Building a home might be a long-term goal you’ve had for a while. But dream home aside, what really goes into home construction, and do you have what it takes to weather the project — whether it comes with storms or blue skies?
Believe it or not, building a home from scratch is as much work for your builder as it is for you. Nothing can derail your construction project, like a lack of planning and a very clear budget to work with.
If you’re about to head into the project of a lifetime, here are four essential considerations to include in your planning.
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1. Always Plan Under Budget
A great way to save your bacon when unforeseen circumstances arise is by planning under your budget. In short, make sure you set aside enough room in your budget for the unexpected. It’s a good idea to set aside up to 10 percent of your budget for things that could go awry.
Most contractors, such as S&D Timber & Builders Merchants, will provide a good estimate of all the costs you will face. But there are always elements out of their control, such as bad weather delays, supply chain delays, illness, and labor shortages.
2. Prioritize the Expensive Variables
There are certain priorities within your build that you’ll need to highlight and make room for in your budget more than anything else. These variables include your plumbing, electrical, and foundational needs.
They are the most expensive things to change down the line. This is the reason you need to make space for these things in your budget and ensure they’re achieved first. Once your contractor erects the drywall, these elements become a huge headache to amend.
3. Try to Separate Your Wants From Needs
Again, this has to do with protecting your budget and making sure the most important variables are prioritized throughout your build. It’s understandable if you’re excited about a new design trend and want to include it. But if it comes at the cost of jeopardizing your budget, then you need to make some decisions.
This is where it’s important to separate what you want from what you need. Once your home construction has moved beyond a certain point, it’s not as easy to make big design changes. Iron out what you need to achieve first (within your budget), then focus on the wants.
4. Prioritize Your Relationship With Your Building Team
Building a new home from the ground up is no quick project. It can take months. Depending on project delays, it can even take up to a year or more. This means you’ll spend a huge amount of time on the construction site and with the building team.
Make it your mission to get to know them and build a good relationship. This way, you can ensure you have your thumb on the pulse of your building project. Better communication makes for a better construction process. So take the time to get to know your architect, building contractor, and all the ground workers.
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