Every one of us has a fantasy home. We all have the desire to live in a home that is not only well designed but comfortable as well. We want to live in a house that offers us everything from rest to leisure to safety and convenience.
Living in a house like that certainly will be rewarding. However, how do we ensure we build our dream home? What are the steps we need to take?
This article covers some of the basic steps involved in building your dream home from scratch.
Identify the Ideal Location
To start with, you need to look for a vacant lot. Before you do that, however, decide on the perfect location for your new home. Would you like to live on the hilltop, near the beach or perhaps somewhere that affords you a lovely view of nature? Many people prefer to locate their ideal home in a natural and quiet environment, free from everyday traffic jams and urban noise.
It is also important to consider security in your preferred location. You don’t want to spend the rest of your time in your new house worrying about burglars and home invasion.
Your choice of location will also depend on your unique preference. For example, you may actually want to build close to the city because of your work or daily routine, so be sure so think about these factors before taking any concrete step. On the off chance that you are stuck with property in the wrong part of town, investing in some form of home insurance will put your mind at ease. You can visit state.co.nz/contents-insurance for an ideal of what it will take you to have content insurance in your new home.
Hire an Architect
The next thing to consider before building your dream house is to get an architect. An architect is a construction professional who will listen to your ideas and try to make them come true. He/she is responsible for designing a house that suits your tastes, from the initial construction stage to completion, as time and money-effective as possible.
This individual is also responsible for getting all the necessary permits and licenses required to build in the area.
Of course, it is also possible to go the DIY route and build your home without expert help. But unless you have the required skills and experience, investing in the services of a professional will save you a lot of stress and reduce the possibility of future expenses due to problems that may arise from your amateur work.
Get a Plot
The next critical step is to purchase land in your preferred location. Before purchasing a plot, you must take into consideration various crucial pieces of information, such as the expenditure involved, followed by what necessary facilities are available in the area (schools, shopping centres, public transport access, etc.), what municipal services are provided for the location, etc.
Depending on where you eventually choose to buy land, you may be expected to pay what is known as Development Contributions. The amount varies by location, but you can find out what your charges are by visiting your local council office or building society.
Choose the Construction System
In recent years, a lot of construction methods have been introduced which are more efficient, cost and time-effective.
You might decide to use the normal sand crate block, wood panels, or pre-cast concrete. However, your choice of these depends on some important factors such as location, plot topography, weather conditions, and your budget. It may be a good idea to get your architect’s input before making a firm decision.
What Size Should your Home be?
One of the important decisions you will have to make when planning a new home is how big your new home will be. It is important to correctly anticipate how much room you will need, so that you don’t run out of room before you are even settled in. Even if you are a young family with one or two children, bear it in mind that the size of your family could increase in the next few years, or that you may have people coming for really long visits.
Next, find out whether there are any restrictions on your home’s height and/or square footage. These may be due to zoning restrictions or perhaps also your plot’s layout and size.
Get the Project Started
Once the plot has been bought, the next crucial step is to get the required license for the plans describing the works in accordance with the regulations. Then the construction can begin by mobilising all the building materials needed, including the plants and equipment. It’s important to dedicate your time to the process at this stage. The architect can give you contact details of people who can oversee and administer the project for you.
Remember to invest in quality building materials. If you decide to save money by buying below-par materials, you are only setting yourself up for future expensive repairs that could have been avoided.
Stick to Your Budget
One of the most significant factors in successfully constructing your dream house is reaching the necessary deadlines. The normal period for construction to be carried out is between 4 and 6 months, depending on the scale of the house and the building method used in the construction. The building should be completed to your satisfaction after this amount of time. Last but not least, it is important that your home is completed without going too far above your set budget. Admittedly, there is a good chance that your construction will take longer and cost more than planned, but with proper planning, the difference will not be too much.
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