Building a new home can be an exciting and rewarding experience. However, it can also be stressful.
Construction delays, supply shortages, and weather problems can push back your move-in date. It’s a good idea to have a flexible timeline. This will help prevent stress and frustration if problems arise during construction.
1. Know Your Budget
One of the biggest issues that arises during home construction projects is money. If you don’t have a clear understanding of what your budget is, you’ll quickly find yourself overspending on the project.
The best way to avoid going over your home construction budget is to be as specific as possible with your builder about what you want. This will ensure that you’re only paying for what you need and can also help prevent costly surprises down the road. Keeping in contact with your team and monitoring the project throughout the building process is also a good idea. This will keep you updated on any issues that may push the cost of your home further than anticipated. It will also allow you to make adjustments in a timely manner.
2. Get a Building Permit
If you’re a homeowner and want to make changes to your home, it is important to get the proper permits. This will ensure that the work you do is up to code and will help prevent any problems later on, such as if the city discovers unpermitted construction and has to order you to remove it or face fines.
Most of the time, a permit is needed for anything that opens up walls or changes electrical outlets. However, the exact requirements vary by region. In many regions, contractors will handle the process and factor in the cost of a permit into their bid.
If you’re hiring a contractor, they’ll often arrange for the permit for you; this is known as “pulling” it. In addition, they’ll often schedule inspections during the construction process to verify that they are following codes.
3. Get a Contractor
Venturing into construction can be daunting. We’ve all heard horror stories of unfinished homes, inflated budgets and rogue contractors. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little planning and the right tips, building your dream home can be a stress-free process.
Be sure to interview and choose a contractor with references and a good reputation in the community. A local builder will also have a network of local suppliers and subcontractors to help keep your costs down.
Also make sure your contractor has a valid contract and carries general liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance and site insurance. They should also be able to provide a detailed proposal for the work. It’s important to avoid choosing the contractor with the highest or lowest bid as it’s often a sign that they are trying to bait and switch you with extra charges later on.
4. Hire an Architect
The Architect is a professional service, so you can’t buy one like you can with a car or a new kitchen appliance. However, you can look for specific qualities when choosing the right Architect for your project.
For example, if cost is important, find an architect who will design with it in mind. You may also want an architect with specialized skills in green construction or energy-efficient design.
Another thing to consider is how much experience they have. You will want someone who has extensive experience working on residential projects. This will ensure that they have the knowledge to manage your project from start to finish. Also, you will want someone who can keep a productive working relationship with the build team and other professionals. This will help ensure that your project stays on schedule and budget.
5. Get a Home Inspection
A home inspection is a must for any home construction project. It gives you a look at the quality of your home and lets you know if there are any major problems that need to be fixed before the house can be sold.
Many new homes are inspected multiple times during the construction process, but this can sometimes miss some issues that only show up once you move in. This is where a third-party inspector can come in handy and be useful in identifying potential problems.
Be sure to prepare your home for an inspection by clearing any passages and removing clutter from the area. It also helps to have all the appliances turned on so that they can be tested. This will help the inspector perform his job without interruption. It will also ensure that any necessary repairs are done in a timely manner.
6. Get a Roof Inspection
Building a home can be a lot of work, and it’s easy to get frustrated with all the little details. Whether it’s having to settle for cherry cabinets instead of oak, or a construction delay that causes you to change the design, there are a lot of factors that can go wrong. However, it’s important to keep a perspective and remember what the whole project is about: creating a place that you can call home. And a part of that is making sure the roof is in good condition.
During a roof inspection, the inspector will look for deteriorated or missing shingles; stains; moss; and rust on flashing. They will also check the attic and interior walls for water stains or damage. In some cases, they may need to climb on the roof to inspect it up close.
7. Get a Plumbing Inspection
Plumbing inspections are vital in any home construction project, but they’re especially important during new construction. They allow you to catch problems before they become major issues, like a flooded basement that could have been prevented by a simple inspection of the plumbing system.
The plumbing system consists of drain lines that connect sinks, tubs, and toilets, water supply lines to water-using appliances, and vent pipes that balance air pressure and let sewer gases escape. Leaks, clogs, and broken pipes can all cause extensive damage to the home.
If you’re building a house, it’s best to get a plumbing inspection before the drywall goes up. This will give the inspector a chance to take a close look at the framing and plumbing before the wall coverings go on. You should also have the inspector walk you through their notes and comments after the inspection is complete.
8. Get a Electrical Inspection
One of the worst things that can happen when you are building your home is discovering a problem that could have been easily identified during construction. Sadly, unless you have Superman’s X-ray vision, the only way to discover a problem is after it has already been covered up and may be costing you hundreds of dollars to fix. This is why getting plumbing and electrical inspections are a must when you are building a new home. This will ensure that your plumbing system is large enough to meet the needs of the house and that all wiring and switches are installed properly.