Planning an Oceanfront Vacation Home

• Draw up detailed schematics of your oceanfront vacation home before you hire a contractor. You may find inspiration in magazines or friends' homes, but get everything in writing.
• Be selective in hiring a contractor. Choose several at a time – preferably form word of mouth – then conduct thorough interviews and gather quotes.
• Get a lay of the land. Knowing the geographical limitations of your lot will help you in building your vision; there are some features that you may just have to do without.
• Consider that the cost of the lot you paid for, since it's on oceanfront property, may eclipse the building cost depending on your budget. You may decide to keep your oceanfront vacation home simple.
• Learn about building codes. While it's up to the builders to stay code-compliant, staying on top of the regulations also will help you drawing up your vision.
• Consult an architect or hire one for the duration of the project. If you can't afford to bring on an architect for the long haul, many will give a one-time consultation.
• Consider the outdoor elements surrounding your oceanfront vacation home. You may get tired of the wind and surf as certain times, so make sure there's adequate inside space that is comfortable and gives you a break from the beachside.
• Try to save on supplies, but don't go cheap. Saving a few cents a square foot really adds up when you consider the hundreds, even thousands, of square footage your home will take up. Beware of the quality of less expensive supplies, as inexpensive choices backfire by causing you repairs down the road.
• Be firm but flexible with your contractor. Sometimes you'll have to give up that fixture or paint color because it's out of stock or maybe out of your budget. However, always be assertive about your wishes.
• Plan for the construction project. Hold a meeting before the project that includes you, your spouse (if applicable), the construction supervisor and the workers. It's a good time for Q&A and setting the tone for the entire project.
• Communicate but don't micromanage the oceanfront vacation home project. Checking in with the supervisor for a daily briefing is acceptable, but be careful not to micromanage.