In this episode of Home: The Second Story, we sit down with Niki Gulick, a seasoned homeowner and real estate agent who has built two custom homes and is considering a third. As residential architects, we dive into her journey to uncover lessons that can help future homeowners navigate their own projects. Niki walks us through her most recent home build, a 6,600-square-foot modern mountain lodge on a six-acre lot in South Dayton, Ohio. Although the design was originally conceived with a former partner, she chose to move forward due to favorable interest rates and timing, despite some compromises on the layout.

We discuss the importance of choosing the right team, especially a builder who has experience with projects of a similar scale. Niki highlights a critical moment when she was blindsided by a potential $15,000 gas line issue—something she believes a more experienced builder would have anticipated. This leads us to the key takeaway: make sure your builder has experience at or above the complexity of your planned project and request to speak directly with past clients to understand how issues were handled.

Niki also reflects on the role of the architect, noting how working with Sheri for a second time made the design process more efficient and enjoyable. She appreciates Sheri’s thoughtful design additions, like a three-story wall of windows and a spiral staircase, which enhanced the functionality and aesthetics of the home. However, she also acknowledges that she ended up serving as a de facto project manager, coordinating details that ideally would have been handled by others.

We explore the concept of having a “partner” in the build process—whether that’s an architect, a contractor, or a personal support system—emphasizing that it's nearly impossible to manage such a large endeavor alone. Niki’s story underlines that building a house is not just about money or design; it's a second job requiring time, emotional energy, and technical decision-making.

Looking ahead to a possible third project, Niki aims for simplicity and more strategic delegation. Her parting advice? Know what level of involvement you’re willing to commit to and choose your team accordingly. And despite the stress, when she looks out her bedroom window at the pond and fountain framed by Sheri’s beautiful window design, she knows it was worth it.

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Learn about our hosts:

Taylor: TPD Architecture and Design: https://tpdarchitect.com

Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com

SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com