Building your dream home can quickly turn into a nightmare if you go into the situation blind. While there’s a great deal to understand and to consider in building a home of your own, this brief overview can help you focus on some of the most important aspects. By considering these points, you may make wiser decisions that will help you have a more positive home-building experience.
Going By the Numbers
Before you apply for financing, it’s important to consider all of the costs associated with building your dream home. In addition to working with contractors for the actual construction of the home, consider how much you will have to pay for the land, building permits, taxes, insurance, and the installation of utilities. Also bear in mind that you will first need a construction loan to pay your contractors, which will later be converted into a traditional mortgage.
Buying the Land
It’s important to be very critical of the land you buy. The first thing to consider is accessibility for yourself and for the construction equipment and building supplies that will have to be transported to the property. If there’s not clear street access, this may pose a legal problem with trespassing. Additionally, you will have to have the land surveyed to identify drainage issues that may result from uneven or rocky land. It’s also advisable to look at what will be involved in delivering water, electricity, and gas to your new home.
Hire the Right Professionals
Many contractors employ electricians, plumbers, and other skilled workers, which allows them to offer a comprehensive service. Whether you hire a contractor like this or hire individual professionals, be sure you’re always working with reputable professionals. Check to be sure their licenses, certifications, and insurance are all valid and up to date. It may also be sure to check online customer reviews to learn what previous customers had to say about them. While you will ultimately have to rely on your instincts, these resources can help you make a more informed decision.
Work Closely with an HVAC Service Company
From the beginning, when you’re working with the architect to design your home, and throughout the building process, keep your HVAC company involved. Their input will be invaluable when it comes to designing the layout of the home and keeping your living spaces energy efficient. Otherwise, the completed home may be too susceptible to mold growth or it may be too costly to heat and cool. Your HVAC professionals can help advise you, so you can get a design you like that won’t drain your pocketbook six months of every year.
Designing a Green Home
In addition to working with an HVAC technician, you should also choose an architect experienced in thinking green. For instance, you may want to ensure your living room and dining area faces the south to maximize sunlight, while also ensuring those rooms have ample window exposure. Conversely, you may want bedroom windows facing north and you may want those windows smaller to minimize sunlight. This can help create a more relaxing environment. The bedrooms should also have lower ceilings to help keep better control over the temperature. These are just a few things to consider in designing your home to be energy efficient.
Prepare a Punch List
A punch list is a list of items that need to be addressed, before you will consider the construction complete. The unreasonable flaws should be addressed first by your contractors, because fixing these items will allow you to move into the home and begin the closing process. The reasonable flaws, or those that don’t affect the livability of the home, can be repaired later. Remember to account for everything in creating the punch list or you may be left with overlooked flaws that need to be repaired out of your pocket.
You may have more concerns as far as the design of your home, but these factors are major points to consider in constructing your dream home. While this overview shouldn’t discourage you, it should give you a more practical sense of what will be involved. Taking these factors into consideration can help you avoid unpleasant surprises down the road.