Make Your Dream Home a Reality: 11 Surprising Things You Need to Know Before Building

Building your dream home is an exciting journey, but it comes with its share of surprises.

While many envision a smooth and straightforward process, the reality can be more complex—especially for those who are unprepared. 

In this blog post, we explore the 11 surprising factors you need to consider to ensure that your dream home turns out exactly as you envisioned.

Whether it's understanding the timeline, setting a realistic budget, or choosing the right architect, we'll guide you through the process to help you build your dream home as smoothly as possible.

1. The Whole Process Takes Longer Than You Think

Building a home from scratch is a dream for many, but it requires careful planning and a lot of patience.

The entire process—from the initial design to the final touches—often takes much longer than most homeowners expect.

Understanding the Timeline

When you decide to build your dream home, one of the first steps is to hire an architect. This alone can take 1-2 months of onboarding.

Following that, the design process can stretch over 3+ months as you and the architect work together to create your dream home plans.

But it doesn't stop there. The construction drawings will require another 3+ months, and this is before you even begin selecting and vetting a contractor, which could take several months.

Once construction begins, it’s common for the project to take 1-2 years to complete.

It's essential to make a timeline early in the process and prepare for potential delays, ensuring that your dream home is ready when you want it to be.

2. Setting a Realistic Budget: It Will Cost More Than You Expect

Setting a realistic budget is one of the most important steps in building a custom home, yet many people underestimate the costs involved.

Breaking Down the Costs

The cost of building a home is more than just the price of construction.

Most people are surprised by the architectural design fees, which can be a significant part of the budget.

Additionally, construction costs tend to rise, and outdated figures can lead to underestimation.

Beyond these, there are other consultants and services to consider, such as hiring a landscape architect, structural engineer, and interior designers. Many homeowners also forget to account for costs like surveys, civil engineering, and zoning compliance.

Hot Tip: Construction costs are always rising, so it's crucial to set a realistic budget that includes these factors. If you think prices are high now and that you will wait until next year when prices come down, you will be disappointed.

3. You Might Not Be Able to Start On Your Dream Home Right Away

Building a dream home requires not just money but also the right professionals—architects, builders, engineers—and they might not be available when you’re ready to start.

Good architects and reputable builders often have a waiting list. If you're lucky, an architect can start working on your project a few months after you first contact them.

Contractors might be even harder to secure, with some booking custom home projects up to a year in advance.

It’s important to understand that you might not be able to start building your dream home immediately after making the decision. Planning ahead and securing your team early is essential.

4. You Don't Have to Hire a Local Architect

One of the surprises for many homeowners is that they don’t need to hire a local architect. In today’s digital world, it’s possible to work with an architect from anywhere in the country.

Thanks to modern technology—Zoom meetings, file sharing, and other collaborative tools—you can hire an architect whose style and approach align with your vision, even if they’re not local. While the architect might need to obtain a license in your state, this process is usually straightforward.

However, it's often recommended to hire a local structural engineer who understands specific structural requirements for your region.

At n3 architecture, we have experience working on projects in various parts of the country, including a custom home design in Louisiana. This kind of remote collaboration can help you make your dream home a reality, even if the perfect architect isn’t in your immediate vicinity.

5. Zoning Codes: Just Because You Found the Right Lot Doesn’t Mean You Get to Build What You Want

One of the most overlooked aspects of building a home is the impact of zoning codes and regulations.

Zoning codes exist to regulate the size, height, and placement of homes on a lot. Even if you’ve purchased what seems like the perfect piece of land, you might not be able to build the home you’ve envisioned.



For example, you might face restrictions on the maximum size or lot coverage, or you may need to adhere to specific setback requirements.

The Importance of Feasibility Studies

Before purchasing land, it’s wise to conduct a feasibility study to understand what is possible on the lot. This study will help you avoid surprises and ensure that your dream home fits within the local regulations. 



You can read more about the importance of feasibility studies in our detailed blog post.

6. You Will Have to Make a Lot of Choices

When you’re designing your dream home, be prepared to make hundreds of decisions, both big and small.

From the overall layout to the type of flooring and finishes, every aspect of your dream home requires a decision.

One of the key challenges is balancing aesthetics with functionality. For example, choosing between hardwood floors and other materials requires considering factors like durability, maintenance, and cost.

Each decision impacts the living space, and your architect’s expertise is invaluable in making the right choices.

This can be overwhelming, but having a plan in place can help you navigate this complex process. It's crucial to have an architect guide you through these decisions, ensuring that the final design aligns with your vision and within your budget.

7. The Reality of Home Improvement Shows: Watching TV Does Not Prepare You

Home improvement shows might be entertaining, but they don’t accurately represent the reality of building a custom home.

These shows often portray budgets and timelines that are unrealistic, and the drama is often staged for entertainment.

In real life, the build process is much more complex, and the challenges you face won’t be resolved in a single episode.

For example, the hosts and designers on TV aren’t doing the actual work—they have a team of professionals behind the scenes, and the costs are often heavily subsidized or unrealistic.

While home improvement shows can provide design ideas, they shouldn’t be used as a blueprint for your own project.

Instead, rely on your architect and builder to provide accurate timelines, costs, and expectations. They will help ensure that your dream home turns out as planned, without the unexpected drama.

8. Prioritizing Wants and Needs: You Will Not Be Able to Get Everything You Want

Even with an unlimited budget, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to include every feature you want in your dream home.

Site limitations, building codes, and budget constraints often mean that homeowners need to prioritize their desires.

For instance, trying to incorporate too many different design elements or ideas can result in a disjointed or “Frankenhouse” look. It’s essential to focus on the features that matter most and work with your architect to integrate them into a cohesive design.

While it’s tempting to include every attribute you want, it’s more important to have a clear vision and prioritize what will make your home truly special.

Your architect can help refine this vision and ensure that the final design meets both your aesthetic and functional needs.

9. Landscaping and Furnishings: Don’t Forget to Budget for the Finishing Touches

When budgeting for your dream home, it’s easy to focus on the home itself and forget about landscaping and furnishings.

Beautiful landscaping doesn’t come cheap.

Many homeowners only budget for the construction and end up with minimal landscaping, which can detract from the overall look of the home.

To avoid this, set aside a substantial budget for landscaping and work with a landscape architect to design a cohesive outdoor space that complements your home.

Similarly, don’t forget about the cost of interior design, furnishings, and artwork. These elements are crucial in bringing your home to life, and they need to be factored into the overall budget.

Working with interior designers can help you create a living space that reflects your personal style while staying within your budget.

N3 Architecture has several skilled and pre-vetted interior designers who understand the value of working as a team and can be brought into your project.

10. Changes Cost Money: The Hidden Expenses of Making Adjustments

One of the biggest surprises for many homeowners is how costly changes can be during the construction phase.

Even small changes can lead to significant expenses. For example, changing a floor plan or choosing a different material after construction has begun often means stopping work, ordering new materials, and possibly redoing completed work.

These changes can delay the project and increase labor costs, as well as impact the contractor's general conditions fee.

To minimize these costs, it’s best to finalize as many decisions as possible during the design process. Making last minute changes during construction can result in higher costs and longer timelines.

It’s also worth noting that continuing to make changes after architectural services are complete may incur additional fees from your architect.

11. Staying Up-to-Date: Building Codes Change Over Time

Building codes and regulations are not static—they change over time, and these changes can impact your dream home.

For example, energy codes have become stricter in recent years, affecting how homes must be insulated. If you base your design and budget on outdated codes, you may face unexpected costs to bring your home up to the current standards.

This is why it’s important to work with an architect and builders who are up-to-date with local building codes.

By staying informed and working with professionals who understand the latest regulations, you can avoid these surprises and ensure that your dream home meets all necessary requirements.

It’s also a good idea to plan for future updates, such as integrating smart home technology, which may be required in new builds.

Building Your Dream Home: Expect the Unexpected, and Embrace the Journey

Building your dream home is one of life’s most rewarding experiences, but as you've seen, it’s also filled with surprises. 

But here’s the good news: with the right preparation and guidance, these surprises don’t have to derail your dream. Instead, they can be part of what makes the process uniquely yours—a journey that transforms a vision into a living space where every detail reflects your style and aspirations.

At n3 architecture, we’re not just here to design your home; we’re here to guide you through every twist and turn, making sure that the end result isn’t just a house, but the home you’ve always imagined.

Let’s start this journey together — apply for a discovery meeting today and take the first step toward building the home you’ve been dreaming of.