Building a home can be a lot of fun. It’s especially exciting when you finally choose the paint colors, flooring, cabinets, countertops, and everything else that makes the home uniquely your own. Whether you are building a new home or updating an existing residence, your utility lines play a huge part in the functionality of your new home. Utility line mapping refers to mapping utility lines that will run to the home. But before you get started, there are important dos and don’ts you need to follow when building a new home. Find out more here, and don’t forget to check out your local home-building supply store for additional help.
Building a New Home: First Impressions
When building a new home, we want it to be a home we love, and we want it to seem like it was worth the effort. First impressions are important, so it’s a good idea to take some time (even a little) to think about your home’s curb appeal. When building a new home, there are a lot of moving parts, but the first step is deciding what you want your home to look like. The biggest mistake many builders make is rushing for materials and rushing to open the walls. You need to be vigilant in building your dream home and be wary of certain mistakes that could cost you time and money.
Getting Started
Many people start a home-building project excited but end up getting rid of their plans within a few weeks and starting over. When building, you have some choices to make. Pick the right plan, work with a high-quality builder, familiarize yourself with the steps and timelines of the construction process, and budget all costs to avoid costly mistakes.
Starting a new home is a big decision. If you’re considering building a new home or remodeling your existing home, it’s important to do your research before getting started, so you don’t run into any roadblocks.
The Project/Technical Expertise
Finding the right person or team to build your custom home is one of your most important decisions. While there are many good general contractors, custom home builders have unique qualities and experience that make them better suited to meet your needs.
Hiring a qualified contractor is one of the most important aspects of building your home. As a rule of thumb, look for a company that has been in business for at least five years. A contractor that exceeds their five-year benchmark will have constructed many homes during that time and will also have many satisfied clients.
- Don’t let your timelines be too aggressive.
- Don’t design the home before you’ve designed the site.
- Don’t compromise on quality.
- Don’t cut corners in selections.
- Plan ahead for changes.
- Understand the difference between project management and construction.
- Don’t spend more than you can afford.
Prioritizing
When building a new home, many factors must be considered. The budget, the features, and the location are just a handful of the most important ones. However, the type of materials that go into your home construction is just as important. While traditional building materials are cheaper and easier to work with, they also have a negative impact on the environment. For eco-friendly buildings, many builders use concrete from recycled sources. It not only lasts longer than traditional concrete, but it is also friendlier to the environment.
Balancing Your Budget with Your Needs
Setting a budget is critically important to home ownership. Set your budget too high, and you could find yourself drowning in debt. Set your budget too low, and you may have to live off credit cards.
Do Get pre-approved for a mortgage, and then take a strong look at your finances. Do you have enough savings to get you through sticky situations like illness and unemployment? If not, consider a short-term loan.
Don’t Dedicate yourself to one plan. Every home is unique and should be designed and built to meet the homeowners’ needs.
Before you sign on the dotted line, here are six tips to help you avoid costly mistakes while building your dream home.
- Budget for your needs and wants.
- Don’t buy a lot until you know what size home you want to build.
- Don’t pay for features you don’t need.
- Talk to your builder about home warranties.
- Choose a financially stable builder.
- Ask for references, ask lots of questions, and get everything in writing.
The Contractor
If you’re considering building a home, you should ask yourself several questions. Will my general contractor and subcontractors be local? Do they have a track record of success? Will they be able to oversee everything efficiently?
Hiring a contractor is a good place to start if you are planning a home remodeling project. Hiring a general contractor is intimidating for many of us, but it doesn’t have to be. Contractors generally have good reputations, but it’s important to do your research before hiring one. Most contractors are happy to provide you with a list of references, so be sure to call these references and ask if the contractor treated them fairly, kept their budget in mind, and completed the work on time and on budget.
Finally, Building . . .
Once you have decided to build your own home, you should consider final build dos and don’ts before breaking ground. Your general contractor will guide you through the process, but in the end, you, the homeowner, will be tasked with knowing each piece of equipment in your home. Take the time to know and label each of your appliances and wiring before final inspections. The last thing you want is for the inspector to void your Certificate of Occupancy because they are questioning your wiring or appliances.
Create Trust with Your Builder
Home building is a complicated process. Choosing the right builder is one of the most important aspects of the entire process, and it’s important to make sure you’re working with someone you can trust.
The Finished Product
The finished home product process is an exciting one. It’s exciting to see the plans and cost-efficiency of your home come to life. But, knowing how to care for your home is equally important once the process is complete.