---
title: Do I Need to Have a Design in Mind Prior to Finding a Builder?
description: Great design is essential in order to end up with the CT home you want—but the right builder can help you figure out the right design for your needs.
---

[Home Building and Remodeling Blog ](https://www.sunwooddevelopment.com/building-blog-ct)

# [Do I Need to Have a Design in Mind Prior to Finding a Builder?](https://www.sunwooddevelopment.com/building-blog-ct/do-i-need-to-have-a-design-in-mind-prior-to-finding-a-builder)

 Written by [Bob Wiedenmann](https://www.sunwooddevelopment.com/building-blog-ct/author/bob-wiedenmann) | Aug. 15, 2018

Many of us are familiar with the quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” It’s particularly applicable when you happen to be building a new home in the Wallingford, CT area. 

All the great photos of beautiful homes remain just dreams, wishes, and ideas until there is a concrete design and plan for turning them into reality (By the way[, here are 5 tips for designing your forever home](https://www.sunwooddevelopment.com/building-blog-ct/5-tips-for-designing-a-forever-home)). If you’re thinking about building a new home, you may be wondering: “Do I need to have a design in mind prior to finding a builder?”

 

At Sunwood, we’d have to say that the answer is a *qualified* no. You don't need to have a specific plan in mind before looking for a builder. At the same time, looking at floor plans can help you firm up exactly what you want in your new home. It helps you organize your thinking and provides a framework for how your home will come together. [A floor plan helps you evaluate how well your new home will meet your particular wishes, desires, and needs](https://www.sunwooddevelopment.com/building-blog-ct/how-to-evaluate-a-ct-custom-home-floor-plan).

 

Having a general design in mind is extremely helpful when interviewing prospective builders. It can help to convey what you want—even if you’re having a difficult time articulating what you want. It can also be useful in talking to a builder about what you like and what you don’t like. You may be one of those people who says, “I can’t tell you exactly what I want, but I’ll know it when I see it.”

Many of our clients come to us with ideas about elements within their dream home that are important to them. But they don’t necessarily have a specific plan for how to get the results they want. That’s why [we offer 20 different floor plans](https://www.sunwooddevelopment.com/floor-plans) that accommodate a variety of needs.

- ***How many bedrooms will you want or need?* We have plans for 3, 4, or 5 bedrooms.**

- ***How many square feet will make you feel comfortable?* Our plans range from 1,870 square feet to 3,525 square feet.**

One of the advantages of a custom home is that it can be tailored to your specific needs and desires. You don’t have to be locked into an existing plan.

Do you need to have a design in mind prior to finding a builder? There are a lot of benefits to having a design so that you can visualize (and communicate) your wishes, but a great custom builder will help you use an existing floor plan as a springboard for ideas to build you a home that’s just right for you.

[View full post](https://www.sunwooddevelopment.com/building-blog-ct/do-i-need-to-have-a-design-in-mind-prior-to-finding-a-builder)

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