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Truthfully speaking there is nothing as rewarding as building your dream home from scratch.
It is a very exciting and unique experience.
Apart from that it gives you the flexibility to use your designs and continually improve them in your ways.
The project involves making numerous decisions and hence requires your presence through all aspects.
But, any person who has done it can tell you that it is a time consuming and very demanding process.
Nonetheless, building a home does not have to be such an overwhelming activity if you consider the following strategies; they are basically important things one needs to know before building a house.
1. Set A Clear Budget:
Before you begin building your home, determine what you can afford.
Quote an all-inclusive price of all amenities you plan to install at the house. Include the tax requirements, cost of materials, down payments, labor cost, among others.
Please note that the building process is more likely to cost more than you think.
Therefore set aside extra cash to cover some unforeseen cost. Always remember to factor in the price of additional items like electric meters, cables, fences, and letterboxes that are highly forgotten.
Your house should give you financial freedom rather than bankruptcy. Hence, stick to the budget.
Do not forget to talk to your architecture and let them understand how much you are willing to spend.
You can use useful tools like the residential construction estimating software to give you an accurate idea of the project cost.
Further, come up with a spending strategy to avoid overpayments.
While building your dream house, chances are, you will need additional financing.
You can consider getting a construction loan to meet the project’s needs and pay builders at specific stages.
2. Develop A Plan:
The most crucial part of building a house is outlining a clear plan to guide the entire process.
First of all, think about everything you wish to add to the house.
Create a construction file and record useful notes, photographs of similar homes to what you want to build, and types of finishes.
Proper planning keeps you ahead of the process to save on time and money. Some of the most common features that you need to consider during planning include;
Size Of The House
Determine the number of the room you wish to include in your house. It highly depends on the size of your family. Your house size should fit in your budget and meet your space needs. You can seek architectural help to address this issue professionally.
Outside Spaces
Including a lawn or garden in your outdoor spaces can significantly increase the value of your home.
Always consider planting shrubs or flowers to enhance aesthetic appearance.
Besides, you may want to include an irrigation system, outdoor lighting, furniture, garage, decks, and patios based on your budget. Remember to cover all these additions in your allocations.
On the maintenance side, it will require performing several mowing sessions over the course of a month. Cutting overgrown grass is best performed when you have the weather on your side.
And for this maintenance job, you will have to increase the budget for buying gardening tools such as a durable garden tractor, pruning saw, pruning shear, etc.
Another thing is the Layout.
Considering that building is a very costly investment, it would be wise to stick to a simple layout.
Do not focus too much on complicated structures. Besides, you can leave out some spaces to make future adjustments when you have enough funds for extra finishes.
The Stand Position
Choose the direction your house will face carefully. Consider the sun’s position in all seasons.
When your rooms face south, they will always remain cold, but they might receive intense afternoon sun rays if they face west.
3.Your Lifestyle:
Think about how you live your daily life. Consider whether you love hosting guests at home. The house should incorporate all aspects necessary to your family members. Let your architecture know your habits to build a house that fits naturally into your ways of living.
Electricity And Plumbing
Decide where you wish to position significant appliances to determine strategic Powerpoints.
Do not forget smaller appliances like laptops, blow-dries, or bedside lamps.
If you intend to use too many electrical powered devices, be sure to include enough outlets. Additionally, think about the drains and any underground pipes.
Kitchen
Choose the most appropriate kitchen design that will suit your preferences.
Further, include enough cabinets that allow easy access to kitchen tools. Also, determine the strategic position of various equipment. Set it up to accommodate both gas and electric appliances.
You may want to keep the kitchen near the entrance to bring in the groceries quickly. Also, include pantry wine or beer spaces if necessary.
Storage
Your house should have enough storage spaces with proper lighting. Include enough closets in each room, pantries, and cabinets.
Bath
Determine the type of flooring and finishes you want in your bathrooms. Think of efficient toilets and the right shower head height.
Furniture Placement
Plan on where you wish to position your chairs, bed, and other items. Consider the entertainment system setup, play stations for your kids, or your office space. Position your bedrooms away from noisy areas, and plan specific places for your pet.
4. Consider The Location:
It is the piece of land where you will construct the house.
Before building, you need to purchase land in the right location. Consider the area’s security and accessibility to necessary amenities like schools, churches, hospitals, markets, and shops.
Although a lengthy walk may seem somewhat tolerable in the first few days, it may affect your life quality.
Remember that the site will also affect your property value if you plan on selling the property in the future. You will raise your kids and family here, and you need to choose the best neighborhood and community for them.
Additionally, know the soil type in the region to avoid foundation cracks, floods, or dam breaks in the future.
Thank you very much for your time.