10 Things to Consider When Building a House

If you’re considering buying land and building a house on it, there’s a lot that goes into that. Variables that aren’t even apparent yet will suddenly elbow their way into the mix. Costs can suddenly rise to a rise in cost of materials, as has been experienced by a lot of people building their own home in the last two years.

During the building process, a lot can go wrong needless to say. But also, a lot can go right if you plan ahead. To ensure your renovation project go smoothly, consider working with custom home builders:

Here are ten things to consider when building a house:

1. Home or Resale

Most people building a house do so to have a permanent home but some do it with resale in mind. If you’re building a house to sell, location and curb appeal will matter a ton. If it’s a true home, you may want to prioritize other things such as the size of the land, its proximity to the amenities that matter to you, and other factors.

2. Is Pre-Built Better?

Another important to thing to consider when building a house is whether a pre-built house pre-built would be your best option . Building a house is a lot of work. If you don’t have the physical capacity, time, or money, there are plenty of existing pre-built homes, custom builds, and properties for sale that may suit you. Although you may have to compromise on certain aspects of your dream home, there’s no negative consequences to knowing what’s out there. That way, you know your decision’s informed.

3. Secure Your Financing

If you run out of money building your home, it will be a massive interruption to your building schedule. Be sure to save up more than enough beforehand. Have a home construction line of credit ready to go. Be ready to anything that could happen. If the worst case scenario plays out, ideally, you will be ready to continue building and a lack of financing won’t cause a ceasing of the project.

4. You Will Exceed Your Budget

Some costs will be more than what you expect. Be tight with your budget. Be open to switching some things around in order to accommodate your budget limits. As a home builder, being adaptable to change is a part of it. This doesn’t mean you can’t have your dream home. It’s simply to say that overlooked costs could pop their head out at any time or there could be something that puts you over-budget by a bit you didn’t expect. Be ready.

5. Energy Efficiency

When building a house, you can save money by using repurposed or refurbished construction materials in some case. You may also qualify for certain financial assistance by doing things in an eco-friendly and energy-efficient way. Anywhere you can do to design and build with sustainability in mind, you are not only doing right by the environment but also can save on heating and cooling costs once the house is built.

6. Cost of Materials

In an effort to save money, an easy way to do that is by looking at what materials you’re using. Countertops, vanities, and flooring are all areas where expensive materials can be switched to something more affordable. There are even synthetics, new eco-friendly materials, and alternatives that can resemble the look you want without the cost of a more premium material. Consult with a contractor to find out what sort of options might be available to you.

7. Lot Size And Shape

The lot shape and size should fit your house design, from a functional standpoint. Ensure that everything you want to do with your dream home is feasible on a parcel of land before buying the land. From land to garden to more serious issues such as plumbing or electrical, inspect thoroughly your lot. You may want to bring in an inspector to give the area a look and identify any potential problems.

8. Have A Schedule

It’s important to have a schedule for what’s going to be built when. Be open to that having to change. Bad weather comes. Building issues. Late deliveries. Contractor unavailability. If your schedule’s over the course of a 9-12 month period, a lot can happen in there. Don’t get overwhelmed if you have to wait or aren’t done within the time frame you provided. An ‘ideal’ may not pan out with your schedule but that doesn’t have to affect the finished product.

9. Design For Tomorrow, Not Today

If this will be your forever home, think for a moment about what exactly you want your future to look like. What you needed in a home at 20 years old isn’t the same as what you want at 40, 60, or 80. You’re going to change. Your house won’t. Be sure to have enough bedrooms for the possibility of children or guests. Have a kitchen and bathroom layout to accommodate that. Design the outdoor landscaping, i.e. patio or decks, to suit those needs as well. This is also something to think about when deciding what lot or parcel of land to buy.

10. What Contractors Will You Hire

A new house building contractor or custom home building contractor can save a ton in time, effort, and hassle. They’ve also done this before so you know by connecting with them, maybe they can recommend ways to save money or help direct you on certain decisions where you aren’t yet sure of your answer. A custom home builder can be as hands-on or as hands-off as one desires.