7 Important Preparation Steps You Need to Take Before Building a New House
Your house building process needs to start long before you start digging for the foundation. If you want to have a smooth and efficient construction process, you need to have a good plan in mind and a team of competent professionals behind you. As your dream house slowly becomes reality, you need to ask many questions and consult with experts and regular people who have gone through similar ordeal before you. To avoid mistakes during the construction that will take you well over your budget, make sure to take these important preparation steps:
Create your budget
Start with your budget setup from the moment you start thinking about building a house from scratch. You will need a realistic idea of how much you can spend and how much building a home actually costs—it’s easy to get carried away. This phase of building is all about balance. You need to balance your wants and needs with what your budget can support and what you can save.
Most people need the help of a construction loan and mortgage. It’s never too early to check what kind of loan you’re eligible for (it’s all based on your income and financial obligations). Most banks today are happy to pre qualify you for a construction loan which will give you an approximate number when it comes to your money and expenses. This stage of construction is also the perfect time to consider different elements of your house and their costs, the costs of the land, the architect and designer, contractors, construction materials, interior and exterior features and landscaping.
Choose an appropriate lot
If you don’t already have a building lot for your new house, consult with realtors and you will get an estimate of the costs of land in your area. Land costs vary greatly depending on your location, but in general, people need to set aside 20 to 25% of the entire new house cost for the purchase of the building lot. Also, you need to hire experts to investigate factors like soil, drainage, zoning and building codes in your area.
Ask about utility lines
This might not be such an obvious consideration, but the position of utility lines and poles might greatly affect your house design. If you know where power lines and utility poles are placed, you can avoid a lot of issues with the design. Having to change your home’s layout due to utility lines is the last thing any project needs.
Assemble a team of professionals
Once you have your budget in place and a building site purchased, you can start assembling your team of professionals to set up, design and build your house. Leave a spot for experts like builders, excavators, surveyors, home designers, architects, and last but not least–home inspectors. A good place to start is to find a good general contractor. In many cases, they can find other members of the team. But, you can go with a designer or an architect first—it’s your choice.
Pick the design that’s right for you
Finding the right house design that’s perfectly suited for your needs can require significant time and effort. In most developed countries, it is required that you consult certified experts in order to ensure the design aligns with council requirements and building codes. In Australia, for instance, professional architectural studios who provide drafting services in Sydney will consider all the concepts of space and take into account your wants, needs and lifestyle right from the very outset of the project.
During the process of drafting, architects and building designers will have your budget in mind and consider how your project can be integrated with the surrounding the best. A good home designer is willing to work with you closely, make modifications to plans and ensure you’re happy with what you’re paying for.
Create fool-proof contracts
To ensure your safety, get a written and signed contract for every professional involved in your home building. If you don’t want to overdo it, at least get a contract with the building construction team and home designers if they are involved in the process.
Communicate and practice patience
Communication is one of the most important things when working with builders on your new house. This will ensure everyone stays on the budget, respects your wishes and follows your designs as closely as possible. Also, make sure to be patient—Rome wasn’t built in a day. It takes hard work, careful design, dedication and a lot of good planning to build a house, so arm yourself with patience. It will be worth it in the end.
Building a home from scratch is exciting, but can also bring a lot of disruption to your life. However, if you consider these above mentioned preparation steps, your project will grow into a wonderful home you and your family have always dreamed about.
By Mike Johnston