Many prospect homeowners prefer to build their own houses because there are several benefits associated with this option. For instance, building own house from ground guarantees you the floor plan you want. This is not the case when you buy an existing home where you are forced to compromise on the floor plan among other issues such as the design and materials used.
The beauty of building your own house is the opportunity it gives you to tailor your home just the way you want it. You get a chance to design your home to suit your needs and tastes now and for many years to come. While many people think that building a house from scratch can be a gruelling experience, it is totally the opposite if you have the right plan and information. The information contained in this article will help you build your own home pain-free.
What to consider before building your own house
So, you want to build your own house, congratulations on taking such a bold step. Building a modern home can be a rewarding experience especially if you do it for the first time. However, before you jump to work, here are some things to consider.
Time
Unlike buying an already existing house, building your own home will take time. Remember you have to look for land and get the necessary building permits. All these activities take time to put in place. Besides, before you can begin to build you have to obtain all the finances. After getting the necessary documentation and finances, you will then embark on the actual building journey. This can take a while. In most cases, it can take at least 7 months or more. Therefore, if your aim is to move into your new home pretty quickly, building a home to scratch may end up frustrating you.
Cost
When choosing to build a home, it is important to consider the costs involved and if you can afford it. For your information, apart from the actual cost of building a house, there are costs to consider such as a place to live before your house is ready. If you are planning to sell your current house to pay the contractors, you should look for an alternative accommodation plan. However, if you have a comfortable place to live as you build your house, you won’t have a problem to wait no matter how long it takes.
Tips to building your own house from scratch
Get a good plan
You have to put your plan in place if you want to succeed in the construction process. Building without a plan will lead to a house with doors, windows and corridors in the wrong places. The sizes of rooms such as the master bedroom, kitchen and the bathroom may not turn out to be what you really wanted.
Make sure you take your time when doing the plan. Have all the necessary details with you. You have to be sure of where you want the house to lay, the layout & floor of the rooms, the number of power points you will need and the kind of lighting you will use. Don’t hesitate to explore different designs and to keep track of the ones that inspire you more. These are designs you can emulate and use to share with your architect to understand the exact thing you are looking for.
Have a flexible budget
The advantage of having a flexible budget is that you will be able to accommodate things that cost more than you had budgeted for. It is not possible to have an exact budget when dealing with a building procedure. You have to be prepared for those times when items are needed and they were not included in the estimated budget.
For instance, costs such as window coverings, internet & cable hookups, gas and electrical meters are often not included in the budget. Other costs that are not usually included in the estimated budget include outdoor concrete, landscaping, decking, letterbox, gates and fences. They are considered to be finishing costs and are necessary to make your new home habitable. You also have to consider unforeseen circumstances. Like in the case you want to change something on the plan or the materials used are not up to your expectation, it won’t be difficult for you to change things if you are working with a flexible budget.
Choose the right builder
Getting the right builder is probably the most important decision you will make when building your own house. This is the person you are going to work hand in hand with for several months to come. Therefore, it would be wise to get a person you can get along with. When picking a builder, there are several factors to consider such as references, past work, credentials, price, style and personality. Make sure you get the right builder from the beginning. It will save you a lot of trouble.
The materials to use
The building materials you use to build your house have an upper hand on its durability. Like when you choose fibre cement cladding, you are guaranteed of total durability. This is a material that provides protection to the outside of the building and its maintenance cost is extremely low. Furthermore, the colour of fibre cement cladding remains intact without the need to repaint it. When it comes to attractiveness, timber cladding is the best option. Apart from looking good, it is durable. So long as it is well-treated and professionally installed, it can stay for 60 years before needing a replacement. No wonder timber cladding and fibre cement cladding are also preferred for commercial buildings such as supermarkets, retail parks, hotels, stores and many other administration buildings.
The bottom line
When you have the right information, it is not difficult to build your dream house. Therefore, make good use of the information above and build your home stress-free. The joy of building your own house is fascinating. Plus, a home designed just the way you love it will give you peace of mind. So, if you can, construct your own house. You will have the freedom to select the design, size and most importantly, the materials to use.
