[Custom Homes] Approximately 48% Each Feel Regret and Success! Experienced Owners Share "What They Wish They Had Done Differently" and "What They Are Glad They Did"

## Experienced Owners of Custom-Built Homes Share "Post-Construction Regrets" and "Success Points" While custom-built homes allow for freedom in layout and facilities, it's not uncommon to think "I wish I had done things differently" after actually starting to live in them. There are things that only experienced owners understand, such as inconveniences that weren't apparent from the blueprints, or regrets about not having anticipated future lifestyle changes. Therefore, in collaboration with Smiful Home, a custom-built home builder in Isahaya City, Nagasaki Prefecture, we conducted a survey on "regrets after building a custom home" targeting 164 men and women nationwide who had previously responded that they "have built a custom home." *When quoting the contents of this press release, please take the following actions: - State that the source is "A survey by NEXER Co., Ltd. and Smiful Home." - Provide a link to Smiful Home (https://www.smifulhome.jp/). ## "Survey on Regrets After Building a Custom Home" Overview - Survey Method: Online questionnaire - Survey Period: March 2, 2026 - March 11, 2026 - Target Respondents: Men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they "have built a custom home." - Valid Responses: 164 samples - Questions: - Question 1: After living in your home, do you have any regrets such as "I wish I had done this differently"? - Question 2: What kind of regrets are they? - Question 3: On the contrary, have you ever thought "I'm glad I did this"? - Question 4: Please tell us what you were glad you did. - Question 5: Do you have any advice, such as "you should do this," for people who are planning to build a custom home? - Question 6: What kind of advice is it? *In principle, numbers are rounded to the second decimal place, so the total may not always be 100%. ## 48.2% Responded That They "Have Regrets After Living in Their Home" First, we asked whether they had any regrets, such as "I wish I had done this differently," after actually living in their home. The results showed that 48.2% said "yes" and 51.8% said "no." It is clear that nearly half of the respondents have some kind of regret. We also asked about the nature of these regrets, and some are introduced below. **What kind of regrets are they?** - The location of outlets. (Male, 30s) - I wish the kitchen had been wider. (Female, 40s) - I wish I had created more storage space. (Male, 40s) - The location of windows. (Female, 50s) - There were too few outlets, and I should have had LAN wiring done. (Male, 60s) - I had two children, but when I made two children's rooms, my husband and I didn't have our own room and had to sleep in the guest room. (Male, 60s) It is evident that comments regarding "layout," "storage," and "the location and number of outlets" are common across all generations. Dissatisfaction with the size of kitchens and living rooms is also noticeable, suggesting that many feel "I wish it had been a little wider" after starting to live there. ## 48.2% Responded That They "Are Glad They Did Something" Next, we asked, conversely, if they had ever thought, "I'm glad I did this." The results showed that 48.2% said "yes" and 51.8% said "no." It is an interesting result that the same percentage of people who have regrets also feel successful about certain aspects. We asked specifically what they were glad they did, and some examples are introduced below. **Please tell us what you were glad you did.** - Made the living room bright. (Female, 40s) - Made the pantry large, so it's convenient to store various things. (Female, 40s) - Designed the house with housework flow in mind. (Female, 40s) - Used a lot of Eco-Carat. It cost money, but I'm satisfied. (Female, 40s) - Added as much storage as possible in dead spaces. (Male, 60s) - Spent some money on sound insulation and heat insulation, and I'm comfortable with lower fuel costs. (Male, 60s) Responses such as "secured ample storage," "considered housework flow," and "spent money on heat and sound insulation" were prominent. It appears that those who properly addressed the "lack of storage" (which was a point of regret) in advance tend to have a higher level of satisfaction after moving in. It is clear that those who prioritized elements directly linked to daily comfort, such as a bright living room and efficient housework flow, tend to realize the unique benefits of custom-built homes. The feeling of having spent money wisely where it matters most seems to contribute to long-term satisfaction. ## 32.9% Responded That They "Have Advice for Those Building from Now On" Finally, we asked if they had any advice, such as "you should do this," for people who are planning to build a custom home. The results showed that 32.9% said "yes" and 67.1% said "no." We asked for specific advice, and some examples are introduced below. **What kind of advice is it?** - Firmly decide on your budget. (Male, 30s) - I want people to visit many model homes and imagine their actual life there. (Female, 40s) - Don't compromise on your preferences for the place you use most. (Female, 40s) - Don't compromise, even if it costs money. (Female, 50s) - You should build with your lifestyle in old age in mind. (Male, 60s) - You should respect professional opinions. Rather than an amateur thinking about layout and specifications, it's better to give professionals a bulleted list of what you want and let them handle it. (Female, 60s) Many responses emphasized "firmly deciding on a budget," "not compromising," "valuing professional opinions," and "planning with an eye toward lifestyle in old age." Particularly impressive was the advice to "visit many model homes and imagine your actual life there." It is difficult to grasp the feeling of actual living from catalogs and blueprints alone, highlighting the importance of visiting and experiencing homes firsthand. Furthermore, the perspective of "designing with future lifestyles in mind" is also crucial. While a home may be comfortable now, the required layout and facilities can change significantly with children's growth and life in old age. ## Summary This survey revealed that approximately 48% of custom home owners experienced "regrets after living in their home," while a similar 48% felt there were "things they were glad they did." The points of regret were concentrated on elements realized after moving in, such as insufficient storage, outlet placement, and room size. Conversely, those who adequately addressed these same points beforehand showed high satisfaction, indicating a dual relationship. For those considering building a custom home, we suggest referring to the experiences shared in this survey and working closely with experts to plan a home that considers not only current living but also future changes. - State that the source is "A survey by NEXER Co., Ltd. and Smiful Home." - Provide a link to Smiful Home (https://www.smifulhome.jp). ## About Smiful Home Company Name: Smiful Home Co., Ltd. Location: 1960 Tajiri, Moriyama-cho, Isahaya City, Nagasaki Prefecture 854-0204 Tel: 0957-27-5950 URL: https://www.smifulhome.jp Business Activities: New custom-built detached houses, renovations, general construction work. ## About NEXER Co., Ltd. Headquarters: Rise Arena Building 11F, 4-5-2 Higashi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013 Representative Director: Yuya Miyata URL: https://www.nexer.co.jp Business Activities: Internet research, SEO, web branding, review content, real shop support, website production.