Designing and building a house from scratch is everyone’s dream. It lets you unleash creativity and personalize your home. However, that is a highly emotional process that also requires a lot of planning and strategizing.
If you are not sure where to start, here are a few factors to consider when building a home.
No. 1: Choose the Right Location
In the real estate industry, you can often hear that location is critical to the value of a house. Precisely because of that, you should consider several factors before you choose the right location for your dream home. Here are some of them:
Urban centrality. Whether you choose to live in a city or town may significantly impact the cost of building a home. Namely, developed and high-growing cities like New York do not offer a lot of space for additional growth. Unsurprisingly, the price of land there is higher than in the cities that have more room to expand.
Neighborhood. Look for a neighborhood that is accessible. It should be near the city’s major transit routes so you can easily access roads and public transportation. A good community is also near essential amenities, such as grocery stores, schools, hospitals, restaurants, etc. Finally, analyze the safety of the community. Look for friendly and inviting places with low crime rates.
Lot location. The location of the lot impacts the value of the house. For example, if the lot you want to purchase is on a busy road or near a gas station with a large amount of parking traffic, its price will probably be lower. Irrespective of its quality and curb appeal, a house in such a location is harder to sell.
No. 2: Invest in Quality Materials
When choosing materials, consider the house’s appearance, energy efficiency, and upfront costs. Based on these factors, you need to invest in the right materials and choose their appropriate amount that will not exceed your budget.
Make a list of materials you will need to complete your project, including:
- House framing materials
- Roofing materials
- Cabinetry
- Drywall
- Interior door materials
- Exterior door materials
- Windows and glass doors
- Siding materials
- Outdoor solutions, such as materials for your driveway, deck, outdoor kitchen, or patio
No. 3: Hire Reliable Home Builders
For starters, consider your budget. The cost of building a home is more than the cost of materials and labor. Home builders are also there to oversee the project.
Next, make a list of potential builders. Contact your local home builders’ association to get a list of builders in your area. The idea is to get references from multiple sources, such as your local newspapers, online ads, friends, and family.
Finally, talk to builders from your list openly. Ask them questions and get as many specifics as possible. Consider visiting one of the homes they have built and even talk to its owners.
No. 4: Government Approvals
Before you start building a house, you need to familiarize yourself with the government’s construction requirements. If you do not comply with them, local authorities may require you to change or remove the building.
There are several steps to take:
- Seek title for the land. This legal document ensures that a property is legitimate. Above all, it helps you race any changes, transfers, or disputes on the ownership of the property.
- Get zoning approval from local authorities. That document ensures that your construction is allowed in your zoning district.
- Submit a building plan. It represents a graphical representation of the building, ensuring that it meets governmental requirements.
- Get a completion certificate once the house is finished. It determines whether the property meets all the necessary standards.
- Look for an occupancy certificate from a local authority before you move in.
No. 5: Space Planning
Space planning is a critical aspect of the home building process. The idea is to consider your family’s needs and, based on them, perform an in-depth analysis of how space will be used. Consult architects and designers to help you carefully plan everything.
Based on your preferences, they will draw up a plan that defines your rooms. They will define circulation patterns and determine how people will move through space. Finally, they will include interior design elements, such as furniture, light fixtures, equipment, etc.
Here are a few factors to consider when creating a space plan:
- Determine the structure of the room and its main focal points. For example, are windows, doors, and fireplaces in harmony?
- Do not overfill rooms with lots of furniture.
- In larger, open spaces, subdivide areas to make them more practical and visually appealing.
- When furnishing a smaller room, choose appropriate furniture that does not take up most of your space.
Conclusions
Building a new house is often complicated, expensive, and time-consuming. However, it offers many benefits in the long-run. You need to plan the process carefully and surround yourself with the right people.
