Building Your Own Home—Where to Start
Custom building your own home can be a good
way to get the house you’re dreaming of in just the location you want. A newly
built home generally requires far less maintenance and fewer repairs than an
older structure, so for the first few years, you’ll save on those costs. It’s a
huge project, and although it can be very rewarding, it involves many different
stages and different types of workers, so it’s good to learn about it before
you jump in.
Professionals
you will need
You’ll need a reliable, experienced builder,
sometimes also referred to as a contractor. This person can
help you find qualified people to do the design, landscaping, and craft work,
such as carpentry or tiling. A good contractor will also have connections with
reliable electricians, plumbing experts, and painters. The contractor can also
help guide you in establishing your wish list by telling you which features
will work for the lot you’ll be building on and which ones will not. The
contractor may even be willing to advise on land selection. This individual is
the most important of all those who will be assisting in the project, so ask
friends for referrals, and you might also look at online reviews from other
customers. When you’re ready to pick a builder, the NAHB (National
Association of Homebuilders) has an online directory of certified builders.
Establishing
a budget
Creating a budget should be the first thing you do, before shopping for land,
before hiring an architect, and before any of the rest of it. Decide how many
bedrooms, baths, and square feet you want. If there are other must-haves on
your list, such as a big front porch, a south-facing kitchen, a home office, or
a finished basement, add those to the list also. Consider the average cost per square foot as well as materials
costs, which can fluctuate. Be sure to factor in the per-acre cost of the land
in your area if you plan to purchase a plot. If you’ve settled on a contractor,
be sure that they see the land you want and agree that it’s suitable for
building the type of structure you want. Your contractor may also be able to
offer some guidance on which features will be costly and which are more
within the scope of your finances.
How
your contractor pulls it together
Your contractor will likely be using some type of “takeoff” software for creating a
bid or estimate, planning, and building your home. This type of software allows
the contractor to add the costs of materials as the work progresses, as well as
labor costs, and some types even accept online payments. Although you
personally won’t need to use the software, you may receive quotes, estimates,
and ongoing reports from it. And if the house plan needs to be changed after
construction begins, you can see the different choices reflected in materials
and labor on printouts you’ll get. Click for more information on this type of
product.
Where
will you stay?
You may need to find temporary lodging while your house is
being built, which can take from 7-30 months, depending on the size of the
home. If you decide to rent a place, you can save time by looking at online
listings for rentals before you show up in person to inspect them. Many
websites offer virtual tours, so you can actually see the interior and exterior
of the house before visiting in person. You can also narrow your options online
by specifying the number of bedrooms and baths you need, as well as acceptable
locations. You might decide to put some of your furniture and belongings in
storage while the new home is under construction.
While building your own home is sure to be an
adventure with surprises, both good and bad, it might be the best path to
getting a home you truly love. Custom building not only allows you to specify
what you want but to leave out the things you don’t care about, such as
skylights, basketball courts, or large bonus rooms. While you’re tucked away in
a rental, the professionals will be busy doing their best to create the home of
your dreams.
If you’re
near Waupaca, Wisconsin, consider My Extra Garage for your self-storage needs. They offer online booking of storage
units, as well as storage for boats and RVs.