Why would you build a house?
Well, for starters, you get to personalise every detail from scratch. Whether it’s the layout, flooring, sinks, cabinets, colour themes, or even the doorknobs – you control everything! Even if you’re building a tract home, you can still choose between flooring options, colour choices, and finishes. But since tract homes have limited choices, the labour costs and bottom line reduce, too.
All in all, in an economy riddled with a recession, building a house in can do more good than bad. Consider following these tips to ensure you build one effectively, so your project doesn’t come under too much strain.
Supervise and Coordinate: Save Energy and Time
People who go down the less travelled house building road rarely ever appoint a site manager for their project. A site manager can ensure that tasks are completed on time, within the appropriate budget and adhering to quality standards.
If you’re overseeing the construction process yourself, record every phase by taking photographs diligently. Not only will this help you document the cable routing in the future, but these photos will also help in the case there’s a dispute. Ensure you’re on-site to some of the checking yourself, especially when one phase of work is being wrapped up.
Budget and Then Add Miscellaneous Expenses
No matter how much you think the process may cost you, it’s likely it’ll cost more. There could be several items that you don’t include in your estimate that your builder will tell you to get.
For example, it’s unlikely that your builder will include costs like NBN hook-ups, gas and electrical metres, or window coverings in the estimate they give you. Other items like:
- Outdoor concreting,
- Letterboxes,
- Decking,
- Landscaping,
- Gates,
- Fences, and
- Concreting may also not be included.
Builders usually refer to these as finishing costs and can be almost 15% to 25% of your budget. Moreover, you also need to consider account site costs, which you incur when preparing the building site for construction.
Apart from the add-ons, you may not have considered that you also have to budget for unanticipated circumstances. For example, you may feel like changing your mind if any of the materials don’t live up to your expectations.
Understand the Agreement
Take time to understand the contract you’re signing up for to ensure you understand everything written. It may be possible that you’re taken by surprise by what the construction costs cover and what they don’t cover.
Also, check for a cooling-off period. There should also be a specified timeframe for the construction process that aligns with your timeline too. It must include detailed plans, insurance information, and a warranty. There should also be a payment schedule.
Finally, once you’re satisfied with everything written on the contract, get a solicitor to go through it. Cross out any blank space and ensure that any variances in the contract are mutually agreed upon and well documented.
Communicate With Your Builder Often
Throughout the procedure, ensure you’re connected with your tradesmen and your builders. Keep getting daily reports on the development and progression to know if everything is aligned. Make a habit of taking photos of the little advancements that happen so you can have a record.
Look for Good Contractors
Before choosing a construction company, researching the internet will help protect you from unreliable builders and insolvent developers. We would also advise researching as much as you can about the company’s economic conditions. A credit investigation company can help you do this.
Pay intricate attention to quality seals like the Housing Industry Association and Master Builders Association. These two seals can give you an indication of the security that a contractor can offer.
Rely on Your Social Networks
To cut down on the stress, we suggest you distribute small tasks to several people during the construction stage. You can also get your relatives and good friends to help you with responsibilities like child care.
Know Your Rights – Things Can Go Wrong
If you’ve planned the building process well, signed with the right lender and builder, and budgeted accurately, it’s unlikely that you’re going to face insoluble problems. However, it’s always essential to have a plan B.
If the worst does happen, there are several channels you can go through to raise a complaint against the builder. If the builder is a member of Master Builders or the Housing Industry Association, you’ll have a clear complaint process to follow. However, bear in mind that every territory and state has its process for addressing building-related complaints.
Wrapping Up
Knowing the essential steps you need to take beforehand can ensure the construction carries out smoothly for you. So why wait? Get an experienced builder like Brighton Homes and start your house building process today!
