So you’ve decided to make your dream of homeownership a reality and build a new house. Congratulations! This is no small undertaking, but hopefully, this article will give you some tips on how to accomplish this task successfully and enjoy the experience as well. Below are some points that I feel need to be covered if you want to do it right:
Do It Yourself
If you’re going to do it yourself, then you should know what contractors can’t or don’t want to do for whatever reason. They’re doing these things themselves, so they already know how and where necessary items and materials were sourced from and the price paid for them! For example, I once had a fellow building his own home tell me that the concrete guy never showed up on the day he was supposed to pour the foundation. He called around and found a guy with a truck who could do it for him on short notice, but it cost him $600. So if you’re going the self-build route, be prepared for some unexpected expenses.
Planning
This one can’t be stressed enough. If you don’t have a solid plan, then things will go wrong, and they’ll go wrong in a very expensive way. There are many different aspects to building a house, so make sure to research all of them before you even start thinking about buying property or designing your dream home.
Material Quality
This is another one that’s often overlooked, but can be a very costly mistake. Just because something is a little more expensive doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. In fact, in most cases you get what you pay for. So make sure to buy the best quality materials you can afford, and this goes for everything from the lumber to the nails.
Permits
Make sure you know what permits are necessary and how to get them before starting any construction. You don’t want to get halfway through your project and then have to stop because you didn’t get the proper permits.
Building Codes
This is related to number four, but it’s important enough that it needs its own mention. Make sure you’re familiar with all of the building codes in your area and that you’re following them to the letter. There’s nothing worse than having your dream home torn down because it doesn’t meet code requirements.
The Weather
This one is out of your control, but it’s still something you need to be aware of. Building a house in the middle of summer is not ideal, nor is building during a blizzard. Make sure to plan for the weather and take into account things like rain, snow, wind, and heat.
Financing
Don’t forget about this one. You’re going to need money to build a house, and unless you have a lot of money saved up, you’re going to need to get a loan. Make sure you know what your options are and that you’re getting the best interest rate possible.
Parting Shot
In conclusion, building a home is not an easy undertaking. If you want to build it yourself, be prepared for some additional expenses that you may not have expected.