For many people, deciding to build a home for the first time may seem like a nearly impossible task. Don’t let the time commitment, money, or stressful decisions deter you, though; building a home is a wonderful process that results in something you can really call your own home, not a cookie-cutter replica of someone else’s. It is very possible to get the home you want at a good price if you follow these guidelines to the homebuilding process.
Before any work is done to the building, the first thing you need to do is make sure you and the builder are on the same page. Read your contract thoroughly; if there is something you don’t understand, have someone who does explain it to you. Even after the contract is signed, stay aware of everything that is happening and keep close track of every decision to add or subtract from the building plans.
The next thing you want to keep in mind is the cost of building. This may sound obvious, but it is easy to lose track of just how much money you are spending if you don’t pay close attention to your budget. Don’t over buy – spending money you may not have on features you may not need – but also don’t under buy. If you are planning on adding an extension to the house, remember that it will be less expensive to start now, before the home is built, than to add on later.
When it comes to building codes, your contractor should know them well and there shouldn’t be anything you have to worry about. That’s the ideal situation, anyway, but it isn’t always the case. Your contractor will have likely built many homes in many different areas, and may make mistakes that could cause you legal trouble down the road. Make sure you know what is and isn’t allowed by local and state codes and double check that everything is in accordance with building codes.
Lastly, when working with your contractor, remember to be flexible, diligent, and businesslike. Your builder will know if something that you want for your home isn’t likely to be workable, or if it is going to be too costly. Often, you have to know where to find a compromise between your vision and your builder’s expertise.
As far as diligence goes, don’t be afraid of sounding redundant or overly concerned – if you think there is a problem, address it with your contractor. You are going to live in this home for many years to come, and it’s better to be sure of what is happening than to be in the dark until it is too late. When you do address your contractor, however, be sure to remain businesslike in the way you speak and the way you carry yourself.
For more tips on how to go about building a home, as well as what questions to ask during the process, read this article from About Home on the subject: http://architecture.about.com/od/buildyourhouse/a/buildyourhome.htm.
At True Built Home, we are committed to giving each and every customer the best experience possible, as well as the best home. Our homes are efficient, economical, and sustainable: the perfect place to create a lifetime of memories. Visit us to learn more about how we can help you build your dream home at: http://truebuilthome.com/.
