When you’re designing a custom home the first thing that you need to decide is whether you want a two-story home or a one-story home. Greensboro NC home builders build beautiful homes in both styles so no matter which type you choose your new home will be functional and gorgeous. However, it’s important to choose the style of home that will fit your needs and your lifestyle now and in the future. Not sure how to choose which type of home is the best for you and your family? Here are some things to consider:

Why Do You Prefer One Style Over The Other?

Some homebuyers are convinced they need a certain type of house but they don’t know why. Usually, it’s because of the house they grew up in. People who grew up in a two-story house will automatically think about having a two-story house even if it’s not the best fit for their lifestyle. And people that grew up in a one-story home will do the same thing. So the first thing that you should do when you’re trying to make this decision is to remove emotion from the equation. Concentrate on the function of each home and how it will fit your lifestyle.

Make A Pros And Cons List

A smart way to make a rational decision about which type of home is right for your family is to make a pros and cons list. If you have kids you might prefer a one-story home so that you aren’t climbing up and down the stairs all day putting the kids down for a nap or doing laundry or putting laundry away. If you are older or plan on having this house for a long time you might prefer a one-story house that will be easier to get around as you get older. Or if you have a home business or work from home you might prefer having a two-story home so that you can go to an upstairs office to work away from the chaos and noise of the family hanging out on the main floor. Make a details pros and cons list to help you figure out the benefits of each type of home.

Think About The Future

Many people invest in a custom home planning on it being the last house they ever buy. If you plan on your custom home being your forever home think about the future when deciding whether you want a one-story or a two-story house. Getting up and downstairs might be difficult when you get older, in which case a one-story home would be a better choice. But if you don’t have any major knee or foot problems and you like having two stories health issues in the future may not be a concern. You might be more concerned with having plenty of space for your family members to come to visit in which case a two-story house might be the right choice. Think about the life you want to have in the future and not just the lifestyle that you have now when choosing whether one-story or two-story house is right for you.

Factor In The Costs

A two-story house is great for entertaining or if you have houseguests frequently or if you have a large family. But remember to factor in the cost of maintaining that second story. Here in NC it gets warm in the summer and having a second story with a second HVAC unit can make your utility bills climb as the temperature climbs. A second story also means another mechanical system to maintain and more plumbing and other essentials that need to be maintained. A one-story house usually costs less to heat and cool and maintain over the years. 

Ultimately you will have to choose what type of house fits your lifestyle and your family the best. No matter what type of home you choose Greensboro NC home builders can build a stunning custom home that has all the custom features you want. You can start designing your dream home today by calling R& K Custom Homes or dropping by one of our model homes. 

Building a custom home gives homebuyers the chance to design the home of their dreams. Greensboro home builders report that homebuyers often work with the designers to create luxury custom features for their homes that will increase both the beauty and function of their homes. Buying a custom home gives homebuyers the chance to design living spaces that have the luxury upgrades they’ve always wanted. Some of the most popular custom features for a luxurious custom home are:

A Luxe Kitchen Island 

A dream kitchen is a standard part of a custom home and today’s modern kitchens usually are large and spacious which makes them perfect for a custom kitchen island. A luxe kitchen island will provide lots of extra seating and storage and can double the workspace in the kitchen. Go big with your kitchen island and invest in high-quality materials like quartz or marble countertops and custom cabinets so that you will have the beautiful style you want and great functionality as well. 

An Indoor/Outdoor Kitchen With Pergola

Outdoor entertaining space is an important part of life in the South. With mild weather for most of the year, people spent a lot of time entertaining outdoors. You can create the outdoor entertaining space of your dreams in your custom home by having an indoor/outdoor kitchen built. A gorgeous custom built pergola will spread out over the patio to protect it from the elements but it will still be open enough to enjoy the sun and the air. A grill, outdoor fireplace, outdoor living space, and a large outdoor kitchen counter with built-in storage and an outdoor fridge and freezer will make it possible to have lavish parties that combine indoor and outdoor living all year long. You will also love curling up on the outdoor living furniture in front of a beautiful gas fireplace in the winter. 

A Spa-Like Master En Suite

These days it’s not considered a luxury for there to be an en suite bathroom off of the master bedroom. It’s a necessity. But the quality of the en suite can be upgraded to a level of luxury that will make it feel like a customized spa. You can put a sauna in your master en suite. Or create custom-built vanities with built-in storage and specialized lighting for makeup application. A spa-like jetted tub and a huge walk-in master bathroom shower can also increase the feeling of the luxury in the master en suite. Heated towel racks, high-end finishings, and other luxury touches turn the en suite into a true sanctuary and not just another bathroom. 

In-Floor Heating Throughout The House

A wonderful luxury upgrade for a custom home is to have in-floor heating installed throughout the house or even just in the bathrooms. In-floor heating takes the edge off those chilly mornings in the winter and is fantastic for people who have foot problems, arthritis, or just hate cold floors. It’s also very nice for pets. In-floor can also save money on energy bills by keeping your home warmer without using the central heating system. 

An Upgraded Laundry Room

A laundry room may not luxurious, but it can be with the right custom elements. Some people prefer second-floor laundry while others prefer first-floor laundry. But no matter where you want the laundry installed in your home a luxurious laundry room that is large and open is a great way to customize your home. Built-in shelving and custom made counter with durable countertops for folding and sorting and custom windows that let in a lot of natural light can turn laundry from a chore into a pleasure. 

A Media Room 

Greensboro home builders report a big increase in the number of people adding media rooms to their custom homes. If you love movies and TV and you love to entertain a media room is a must-have luxury in a custom home. Media rooms are usually in the finished basement of a home but can also be put on the main floor or on the second floor. Custom-built theater-style seating and custom paint and curtains designed to recreate the true darkness of a theater along with custom built shelving and storage for home theater equipment can give you the media room you’ve always dreamed of. You and your family and friends will love gathering in your custom media room for film and TV screenings. 

Ready to start designing the luxury custom home of your dreams? Call R&K Custom Homes today or drop by our showroom to get started. 

When designing a custom home, one of the biggest decisions to make is what kind of floor plan you want. There are open floor plans, split-level floor plans, single level, multi-level, and all sorts of layout options within the vast array of choices. It can seem overwhelming but R&K, one of the most experienced home builders in Greensboro, NC, can help make the decision easier. Consider these questions to help you choose the right floor plan for your new home.  

1. What Are My Family’s Needs? Think about your needs and those of the rest of the members of your family. Who will be living in the home? Will it need to be fully accessible for older family members? Are there young children who will need space to move about and play? Consider the needs of everyone before choosing a floor plan for common space and personal space.  
2. What Will My Family’s Needs Be in 10 Years? Think about the future. Will the family be growing? Will age be a concern for any members? What about mobility? Be sure to consider how your family will change in the years following the building of the home and how long you plan to live there.  
3. What is My Current Home Lacking? What are you looking for in your new home that your current home doesn’t have? Are you looking for more space? More natural light? More privacy? What can a new home offer that would influence the type of floor plan that would please you? 
4. Does the Lot Have Any Unusual Characteristics? Is the lot on a hill or sloping? Would it be easier to build the home to accommodate the lay of the land or would it be preferable to regrade the land? Are there natural elements to build around, such as trees or water? 
5. What Type of Floor Plan Will Best Fit Our Lifestyle? Is your family loud and boisterous, or quiet and relaxed? Does the floor plan need to compliment the family’s personality or attempt to counteract it?  
6. What Do I Want in a Kitchen? The heart of the home, the kitchen, is a large part of the floor plan for the shared living space in your home. Do you enjoy spending time in the kitchen cooking and baking? Do you prefer to cook alone or do you want to be able to socialize and prepare food simultaneously? Be sure to design your kitchen to suit your preferences.  
7. What Plan Best Fits My Personal Style? Do you prefer a cozy country farmhouse or a more modern architectural style of home? The floor plan can set the tone for the style of the home and make a big impact on the look and feel of it.  

Custom Design your Floor Plan with One of the Best Home Builders in Greensboro, NC  

When you want a home that is unique and reflects your own personal style, choose one of the elite custom home builders in Greensboro, NC to create it for you. R&K Custom Homes are all original designs; one home is never exactly like another. Each floor plan is unique with each homeowner’s personal preferences and choices put in place. Ready to build your dream home? Call R&K Custom Homes today and schedule a consultation: (336) 643-3505.  

The master bathroom. It’s your haven, your place of relaxation and peace. At least it can be if you take the time to design it well. Some of the top homebuilders in Greensboro, such as R&K Custom Homes, have designed many luxurious master bathrooms. Here are some things you may want to include to make your master bathroom look and function beautifully.  

1. Accessibility. One of the top ideas to consider is a fully accessible bathroom. Plan for the future or the unknown by designing your bathroom to be wheelchair accessible. Curb-less shower with bench, plenty of handrails, a spacious water closet with high toilet, a walk-in jetted soaking tub, and both low and high sink/vanity spaces are all features that may come in handy someday.  
2. Sunken tub. If your goal for your master bathroom is luxury, consider including a sunken tub with jets. Step right in and soak to your heart’s content. 
3. Sauna. Is this a bathroom or a spa? Can’t it be both? Include a sauna in your master bathroom and enjoy a steam to ease into the day or to relax you before bed. 
4. Steam shower. Speaking of steam, a steam shower is another luxury you need for your master bathroom. Shower in a cloud of warm steam and expel the winter chill or avoid the cool draft of the AC when it comes on during your shower. 
5. Heated towel rack. After a soak in your tub, a relaxing steamy shower, or a sweat session in your sauna, a warm towel feels amazing.  
6. Handheld shower head. Not just an item for an accessible shower, a handheld showerhead can be very convenient. It can be held or mounted and makes washing yourself and cleaning your shower easier.  
7. Smart toilet. Get a toilet with extra features like a heated seat, bidet, dual flush, soft close lid, and more.  
8. Storage. Be sure to include plenty of storage space from cabinets to a linen closet to medicine cabinets.  
9. Skylight. A bathroom should have plenty of natural light, and a skylight provides both light and privacy.  
10. TV. Ever wished you could watch TV while soaking in your tub? Want to catch the morning news while you get ready for the day? Include a TV in your bathroom and you’ll be glad you did.  

Choose one of the Elite Homebuilders in Greensboro to give you the Master Bathroom of your Dreams 

If these luxuries sound like items you want to include, your custom builder can do it for you. Working with one of the best homebuilders in Greensboro allows you to pick and choose the features you want for your home. Incorporate all the luxuries available or choose which ones you have to have or can do without to create a bathroom that is both functional and relaxing. R&K Custom Homes can help you design the master bathroom of your dreams complete with all the latest features and styles. Not all homebuilders in Greensboro offer the same customer care and quality craftsmanship as R&K Custom Homes. Call today to discuss not just your master bathroom, but also the rest of your ideas for your dream home: (336) 362-5225.  

Investing in a custom home is something that you don’t take lightly, and your builder shouldn’t take it lightly either. The best home builders Greensboro residents recommend most often are the ones who understand that you’ve been waiting and planning and saving for your ideal custom home and want to work with you to create that home. However, not all builders are as trustworthy as they should be. If you start to see any of these warning signs, consider finding another builder so that your custom home dream doesn’t turn into a nightmare: 

The Builder Pushes You to Make Decisions Fast 

Planning your custom home involves making a lot of decisions that can seem overwhelming. A trustworthy builder knows that you need time to consider each decision because those decisions will have a long-lasting impact on the finished home. That’s why a good builder will start the planning process with you early on and help you make the right decisions as building progresses. If a builder is pushing you for fast decisions and trying to get you to choose more expensive options without considering your needs, that is a big warning sign that the builder shouldn’t be trusted.  

The Builder Asks for a Lot of Money Up Front 

A reputable builder shouldn’t need you to come up with a lot of cash upfront for materials or other costs. If the builder tells you that work can’t begin without a huge influx of cash or that they need a lot of money upfront to pay a crew or get materials, you should be very wary of that builder. At times you may need to pay more upfront for higher-end materials if you want those in your home but in that case, the builder will show you exactly where the money is going and explain why they need that extra money.  

The Builder Doesn’t Want to Sign a Contract 

When you are working with a builder to design and build a custom home, every part of the process should be detailed in a legally binding contract. Spelling out each expectation in detail in a contract is the only way to be sure that you and the builder are on the same page and that you will be getting exactly what you want. A reputable builder should want to have a contract because it streamlines the process and protects the builder as much as it protects you. If the builder you are considering working with says that they don’t do contracts or balks at the idea of signing a contract that is a huge red flag that you shouldn’t ignore.  

The Builder Hides Their Prices 

Homebuyers have a lot of options when it comes to upgrading their custom–built homes. High-end materials, upgraded finishes, extra space, finished basements and other spaces all come with a cost and the builder should be transparent about what those costs are. When you look at a model home or go through the design showroom and see all of the various ways that you can customize your home the cost to get those upgrades should be listed and easy to find. If the builder tries to hide or minimize the cost of finishes and upgrades, all while trying to get you to commit to upgrades you’re not even sure that you want, that is another glaring sign that you’re working with a bad builder. A builder you can trust will always be transparent about their pricing.  

The Builder Has Bad Reviews 

Check out the online reviews of any builder you’re considering, even if you’re choosing between the best home builders Greensboro has. Those reviews from other home buyers will tell you if that builder is trustworthy or not. Good builders who have lots of happy homebuyers will encourage you to check out their reviews because they are confident that their satisfied customers will recommend them. If the builder tries to hide their online reviews or encourages you not to read the reviews that’s a good sign that the builder is not a builder you should trust. 

R&K Custom Homes is a builder you can trust. Call (336) 362-5225 today to start planning your dream custom home.