Steps to Building Your Dream Home
There will come a time in your life when you seek to own a home. However, it may not be all about the purchase, but the type of home you wish to build. It's always good to have some idea of what you want your dream home to look like. This takes the hassle out trying to make important decisions on the spot and not thinking out your total design. Let's face it, home ownership can be intimidating, if not a headache overall. So it's best to follow some trusted steps that can ensure you have a smooth adventure all the way to building your beloved desired home. Here are a few steps to consider in your journey:
Save Money
Whether you are going for financing or paying in cash, it's good to have some reserves. Anything can happen when buying a home, either before or after, so it's good to be prepared. Consider making a home budget jar where you put extra money in and don't touch. It's also smart to open a savings account designed and labeled as your "Dream Home Savings."
Make A Budget
Think about what your dream home will cost. Include everything you can think of that you must have and probably don't need. Know what you can afford in your overall plan, be realistic. Consider all details into what goes into building a home and how it effects your budget. The following general expense can include:
- General Construction
- Tile Material
- Plumbing Fixtures
- Cabinets
- Appliances
- Countertops
- Closet Interiors
- Bath accessories
- Painting and decorating
- Light fixtures
- Permits
- Utility Charges
- Landscaping
- Architectural & Engineering Fees
- 10% Contingency
Next, make a list and the costs of the goodies you want to add to your home. For example, a sauna, movie theater or a swimming pool or maybe a guest house. It doesn't hurt to cost these out so you know what you are getting yourself into. Some of this stuff you may find you don't really need. However, if you are in the mindset of "let's do it!" then it's good to know what your up against financially.
Consider Your Options
Do you know about a home thats very old and in need of a great makeover? Maybe the land needs a little fixing or some areas are still in its natural state. It's best to jump on these opportunities as they arise, you could save a ton of money.
Build a Team
This is always hopeful because you have to be honest with yourself that you can't do it all. Bring in professionals that can give you the best adequate quotes. They can also answer questions because they are familiar with costs, have the experience and more importantly, are the masters in their industry. This can range from decorators, landscapers, general contractors, pool designers or other professionals for your specialty additions.
Make a Plan
Mapping out your dream home never hurts. Get a piece of good construction paper and some pencils to draw out exactly how you see the inside and outside of your new home. This gives you an excellent view of how many rooms you want, where they will be, how big and the entry ways needed. A step further, your map will show your contractor how all rooms will be connected to each another.
Insurance
You may have someone in mind or a referral from a friend for home insurance. If you don't or would like to re-consider then consider checking online for various options available. Whatever you decide, make sure you have the best insurance in place to fend off any unexpected natural disasters that could affect your dream home and leave you in the hole. Having the appropriate insurance can go a long way when planning to build a home.
Your Timeline
This step can easily be overlooked if you are not careful. Jotting down all of your ideas, talking to professionals to make it happen and picking out furniture or decorations is all a part of building a great home for the future. However, knowing what your timeline is to build all of this can be crucial. There is nothing wrong with having a dream, it's how the dream comes together to match the timing of the plan is the concern. You should consider where you live when laying out a good timeline. Think about seasonal interruptions that can happen in your planning. Will winter months impact the building process versus living in a sunny environment where a heat wave is expected and effect laborers? Refer to a calendar and paying attention to the weather. Will it take six months or a year? However long it takes and what months’ things can realistically get done is important. You may find that there are some months the weather is going to slow things down.
Overall, building a dream home doesn't have to stressful, if you follow some of the steps mentioned above. Saving money can help in the long run and give you an extra cushion to rely on if something goes array. A budget helps you see the realistic picture of the actual costs involved before moving forward. It's good to gather a team together for early consulting and receiving genuine quotes you can use. These people are in the business of knowing all about your particular needs, so use them well. Having a plan of attack helps keep things in perspective by either ordering a blueprint or mapping it out yourself on paper.
Every house is going to need insurance so it's best to make sure you are covered in case of an unexpected event that can ultimately harm everything you have worked so diligently on. Lastly, figure out a timeline that not only works with you and your family, but all professionals hired for the job. Use a calendar to jot down bad weather months or holidays that effect your or your laborers. By following these steps, you will find you will be building your dream home faster than you realize.
