How much home do you need?

The median above-grade living area of recently built single-detached houses in Ontario is 2,380 square feet

Thinking of designing and building a home or cottage in Ontario, Canada? Before you start looking at floor plans and designing your dream home or cottage, take a moment and ask yourself - how much home do I/we really need? It’s a simple question that requires careful consideration.

Did you know: today’s houses are approximately 30% larger than homes built in the 80’s and 90’s and almost twice as big as houses built in 1960 or earlier?

According to Statistics Canada, the median above-grade living area of recently built single-detached houses in Ontario is 2,380 square feet. This is approximately 30% larger than homes built in the 80’s and 90’s and almost twice as big as houses built in 1960 and earlier.

Why does the size of the home you want to build matter?

The short answer is cost.

While many of us dream of having a sprawling home to accommodate family and entertain guests, it all comes at a cost. While you want the size of your home to reflect your lifestyle, you also need it to fit within your budget. Keep in mind, there is more to your budget than just the cost to build your home. You also have to consider property taxes and the ongoing costs to maintain your home.

If you want to design and build a home, your budget is going to dictate what you can afford to build. There are many factors that will influence the cost of your home, but size will play a significant role in the overall cost. A 2,000 square foot bungalow is more affordable than a 3,000 square foot bungalow with the same features.

How to Determine what size of home you really need

To determine the size of home you really need,  you need to consider what rooms you want and how you’ll use them. In addition, you should try and separate the nice-to-haves from the need-to-haves. In other words, is that indoor pool a need or a want?

Common rooms and Spaces to consider:

The following is a list of common rooms and spaces you may want to consider for your home or cottage:

• Foyer
• Family Room, Living Room or Both
• Kitchen with Pantry
• Formal Dining and/or Informal Eating Area
• Home Theatre Room
• Media / Games Room
• Master Bedroom With Ensuite 
• Kids Bedrooms
• Guest Room or In-Law Suite
• Laundry Room With Family Entrance
• Home Office
• Bathrooms
• Storage Room
• Mechanical Room
• Basement

How to fit everything you want into a home you can afford

With today’s technologies, materials and smart design from an architect or design build company, you may be surprised at what you can achieve. You just may be able to get all of your need-to-haves along with some of your nice-to-haves in a size that fits your lifestyle and budget.

The best way to determine how much home you really need is to work with a design company. They’ll be able to make suggestions to help you achieve your goals. For example - it may be cost prohibitive to build a 3,000 square foot bungalow, but perhaps you can get the same square footage and features in a two storey home? As a general rule - it’s cheaper to build up than out.

If you’re considering designing and building a home or cottage in Peterborough, Ontario or the surrounding areas, give us a call. We’d love the opportunity to show you how we can put a spotlight on your project.

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