Brick By Brick...

by - 6/23/2017 09:35:00 PM



A lot of us get bored of our living space after a while, and whether we've bought our home or not, there are times when we just need a change of pace, or we need to make a new life for ourselves due to personal circumstance. The common option of moving home is what we all tend to do, but if you don’t want to move far away from our friends or family, have you ever thought about building your own home? There are many positives to it. Apart from the fact that it can be a great piece of real estate, it’s a way to be much kinder to the planet by making everything from scratch with natural materials. And although you might think that it’s incredibly expensive, there are ways it can be cheaper to build a home from scratch than to make additions to an existing home, such as underfloor heating. How do you do this properly?

Budget Wisely
This will no doubt be at the forefront of your mind throughout the process, but the cost of everything has to be factored in, from the cost of the land to the architect, the fixtures, and if you're paying rent or a mortgage for somewhere else at the same time while you're building, it will be a big drain on your money. You need to ask yourself, can you commit financially? Yes, the long-term benefits of building your own home will be financial, but right now you need to put money upfront, so make sure you can stick to this commitment.
Pick Your Builder Properly
It’s underestimated, but make sure that you pick your builder wisely. While you need them to be certified and reliable based on recommendations, you also need to be able to work with them on a professional level. They need to have the resources available, and it’s preferable that they have subcontractors that are reliable too, so it takes a lot of the stress and research out of it for you. Companies like Vail Builders have their own list of subcontractors, so if there is something that the builder cannot do themselves, then at least they can get someone who is able to. Make sure that they are aware of your vision for the property right from the start, which means that you need to be sure of what you want, down to the finest detail.
The Formalities
Now it’s time to get planning permission (decide to get outlined or full), and purchase the plot of land, and make sure that you know every single millimeter of your design. You need to plan your house thoroughly, but you still need to be flexible. Things may crop up on occasion that is out of anyone’s control, and it may be to do with planning permission, or a dodgy area of land, but be aware that something will pop up during the process. Once that is done, it’s time to start the build. Don’t be afraid to voice opinion to the builders if something needs changing, be respectful and keep your distance, but remember you have final say. But for everyone’s benefit, communicate any changes in plans quickly and clearly, and keep a paper copy!



You May Also Like

0 comments