated, then your home will also. Modern, energy-efficient windows will add value to your home while improving curb appeal. You can judge a book by its cover and much is the same for the visual appear- ance of your house. Visible damage Remember that your windows are con- stantly exposed to winds, rain, freezing tem- peratures and sunlight. Are they becoming foggy, are their cracks, warping, water dam- age or other noticeable issues that you can see? If anything is compromised, or you just want to update your house, then it's time for replacement windows."

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