Renovating or building a home can seem like a daunting task, with many people sharing horror stories. However, three seasoned architects, Taylor Davis, Marilyn Modinger, and Sheri Scott, hosts of the Home: The Second Story Podcast, are here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that way. They interview homeowners who have recently completed large projects, asking them one simple question: “What do you know now that you wish you knew before you started?”
In a recent episode of the podcast, the architects sat down with Nikki Gulick, a homeowner who has not only built two custom homes but is also considering a third. Nikki’s experiences offer valuable lessons for anyone embarking on their own home building or renovation journey. You can watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/WXW3VOuAWdg?feature=shared.
Nikki’s most recent project, a 6,600 sq ft modern mountain lodge on six acres, began in July 2022 and was completed 18 months later. Her previous project, a classic modern farmhouse, was built around 2019-2020. A key takeaway from Nikki’s story is her decision to build when interest rates were low, highlighting how external factors can influence the timing of a project.
She shares that working with architect Sheri Scott from Springhouse Architects for both projects made the design process incredibly smooth. Sheri understood Nikki’s vision and even introduced elements, like a spiral staircase from the master closet to the basement and a three-story wall of windows, that Nikki hadn’t explicitly requested but absolutely loved. This speaks to the value of a strong client-architect relationship and an architect’s ability to anticipate needs and elevate a design.
Choosing Your Builder Wisely
When asked the pivotal question—”What do you know now that you wish you knew before you started?”—Nikki’s answer was clear: ensure your builder has experience with projects of your specific scale or even beyond.
Nikki recounted an unexpected $15,000 charge for a commercial gas line, a detail she, as the homeowner, couldn’t have foreseen but expected her builder to know upfront. This highlights the critical need for a builder who thoroughly understands the intricacies of complex projects and can provide accurate bids from the outset, minimizing costly surprises.
How to Vet Your Builder
So, how can you avoid such pitfalls? Nikki suggests:
- Ask for recent projects of similar scale: Request to see examples of homes the builder has recently completed that match the size and complexity of your envisioned project.
- Meet past homeowners: Ideally, you should have the opportunity to speak directly with previous clients. If possible, arrange a meeting with them at the project site, or even better, get their contact information to speak with them independently. This allows for candid feedback about their experience, including any challenges and how the builder handled them.
- Inquire about past issues: It’s inevitable to encounter problems during construction. Ask builders how they’ve addressed unforeseen issues on previous projects. Their response will give you insight into their problem-solving skills and communication style.
The Unsung Hero: The “Partner” in Your Project
Perhaps the most significant insight from Nikki’s experience, echoed by the architects, is the realization that building a house is akin to taking on a second full-time job. Nikki found herself acting as her own project manager, coordinating specialists like the spiral staircase installer. This unexpected workload underscored the importance of having a “partner” in the process.
This partner doesn’t necessarily have to be a significant other. It can be your architect, a designer, or a dedicated owner’s representative. Their role is to provide crucial checks and balances, mediate issues, and manage the myriad of details that arise during construction. Without such support, homeowners can quickly become overwhelmed by the time, emotional energy, and sheer volume of decisions required.
Architects, in particular, are trained to handle these challenges. Taylor Davis of TPD Architecture and Design, and Marilyn Modinger of Runcible Studios, alongside Sheri, can serve as a buffer between you and the contractor, managing most communications and presenting you with only key decisions. This allows you to focus on your life, job, and family, rather than getting bogged down in the daily minutiae of construction.
The Continuous Journey of Home Building
Nikki playfully calls herself a “repeat offender” because, like many who build, she finds herself continuously refining her ideal home. This highlights that no project is ever truly perfect, and insights gained from one build often inform the next.
For Nikki, the reward of her hard work is evident in her current home, especially her master bedroom with its corner of abundant windows overlooking a serene pond. It’s these personal touches and moments of joy that make the entire undertaking worthwhile.
The podcast hosts emphasize that choosing the right team, especially an architect specializing in residential projects, is paramount. Just as you’d vet a builder, thoroughly interview architects to ensure their expertise aligns with your project’s scale and vision. And always remember, don’t be afraid to ask for independent references from past clients—their honest feedback is invaluable.
Building or renovating a home is a complex endeavor, but with the right preparation, a knowledgeable team, and a clear understanding of the commitment involved, it truly doesn’t have to be the horrible experience everyone talks about.