Ten Steps To Building A Home

 Building a home is a dream that many wish for, but only a few have actually achieved. Why is that? Many believe that building a custom home is too expensive, takes too long, or is too complicated. But this isn't always true. With the right amount of planning anyone can build their own home. And normally for no more money than it would cost to buy the same home. We have compiled a list of steps to assist you in making sure the process goes as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Step 1: Set Your Budget

The first, and possibly the most important, thing you must do is decide how much money you are willing to spend on your project. Whether you are getting a loan or pulling out of your savings, you have to know what kind of funds will be available. Decide what areas of the home you want to spend the most money on and estimate how much each project will cost. Also keep in mind that you can always upgrade the home later if your budget doesn't account for everything you really want right now. It's easier to change a light fixture than it is to add a few feet to the master bath. So be sure you are spending your money where it's most important. Also be sure to figure in the cost of the contractors needed to complete the project. Overestimate everything so that you will have the extra in case a problem occurs, and Murphy's Law says it will. Building a home is a huge undertaking and you must be sure that you have the finances to see the project through to the end. A plot with a half-built house on it is worth less than the empty plot.

Step 2: Pick a Lot

Perhaps one of the most fun steps to building a home is deciding where you want to live. Whether you are building in a subdivision or far off in the hills, there is so much to choose from. First decide what neighborhood you want to live in and how much land you will need. You will need room for the home as well as any amount of yard you would like to have. You also must keep in mind that if you want to live further out of own you will probably have to set up your own well for water and sewer. This will take more out of your budget than it costs to plug in to the local water pipes. Be sure also that the area that you chose is suitable to hold a foundation.

Step 3: Design Your Home

Once you have decided how much money you have to spend and have picked the land to build on, it is time to put your visions for your new home down on paper. You will need to contact an architect or designer to lay out your floor plans. They will make sure that your rooms have exact measurements and that everything makes sense. This will make it much easier for the builder and avoid many problems. Make sure that you are very involved in this part of the process. This is your home. Your money is being spent and you deserve to have things exactly the way you want them.

Step 4: Find A Builder

Choosing a builder is another extremely important step in building your own home. You want to be picky or else you could lose out on your entire investment. Shop around and check out a few builders before choosing one. Make sure you ask for references and check out work they have previously done. Even check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure no complaints have been filed against them. The biggest mistake people make when building their own home is not thoroughly investigating their builder before hiring them. This ends up needlessly costing them thousands of dollars. Just be sure that you are investing wisely when you choose a builder. When getting quotes you want to pick one that is moderately priced. If one quote comes back completely out of line, they are probably trying to charge too much for things you really don't need. On the other hand, if the quote is low, they may not be paying enough for materials and subcontractors, meaning that what you end up with may not be the best quality. Choose a builder that is a member of the Home Builders Association. They are required to abide to set industry standards for construction and repairs.

Step 5: Make the Deal

Once you have decided on what builder you are going to hire, you must agree to a contract. The most important things to remember are to get everything in writing and know what you are signing. Get the quote from the builder on how much the job should cost in black and white. Make sure that you have come to full agreement on the terms, costs, time frame, and deadlines, and that the contract states everything correctly before you sign. Once you have signed the contract you loose the right to argue against anything. Some builders require a down payment before starting the project. Never give them anymore than this and before doing so, make sure this is a contractor you can trust. Do not pay the contractor for a job he has not completed. If the contractor for any reason walks off the job, he takes your money with him. Withhold final payment until the home is complete. And remember that any time you make a payment, require a signed lien waiver in return. This acknowledges that they received payment and protects you.

Step 6: Stand Your Ground

Meet with the contractor and make sure that he has a clear vision of exactly what you expect from your new home. Just keep in mind that nothing ever goes exactly as planned. If you know what you want and express this to the contractor, they will be able to adjust as needed while keeping your needs in mind. Always make sure that you know what you want before building begins, and try not to change your mind. Every time you decide to change something and it must be redone, it will drain on your budget. And as always, when you talk to the contractor, try to record as much as possible. This way, if something gets messed up and you had clearly stated how you wanted it, you will have grounds to fight it.

Step 7: Codes and Permits

Although often times the builder of the new home will be responsible for obtaining the required building permits and checking the codes and regulations for building a new home in the area, you always want to make sure you double check. Planners have the power to stop construction and even demolish any structures you have already built if you do not have the proper permissions. Make sure that your builder understands any regulations that must be followed.

Step 8: Check Progress Often

The builders are not going to be angry if you drive by the home site a few times a day. Stop by and talk to the contractor about how the construction's progress is going. Make sure you ask plenty of questions so that you are sure they are building the home exactly how you want it. If you spot a problem, it can be fixed before it becomes unmanageable. The contractor may even have questions for you and this will save him from trying to explain things over the phone. Also, everyone knows that people work a little harder when the boss around! Just make sure to let them know that you care about their work and are monitoring their progress.

Step 9: Inspect the Finished Product

Yea! Your home is almost done. Once the builder calls and lets you know your custom home construction is complete, you will need to do a walk through. This is normally undergone by you, the builder, and a building inspector. The building inspector will make sure that everything is up to code and that the home is safe to live in. You need to make sure that everything is just how you wanted it. If you find anything you would change, now is the time to make sure it is done. It may be hard to get a hold of the builder at a later time. So be sure to check everything carefully.

Step 10: Move In!

Finally you get the go ahead that your home is complete and safe and you can move in. This is the easy part. I'm sure you can handle this step.

Building a new home can be a stressful process. But if you can handle a moment or two of stress, building a new home can be well worth the effort. By building a custom home you have a home just the way you want it, rather than trying to find a home that 'will work'. Simply use common sense, do your research, and gather your patience, and you too can have your own custom home. Hopefully these steps will help you to decide what is best for you and assist you when you choose to build a new home.