Being able to build your own home is a dream come true for anyone. Finally, a house that is precisely the way you want it, no compromising and no settling – what could be better?
Building your own home is a bit of a process, with many moving parts and different people involved. It can sound intimidating at first, getting everything in place to ensure a fast and efficient project, but it doesn’t have to be scary! With the right people on your side and a comprehensive guide, you’ll have your dream homestead built and ready in no time.
That said, there are a few things that need to be considered when planning the project that is your house. Keep reading for our quick guide on what you need to know when it comes to building your own home or homstead, as well as the steps that need to be taken when planning.
Budget
Establishing a realistic and detailed budget is crucial to start planning everything that comes with constructing your house. Having a budget that sets aside funds for each task will make you feel more organized and give you peace of mind when approaching this project. You can set up a realistic budget by gathering quotes from various construction companies – this will provide you with a better idea of what everything costs and what’s important. Often, people don’t consider everything that actually goes into building an entire house; this is normal! After all – you’re not the professional, and there’s no way you could think about every last detail that should be thought about; that’s what construction companies are for. They will not only build your home for you, but they will inform you and keep you up to date about every last aspect, keeping you in the loop at all times.
Teamwork makes the dream work
Now that you have your budget straightened out, it’s time to get your team together to make your dreams come true. This team includes people who are crucial to your home construction project’s success, so it’s imperative to choose individuals who you know are capable of delivering excellent work. This team is usually made up of the following:
- Architect – The architect is going to draw up the plans for your home. If you prefer buying the plans instead, you can look at some fantastic home plans online. However you choose to go about acquiring the house plans, make sure they are accurate regarding your needs and specifications – after all, you only have one chance at building your dream home, so be picky!
- Builder – Crucial to the construction of your home, your builder is the one who is going to make your dream become a reality. The builder is the one who is going to make sure everything goes according to plan and that nothing falls behind or gets lost in translation. A little tip – talk to some realtors when choosing your builder. Chances are they’ve spent hundreds of hours with various builders, and they know by now what the red flags look like and who you can rely on.
- Designer – it sounds unnecessary at first, but the designer fills in the details of the picture the architect drew the outlines of to put it simply. The designer is the one that’s going to give you all the little things you’ve always wanted in your own home – like extra closets in your bedroom or a fireplace in the corner of the lounge area. Having a designer fill in the blanks for you will not only paint a much more vivid picture of what your house is going to look like, but it will enable you to get a much more detailed quote from your builder and avoid a lot of unexpected bills later on in the project.
- Other: This includes the more nitty-gritty tasks like electrical work. Consult with your builder, who will have all the right answers and experts to do the jobs regarding other trades. This will not only save you lots of time and money but also take a lot of stress off your shoulders, leaving all the decision-making to your builder.
Acquire a piece of vacant land
For this, you will need a real estate agent. Tip from a friend – rather not try and do this yourself. Working with a real estate agent who deals with these types of transactions every day will ensure you get exactly what you’re looking for at the best price possible. If you have a property you have to sell to buy your piece of land for your homestead, your real estate agent will be able to assist you with that. Having someone who is an expert in the industry will enable you to get the best price possible for your home as well, instead of you selling it for perhaps much lower than it’s actually worth and losing tons of money. Your agent will also be able to give you inside info on plots of land that are available that you might not have found otherwise.
When looking at properties, take your builder and your architect with you. This is because land may sometimes hide things that may be hard to build upon or could maybe pose a few problems later on for you. Builders know what to look out for when looking at plots and will be able to tell you which are worth your money and which are not.
Start the Build
This may feel like the most stressful part of the entire process. What if the builder doesn’t understand what you want? What if someone stuffs up? Just kidding – your builder is skilled in what he does. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be a builder! And remember, you found your builder through a reference, which means he was good enough to be recommended. The best thing you can do at this stage is staying calm because you best believe this part of the project will feel long. If you’ve designed your house from scratch, the building process is going to take even longer. But be rest assured, it is going to be completed, and when it is, you’re going to have the house you’ve only ever dreamed about. During the building process, you’re most probably going to be asked to make a lot of tough decisions, some you never even thought you’d be asked, but your designer will be able to guide you through all your options and work hand in hand with the builder. Try and stick to your original plan as much as possible. It may feel later on in the build as if Pinterest is trying to show you everything that your house could’ve been with all the beautiful homes and interiors, but have some confidence in yourself! Your house has been designed 100% according to your tastes, so you’re definitely going to fall in love with it the moment you see the completed project. If you decide to change your mind later on in the building process, you may face some building penalties, so instead, stick to your guns and trust in your designer who has everything under control.
After the building process has been completed, the only thing left to do is order your finishings and move in! Your long-awaited house has been finished, and it is time for you to enjoy it thoroughly. During the entire process, make sure you take everything that’s happening around you in. It may feel stressful while it’s happening, but one day you’re going to sit in that beautifully built house of yours and remember each and every piece that made it the home that holds all of your memories today!
