Future proofing your house

Future proofing is an important consideration that should not be missed when designing a new home. This doesn’t necessarily mean installing EV charger or solar panels. Future proofing can mean very different things to different people.

What is your future proofing?

A lot depends on your life stage and how you define ‘future’. For example, future proofing will look very different for newlyweds vs a couple with adult kids who will soon be leaving home. And future proofing for a family who loves all the latest technology will be very different from what’s needed for those who want to live off grid in the countryside. This is yet another step in the build journey that emphasises the beauty of design and build, of having the flexibility to make your home truly bespoke.

It’s important to be thorough with your future proofing. A retired couple designing their new home may think to future proof by choosing a single level design with wider doors. But appropriate bathroom layouts, heating solutions, accessibility to all spaces and even being able to reach the light switches are also worth considering. If a single level property is not possible, including a lift shaft could be another option.

Besides future proofing for your lifestyle, thinking ahead about small things can make a big difference too – many underestimate the cost of retro-fitting items once the house has been built. Even adding an extra power point can be a bit of a mission. We always recommend clients study their electrical plan thoroughly. It’s much easier to add a few extra switches and plugs at a relatively small cost while building. And if you’re planning to install louvres in the future make sure your builder is aware, so they can put in an extra stud in preparation. These are just some examples of what can easily be overlooked during the design process.

Sometimes you need to future proof because of the style of your house. With mono pitch or low pitch roofs it is challenging to retro fit anything that needs roof access, such as central heating, extra power lines and skylights to name a few.

So future proofing is a worthwhile exercise in forward thinking about how you are going to live in your new home. Be sure to share your vision with our design and build consultant so they can help you ensure your new home is future proofed to your own personal requirements.

additional reading: The process of Design and Build