One of the main benefits of choosing to build a house (over buying one that already exists on the market) is that you get to create a home you know you’ll love. You know it’ll meet your needs and your wants.
Getting started with the home building process is an exciting prospect. It can also be a bit overwhelming. A modular home can help take a lot of the stress off of your shoulders. While you may have more limited choices than with a stick-built home, modular homes tend to be more affordable and faster to build. Not only that, but fewer choices can actually make the process easier.
Part of the fun of building a modular home is choosing the little details — fixtures, finishes, appliances, and the like. Before you do all of that, however, one of the first things you’ll need to do is select your modular home floor plan. Even with a set number of options from your modular home builder, you might not always know which one to choose. Considering a few essential factors can make pinpointing the best one much simpler.
What a Modular Home Floor Plan Can Show You
On paper, your floor plan shows you an outline of what your home will look like after it’s built. It gives you a visual of your home’s layout, the size of the rooms, the location of doors and windows (and stairs in some cases), and more. It can also show:
- If the modular home plan will work with your lifestyle
- The proportions of the home, so you can determine where your furniture may fit (keep in mind, however, that not all modular house floor plans are to scale)
- Gauge the flow of the house
It can be tempting to leave the floor plan decisions up to your modular home builder. After all, they know their modular home plans inside and out. However, only you know what you (and your family) need. That’s why you want to make sure you choose a floor plan that works best for you.
5 Factors to Consider
Choosing a modular house floor plan is a highly personal decision. It’s one that you (and your partner or family) will need to make. While some people know exactly what they want, others may not. If you’re unsure of what you’re looking for, here are five factors to consider that can help you land on the ideal floor plan.
1. Determine Your Budget
Knowing your budget is an essential component of buying a home, whether it’s one that already exists on the market or one you’re building. For one thing, understanding what you can comfortably afford helps to narrow down your options. It also keeps you from looking at (and possibly falling in love with) a floor plan you ultimately can’t have.
At the same time, you’ll also want to keep any upgrades or premium customizations you want in mind. While modular homes are affordable, these extras can quickly increase the final price tag. Determining what you can spend a month ahead of time will help make selecting a modular home plan (and making other critical decisions) a bit easier.
2. Look Around the Neighborhood
Take a look at other homes near where you plan to build your modular home. There’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting a unique modular house floor plan, but something that stands out too much could come across as tacky. That decision may affect home values in the area. You may also want to make sure your neighborhood doesn’t have any rules or restrictions that could affect your choice.
3. Assess Your Room Needs
You want to think about how much room you’ll need in your modular home. The total square footage is only one part of that decision. You’ll also need to think about how many people will be living under the roof. Don’t forget about space for visitors. Will you need an extra room that doubles as a home office or other functional space?
All of this information will help you to determine how many rooms you’ll need. Don’t think only of your needs now. Take a look five to ten years in the future. Are you planning on having children? Do you plan to house your parents as they get older? While these things might not come into play until years from now, planning for the future will help ensure you get to stay in a home you love.
4. Think About Additions You Might Need
In addition to the kitchen, living room, bedrooms, and bathrooms, you’ll need to think about what other spaces you might need. These might include:
- A garage (one or two-car)
- An attic
- A basement
- A porch, deck, or balcony
Remember, these additions can increase your total cost. However, if you’ve determined your budget, you’ll know what modular home plans and prices you’ll be able to afford.
5. Consider Your Lifestyle
Your modular home should reflect (and help you enjoy) your lifestyle. If you love to cook and host dinner parties, for instance, a floor plan with a kitchen and dining space that accommodates that is likely your best fit. Or, if you enjoy entertaining, you might look for a floor plan with a large living room.
Keep in mind that many floor plans aren’t set in stone. If you like a specific floor plan, but a kitchen, living room, or other space isn’t large enough, you may be able to move the walls to accommodate your lifestyle.
Here’s another thing you’ll want to think about — functionality. You want to strike a balance between form and function. For example, if you have kids (or plan on having kids), you might want to rethink plush, wall-to-wall carpeting. Instead, hardwood and some area rugs may be ideal.
Find a Floor Plan That Works for You
The decision to build a modular home is just the beginning. After choosing your builder, you’ll need to select a modular home floor plan. Considering factors such as your budget, specific needs, and lifestyle can help you narrow down modular home plan options and ultimately choose the one you know you’ll love.
Are you ready to get started? Century Home Builders is here to help. Check out our modular house floor plans today!
