5 Things to Do Before You Build Your New Home
The process of building a new home starts long before the foundation is poured. The construction process can be more efficient and less stressful if you have a good plan and find an honest, competent builder. To avoid costly mistakes when building your new home, start with these five important steps.
1. Plan your budget
Start with a budget. Develop a realistic idea of how much you can afford and how much it will actually cost to build your dream home. This phase is really about balancing your wants with an honest assessment of what you need and can afford.
Also, consider the “hidden costs” of owning a home. There are many one-time costs associated with building a new home — furniture, landscaping, phone and internet set-up fees, etc. Recognize too that home ownership also comes with ongoing monthly expenses such as insurance, property taxes, and other maintenance costs. When budgeting for a new home, think about how much you’ll need to spend to live comfortably in your home.
2. Pick a house plan
Next, define the project scope. It’s time to think about what kind of home you want aligned to how much you can afford. Would you like to have a bungalow or a multi-storey home? How many bedrooms and bathrooms? What type of finish? Detailed specifications of your desired house can help you get more accurate quotes, a faster workflow, and prevent extra charges for add-on works during the construction process.
3. Assemble your team
You can now begin lining up the team of experts to design and construct your house.
Consult an architect, civil engineer, or interior designer before starting your home construction project. The professionals know more about building materials and methods, and they can help you avoid mistakes and save on time and money in the long run.
You may also need to hire a contractor who will assist in executing the design plans. The contractor will be in charge of the team of carpenters, electricians, and skilled workers for your home.
4. Prepare legal documents and clearances
Make sure you secure all required documents, clearance, and permits.
A building permit is a permit to be applied by the owner to comply with the regulations set by the National Building Code. This has to be secured before construction will commence.
This permit usually comes with ancillary permits such as:
- The architectural permit
- Civil/structural permit
- Electrical permit
- Mechanical permit
- Sanitary permit
- Plumbing permit
- Electronics permit
- Fire Safety Clearance, Barangay Clearance, bill of materials, ECC, PTR & PRC of professionals
Also, don’t forget to get written, signed contracts for each hired professional involved in your home construction project.
5. Give yourself plenty of time
Building a new home is a drawn-out process. It typically takes an average four of six months to finish a construction project. Give yourself time to research, time to compare the quality of materials, and time to find the best prices will save a lot of money. Don’t rush and “just pay whatever amount to get things done.”
