5 Things to Know about Building a Home in the Bay Area
Newly built residence in Los Altos that Memmo Interiors furnished and decorated.
Building a home is such an exciting project. You get to craft your own space and create a warm and welcoming environment for yourself and your family — everything is customized and personalized to your needs and preferences. However, I can tell you from personal experience that it is also a highly complex process with a myriad of details not for the faint of heart.
As my family and I embark on our own new build project in the SF Bay Area, I’ve been reminded that the best way to achieve a successful project and get that dream home (with our sanity intact) is by proper planning. What do you need to know before starting? What can you plan in advance for your best outcome?
Let’s talk about it.
Warm and modern wet bar design in Millbrae by Memmo Interiors.
Q1: Where Do I Start When Building a New Home? What’s the Overall Process?
A: First, you need land and a vision.
The beauty of building your home is getting to bring your vision to life. It might sound obvious, but the first step to building is having a clear image of what you want your home to look like, feel like, and how it should function. And not just in general; I do mean specifics.
Why? Because the process of building a home involves multiple parties, such as your architect, interior designer, builder, contractors, landscaper, etc. You must be able to articulate your vision in a way that gets everyone on the same page… otherwise, it will be an impossible task trying to realize your goals.
Your vision may include the style of the house, the number and types of rooms you will have, the layout of the rooms, how you want the sunlight to enter the home, the fixed elements you would like (fireplace, built-ins, etc.), the materials you love, any must-have features (wine fridge!), etc. You can see a glimpse of our new build’s vision here.
With that being said, the general process of building a home is pretty straightforward:
Secure the land
Set your vision
Hire your designers (architect, interior, landscape)
Create an architectural plan and construction documents for the home
Get bids from builders
Get the building plans approved by the city
Start building
Of course, easier said than done, but every marathon starts with the first step.
Timeless two-tone renovated kitchen in Pleasant Hill by Memmo Interiors.
Q2: Who Do I Contact and Hire First?
A: Your architect and/or interior designer
Building a home involves multiple parties, and it is perfectly understandable that you might be unsure who to hire first. The answer is an architect and/or an interior designer. Here’s why...
In most cases, homeowners have a hard time translating their wants and wishes into a vision for their home. There are so many important details they may overlook, simply because they “don’t know what they don’t know.”
Most builders won’t or can’t quote your project without the plans for the home. Even if you do have them, they will require more details about the interiors to be able to give you the most accurate quote. Even the smallest difference in flooring material or installation method can change a builder’s quote dramatically.
For all these reasons, the best place to start is by hiring your architect and interior designer. In tandem, they are a dynamic duo that will help you develop and translate your vision.
Architects specialize in the exterior design of the building, while the interior designer specializes in the design of your life in the home. Ideally, the exterior and interior should speak to each other, and the floor plan of the house can be affected by both.
For example, architects don’t focus much on the kitchen layout, which is understandable since they are not kitchen designers. They may not pay special attention to leaving enough counter space in key areas for prepping or including wall space for a built-in coffee machine or wine fridge. Interior designers also think about functionality, such as storage needs, built-ins, furniture, or outlet placements. In other words, many of the details that will make your home livable and comfortable are the job of an interior designer.
The benefit for you is that you have both professionals to help you think through all those big-picture and small-picture details... as well as make sure the home is cohesive, feasible, will serve your needs, keep on budget, and most importantly, look good!
Another great reason to hire an architect or interior designer early on? They are also able to refer you to reputable builders and contractors in the Bay Area, which saves you the headache of making cold calls and vetting candidates yourself. Here is an in depth guide to hiring for a new build.
Memmo Interiors redesigned this condo in Redwood City with multi-functional spaces and a deep blue color palette.
Q3: Wait… What if I’ve Already Started Working with an Architect?
A: It’s not too late!
If you’ve already hired an architect and started developing your floor plan before consulting with an interior designer, don’t worry. It’s not too late.
Assuming your plan hasn’t been submitted to the city for approval yet, you can still meet with your interior designer and have them take a look at the first draft to make recommendations. The way I usually do this is by starting with a consultation to discuss your needs, likes and dislikes, pain points, dreams, priorities, etc. The goal is to get an in-depth understanding of your lifestyle as well as how you’d like to live, then review the floor plans with that perspective in mind.
I also create some preliminary furniture layouts and give you design ideas for the interiors. We can also look at exterior and interior inspiration photos together to hone your style — which will influence your selections. (Which, remember, your builder will need.)
Our Architectural Plan Review service is perfect for this stage of the process. Here’s how it works:
We start with a consultation meeting to dive into your dream home wish list.
We proceed with an in-depth review of your floor plans with your wish list in mind.
We meet with you to present recommendations and some preliminary design ideas (for built-ins, layout, style, etc.).
We can either let you take it from there or stay on for additional design work and project management down to the very last pillow.
On the other hand, if you do not have floor plans yet, we can also collaborate with you and your architect to develop program requirements for your dream home.
Modern outdoor living and dining space in Burlingame by Memmo Interiors.
Q4: What Costs are Involved in a New Build?
A: More than you think!
When it comes to new builds, there are a lot of misconceptions around the investment. How much does a newly built home cost? (Especially in the Bay Area…) What are the different services and fees to budget and account for?
Though I can’t give you specific numbers (every custom home is different and can vary widely depending on many factors), I can tell you that you’ll need the following people on your team and incur the associated fees.
Architect
Interior designer
Structural engineer
Landscape architect and arborist (especially if your property might have protected tree species)
City application and permit fees
Builder / Contractors
Materials, finishes, and fixtures - Rough materials are usually included by the builder in their estimates (from the lumber to the drywall to the HVAC to the grout between tiles). Finish materials include items like plumbing and light fixtures, hardwood floors, tile, cabinets, etc.
Taxes and shipping on costs of goods
And don’t forget the furniture and decor! I’ve seen time and time again when homeowners finish building a beautiful new home or renovation and haven’t considered the furniture and decor investment it takes to really complete the home.
This may sound like a lot, and it is, but keep in mind that expertise is worth the investment. A house built properly, that you love, will pay off long down the road.
Elegant primary bedroom in silver and navy palette by Memmo Interiors.
Q5: How Do I Get a Bid from Builders/Contractors?
A: With a detailed plan for scope, materials, and more.
Once it’s time to make your design plan a reality, you will need to find a builder and get a quote for your project. Unfortunately, it is not as easy as it seems. As I mentioned in Question #2, no contractor will be able to bid on your project accurately without a complete architectural plan.
It will also be beneficial to have additional details about the features and materials that make up your interiors for more accuracy. This can include everything from the molding style to the flooring material and installation method to what type of bathroom vanity you want and how many light fixtures are right for the space.
Once you sign a contract with a builder, any changes that come up during the construction phase can end up adding up and being very costly. Side note: Your builder is NOT your designer. They do not want to provide design advice and make design decisions for you, nor do you want them to. It’s not their area of expertise, they will spend little to no time considering your needs and style, and they may not be up-to-date with the latest products and trends in interiors. Builders are there to see that your house gets built properly and as quickly as possible.
Final Thoughts
All in all, building a home is a long, arduous, but gratifying journey. It is complex, and the level of detail involved is tremendous, but the experience and joy of bringing your dream to life for you and your family is unparalleled. I can’t wait to show you more about building a home from start to finish.
Talk soon!
Rosanna
