Whom Should You Consult First When You Are First Building a Home?
Planning to build a new home is quite an exciting and rewarding experience to go through. You would get to create a desirable personalized space with the required amenities and design it accordingly. To fulfil the cause fruitfully, you would require to pay attention to minute details and invest adequate time in the groundwork.
After finalizing the budget,the first step would be to consult a professional architect to sketch vivid pictures of your ideas. That would give you further clarity and save you from making costly mistakes.
A builder possesses the required experience and fame to execute those ideas finalized by an architect. As you take these baby steps to transform your dream home into a tangible reality, this blog will enlighten you with valuable details to enrich your knowledge base.
Read on - What does an architectural drafter do?
Photo by Jacques Bopp
1. Hacks for Budget Optimization
Other than settling for a definite number, the purpose of budgeting is to bring a subtle balance between wants and affordability. Hence, to ensure a harmonious balance you may require to get qualified for a loan with a mortgage. This is a time-consuming process and thus it is recommended to begin within a time gap of months or a year.
However, be cautious with banks that allure to provide more loans than required as it would affect your future finances. Talk to a financial advisor to navigate through the numbers to avoid getting caught in financial traps.
Prepare yourself in advance to deal with inevitable cost overruns. This inevitability is influenced by last moment changes in the pricing of raw materials or design alteration as per your choice.
Don’t rush to finalize a contractor. There is a tender balance between settling on an affordable contractor and the ones who are known for their quality work. Interview at least three contractors before finalizing anyone.
Ask for references from friends and neighbors who have been through the process. This daunting process will shed light on your budgeting and would provide you with enough time to make changes before closing the deal with your choice of contractor.
2. Obscure Construction Costs
Several hidden charges can impact the journey of building your dream house. It is better to have an insight into them to avoid any unexpected add-ons. These costs are controlled by several factors, such as landscaping the property followed by excavation, aiming to prepare it for construction.
You need to apply for a permit from the local Govt. which would charge a considerable amount upon positive affirmation. Do not forget the utility costs that collectively cover the amount for electricity, gas, water, and sewer services.
Expenses such as tax services, and home insurance can catch you off-guard if not taken care of in time. Finally comes the closing cost that is associated with the mortgage loan which financed the construction.
These are some hidden expenses that can startle your budget. Have a vivid discussion with the chosen builder about these costs before signing the contract, to minimize the risk of incurring extra expenses.
3. Set up a Temporary Construction Office
Arranging a temporary construction site is vital to smoothly commence the construction work. You have to handle plenty of administrative tasks regarding bank loans, legal affairs, scheduling contractors and much more. This office would be a safe space to handle these documents and reduce the risk of misplacing them in need.
In case of misplacement, the work would get delayed and charge additional costs to conclude the pending task. It provides a dedicated space to assemble the architect, contractors and valuable team members to discuss important aspects related to the building process.
Lastly, it would provide secure rooms for hard-working workers to take rest, eat and take breaks accordingly. This would further encourage them to work with dedication and eliminate any potential threat of accidents or injuries. This office would ensure efficient facilitation of work, which would eventually yield positive results and timely completion of the work.
Here are some CAD Drawings which can use for you when you are going to build a home first time.
4. Contemplate the Resale Value Beforehand
It is of utmost importance to contemplate the resale value of your dream house. This perspective will shape a variety of housing decisions, keeping in mind future possibilities. The type of fixtures you are planning to install should promote a unique proposition before potential buyers to stand out among competitors.
Furthermore, it will help to make cost-effective decisions that would add value to your property. This way, you can save money which would otherwise be wasted on non-profit home upgrades. By building a structurally sound and energy-efficient home, you will be able to attract buyers who would agree to close the deal at a premium amount. Moreover, considering the resale value would help you to construct a property that will acknowledge in value over time. Lastly, it will influence your budget-making decision and ensure better returns on present investments.
Coordinate Your Team
After adhering to all important aspects, it's time to coordinate your team efficiently. The key members are builders, surveyors, architects, home designers, and an excavator. Many people tend to confusion regarding the difference between an architect and a building designer.
While both of them play a vital role in planning and designing standard buildings, architects hold a higher level of education, training, and even expertise compared to building designers. Having a better clarification between their responsibilities would help you to consult the right one as per your need.
Having a coordinated team would help to work together peacefully without impacting the project's timeline and budget. A coordinated team would promote clear communication, eliminating the requirement to pay for costlier mistakes that might have taken place due to miscommunication. Lastly, it helps the team members to learn from experienced professionals and ensure project success.
The Bottom Line
Building your first home is an exciting but tedious process to go through. But it sets a higher level of joy rather than investing in a ready-made house. Keeping close contact with the important team members is essential to ensure that the project is on track and lives up to your expectations.
Once the construction is complete, take time to enjoy the environment in new - the built house. With regular maintenance, you will be able to keep up with the good condition of your house.
Author: Eleena Wills
