Building a custom home is one of the most exciting projects you’ll ever take on.

But even homeowners who love their finished home sometimes say:

“We should’ve thought about that sooner.”

At Mark Scott Homes, we build high-end custom homes across Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana, including New Buffalo, Sawyer, and LaPorte. Over the years, we’ve learned that most regrets don’t come from the home itself…

They come from small planning gaps that become big inconveniences later.

Here are the most common custom home regrets—and how to avoid them.

Regret #1: “We didn’t plan storage like we should have.”

Storage isn’t exciting until you don’t have enough of it.

Common regrets include:

not enough pantry space
closets that look big but don’t function well
no drop zone at the entry
nowhere for beach/lake gear
utility areas that feel cluttered

How to avoid it:
Design storage around real life. Walk through daily routines during planning, not after move-in.

Regret #2: “We didn’t understand how many decisions we’d need to make.”

Custom homes come with a lot of choices.

When decisions pile up, homeowners can feel overwhelmed—which leads to rushed selections or delays.

How to avoid it:
Work with a builder who has a clear selections process and timeline, and helps you make decisions in the right order.

Regret #3: “We didn’t think about lighting early enough.”

Lighting impacts how your home feels every day.

Common regrets:

not enough recessed lighting
poor exterior lighting
forgetting lamp outlets
no statement fixtures where it matters
harsh lighting in cozy spaces

How to avoid it:
Plan lighting by function first, then design. Don’t forget outdoor living areas and pathways—especially for lake homes.

Regret #4: “We didn’t plan for the future.”

Even if you’re building your dream home now, life changes.

Homeowners often wish they included:

wider doorways
main-level living options
future-friendly bathroom layouts
flexible guest spaces
better long-term accessibility

How to avoid it:
Future-proof while it’s easy. It’s much cheaper to plan now than remodel later.

Regret #5: “We didn’t fully understand the budget.”

This is one of the biggest stress points in custom home building.

The most common reasons:

allowances were unrealistic
changes weren’t documented clearly
budget updates weren’t proactive
expectations weren’t aligned early

How to avoid it:
Choose a builder who provides real-time transparency and consistent budget communication.

Regret #6: “We didn’t spend enough time on the layout.”

A home can be beautiful and still not function well.

Common layout regrets:

kitchen flow feels awkward
laundry is inconvenient
mudroom too small
traffic patterns feel cramped
outdoor living isn’t connected to the interior

How to avoid it:
Do a “day in the life” walkthrough during design. Morning routine, guests over, holidays, weekends—simulate it all.

Regret #7: “We didn’t choose the right builder.”

This is the regret that hurts the most.

Because it impacts:

schedule
budget
quality
communication
the entire experience

How to avoid it:
Look for a builder with:

proven craftsmanship
a clear process
transparent budgeting
strong communication
great reviews and repeat referrals

The Best Custom Homes Are Built With Clarity

Most regrets are avoidable with the right planning and the right team.

If you’re building in New Buffalo, Sawyer, LaPorte, or anywhere in Michiana, we’d love to help you plan a home you’ll love for decades.

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The Most Common Custom Home Regrets