You’ve finally decided to build your dream home, and you’re ready to start drawing up plans and deliberating over types of molding and window size. Congratulations! Building a home is exciting, but even the most prepared first-time builder can overlook important details when making the hundreds of decisions that come with creating a new home. Fortunately, we’ve got tips and important reminders from people who’ve done it before, making it easier for you to end up in a home you love. From finding the right architect to deciding on upgrades, here’s what homeowner’s wish they’d known before building…

Interview your Team: From your architect to your contractor, choosing the right professionals is a vital part of a successful build. Make sure to do your homework before you put down a deposit with an individual or company, and spend some time learning everything you can about the people building your home. Ask to see completed projects, talk to previous clients about their experiences, and look to trusted friends and colleagues for referrals. Experienced and reliable professionals will be happy to answer address your concerns and show you their results, so don’t be afraid to ask questions before hiring.Go green now. Making room in the budget for environmentally friendly upgrades may seem like an unnecessary expense when you’re eyeing beautiful light fixtures or pouring over paint samples. But these behind-the-scenes decisions can either save or cost you significant amounts of money—it all depends on when you make them. Energy efficient heating and cooling systems, temperature regulating insulation, solar panels, automated electrical systems: all of these upgrades are significantly cheaper to do while building a home, and a lot more expensive to do afterwards. And while the upfront cost might be more than the standard alternatives, going green will save you money in energy bills long-term.Think ahead: Building a home implies a significant time commitment to your new space, so make sure to plan a home that works now and into the future. With multigenerational living on the rise everywhere in Hawaii, this may mean altering your building plans to accommodate for elderly parents who can’t access the stairs, or adding additional bedrooms for future children. And when it comes to building for a growing family, remember that the space that works for an infant or toddler might not work for teenagers or young adults (especially ones with a tendency to monopolize the bathroom and need lots of extra closet space.)Keep to tradition (when it comes to the big stuff.) There’s always new trends when it comes to home design, and while you want your new home to feel personal and unique, it’s important to balance out the latest trends with function and sustainability. After all, there’s a reason why kitchens are traditionally on the main floor of the home and why master suites are situated away from communal spaces. It works! Tradition doesn’t mean sticking to one architecture type or style, (even a completely modern minimalist home can maintain a traditional floor plan,) it just means expressing your creative side in ways that can evolve and change over time. Maybe this means choosing a neutral color palette in the main living areas and going bold in smaller spaces, or using furniture, art, and personal items to make your space feel like home.Need help finding a contractor that specialized in energy efficient homes? Or an interior designer who can blend tradition with personality? We can help. Contact us today for a complete guide to finding the best residential construction experts in Hawaii. They’ll help make your dream home a reality, and give you a little more time to find the perfect paint colors, light fixtures, and the perfect choice of crown moldings.