Have you ever looked around your home and wished the builders had done something different? Would you have liked more windows, a door where there isn’t one or maybe the stairs would be better in a different position? Some people spend a lot of money to make their homes to get them just how they want them but for others, the answer is to build the home from scratch themselves. Then they are involved in the planning and the building and if there is something they are not happy with, it can be discussed before the home is complete.
The first thing you need to do is find the location that where you want to build. You need to make sure it is convenient for your lifestyle, or no matter how good the property is, it will soon prove to be unsuitable.
This can be a great way to get the home you want, but if you have never done it before it is easy to make mistakes and end up with a home that is not the way you wanted it to be. Follow these tips and hopefully, that situation will be avoided.
Know What You Want
There is more to designing a custom-built home than having the architect draw up the plans. You will have had to make a lot of choices to get through this stage and possibly some compromises, but there is more to come. You need to know how you want the inside to look too.
For instance, what colour tiles do you want in the bathroom? What type of kitchen do you have in mind? Do you want a totally tiled roof or one that will let some natural light in? Roof Depot has options for all roof styles, and you can view their website to get some ideas. Not knowing the answers to these and many other questions could slow the project down.
You have to consider the size of your family and the lifestyle you want to lead. It may be fine for the moment, but think where you will be in five years. Will it still be suitable then?
Watch What Rooms Go Where
You need to consider the placement of all the rooms in your new home. For instance, where do you want the laundry room to be? Some people like it in the basement so it is completely out of sight, but others think it makes sense to have it on the same floor as the bedrooms so that you are not having to drag bed linen up and down stairs. It really is a matter of personal choice, but something you need to decide at the planning stage.
Where you have a dining room is also crucial. Do you want it to be next to your kitchen for convenience sake, or would you rather have it further away so that the kitchen smells are left behind?
You should listen to the advice you are given by the architects over these matters, but also remember that it is your home and your family that is going to live there. You will know the needs of you and your brood better than anyone else.
Changing rooms around after you have moved in could be costly, so make sure you know exactly where you want each room to be before the plans are finalized.
Heating And Lighting
You need to make sure that the heating and lighting systems you are having installed will be able to cope with the amount of use they will have. It is no use buying a slightly smaller system for hot water for instance if you have to wait an hour or more between family members taking showers or baths. You want to be able to use your heat and light as and when you wish, so do not try to save a few dollars on these, as there are other ways to cut back if you need to.
Don’t Forget The Outside
You also need to consider the outside of your property. Where do you want the garage for example? Do you want a porch or all the windows to have shutters? The outside might not seem quite so important, but it will be if you decide to sell at a later date. Then curb appeal is vital and the look of the outside of your home will be crucial if you need it to sell quickly.
Use Professionals
You may feel that you want to do some of the work yourself, and that is fine if you have the ability to do so. However, there are some jobs you should always use professional, licensed tradespeople to do or you could have mistakes that will be very costly. Electricians and plumbers are just two examples, but you should also have your bricks laid, your roof fitted and your windows all handled by experienced people. They will also be insured in case anything they do goes wrong, and then the cost will not be down to you.
You should talk with each one you are considering using to make sure they fully understand what you want and to make sure that you get on with them. Using a tradesperson when there is a clash of personalities can make the whole process much more stressful. By chatting with them you can build a relationship that has to last for the time they are working on your property, and you want that be an easy one that lets you discuss things without any hassle.
Don’t Build Too Large
For many people, living in a large home is a dream but the reality can be quite different. Large homes are more costly to maintain, will have larger utility bills and will take more time to keep clean. Many times people who have built larger homes then look to downsize because they realize the pitfalls and that if it is properly designed and a smaller home can be more homely.
No one is suggesting that you build a really tiny home, but for most families, 3000 to 3500 square foot is big enough to not feel squeezed in. There is also the cost to consider. If you break the costs down into an amount per square foot, a 3500 one will cost a lot less to build than one that is 6000 square foot.
Don’t Borrow Too Much
It is very easy to get carried away with the spending on your custom-built home. You may want a luxury kitchen, but you could manage with a standard one until you have saved the money to buy the one you want. The same applies to bathrooms and décor. These can all be changed at a later date.
The pleasure will disappear from your new home if you have to struggle to meet the mortgage payments. It is better to keep your mortgage as low as possible, and then you will be able to save to make changes at a later date.
You do not have to deprive yourself of any of the things if you can do them within a budget that means your monthly repayments stay a reasonable amount, but don’t overstretch your finances as this can lead to anxiety and depression.
Don’t Skip Inspections
At various stages of the building process, the work will have to be inspected. Do not skip any of these and just let the builders carry on, as they will identify any problems at an early stage. You should have a signed contract with anyone working on the property and if they have made an error that the inspection shows up, they will have to put it right at no cost to you.
Plan For Completion
There are many minor things that can delay the completion of your home and you have to be prepared for some things to take longer than expected. For instance, did you remember to tell the builder that you wanted a slightly larger window in the bedroom? It may delay completion by a couple of weeks while he arranges for the new one to be delivered. The weather can stop people from working too, so whatever your plans are for moving in you need to have contingency plans for delays.
It is great if everything goes to plan and it is finished when it should be, but more often than not there is a delay even if only for a few days.
Don’t Rush Matters
Once you have decided to build your own home and have found a great location, take the time to do some research into the type of building you want. There are many online resources that can help and give advice. It is a good idea to have some knowledge before you start meeting with the professional who will be drawing up your plans.
These days, most architects use virtual reality technology to be able to show you what your home will look like, inside and out. Now is the best time to make any changes, before the plans are agreed and building starts.
