Are Custom Designs Better Than Online Stock Plans?

Everyone is different and so are our priorities and ideas on what makes the perfect home. When deciding on a home build there is a plethora of options available, deciding which one is the right choice for you can be daunting. Sometimes a little bit of expert advice is what’s needed. Some of us may want to create our own plans, in our case nothing but the best will do. Seeing the picture of our perfect home in our minds, designing and creating it is the only way we can achieve the perfect home.

But what are the major differences between selecting your home from previously created online stock plans or deciding to write your own plans? We analyze some of the pros and cons of each in an effort to help you create the right home for you.

Benefits of Customer Designs

Custom designs allow the homeowner total freedom, providing what they want to build is realistic, they have the ability to take an active role in the design and creation of what will eventually become their family home. To those who can afford to do this, it’s an incredible feeling of achievement once it’s complete and allows the owner to tailor their home to meet the needs that are most important to them as individuals.

Their home will be owned by them in every sense of the word and completely unique. If you’ve ever doodled what your dream home should look like in an ideal world, then now is your chance to make your dream home a reality. Other people have done it, so why can’t you?

Limitations of Custom Designs

Custom designs can look great on paper, but the reality can often be very different. Sometimes it’s the financial practicality that’s the hard part. The homeowner may need to compromise on certain things or rethink particular decisions. This can be frustrating for them, as the idea that has inspired them to create the custom design might be the very thing they find they’re unable to do. This can make the entire plan fall apart.

These designs are also more complicated and those who actually build them, despite being experienced contractors, may not have seen such plans before. Such complicated plans, excluding engineering services, may take up to 2 months to complete before building can commence.

Benefits of Stock Plans

Plans that already exist are usually tried and tested. They have often been built before and are compliant with the various health and safety regulations that are required by law. As much of their design is already pre-approved (or have been approved before), there doesn’t tend to be a very long wait during the planning stages. In other words, they are ready to go, and those you hire to complete it may already be familiar with the style.

From a cost point of view, stock plans are generally cheaper than custom plans. Any potential issues with the builds have usually been spotted before and steps taken to rectify them may have already happened.

Limitations of Stock Plans

Homeowners will need to accept the plans they choose without much in the way of customization. Room sizes will be standard as will every other aspect of the build. This may not be ideal for the family moving in and eventually may lead to modifications further down the line. It’s also important to point out that if the plans were found online, they may not be in line with local regulations if the plans are not in that area. As that is normally part of stock plans appeal, this strips out that potential benefit and replaces it with an additional problem.

Buildings created based on stock plans, as well made as they can be, are devoid of any individuality. They may be beautiful and practical but will never be truly unique. Lots of people are uncomfortable with this and don’t like the idea of living in a house that looks identical to so many others if they don’t have too.

So, which one do you choose?

Ultimately custom designs are for the dreamers and that’s okay, many of us are dreamers and there’s absolutely no reason why our visions can’t become real. They do every day. With proper advice, planning, and workmanship the ideal custom home can be built and sometimes it’s worth the risk. In fact, more often than not, there is no risk at all. Custom designs are for those people who have already mapped out what their dream home looks like. They can already picture their stylish kitchen, state of the art bathroom and stunning master bedroom.

We believe they should have it. Those with vision often also have an indomitable will and drive to complete such a project.

Those who opt for a stock build have different priorities. They want a home for themselves and their family and that is what matters above all else, not the bells and whistles. Stock builds are designed with practicality, comfort, and budget in mind. Those who apply to build a stock home are not settling for less or unimaginative, they are simply putting their faith in others who may be more qualified to design their home than they are. This doesn’t mean they don’t have a vision; it’s just different.

Why choose us to be your designer?

We aim to help both types of persons. We provide our specialist design services to homeowners, builders and those who are looking to take the next step in their home building ambitions. What is unique about us is this aim represents the very foundation of our business, and we have applied it while working with many different clients from all over the country. We are focused on the details and specific items that make a house a home.

What we do is support you during every step of your build. From design, building, to finishing touches and after support, we endeavor to treat all of our clients as individuals along with their families. Your needs come first but we also care about your visions and we’ll do everything in our power to help make it real. Our advice will be straightforward and practical, together we will all be able to create a well-developed plan that will enhance your domestic life in ways you’ll really cherish.

This is what we do and we love what we do. We’re confident you will too. Feel free to call us and find out how we can help you achieve your homebuilding dreams.