The Ultimate Checklist: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Designing Your Custom Home

Aug 14, 2025

Here are 5 questions to ask yourself before designing your custom home!

1. What's Your "Why"?

The Story Behind Your Dream Home: Think beyond your features and budget and consider the emotional core of your dream home. How do you want your family to live in this new space? What kind of lifestyle works for your family to thrive?

2. What Does "Sustainable" Mean to You?

Beyond the Buzzwords: Where are your values when it comes to chemicals used inside your home? What about energy sources? How will indoor air quality impact your decisions as it directly impacts your families’ health and wellbeing?

3. What’s Your "Must-Have" vs. "Nice-to-Have"?

Prioritize Your Wishlist: This provides a practical, actionable list as we start our design process. It will also help us as we work to achieve your budget goals.

4. How Do You Envision Your Home Evolving Over the Next 20 Years?

Think about your long-term value and functionality of their home, not just the present. Do you have a family history of mobility challenges? Do you expect the kids to live at home for a number of years after graduation? Do you need to care for your parents?

5. What Is Your Communication Style?

Do you prefer emails, phone calls, or zoom meetings? How often do you need to be updated to stay comfortable with the process?

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Related Posts

Architectural Site Visit: Importance in Design Phase

Architectural Site Visit: Importance in Design Phase

We traveled all over Virginia and West Virginia in 2025 checking out building sites, offering input on project ...
Top 10 Blog Posts of 2025!

Top 10 Blog Posts of 2025!

Happy New Year! Before we jump into 2026, enjoy a quick recap of our top 10 blog posts of 2025! We are thrilled to ...
Preserving the Past, Designing the Future: Sustainable and Economic Strategies for Historic Home Renovation in the Roanoke Valley

Preserving the Past, Designing the Future: Sustainable and Economic Strategies for Historic Home Renovation in the Roanoke Valley

The Roanoke Valley is home to a rich architectural tapestry, from the classic Victorians of Old Southwest to the ...
Christmas at the Depot

Christmas at the Depot

It is a wonderful time of the year to work at the Depot, really so is every time of year. Our historic ...
No results found.

Discover more from The Gaines Group Architects

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading