In 2016, the Wilson family began the journey to build their first custom home. Almost six years later, they are settling into their second custom-built home in Georgia. Yes, you heard that right. 6 years, 2 custom builds, AND they acted as their own general contractors for each one.
This impressive build journey is one we have been so excited to follow along with. The Wilson's built two of our most popular house plans:
Farmhouse Plan 4122WM and
Modern Farmhouse Plan 56478SM, both of which have received an immense amount of love from dozens of our clients throughout the years.
Anyone building a home knows that the journey doesn't end on move-in day, but now that the Wilson family is officially settling into their beautiful build of Plan 56478SM, we decided to chat with them about their experience over the last few years. Here's a behind the scenes look at the in's and out's of building, as told by long-time members of our ADHousePlans family:
How They Modified the Plan
Added an additional garage bay, making it a 4 car garage
Added a pantry across the hall from the laundry room
Extended the depth of the house by 2 additional feet
Removed the bathtub in the primary bathroom to enlarge the shower
Removed closets in the foyer to create a more open-concept feel
Opted to change the exterior door in the primary bedroom into a window
Materials & Paint Colors
When the Williams family decided to build again following their relocation, they already gained some great experience to prepare them for their new custom home process. Although they were still in love with their first Farmhouse, they had a few new "must-haves" for their second home.
"Laundry room closer to the primary bedroom"
"Designated drop-zone for backpacks"
"Vaulted back porch"
"We raised the front porch at our first house by 2 feet, giving us a brick skirt & steps. We knew we wanted that again at the second house"
How They Modified the Plan
Vaulted the rear porch
Changed the vaulted living room ceiling into a 12' coffered ceiling
Removed the bathtub in the primary bathroom to enlarge the shower
Removed the 3 windows and single door on the rear living room wall and replaced them with a 12'x8' french door with matching windows
Altered the layout of the kid's bedroom area by removing the existing bathrooms and closets
Eliminated the middle bedroom and instead altered it into 2 separate bathrooms with 2 closets, therefore expanding the 2 remaining bedrooms.
Materials & Paint Colors
Advice for First Time Builders?
Be patient, try to be super organized! We contracted out both houses ourselves, so I was able to ask for an estimated time frame for each job the contractors were doing. That way I could have the next contractor lined up to start right after the previous one was done. Keeps things moving!
Everyone has a few things they are willing to splurge on, choose your splurge items for something you can’t change later.
Favorite Part of the New House?
Definitely the porches! I love that we added a fireplace on the back porch this time. I love the coziness of a ranch-style home, and the whole family being on one level.
You can follow along with the Wilson family as they put the finishing touches on their new home here.
Check out our last client spotlight, The Williams Family in North Carolina, here.
