Building your own home is a dream shared by many. It offers the chance to create something uniquely yours - a space that is tailor-made to your needs and wants. Building a home allows you to add your personal style to a house and design the perfect setup for your family.
However, the process is often more expensive than buying an existing home and, more often than not, can be a stressful endeavour. Delays in the building process, overshooting the budget and meeting all the council regulations can make for a few sleepless nights.
Being able to build a home from scratch is a luxury that not many people can afford or care to try. If you’re thinking of starting at the drawing board, here’s what you need to know before building your own home.
Do the research
Make sure you research architects, building contractors, suppliers, interior designers and landscapers before jumping into the project. Be sure to read all the reviews you can find and make an informed decision on who to choose.
The architect must share your vision. You don’t want them to take complete control of the layout and design, otherwise the home could turn out to be something you don’t want or like. Listen to their input and advice but work alongside them to ensure that your vision remains true.
Check that your building contractors are registered with the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) and that they have a proven track record of quality and timeous builds. A delayed project is an expensive project, so make sure that your builders are up to the task and will be able to complete the home before the deadline.
Interior design is a huge part of a home. Like architects, make sure that the interior designers share your vision. They need to know your taste so that they can pick and choose the right materials, colour schemes, furniture and light fittings. The interior furnishings can make or break a space, so choose your designers wisely.
If you have a garden, it might be a good idea to hire a landscaper to shape the plot and plan the arrangement of flower beds and garden features. The outside of a home is just as important as the inside. The landscaper will also know what plants and trees are best suited to your climate.
Plan a budget but have a reserve
Building your own home is often more expensive than buying an existing one, but the result is something unique to you and your family. Be sure to plan a careful budget; consult a financial adviser if needs be.
Try your hardest to get the architects, builders and teams to stick to your budget and be strict when it comes to delays and pushback from the teams. If the designers or landscapers want you to spend a little more money here and there, it can all add up quickly.
It’s a good idea to have a reserve - a nest egg - that you can use in the likely case that you overshoot the budget. Certain banks also offer building loans and packages that pay out at regular intervals, instead of one lump sum. This can help you stick to a budget more carefully.
Have your paperwork in order
Once you’ve chosen your project team and have defined the budget, the final step before starting on the construction is to have your paperwork in order. Ensure that the architect’s plans have been approved by your local council.
Check that the construction company has the right permits and legal documents to build a home of your specification. Obtaining planning permission can be quite a long process so start in advance.
Check your finances one more time and file all the right documents together so that you can easily find them when needed. Now, you can start building your dream home just the way you envisage.
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