Custom home builders report regrets over floor plans and equipment

A survey conducted by NEXER Group and the housing consultation service Musbu reveals that approximately 33.9% of individuals who built custom-made homes in Japan reported experiencing regrets after moving in.

The most common area of regret was floor plans and daily living flows, cited by 48.8% of respondents. Other significant issues included land selection (34.1%), equipment such as kitchens and bathrooms (24.4%), and the placement or quantity of electrical outlets and lighting (24.4%). Specific grievances included insufficient electrical outlets for modern electronic devices, poor window placement affecting views, and inadequate after-sales support following staff turnover at construction firms.

To mitigate these issues, experts suggest prioritizing structural and performance-based options that are difficult to change later, such as insulation, window quality, and electrical wiring. In regions with extreme temperature fluctuations, investing in high-performance insulation and windows is recommended to manage energy costs and comfort. Additionally, evaluating time-saving appliances by calculating their value against one's hourly wage can help in making informed budgetary decisions.