Some people would rather build their own home than invest in a home that has already been lived in. Known as a design-build, the process of constructing a home can come with some unique challenges.

Here are three mistakes that you will want to avoid as you work with your contractor to design the perfect living space for your family.

1. Failing to Oversee Stud and Outlet Placement

Design builds give you the unique opportunity to be involved in each phase of the design and construction of your new home.

Too many homeowners leave the small details in the hands of a contractor, only to find that these details have been executed in a way that doesn't meet their needs. It's important that you oversee the placement of wall studs and electrical outlets.

The location of the wall studs in a room will determine where you can hang heavy wall décor. The location of the outlets in a room will dictate where you are able to place lamps, televisions, and other electrical devices.

Be sure that the placement of these elements allows you to utilize your new home in the way you desire.

2. Failing to Plan for the Future

Building a custom home can be costly. If you plan to live in the home for a long time to come, you must take time to plan for your future when designing the property.

Are you planning to welcome children into your family? Are you starting to think about retirement? These important life milestones should play a role in the design of your home.

You will be able to create versatile spaces that can be converted into a playroom or nursery with ease when designing your own home. You can also choose to eliminate certain elements (like stairs or difficult cabinets) that will make your home more ergonomic when you keep your future needs in mind during the design phase.

3. Getting Caught-Up in Over-Customization

While you are able to customize each and every detail of a design-build, you want to avoid the temptation to over-customize your new home.

Over-customization could make the home more difficult to sell if you decide to move.

Some high-end amenities and unique features are fine to incorporate into the design of your home. Just be sure that you avoid any highly specialized or uncommon custom features if you want to maximize the value of your home.