There is a lot to love about buying a brand-new home. You get a fresh start, modern features, and the comfort of knowing there are no urgent repairs waiting for you when you move in.
But what if you're a do-it-yourselfer and you still want to personalize your space, even if it's brand new? Amanda Hendrix of Love & Renovations shares her insights into getting the best of both worlds: a new build home customized with creative DIY projects that add character and personal style.
Q: You had previously renovated two older homes, but your current one is brand-new construction. What convinced you to go with a new build this time?
Hendrix: It’s a funny story, because when we first started looking for our home, I swore I was not going to buy new construction. We were looking at different neighborhoods, and we found one that was perfect. We loved the amenities, and we stumbled on this house that was being built, and we just fell in love. It was one of those, "when you know, you know" moments. There was a piece of me at first that thought, “I don’t know, it’s new construction.” But, it was the right house for us in the end, and it has been a fantastic decision.
Q: You've DIYed older homes before. What are the downsides of tackling DIY projects in resale homes?
Hendrix: A great example is what we went through with our first home. It was a resale, and when we started to do renovations, we found that the previous owner had done a lot of things incorrectly. We had to do a lot of backtracking and fixing things that someone else had messed up. With a resale home, you also feel more of a push to get things done quicker. The house might have features that are dated, or the bathroom is falling apart. The nice part with a new construction home is that you can take your time with renovations because everything is fresh, and you’re not having to undo anything.
Q: How did it feel when you first moved into your new build?
Hendrix: It was a lot more exciting than I anticipated. It was fun to move into a home and know that nobody else had ever been here, and I was getting to put my own touch on it without the influence of any other previous homeowners. New construction homes can feel like a blank slate. The walls are usually already white, and everything is so full of possibility. It felt like this big canvas waiting for me to do fun things to it.
Q: Which builder upgrades did you prioritize, considering your DIY plans?
Hendrix: We focused on the things that are really hard to fix once you’ve moved in. The flooring was the number one thing we prioritized, because that can be a really difficult thing to change after the fact. We also upgraded to have more windows and more outlets for the same reasons. People get caught up in wanting the design to be beautiful, but that’s so easy to fix yourself. Focus on making sure your layout makes sense, or that your floor is exactly what you want, so you don’t have to essentially move out of your house to fix it later.
Q: You've been in your home for over five years now. What DIY project has been your favorite?
Hendrix: We’ve done a lot, it looks like a completely different house now. One of my favorite things was adding an electric fireplace. In newer homes in our area, fireplaces aren’t very common. We have a two-story living room, and I built a fireplace that goes all the way up to the ceiling, and it’s the focal point of the whole space. Beyond that, there’s a lot of trim work, accent walls, and painting. Trim work is definitely my favorite way to upgrade things.
Q: Any surprises or challenges when mixing DIY with a brand-new home?
Hendrix: Maybe the biggest challenge has been in living with some of the things we didn’t upgrade, like the countertops in the kitchen. They’re perfectly fine, so there’s a piece of you that doesn’t really want to change it quickly. In an older home, if the countertops are chipped or stained, it feels easier to justify replacing them. But when they’re only three or four years old, it feels wasteful to change them. So that’s something I’ve had to balance.
Q: Would you recommend a new build to other DIYers?
Hendrix: Absolutely. I think a lot of do-it-yourselfers tend to shy away from a new build because it feels like there’s nothing to do. But I have learned that it is really fun and rewarding to take a house that might look like every other house on the block, and turn it into something uniquely yours.
Q: Do you have any advice for DIYers who are considering a new build?
Hendrix: I always tell people: no matter if you’re in a new build or an older resale home, if you’re interested in DIY, just jump in and give it a shot. With new builds, it can feel intimidating to put that first coat of paint on the wall or hang a piece of trim, because people are afraid of making a mistake. But you’re never going to get anywhere if you don’t try. Almost everything is fixable, so just jump in and do it.
Michael Letendre
Michael Letendre is a writer for NewHomeSource and Builder Magazine.