Building your dream home is exciting, but it’s also one of the most stressful situations you’ll ever go through. It’s long, it’s arduous, and things always manage to go wrong at some point. When it’s time to start the process, there are a few things to keep in mind. This is your forever home, and it’s the one you want to include everything you desire.
To make the process go smoothly, you might want to consider a few useful tips.
Know You Can’t Always See The Progress
The beginning is exciting. You see the lot cleared, and things look like they’re productive. The foundation is poured, the walls go up, the roof goes on, and suddenly it looks as though your builder hasn’t been there in weeks. Just because you can’t see the progress doesn’t mean it’s not there.
It’s frustrating to go from seeing such obvious progress to wondering why you haven’t seen any changes in weeks. Plumbing, electrical work, and so many other small details go into building. They’re not always noticeable, but they’re there. Remember that when you feel frustrated.
Know The Laws
Every community has a set of building laws and codes you must meet. Don’t think you can build whatever you want wherever you want it. Your house has to meet certain standards, it has to meet easements and property lines, and it has to be approved by the city. Additionally, you have to work with your HOA. Don’t make the mistake of not speaking to the HOA first.
Many communities require you keep a certain number of trees, relocate any endangered animals that might live on your property, and even choose a certain style fence or color for your home. Know these before it’s too late. Not knowing the laws can cost you a lot of money when you find out you messed up.
Set A Timeline
Don’t let your builder tell you your house is slated for completion “around” a time. Choose a date, make it a realistic date, but choose a date. If your builder is not done by that date barring any natural disasters such as a hurricane or tornado that are out of everyone’s control, include a clause that states they have to pay a penalty for every additional day the house is not complete.
With ample time and knowledge, there is no reason your house cannot be completed on schedule. This will help you and those you are working with be on the same page about completion of work.
Set A Budget
There is one thing you have to do from the start, and that’s set a budget. There’s a lot of over-budget work that could occur unless you establish a clear budget with your builder from the start. Know how much the house will cost down to the very last detail. You need to know the exact dollar amount from the cost of the flooring, to of all the heavy equipment you need on-site to get the work done.
You may not think heavy equipment may be necessary, but oftentimes it is depending on your building situation. Use professionals, like those found at Freo Group, to determine that your needs are and finding equipment that is affordable for you. Every penny counts, and going over-budget can kill your dreams and halt progress if you run out of money.
The moment you move into your dream home is amazing, but it takes time to get to that point. Maintain your patience, be firm with your builder when necessary, and establish a good relationship with the builder. You are paying for this house and have to live in it, and it should be everything you want it to be.
This guest post is written by Emma Sturgis a freelance writer based in Boston, MA. When not writing, she enjoys rock climbing and reading. Say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2
