Building a home or scouting to look for one can be exciting and overwhelming: exciting because you get to look at all these beautiful houses; or sketch your house plan; and overwhelming because you’re unsure whether a one-storey or a two-storey house better fits you and your family (and your budget).
Let us help you decide. We’ve listed here six points that you should consider before deciding whether to build or buy a one-storey or two-storey house.
Block size matters
Do you already have a block of land purchased? If so, that alone makes the decision easier for you. The size of your block is enough to speak to you if you ought to build a bungalow or a two-storey house. If you’re still unsure, though, consult with your builder and architect.
If you have a decent-sized corner lot block, a one-storey house can be enough for you. If you have more of a narrow and tiny in size block, building a two-storey house can mean maximizing the space available.
Consider your lifestyle
Your lifestyle is one of the major considerations when building or looking for a home. Are you expecting a child or do you already have kids? Are your children grown up? Is there an elderly in the family? Are you a retired couple looking for a new home? Are you a photographer? Do you plan on having a home office?
Every inch of space in a house has its purpose. Your lifestyle will reflect in your home so if there are no kids in your plans, and you just want to have a simple home for you and your partner, a bungalow could be the best for you at the moment. If you have an elderly in the family or a disabled member, a one-storey house that is wheelchair friendly will come a long way. However, if you have teenage kids in the family and have a narrow block in land, a double-storey home will do for your family.
Energy savings
If you think purchasing and building a house is expensive, wait til you live in it and have your electricity and utility bills surprise you. If you’d always live in a rental and jumping to living in a two-storey house, the adjustment with the number of bills can be overwhelming and stressful. Given this, single-storey houses are a lot cheaper when it comes to electricity and utilities; cooling and heating alone can break the bank if you’re unprepared of the changes.
Stairs are inconvenient
Of course, two-storey houses means having stairs. Now, you should think about whether or not stairs are heaven for you or hell. Because if you plan on staying there for your remaining years or you’re already of old age, you may want to rethink constructing a double-storey house since getting up and down the stairs can be a burden.
Also, having young children in the house as well as disabled members can find stairs an inconvenience as it can be difficult to climb for them and could be a vehicle for accidents. It may not seem big but stairs can be a huge factor.
Small or huge backyard
One of the priorities that potential homeowners look for in a house is the size of the backyard. If they have a big family with toddlers and a pet dog, chances are these people scout for a decent sized outdoor space.
Considering your lot size and its shape, one way or another, you’d have to compromise. If you have a small lot, a double-storey house would be enough though you could be left with a small yard. The same goes for bungalow houses. Your outdoor space will depend on your block size and design layout.
Costs and house value
People usually think two-storey houses are twice as expensive to build or buy in the housing market. Sure it’s a thousand dollars more expensive but it isn’t always the case as it, as mentioned earlier, depends on your lifestyle and certain other factors. What’s worth your money and how do you plan on living — lavish or smart living? What do you think will work best for your family?
What other factors do you think future homeowners need to consider when deciding whether to build or buy a one-storey or two-storey house? Share your thoughts with us!
About Chie Suarez
Chie Suarez never gets tired of looking at open-house models and searching home decor and design ideas. She also writes for Wincrest Homes, a company that builds modern family homes in Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle, and Hunter Regions.
February 13, 2017