There’s something magical about building your own home from the ground up. Perhaps it’s the sense of accomplishment you feel when you move into your new house or the sense of pride knowing that you built it yourself. Whatever it is, there are certain things you need to know before building your new home so that you can achieve the results you want without any surprises along the way. Here are six things to know before building your new home.
6 Things You Need to Know Before Building a New Home
1) Get the right builder
It can take years of experience and specialty training to become an architect, engineer, or general contractor. So it’s important that you find the right person for the job. But an important thing to keep in mind is that they must be licensed. In most states, you have to be licensed with your state’s licensing board in order to build. Check the licence number on the contractor’s website or on their business card before giving them any money. Also, try to get someone experienced. Be sure that they’ve had at least five years of experience working with residential builders before signing on the dotted line.
2) Location, location, location
The next step in the home building process is deciding where you want your new home. Do you want it on the outskirts of town? Close to the city centre? In the country, miles away from civilization? That decision will dictate many other decisions that need to be made. For example, if you are looking for an affordable house, then finding one in the suburbs or outlying areas might be best. But don’t forget about commute time and school districts when making this decision.
3) How much does it cost?
There are many factors that will determine how much your new home will cost. When you’re looking for your perfect home, it’s important to do some research and make sure you know what the estimated costs are before signing on the dotted line. The size of the house is one of the most significant factors in determining construction cost. The larger the house, the more expensive it will be both in terms of materials and labour. Construction prices also vary depending on which area of town you’re building in. For example, if you’re building in a rural or remote area, there may be higher transportation costs because supplies have farther to travel from suppliers. Additional costs also apply down the line like the installation of Ecotech windows & doors, or if you want specific marble in your kitchen.
4) What about zoning?
One of the first things you need to do when considering building your own home is finding out what the zoning requirements are in your area. If you have found an area with low-density zoning, there is a greater chance that you will be able to build on this land. However, if it is high-density, you may need some sort of variance before being able to build here. There are also other factors that can affect whether or not you are allowed to build your home where you want it, such as existing easements and rights of way. It is important that you learn about all these issues before starting your search for land.
5) The DIY option
DIY is one way to save money on building your own home, but it’s important to understand the risks. If you’re going the DIY route, be sure you know what you’re getting into and be honest about how much time and money you can commit. For most people, hiring an architect or designer will help ensure your house meets local codes and regulations. However, if that’s not an option for you, there are plenty of resources out there with step-by-step instructions on how to build your own home.
6) Keeping yourself sane through the process
The process of building a new home can be demanding on your mental health, especially if you’re trying to juggle work and the other responsibilities of daily life. So make sure you take care of yourself. Get enough sleep and eat well, don’t overwhelm yourself with too many tasks at once, ask for help when you need it, and cut yourself some slack- remember that this is supposed to be fun.