Picture: Cetteup / Unsplash
Building your dream home is a memorable and exciting experience for many homeowners. You get to inject your own personality and style into a property that’s entirely yours, from the foundation to the roof.
However, as most homeowners who have embarked on this journey before know, things don’t always go smoothly, and it’s possible to make costly mistakes. However, you may prevent some of those expensive errors by taking these actions:
Research Reputable Building Companies
You don’t have to hire the first building company you see. In fact, doing so may mean you don’t end up with the right experts for your unique needs. Research reputable building companies in your area by typing your location and the phrase ‘best builders’ into a search engine.
For example, if you live in Ocean Grove, Victoria, Australia, you’d search for Ocean Grove’s best builders. If you live in Buffalo, New York, you may search for Buffalo’s best builders.
Once you have a list of building companies in your area, you can review their websites, browse their build galleries, and contact them with questions about their services. It could then be much easier to choose a building company you can trust to complete your home to a high standard.
Create a Detailed Budget
Despite the average $150 per square foot rate for building a new home, that doesn’t mean your property will fit into that category. Many factors can contribute to a property’s overall cost, including the land, materials, permits, landscaping, and interior finishes.
Plan for all costs to avoid unexpected surprises. You may also like to set aside an additional 20% for emergencies. If you’re on a tight budget, refrain from adding last-minute upgrades to your build. These can all add up.
Don’t Cut Corners
Building a house can be an expensive exercise. As a result, it can be tempting to cut costs by cutting corners. However, cutting corners can end up costing you more in the long run, especially regarding materials quality in critical areas like the roof, foundation, and insulation.
When it comes to materials, workmanship, and energy efficiency, plan to spend as much as required to ensure your home is built to a high standard and to code. You may then avoid any related issues in the future.
See the Value in Contracts
Handshake agreements are no longer enough to provide peace of mind. When it comes to any professional you’ll be relying on to build your home, such as the builder, architect, and contractors, make sure you have their guarantees in written, legal, home-building contracts.
Ensure those contracts are detailed and provide all information relating to products, services, and their costs. You can then rest assured that you have legal protection if anything should go wrong during the building process.
Have a Flexible Timeline
Most reputable building companies go the extra mile to ensure properties are built to your timeline. They want you to be putting your key in the front door at the agreed-upon time just as much as you do!
However, delays can occur for many reasons, such as the weather, permitting issues, supply chain woes, and other unexpected complications. There’s always a chance your home may not be built by the very day you anticipated.
That’s why preparing for delays and having a flexible timeline can be important. Ensure you have contingency plans to prepare for the unexpected.
Building your dream home can be a wonderful, memorable experience. However, there is certainly room for costly mistakes when care isn’t taken. By choosing reputable building companies, having a flexible timeline, and taking other important measures, you can enjoy a stress-free building experience.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
