5 Tips for Building a Home

There is nothing more fulfilling than creating something from the ground up. When you decide to take the leap and opt for a new build, there are numerous decisions you have to make, from the layout of your kitchen to the stain on your wood floors, the list can feel overwhelming. Now that you’ve secured your piece of land and decided on an out-of-this-world floorplan fit for your family, there are helpful tips to consider as you check the boxes on your new home to-do list.

 

Lean into extra patience and have a plan

 

The first thing you want to do when you decide to build is to understand the full process that is involved in creating the custom home you envision. With all of the features you dream of comes time. Prepare yourself for the amount of time it will take you to decide on each aspect of your new home and allow yourself hours each week to visit your new build site. This is likely the largest investment of your life, so you will want to spend hours at your home site making sure the design is what you imagine, and the build is getting completed based on a pre-planned timeline. Allow yourself patience and time to consider and decide on design elements, too. Not all decisions will be easy or quick, which is normal, but may slow the construction process. Have a plan in place for your current living situations and allow it to encompass the next several months. You don’t want to find yourself caught between your previous residence and a home that is still under construction. Likely, this new home build will take between 7 to 12 months from start to finish.

 

Be mindful of your budget

 

When building, it is always a good rule of thumb to budget more than you plan for. Allowing yourself to have a little bit of extra wiggle room on your finances will diffuse any unexpected costs throughout the process. Your builder will include a majority of the cost in their initial estimate, then finalized in the contract, but it will most likely not include everything. Separate items may be cable and internet hookups, landscaping, decking, or fencing. It is also important to keep your budget at the forefront of your plan, especially when making design decisions. 

 

Hire the right companies

 

This is the most important aspect of your entire home building process. Do your research early on and hire the right people for the job. Throughout the entire process the builder will be the person you work most closely with, so, make sure they are fit for the job. Reach out to others you know who have built or redone their existing home to get referrals and strong testimonials. Talk to local realtors for suggestions and have sit-down chats with potential builders. It is so crucial to interview various builders in your area to decide on the right fit for you. Communication, reputation, and industry knowledge should be key factors in your final decision. Remember: a builder can look amazing on paper, but if you don’t mesh well your process will not be as smooth as you hope for. Aim to find a builder with a great track record and a personality that you can build a relationship with during the home building process.

 

 

 

Make big decisions ahead of time

 

Time is money when it comes to new home construction, so, planning ahead is crucial to your budget, success, and sanity. Consider mapping out what you want your interior to look like for the bigger pieced items in advance. Think kitchen cabinets, flooring, fixtures, appliances, and lighting. Create a home building binder (physically or digitally) that is organized by room. Add in the pieces you know you want in that specified area to avoid drowning in design questions in the middle of your build. Yes, there will still be questions as you proceed with your build but preparing ahead of time for the bigger items allows you to have a bit more breathing room when it comes to making decisions on the fly. Preparation is key to getting the home you want from the foundation up. 

 

Consider an independent inspector 

 

It’s always a good idea to have an independent source as a check and balance system in your home building process. Throughout each step in your home building process use an inspector to ensure all building and material practices meet specified codes and regulations. Even if your builder has an amazing reputation and an outstanding building record to boot, an independent inspector will put your mind at ease and ensure everything is flowing, in your process, as it should. 

 

 

Building a home is the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your life. Understanding the full process, sticking to a budget, and hiring the right people are key elements to building the home of your dreams. To learn more about building a home contact us today. I would love to provide recommendations and help start you on your path to new homeownership.