Visualizing your dream house is free, but mistakes or changes made in the design phase cost you time; extending those problems to the building phase opens and drains your wallet.

     Think about how thoroughly each space will be used, its furnishings, the area around it, and what is most important about each space. Then ponder each space’s future use by carefully considering the state of your family and if its potential expansion will require drastic change, such as the conversion of a dining room to a simple den.