4 FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUILDING A HOME

Everybody dreams of owning their own home. Some even go so far as to buy a stand (also referred to as a plot) on which to build the home of their dreams. Building a home can be an extremely fulfilling experience with many benefits, including the opportunity to create an eco-friendly home that will save you money and help the environment. However, there are a few vital factors that you should consider before undertaking a new build …

1. Understanding the lay of the land

Undoubtedly the most important factor is the stand itself. Be sure to check the measurements to find out if the stand is the right size and shape to fulfil your needs – be sure to factor in where the boundary lines are and how close you may build next to your neighbour’s stand. To avoid running over budget with the cost of excavating and levelling the ground, find out how easy the ground is to build on. Different types of soil, like clay soil, for example, might require extra services, which will end up costing more.

1. How to decide on room sizes

Dimensions can be deceiving. To get an idea of how large the space will be, measure the size of the rooms in your current home and consider of the square meterage you ideally want in your new home. To work out the square meterage, take the length and breadth of a room and multiply these measurements by each other. To calculate the total floor space, add these areas together. This will be an excellent way to picture the size of the stand required to meet your needs.

1. The more intricate the design, the higher the cost

If you want to cut back on costs, keep the design of your home as simple as possible. A square structure will cost less to build than a home with many curved walls and other complicated designs. Do some research and find out what the building rate per square metre is in your area. This will help you decide how big you can afford to build your home. It is also highly recommended that you hire a company that practices green building habits as to minimize the waste created during the building process.

1. Leave room in your budget for unforeseen costs

There are so many unforeseen circumstances that may impact the overall build cost. You should make provision for an additional 20% on the original estimated cost of building the home to allow for these unforeseen expenses. You should also budget for elements that will save your pocket in the future, such as quality insulation to save on energy costs, and eco-friendly solutions such as solar panels and greywater systems to help reduce your energy and water bills.

Final Advice

Having a comprehensive plan and realistic timeframe are helpful tools in the home building journey. But, you will need to be flexible if you want to go ahead with a project of this nature. There will be all kinds of surprises that might delay your plans or increase your budget. If you’re not willing to go through the stress of a new build, connect with a real estate agent who will be able to assist you with the search for your dream home.