The Top 4 Signs of Quality Home Construction
Posted: July 17th, 2023
Quality Home Construction Can Be Seen and Felt
Picture this: you’ve just gotten the keys to your brand-new home. Sure, you’ve walked the site plenty of times as it was being constructed, but now that it’s completed with all the finishes and fine details, it feels entirely different. You walk through each room to take it all in, but then you start to see some unpleasant details: the tile is cracked, the floorboards are uneven, and some of the light switches don’t even work.
It’s easy to concede that these are NOT the signs of quality construction.
However, true quality home construction can be a little more subtle. It’s not about using the flashiest materials or hanging the most modern chandelier in the entryway; rather, it’s about striking a balance between visual appeal, ergonomic design, and the use of first-rate materials in construction. Quality construction can not only be seen, but it can be felt in the way it affects your daily routine and quality of life.
Home Features that Indicate Quality
While this is not an exhaustive list of features that indicate superior home building, the following are features that you’ll be able to quickly and easily identify when you enter your newly constructed home.
A sense of flow through the home
Ergonomics is defined as the science of designing and organizing things to maximize humans’ safety and efficiency during use. When your builder incorporates the principles of ergonomics into the design of your home, you’ll experience it as a natural flow from room to room and an ease of accessibility for the appliances and fixtures you utilize the most.
The kitchen is one area of the home where we can easily see the application of ergonomic design. According to a recent OnePoll survey, the average American spends about an hour each day in the kitchen, adding up to over 400 hours each year. You should be able to access your sink, oven, cabinets, etc. and navigate the space easily and efficiently for every task you undertake. This means considering things like positioning the oven at a height where you don’t hurt your back by bending, installing the sink slightly higher than the countertop, and setting up cabinets so you don’t need to reach or use a stool to access the top shelves. An ergonomic kitchen should also accommodate any mobility issues and feature specialized fixtures if you’re left-handed.
The principles of ergonomics can (and should) be applied to every room of your home. From your home office to your bedroom, you want to be comfortable and able to access everything you need in a way that protects you from injury.
Eco-friendly building practices and features
Eco-friendly homes and construction practices aren’t just trendy–they’re quickly becoming a priority for construction professionals around the world. Here in Central Florida, many contemporary builders use passive design principles to take advantage of the positioning and immediate surroundings of a building to make it more efficient. For example, your chosen design company may encourage you to position your home on your lot at an angle to utilize the sun’s natural path to reduce your costs for lighting and cooling.
A good home building company will give you the option of including eco-friendly features that help protect the environment while saving you money on utilities and maintenance.
Sturdy, beautiful surfaces
Think about it: you use every surface in your home multiple times a day. From the bathroom counter to the kitchen island and even the hallway tile floors, much of your focus around your home will be on or near a surface of some sort. Your home builder should understand the importance of making them sturdy and easy to maintain while also giving you something beautiful to look at. Flooring and countertops shouldn’t be cracked, chipped, or warped. The materials chosen should be appropriate for each distinct room and comfortable for you to be around.
Attention to Small Details
As we mentioned above, quality design isn’t about being flashy. It’s about putting the charm and the careful thought into the finer details. It’s about the gorgeous millwork on your crown molding and interior doors. It’s about cleanly caulked edges in bathrooms and around corners. It’s about gorgeous cabinet pulls and soft-close drawers. Great design isn’t gaudy; it is understated, timeless, and easily incorporated into your daily life.
How Can You Find a Quality Home Building Company?
Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to find a building company that can provide these features for you. Here are a few suggestions to help you find the best home construction company in your area.
Look for customer reviews
One of the easiest ways to determine whether a construction company is the right fit to build your new home is by looking at other customers’ reviews. Was the company courteous and professional? Did they incorporate customers’ interests and must-haves into their final designs? Did they stand by their work after it was completed? These points are important to note as you look through the company’s reviews and ratings.
If you know someone who has recently moved into a newly constructed home, ask them about their experience. Would they recommend their builder to you? What hiccups did they encounter during the project, if any?
Set up an interview
Communication is one of the most important aspects of any home building project, so it’s important to get a feel for any prospective builder’s communication style while learning more about them. Be sure to ask them about their licensing, insurance, and any guarantees or warranties that come with their work. While you’re there, it’s a great idea to check out their portfolio to determine whether their style is in line with your aesthetic and functional ideals.
Request a walkthrough of a model home
Looking at pictures is one thing, but actually setting foot in a builder-designed home gives you a much better idea of how they put their design principles into action. Brevard County home builders like our sister team at Echelon Builders may have a number of already-constructed homes for you to tour so you can take an in-depth look at what materials they use and how the home functions. Be sure to make a list of your likes and dislikes so that you can discuss them with your prospective designer after the tour.
Quality Design is for Everyone
Every family deserves to live in a home that makes their lives safe, comfortable, and efficient. With the right home construction team at the forefront of your project, you won’t be greeted with any unpleasant surprises when you enter your new home for the first time. If you’re interested in building a new home, expanding your current home with an addition, or taking on a renovation project, get in touch with the team at Echelon Builders. Call 321-339-0320 to learn more today.