A lot of work goes into building a new home long before the foundation is poured. Building a home can be exciting. However, you need to have a good plan and work with a competent builder. The following are a few steps to consider as you take your house from being just a dream to a reality.
Create a Realistic Budget
Everything starts with your budget. It would help if you were realistic when it comes to the amount you can afford to spend and how much it actually costs to build a home in your area. During the budgeting phase, you will need to balance what you want your dream house to be like and what you can truly afford.
Most people will need to take out a loan. Find a lending institution with good terms and good interest rates. It would be best if you were leery of banks that are willing to lend you more money than you can afford. The 2008 financial crisis happened because people were taking out loans that they could not afford to pay back.
Budget for things to go over cost. Every construction project ends up costing more than you plan. The cost of materials can fluctuate during the building process, you may choose to change your design during the construction phase, and other unforeseeable things may arise.
Be aware of the hidden cost of building a new home. There are several one-time startup costs connected to building a home. For example, you may need to purchase sod or install wiring for media and the Internet. There is also the expense of homeowner’s insurance and lawn care. If you have rented up until now, these additional expenses may catch you by surprise.
Design Your Home
The first phase in designing your home is choosing the lot. Talk to your realtors to get an estimate of land costs where you live. You should expect up to 25 percent of the cost of your new home to go toward buying the land.
Once you have selected the plot of land, you need to select your house plan. There are several catalogs online that you can use.
You may work with a professional builder or architect to design your home. Things to consider during the design process include where the sun will be in relation to the lot and which way the wind blows. Considering these factors can impact long-term heating and cooling costs.
Find a Team of Professionals
Now you are moving into the building phase. It would help if you found experts to construct your home.
Several professionals will need to work together, including surveyors, excavators, designers, and architects. Most home builders choose a general contractor. The general contractor chooses the other members of the team.
Some homeowners want to be more hands-on in the building process. They will take on the role of a general contractor. If you choose to go this route, know that you are taking on a large, time-consuming, and potentially expensive responsibility.
You will be responsible for hiring subcontractors, carpenters, concrete contractors, and any other team involved in building your home. This can save you money in the long haul, but you cannot be faint of heart.
Using 3D laser scanning services may take some of the guesswork out of the building process. Instead of working with dated building plans or field measurements, using 3D laser scanning technology, you know that your designs are based on true-to-life measurements and conditions. You have confidence that what you are doing is done right from the beginning.
Conclusion
Going through the process of building a home can be exhilarating. However, it takes time to do your due diligence to make sure each decision made throughout the construction process is the right choice.
