FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE

To build the home of your dreams—or that of your client—and stay on budget, you’ll need to have the balancing skills of a tightrope walker. It’s not easy to find just the right balance of where to spend the money (design versus fixtures versus appliances) and how much to allocate to each. 

At first, the simple answer might be to scale back on the time spent on architecture and design plans—work done behind the scenes—in favor of more tangible elements. You can touch and see high-end appliances or plumbing fixtures; plans and drawings get tossed aside after the home is built and may never be heard from again. However, as I’ve continued to grow as a builder and work with various clients, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the amount of time and money spent in thoughtful design translates into a smoother, more successful project. And that is what value architecture is all about.  

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ALWAYS THINKING AHEAD

The benefits of thinking many steps ahead are plentiful. During the design phase, consider possible situations and scenarios that may arise. It’s like a glimpse into the future. You can look ahead and go through each stage of the project. Try to anticipate what could go wrong and what could be done to prevent it. For example, consider each trade coming onsite. What needs to be done ahead of time to ensure they can work efficiently? What does the drywall contractor need to do so that the painters coming in behind him can deliver excellent work? It’s like dominos—they will have an effect on the next one. 

Look at a project as a whole versus broken down into individual segments that various trades are responsible for. Viewing a project more cohesively will set you up for better management of time and materials and thereby greater success. Be proactive as you look way down the length and breadth of the project; identify potential issues that could cause delays, and develop a plan of approach that will allow you to avoid those problems altogether. 

THE BENEFITS OF VALUE ARCHITECTURE

When you clearly understand how value architecture works, you’ll reap many benefits: saving yourself money, time, and resources. Not to mention frustration! Meticulous design and well-thought-out architecture allow you to be super-efficient—from estimating costs to securing materials to working onsite. So set aside plenty of time to plan your project from start to finish. You won’t regret it!    

It’s time to discover what NS Builders can intentionally craft for you! Contact us today to get started on your custom dream home. Together, we can make it happen. 

—Nick Schiffer