Building a house can seem like a dreamy yet daunting prospect. We want to share with you our top six things to consider when designing and building your new home.
Plan It Well
Nothing good ever came from shoddy planning. Make sure that you plan and research everything that you are going to need – from the building designer to the names of contractors.
You’ll need to secure the best ecologist you can possibly have when you need ecological or arboricultural surveys to help you obtain planning permission.
It is important that you have a clear idea before stepping out into the building stage.
Remember You Don’t Need to Be a Professional!
There is so much information out there that you will find you can learn a lot as you go. Research on Google, read through ‘How To’ forums and get books from your local library. If you have mapped it out well from the start, you will find that learning the practical side is much easier.
Hire Good People
Make sure you have vetted and trust the people you hire. You will be working together for a long time and spending a lot of money on them. Always use recommended and rated contractors and house building companies. It is worth spending money on the right people, you will save a lot in the long run.
Give Yourself Time
If you think that this will be a side project, then think again. Building a house will take up more of your time than you ever thought possible. Take time off work if possible, and if not then manage your time wisely. If family are involved, speak to them about the time you expect to be away and work together on the plan when you can. If childcare is an option, then definitely take it. If you do have children, then get them involved in the planning so they are as excited as you about the finished result.
Make Room for Furniture
Always pick out as much of your furniture, appliances and fixtures as you can before you start building. This way you can create room for them in the planning stage. Especially think about kitchen and bathroom plumbing, from fridges and bathtubs to towel rack radiators. This will really help you visualize the space and make it much easier to piece the puzzle together when you get to later stages in the build.
Keep Calm and Enjoy the Process
Of course, building your own home can be a stressful experience. Learn to appreciate when something goes right and how to stay calm when something goes wrong. Understand mistakes are going to happen, it is part and parcel of taking on a big project. Give yourself a pat on the back when it all starts coming together and celebrate milestones with the other people involved in the build. Good morale is everything when on a project like this, and a positive attitude will go a long way.
We hope we have brought you a step closer toward building your dream home. Remember, if you take small steps you will realize you can accomplish much bigger things than you ever thought possible!
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