The Importance of Planning for the Home-Building Process

Building your dream house is an exciting time. You get to design the ideal home for you and your family to live in. It also requires a lot of planning to get it right.

There are many steps to the home-building process from start to finish. Proper knowledge, research, and working with the right experts are essential. Learn more about what to expect so you can navigate the process more easily and with little stress.

Set Realistic Expectations

When you set out to build a home from scratch, many homebuyers want to know how long does it take to build a house? The answer depends on a great many factors. Proper planning is key to staying on a schedule and getting the build done as fast as possible. It’s also an excellent way to draw attention to flaws in your plans and give you time to make the necessary corrections. Budget plenty of time for the construction process. This allows for the build to be done safely and by your plans. Every step of the process should be researched and planned out to avoid rushing.

Stick to Your Budget

There’s nothing worse than running out of money when you are part-way through the process of building your home. You must budget for everything required, from the land you build on to the furniture you’ll need once the home is built. Either take out a loan that covers all of your needs or wait to begin building until you have enough saved. Always budget extra for unexpected needs or in case you run into problems. It’s possible that material costs could rise, or that you need extra time or equipment to handle a hiccup in the build.

Purchase Land and Design Your Home

Carefully consider where you want to live and purchase a plot of land to build your dream home on. The size of the lot depends upon your preferences and the size of the home you want. Remember that the location will affect building times. If you purchase land in a rural area, it could take longer to get materials delivered and add time to your schedule. The terrain and environmental factors like water drainage will also play a part in the time it takes to build, along with equipment and materials that are needed.

Design your home to fit your lifestyle and needs. Don’t forget to plan for your future as well, so you can grow into your home. For example, if you plan to expand your family, make sure you will have enough space. You may also want to add an extra room that can serve as either a playroom for the kids or a home office. If you love to cook and entertain, a big kitchen could be a priority for you. You should also plan to have plenty of cupboards and storage space for your belongings.

Think about all the features that you want and make a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves. Prioritize the list and choose the most important items to fit into your budget. If your budget allows, you can add in some extras after the essentials are taken care of.

Choose the Right Time of Year to Build

The weather can play a big role in how quickly your home gets finished. Work with your contractor to select a time of year that is best. Frozen ground and frequent rain can cause delays and make some parts of the building more difficult or even impossible.

Understand the Building Process

Hiring the right contractor companies to build your home is a crucial step. You should look into the company’s reputation and read reviews from previous customers. It’s also a good idea to have a list of questions prepared to ask your contractor to make sure you are a good fit.

Look at examples of previous projects. Do you like the style and quality of the work done? What do available testimonials have to say about the contractor’s adherence to the building schedule, communication, and attention to detail and cleanup?

Once you have your contractors lined up, be prepared for what happens during construction. The main stages include:

• Dig and pour the foundation
• Frame the home
• Install drainage, electricity, and plumbing
• Finish drywall
• Paint
• Install flooring, cabinets, and fixtures
• Complete exterior and landscaping

Various aspects of construction require contractors with different specialties. If you like you can have your primary contractor handle the scheduling to make sure each stage is done efficiently.

Build Extra Time Into Your Schedule

Remember that your schedule is a guideline, and it is possible and normal to run into delays on occasion. Build plenty of extra time into your schedule to allow for inclement weather, waiting on materials, and other possibilities. You shouldn’t plan to move into your home until all the work is completed. Make sure your current living situation is adequate until it’s time to move into your newly built home.

Acquire Needed Permits and Inspections

Getting the proper permits and inspections is mandatory when you build a home. It can take time to acquire the correct documents and schedule appointments, so plan to avoid the need to halt or delay your building plans. If you fail to get a permit, you could be fined and have your construction stopped. Building codes and regulations can vary by area, so make sure you read up on the requirements. You must apply for a building permit in your town or city before construction can start. Home inspections are also important to ensure that the building is safe and meets the standards needed to purchase affordable insurance and other essentials. Get an inspection done during the construction process to catch any areas of concern. This way you can make corrections before the building is complete, and save yourself time and money. A final inspection is necessary when the home is finished before you can move in.

Building a home doesn't have to be intimidating when you understand what will happen. Taking the required time to do some research ensures that you fulfill all of the obligations and avoid making mistakes that delay the process. You will be glad you did when the work is done and you can move into your ideal home!