- 1). Find the ideal site. Before you can plan out the structure of the dream house itself, you need to find a locale which suits it. Not only does it help you find the ideal surrounding territory, but you will need to plan the architecture around the landscape... preferably in a way which merges building and location into a single beautiful package. In addition to the aesthetic beauty of the landscape, you'll want to watch the location of other buildings nearby. Do they enhance your view and accentuate the territory? Or are they eyesores that you would prefer to do without? Road location is pertinent too. How long does it take you to get there? How long will you need to get to work or other important locations? Is the drive a pretty one, or just a chore?
- 2). Determine how much space you both need and desire. This will be constrained somewhat by the location you have chosen, but any kind of dream home will need a certain number of rooms and amenities. Determine how many people will be living there: they will likely each require a bedroom, and private bathrooms are ideal in a dream house. The number of occupants will also determine the size of the kitchen and dining areas. You'll need to plan for extras such as a balcony or a patio, chart out the size of a garage and driveway based on the number of cars you'll have, and factor in both yard size and amenities such as a pool or jacuzzi. You'll also need to plan for outlying buildings: anything from a guest house to a horse barn to a simple tool shed. Be as detailed as possible about what you want and what you will require: it will make subsequent steps much easier.
- 3). Consult an expert. A precious handful of people have the right skills to design and build a dream house solely on their own, but 99 percent of us will need some professional advice. The first stop is an architect. Talk to a number of different firms, give them your basic plans, and ask them to come up with specific designs for your homes. From there, you should talk to a contractor, who can handle not only the construction of the home itself, but the landscaping of the surrounding area. Interior decorators can help plan the decor of the home once basic construction is complete, electricians can wire your home for specific appliances, and gardeners can be hired to make sure the exterior stays in good shape year 'round. All of these services should be negotiated and finalized before construction begins. Online sources such as Dream Home Source can provide stock plans and a directory of luxury builders, while
- 4). Work with your team to meet the specifications you desire. Top-end architects and designers are committed to making their clients happy, but may have their own ideas about what works best for your chosen space. Listen to them and get detailed information on any concerns they may have, then find ways to work with them around any difficulties they may bring up. Don't start building until you are happy with the plan and your team is satisfied that it can be safely implemented within the chosen time frame.
- 5). File for all the proper permits. Local building codes and statutes must be adhered to when building your dream house. Not only must basic safety and fire codes be passed, but local areas may forbid buildings of a certain size, certain kinds of outlying amenities, or the presence of animals such as horses. In many cases, a contractor can take of those details for you, but you'll need to be aware of them before you begin to build and speak to local civic authorities about anything they will require from you.
- 6). Never stop planning. No house is ever perfect, and any place where people live becomes a living, breathing extension of their lifestyle. Be prepared to adjust your dream home as tastes alter, as you find new passions to explore, as you family grows or moves away, and as other circumstances in your life change.
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