Building a new home is an exciting but gruelling process. Therefore, you need to be prepared before getting into it to avoid feeling lost midway. While the list of aspects you need to consider is nearly endless, some key details take precedence over others.
In our experience, most first-timers fixate a lot on aesthetics, which is only part of the process. This blog will identify the primary factors you need to consider before building a new home. It will help you be somewhat prepared, so don’t feel overwhelmed.
Factors to Consider Before Building a New Home
Following are the factors you need to prioritise before you start to build a home:
1. Land and Location
Before building a new home, you first need to decide where you want it built. The location will affect your proximity to your job, commercial activity, amenities, etc., so you need to be careful in your selection.
If you don’t need to move urgently, you can select a location expected to grow commercially in the near future. Such locations are less expensive than ones that are in thriving areas.
The next thing you need to think about is the availability of land in your preferred location. The land needs to be suitable for home construction and be accessible through the main roads or streets.
2. How Many Stories You Want
Think carefully about the size of the house you want because it will affect the design, cost, materials, etc. Ideally, your base house preference should accommodate all your needs. Add all additional features on top and mark them according to their priority.
You will have an easier time deciding what to take out and adjust when you have such details organised.
3. Financing
Get your finances in order before you progress further in your plan. Have an accurate estimate of the savings you have for the project. Next, visit a mortgage provider and get a loan pre-approval from them.
The pre-approval will give you an idea of what you can afford, and it will act as a certificate of reliability when you approach contractors for building a new home. Most businesses want to be certain you can pay for the services you are requesting, which is where the pre-approval comes in handy.
4. Contractor and Terms
There are two types of contractors based on the services they provide:
- Home construction service providers
- Home design and construction service providers
We recommend the second kind because it will give you two benefits when building a new home. Firstly, it will be cost-efficient. You are getting two services from the same party; therefore, you can negotiate an overall discount.
Secondly, their designers will not design something the builders cannot create. Therefore, you can be assured that the approved design will have accurate implementation during the construction phase. GJ Gardner home reviews are excellent, so check them out if you want to build a home in Brisbane.
5. Pricing
Pricing will come up in your discussions with the contractor, and it will help you decide which features you want to keep and remove. The home designer will tell you an estimated cost based on the material and skill requirement, so you’ll know what comes under your affordability.
Your pre-approval document will also give the builders an idea, and they will ensure their design propositions doesn’t extend beyond it. You can request further adjustment if you don’t plan to spend everything you can when building a new home.
6. Regulatory Approvals
Regulatory approvals are a fundamental consideration when you build a home. You will first need building approval from authorities, so find out how to apply. The next phase is getting the home design approved.
The architect will know about area regulations but learn about them separately to ensure you can cross-check if they miss anything. The authorities will review design plans, structural plans, energy efficiency, builder license, etc., so have all documentation ready for submission.
It takes about ten working days for a standard certificate and 30 working days for a full certificate, so include that time in your calculations.
7. Material Requirements
House construction has extensive material requirements, so get ready to start actively budgeting. The builder will source the materials from vendors for a discounted price in the best-case scenario.
Premium materials are more costly, but we recommend buying the best material you can afford because it will affect your house’s sturdiness.
Remember to keep an extra budget for materials. Although the builders will give an estimated quantity, you might need more during the construction.
Additional Tips for Home Construction
The abovementioned directions will ready you for the work needed to build a home. We have also added the following tips to make things less stressful.
1. Decide if You Want Home Automation
Home automation is a relatively recent innovation that can tremendously simplify living. However, it is better to decide early on if you want an automated house so that the architect can make necessary adjustments to the design.
Making changes later on, will only complicate things.
2. Prioritise a Lighting Optimised Design
Home designs optimised for receiving more natural light can help you save money on utility bills. You will spend less electricity during the day and enjoy the soft warmth of sunlight on a chilly afternoon.
3. Choose Maintainable Over Fancy
The decision is entirely up to you, but we recommend choosing maintainable house structures and designs over fancy ones. Initially, fancy structures look great. However, they require extensive cleaning, repair, and maintenance.
Practical house structures are flexible for interior design choices and less costly to clean, making your life easier in the long run.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, building a new home requires budgeting, planning, and approvals. Being prepared for these factors will make the process more organised and increase efficiency.
We hope you enjoyed reading our guide and invite you to check out our other blogs for similar tips and advice.
