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Tips for Building Your Own House in 2018
The time has come, and you are excited to begin the adventure of building your new home. Whether you have been saving up for this moment, or have a major change in your family dynamics, or one of the hundreds of other reasons, building your own home can beexhilerating, but also frustrating and somewhat intimidating. There are some tips you can take advantage of in order to avoid some of the pitfalls that come with building your own home.
- Count the cost.
Building a new home takes more than just ambition and time. It takes money. Not only do you need to know how much money it will cost, but where you will be getting the money from. Most people will need some sort of financial aid, usually in the form of a bank loan. One company that not only focuses on the financial needs, but also on energy efficiency, is Ygrene Energy Fund. They are a national company that focuses on private and commercial clean energy financing. They will be able to assist you in your efforts to make sure your new home is as energy efficient, at the best possible cost.
- Hire a lawyer.
This seems obvious since building your home is a major investment. Using an attorney can help reduce the stress and anxiety by making sure all your bases are covered legally. The potential for saving thousands of dollars later is worth the lawyer’s fee.
- Check out the area.
Before you commit to anything in blueprint, make sure to check out the area you will be building in. What are the schools like? What is the crime rate? Is the area rural or urban, and what conveniences are there nearby that you find attractive? Your dream home may be ready to become a reality, but if the area you invest in isn’t up to your expectations, the whole project could become a nightmare. Once you do decide on a location, make sure you understand where all the property boundaries are, talk to your potential neighbors, and decide about laws protecting mature trees in the state. Also, it is a good idea to not overbuild. Check out the general size of the other houses in the area where you are considering building your own home. In other words, don’t build the most expensive home in your neighborhood.
- Watch your budget.
So, you’ve counted the cost, but can you stay on budget? When planning your home, veteran home builders always caution you to plan a financial cushion. Allow an additional 10 to 20 percent of the total cost of the home to be added to the budget. Another strategy for staying in your budget is to incorporate energy efficient features.PACE ygrene is an excellent place to start for referrals for your home’s energy needs.
- Choose your builder carefully.
This can be a bit of a tricky process. You don’t want to base your decision solely on whether the contractor has the highest bid or the lowest bid. If you choose the builder with the highest bid, that doesn’t necessarily mean you are receiving the highest quality work. Conversely, choosing the lowest bidder doesn’t mean you are getting a good deal. You could very likely be hit with additional construction costs as the build progresses. Usually the bid is low-balled to reel you in for a contract.
- Think ahead.
Beginning construction is exciting, and makes the homeowner feel like the project is really starting to take off, but careful planning is required before the first shovelful of ground is dug. You need to think ahead to several aspects of your new home. Take the time to plan your home right. For example, consider the views available on your property. Observe the natural light and shadows from every direction. What kind of windows do you want, and where do you want them? Have you considered a walkout or lookout basement? That might be a good choice for you. Using tray or vaulted ceilings in your bedrooms will add extra dimension and a feeling of space. Wide walkways and stairways also give the feeling of openness and extra space. Also, look at the position of the laundry room with the bedrooms. Are they conveniently located near each other? Lastly, consider a walk-in pantry. It will save you a lot of steps and time to have everything organized and handy nearby the kitchen.
- Build for the future.
As you prepare to invest in your own home, be sure to take into account your own future, as well as your homes. Going with the latest and greatest technologies may not be a wise decision. Instead, make sure to incorporate technology and systems that are tried and true. The best way to do that is to research products and read the reviews. Typically products that are at least two years old, with good reviews, are a good choice, and can be trusted. Another aspect to consider when building for the future is not only your current lifestyle, but the future needs you may have as you get older. A master bedroom with a master bathroom on the first floor is common in many homes. Another design trick is to make a shaft for a future elevator. The space can be used for closet space in the meantime.
- Individualize your home.
While going with trends that will soon past isn’t a good deal financially, you should put your own personal touch on your home. Maybe you want a fairy look for a touch of whimsy. One way to get a whimisical atmosphere without a large price ticket is in the accessories such as curtains and throw pillows. Choose flowered fabric from economically priced retailers such as FabricTraders.com, is a good choice. You don’t have to pay a lot to get your individual touch into your new home. Having your unique touch will make your house a home.
