Residents looking for a custom home builder in Beach Haven West, Manahawkin, Long Beach Island or other shore community know that you don’t want to choose just anyone. Not when you’re aiming to build your dream home.
But having your dream home built on waterfront property is not a task to trust to just any builder. There are special considerations to keep in mind, which is why contractors like Knauth Builders LLC and others recommend you take a close look at who you’re hiring before signing any paperwork. That’s because a Beach Haven West home remodeler, Cape May builder, or other contractor should ideally have experience in making the most of the waterfront living lifestyle.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when having a custom waterfront home constructed:
Pay Special Attention To The Windows
In most homes, the windows go in fairly traditional, fairly predictable places. Same window style around the home, evenly spaced all around. So easy a child could pick out the spots where windows will go.
This is not the preferred approach when constructing a waterfront home. Those water views are important. A good home builder working on waterfront property knows that most windows should be situated to face the water, with larger bay windows used whenever possible. This provides the homeowner one of the great benefits of waterfront living: those amazing views! Even if you’re on a lagoon, looking out your window and seeing the water has a big impact on your quality of life.
Use Higher Quality Lumber
Most waterfront home building involves using 2 x 4” lumber for the wall framing. That’s perfectly adequate, as most houses are built that way, but for a quality modern house choose a builder that uses 2 x 6” lumber instead.
For example, Knauth Builders LLC, a custom home builder in Beach Haven West, used2 x 6” lumber because it makes house frames more sturdy – important when you live on the water – and provides more in-wall room for insulation, wiring, and so on. This can be the difference between a house that can withstand the elements and be modernized, and a run of the mill home.
Don’t Forget A Dock & Water Amenities
When building custom homes for boaters, it’s absolutely vital to factor in the costs, materials, time and labor for dock and water amenity construction. This is why the property owner wants a home there in the first place! Not every home remodeler in Manahawkin and other communities is equipped to do this sort of work. In fact, few are. At the very least, you want a contractor that has worked with marine contractors before in order to create a waterfront home that takes full advantage of its location on the water.
Living on the water is a rare joy. With easy access to fishing and boating, relaxing views, and more, it’s no surprise that many want a home on the water. That’s why we caution people to ensure they do it right the first time. Work with an experienced waterfront home builder and you’ll be happy for many years to come!