Building a house can be exhausting and expensive. You have to consider multiple factors, fit things to your budget, and use the right materials. As you check out land for sale, you might get overwhelmed. See these three simple tips to minimize mistakes and get your dream home:
Set a Budget
By setting a budget first, you’re setting reasonable expectations. From the location to the specifications, you’ll know what you can get for your money right from the start. Identify the figure that you can afford to spend on your house. If you’re still in the saving stage, you can use a savings calculator created by the Federal Government to see how long it will take you to reach your goal. Then see if you’re eligible to any of the State Government’s programs and grants. Afterward, you can determine what loan is the right type for you. It’s best to apply for a loan with the shortest term you can afford. The longer a loan is, the higher the interest you’ll end up paying.
Know What You Want
Before you buy a lot and build a house, you should already have a clear idea of what you want. You don’t have to be an architect with blueprints. Instead, you should know how big or how many rooms you’ll need. One method you can try is to make a list of the non-negotiable features you want. For example, your home should have three bedrooms and yard space for your kids. From there, you know that you’ll need a decent lot size.
If you don’t have any concrete requirements, find inspiration. From Instagram and Pinterest to Architectural Digest, you can find plenty of smart designs online. Save the photos you want to emulate so that you can use them as a guide for later.
If you already know what kind of home you want, it will make the shopping and hiring process easier.
Work with the Right People
Once you’ve decided on the kind of house you need, you can move on to the hiring stage. Make sure to look through their portfolio and ask for references. If possible, look for an architect or a designer that has already built a home similar to your dream house. If not, you can use the photos you’ve compiled or the list you’ve created to determine who can execute your vision.
Check out the laws and talk to your local council about who or what you’ll need for the construction. If you’re looking to live in Victoria, hire a building surveyor to get a building permit. Their job is to ensure that the construction process follows the law and that the building itself is safe and livable. If the house you’re building is in Queensland, you’ll need to hire a licensed building designer. Make sure to check out their credentials. Remember that building designers and architects are not interchangeable.
It may be a cliché, but it’s true: nothing worth having comes easy. Building a home from the ground up takes a lot of time, money, and work. In the end, it’s all worth it to have your own house created with your input.