You’ve probably heard that good things come to those who wait. That’s often really good advice, but is it true when you’re building a new custom home in the Poconos—especially when it comes to adding options while your home is being built?

Does adding options to your plans before you start building really make sense—or is that just a way for your builder to make more money? Who really benefits from this approach?

Let’s be clear: We don’t think it makes sense to add features or elements to your new home that you really don’t want or need. We recommend that clients select a floor plan that fits their particular lifestyle and needs as closely as possible. Don’t go for something more or less than what you think you’re really going to need. The advantage of building a custom home, however, is that you can customize that plan in order to make it fit your needs and expectations even more closely.

So why add features up front? For one thing, it’s a lot easier to make modifications on paper (or on a computer) before the saws and hammers and nails come out. You have the opportunity as the homeowner to visualize what your changes will look like before they’re actually created. It’s a relatively quick process for a designer or an architect to create a drawing that represents what you’re going to see.

Adding your options and modifications in the beginning can also save you a lot of money. If you build your home and then decide a year later that you want to make your family room or master bedroom bigger, it’s a lot more expensive to come back in, tear out walls and expand the space than it is to make that call early on. Add to that the fact that materials have a tendency to increase in price over time, and your decision to add space early makes even more sense.

There’s also the matter of speed and inconvenience to consider. Adding a feature or increasing space when you’re building your home happens much more quickly. And since you’re not living in the home at the time—you won’t have to deal with the disruption and inconvenience that comes with remodeling.

If you’re looking for ideas to help you decide which improvements or enhancements will enable you to enjoy your new home to the fullest—and to build them into your home when it’s more affordable and convenient, you may want to download our Free New Home Buyer’s Guide e-book. This resource will walk you through all the information you need to start your journey toward your dream home!