A house is a place to relax, spend quality time with family members and friends, and unwind. A house is also the biggest investment that anyone can make. Consider the following tips if you want to get your first house built according to your needs, a house that will provide you the best value for your investment and will be cheaper to run for a long time to come.
1. Start with a list of your needs
It can be complicated to get a house built. Starting with a list of things that need to be considered is a good idea so all the details can be remembered. The “must haves” should be written down to set the priorities straight. Next, a “wish list” should be written. Extras that would be of excellent use or value to you should be included, like granite benchtops, a rainwater tank, shaded alfresco dining or solar hot water. While staying within a budget, the things that are really needed can be prioritized with the help of a list.
2. Plan your budget
For most people a home is a long-term investment. Now is the time to look for a house not only with good upfront value, but one that will hold that value overtime too. When looking at houses, focusing on the short term and ongoing costs is really important. Along with the base house prices, all other hidden costs should be factored in too. Budgeting for a house can become easier by finding out whether costs such as construction insurance premiums, council approval fees, floor finishes, landscaping, lighting, etc. are included in the quoted price.
3. Choose your site
Location is very important. If you choose a lot, everything that is necessary and well connected to public transport, it will maximize your investment. This will protect you from the effects of increased traffic congestion and rising petrol prices. Your life will become easier and healthier if you are able to cycle or walk to public, schools and shops. Think about a better location with convenience and everyday travel times. When looking at different lots, the position of a home should also be considered as how naturally cool it will be during the summer and warm in winter.
4. Choose your building contractor
Once the budget has been planned and a site has been chosen, choosing the right building contractor will be a part of getting your dream house built. Being your own general building contractor will have its downside. Despite the fact that good contractors earn their fee, they are aware of permitting offices, sub-contractors, have suppliers, and know how to eliminate or minimize downtime. Therefore, you should hire a general contractor so that the construction of your new house is overseen by an experienced professional. Take time to find a reliable building contractor with references because it is an involved and long process.
5. Check Building Codes
There are certain aspects of the process of building your dream house that will not be under your control. Similarly, do not expect that your house will be built substantially and will be free of defects and will comply with applicable codes and regulations. This is why you should check building codes beforehand, so that virtual unchangeable parts of your house are built properly and in accordance with building codes. You may also ask for things that you do not necessarily want and things that will not be cheaply or easily changeable to be omitted.
6. Choose your new house
Finding the requirements for homes at a chosen location is the first thing that should be done. This can be done by checking with the building contractor and with the local council. If buying into an estate, a developer’s additional requirements may have to be followed. At this point, the builders’ floor plans should be compared with the initial wish list that was written. It should be made sure that the house you want to get built will fit well on your lot. For rooms in your house, North-facing rooms are the best.
7. Work with your building contractor
You may end up with an ideal living space, somewhere you can entertain, relax and spend quality time, if you work with your building contractor. Open plan living is famous and a wonderful flow of space can be created by them. However, it should not be too open. Inside a house, a clever design of space is vital. The kitchen will be the heart of your house. Therefore, make sure that your kitchen ends up being functional and well designed, and adds value to your house. Pay extra-special attention to every part of your house.
8. Select heating and cooling
To ensure that your future energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions of your house will be reduced, make sure water efficient showerheads and taps are installed in your house. You will save energy and water by them, by using less hot water. Moreover, the best choice of heating and cooling system depends on how many of the rooms in the house will heated or cooled. Depending on your needs, the systems should be of the right size. This way, money will not be wasted on both the upfront costs and the costs of running the systems.
9. Place fire escapes
The chance to add additional doors that lead to the outside to the first floor of your dream house that you are getting built should be passed up. Not only will this add value to your first house, but in an emergency, it could also end up saving your life and the life of your family members as well. It is ideal to have four doors in the first floor of your house so that if a fire strikes, everyone in your house will be able to get quickly.
10. Be Flexible
At the end of the day once your house is built, you should be ready to compromise in order resolve problems and situations.
Construction is not a perfect science. Things may change or may have to be changed considering the combination of natural elements, such as human errors, site conditions, weather and wood members. Errors may also happen. Therefore, a building contract may not be able to achieve your idea of absolute perfection, so you will have to be a bit flexible.
Getting a first house built is the best decision that can be made by anyone, however, the task can also be very daunting, so the above tips should essentially be considered. Moreover, if you’re choosing a house over the internet, make sure you can see how it is going look. Also make sure the website provides you with a good search and a good variety. All the other tips are up to you.