Realistic Budget Concerns

• What size mortgage are you comfortable with?
• How much out of pocket expenses are you willing lo bear?
• Do you want to own your home or have it own you?
• Don't sacrifice quality for quantity
• Resale value

Lifestyle

• Large, small or growing family
• How many bedrooms needed / occupants per bedroom
• Closet space needs for each bedroom
• Nursery or Guest Room
• Utility Room - laundry only or multi-use / Hobbies
• Den, Library, Conservatory, Office, Exercise Room
• Entertaining needs - Formal Dining, Large or small Formal Living Room (Any particular furniture to design room around?)
• Great Room or Family Room
• Guest Bath near living areas / Guest Bath in Guest Room
• Children's Bath and Master Bath Amenities
• Sauna / Jacuzzi / Hot Tub / Steam Shower
• One-story or multi-level
• May want to consider a design that can be added onto later

Building Orientation

• Views - which Rooms (prioritize)
• Solar exposure (living area SE to SW preferred)
• Site access / Driveway / Parking areas
• Pool / Courts / other Outbuildings
• Septic and utilities
• Scope of building site
• Existing trees
• Excavation/Drainage

Building Style

• Type of elevations
  • New England, Traditional, Victorian, Country French, Farmhouse, Ranch, Contemporary, etc. There are as many styles as there are homes. The building site, floor plan and personal taste will help determine basic style.
• Exterior Materials
  • Roofing - Composition / Wood Shake / Cement Tile
  • Siding - Lap Siding / Plywood / Stucco / Brick / Rock
  • Windows - Wood / Vinyl / Aluminum
  • Doors - Wood / Metal / Sliders / French
  • Paints /Stains/Trim Colors
  • Overhang / Soffits / Types of Gutters
  • Walkways / Patios / Concrete / Redwood Decks
• Interior Materials
  • Walkways / Patios / Concrete / Redwood Decks
  • Wall Coverings - Textured / Flat / Paint / Wallpaper / Wainscoting
  • Floor Coverings - Carpet / Vinyl / Hardwood / Tile / Marble
  • Door Styles and Moldings - Casing / Base / Crown Molding
  • Cabinetry - Door Style / European / Wood / Laminate
  • Countertops - Formica / Tile / Corian / Granite
  • Fireplaces - Gas Insert / Woodstoves / Pellet Stoves
• Fixtures
  • Plumbing - Sinks / Tubs / Showers / Faucets / Toilets
  • Electrical - Down lights / Soffits / Chandeliers / Exterior Lighting / Special Lighting / Landscape Lighting
  • Appliances - Refrigerator / Dishwasher / Cooktop / Ovens / Microwave /
  • Trash Compactor / Down Draft v. Conventional / Gas v. Electric
  • Options-Built-in Vacuum / Security System / Intercom / Sound System/etc.

Obviously this is not a comprehensive list of all the possibilities, but an overview of the general needs. Many decisions will fall in place easily as the design starts coming together.