The process of constructing your first home may appear daunting at first, but you’ll gain the confidence to take on the task at hand with proper preparation and study.
Not surprisingly, a lot of first-time homeowners say that stress is stopping them from building. It may seem like there are too many options to consider and too many ways to go wrong, especially if this is your first time doing anything like this.
Even while there may be a lot of options to consider when creating, it need not be a minefield. Looking for the best home constructions? Look no further! Hitch Property Constructions has the ultimate list of home designs for you to choose from.
Most Important Things to Consider When Building a New House
There are some bare minimums that must be considered before beginning any residential building project. Numerous factors and conveniences should be deliberated upon when putting up a new residence.
Establish a budget for home building
Before you can choose a builder and a floor plan for your new home, you need to know how much you can afford to spend on it. The price of the property you want to build on, plus any applicable stamp duty, prospective loan settlements, site preparation charges, planning fees, finishing expenditures and the cost of construction.
Fees and Your Budget
For the sake of the project’s bottom line, it’s important to base your calculations on reality. Verify that all estimates based on your house blueprints include the same details. Prices that aren’t locked in could rise dramatically in the future. Other expenses include land registration, soil and contour testing, site expenditures, flooring, landscaping, additions and alterations, and more. When you know what to expect to pay, you can make the necessary arrangements with your budget. You can find the best home loan by comparing up to 25 different offers from different lenders.
Get a suitable plan in place
Your builder or architect will draw out house blueprints as per the terms of the building contract. It is also necessary to obtain a building permit and council approval. Get in touch with the city hall or a building inspector to find out if you need these. Make sure everything is clear and within the law by consulting with your builder or architect as you are setting out blueprints.
Think about housing plans now that you know your budget. You can use tools like Floorplanner and RoomSketcher to simulate architectural layouts. Inspiring images can also be found on Pinterest and Instagram.
The Laws for Building a House and Your Rights
A new home must be constructed in accordance with applicable rules and standards. Make sure your actions are completely lawful and within your rights to avoid any problems that may arise. Your new home, your builder or trade contractor, the fencing around your garage or shed, your pool, your landscaping, and any upgrades or repairs must all comply with these regulations.
Builders and Contractors
An initial need for licencing is a price threshold of $3,300, which means that a builder or trade contractor must be licenced in order to undertake work for you. Licenses are also needed for allied tradespeople including plumbers and gasfitters. A simple web search can tell you whether or not the persons you’re considering hiring are licenced, giving you important information as well as peace of mind.
A completion date should be included in the contract you sign with your builder. Seek legal counsel for advice and protection before signing anything. Additionally, you can obtain the contract. When cancelling a contract, it is customary to give the contractor written notice and a cancellation fee. Find out from a professional what safeguards should be included in your contract.
The right builder makes all the difference
Choosing the right builder is essential. Choosing the wrong builder might make your worst nightmare a reality.
Consider the builder’s years in the business, membership in the Housing Industry Association/Master Builders, recommendations from satisfied customers, and level of skill before making your selection. First, you must decide whether you will be purchasing a land and home package or if you will be hiring the builder separately.
When designing your ideal home, this is the single most crucial factor.
You need to be led step-by-step by your custom home builder as they construct your dream home. Maintain constant lines of communication throughout the entire process.
The success of your plans depends on the function Object() { [native code] } you choose. You should hire a reliable contractor who won’t disappear on you in the middle of the process. Your suggestions and financial plan will likely be well received.
Research the builder’s experience and the feedback they’ve received from previous customers. Do they require a level lot, or are they flexible with slopes? You want your builder to be a stress-free resource, not an added burden.
At HP Constructions, we have the best home constructions selection to make your house a dream come true.
Sustainable housing laws
In Australia, a house must meet strict environmental standards set by the government. In addition to being a pleasant place to spend time, the house must also help cut down on glasshouse gas emissions by reducing its energy and water use. Put in energy-saving features wherever possible in your home’s design, from appliances to lights.
LOCATION AND LAND TYPE
After figuring out where you stand monetarily, it’s time to look into the area around and the actual land on which you plan to build.
If you want to reside there, you’ll need to evaluate whether or not the area is conducive to it. Do you see yourself settling down in this area, and does it have the characteristics of a location you’d like to call home? Consider the property’s proximity to relevant amenities including schools, markets, hospitals, and retail establishments.
You should look into the numerous types of land that are accessible in the area you plan to build your house. Does the terrain have a gentle slope, or does it lie flat? Where can I find a boulder to practise on?
These are all valid concerns, and the answers you give will have a significant impact on how quickly and efficiently your ideal home may be built.
Never sign a contract until you’re sure what everything means
Despite how obvious it may seem, many people actually agree to the terms of a contract without first reading it thoroughly. If you want to do something of this magnitude, you should work with a lawyer who can break down the process into manageable chunks and explain everything in clear English.
Make sure that everything is absolutely clear, including the payment conditions, due dates, warranty, and insurance information. You don’t want to be blindsided by hidden fees, and you also don’t want to find out that something you were counting on isn’t covered. It is imperative that the entirety of the agreement between you and the builder be spelt out in black and white for all to see.
Keep in regular contact with your contractor
Your contractor will likely begin the initial stage of construction soon after you sign the paperwork and pay the deposit. Constant contact with your builder is critical. Meet with the project manager at a time that is convenient for both of you to make sure that things are progressing as planned. At some point, the contractors may want to hear your thoughts on proposed details and finishes. If you can make these calls for them, it will make their jobs much easier.
Check out our extensive range of home designs at Hitch Constructions.
The Neighbourhood and Your Long-Term Goals
Think about the amenities and possibilities of the region surrounding your ideal location. After all, you plan to put down roots here for a long time, so it’s important that you find a neighbourhood that supports your ideals and allows you to grow personally and professionally.
You should look at the local transportation, schools, retail areas, employment prospects, recreational and entertainment venues, and services to ensure your happiness and pleasure.
Things that usually forget when building a house
When constructing a house, it’s easy to overlook the following.
A/C Intake Vents
Find out the size of the air conditioner’s intake vents. If you can get them all to be the same dimensions, you’ll just need to keep one size of air filters on hand. If that’s not possible, at least try to stock up on the most in-demand sizes. If you aren’t sure what sizes are considered conventional, it’s a good idea to stop by a local home improvement store. Since you plan on making regular trips there for supplies, you might as well take advantage of the convenience.
Add an extra layer of security
Do you feel confident in the depth of your investigation into home safety? It is necessary to instal additional security measures beyond the typical deadbolts. Safety is improved by installing security screens on all doors and windows. They allow in light and air without sacrificing privacy, visibility, or beauty.
Improve safety with alarm systems, motion-sensor lights, and sturdy doors and windows. While it’s true that many of them can be added at a later time, it’s in your best interest to do so right away.
Create a budget buffer
Try to avoid unrealistic assumptions when making a financial plan. You shouldn’t waste your time looking at expensive houses if doing so would put you in debt and strain your finances. Costs that aren’t immediately obvious are a must-plan-for. Try to get as many answers as you can before signing anything.
Talk to your builder about any extra fees that could be tacked onto the final price of your home (i.e. site costs, fencing, stamp duty etc.). Instead of an estimate, a definite price and detailed quote is preferable. Stay away from contracts that have a “to be determined” clause. After tallying up your financial reserves, set aside an emergency fund. Because of the significance to one’s financial well-being and readiness, this is essential information to have.
Feature lighting
A well-lit home is essential for both security and comfort. When you construct your own house, you get to design the lighting system. Individual rooms can have their own unique personality thanks to a variety of lighting options. The use of dimmer switches is a terrific technique to create ambience, especially in less obvious spots like beneath kitchen cabinets.
Irrigation system
If you want grass on each side of the driveway and want to instal an irrigation system once the house is finished, you’ll need to run a long PVC tube (3″ in diameter) under the driveway. Assuming that your home’s main water line is located on the opposite side of the property, the irrigation water main will need to run over the driveway to reach your yard. Your irrigation contractor will give you a bear hug if you have a conduit line running beneath the driveway.
Obtain a blueprint of the system that shows where things like zone control valve indications and other crucial pieces are located. In the long run, you’ll be happy you did so when you plant massive trees, put in a swimming pool, or dig a deep hole in your backyard. While the irrigation pipes are being trenched, videotape your yard. The installers don’t always stick to the blueprints.
Lights, Switches and Power Outlets
Make sure you know where the switches and lights are. In other rooms, like the pantry, for example, the location of the light switch may not be ideal. Make sure to consider the placement of the electrical outlets outside the house as well. The following are some concrete instances of this:
- In the front of the garage, next to the entrance from the driveway. A master controller for an irrigation system installed in this location would be convenient for access from the front of the garage. In addition to being useful on the job site or for cleaning the garage, this is also a terrific tool for vacuuming parked cars.
- Think about the placement of any additional fridges or freezers you may have in the garage, as well as whether or not they will require their own electrical hookups.
- Think about where you want to put your tree and flower gardens. In addition, you should consider installing outside lights. If you want to use low-voltage landscaping features, you’ll still need to run wires from a power circuit to various spots in the yard using conduit. If you want to use standard 110V landscape lighting, have the builder put in a power box at various points.
- The importance of celebrating holidays like Christmas and Halloween cannot be overstated. In order to put up a powered mummy rising from the grave for Halloween or to wrap all of your front trees in lights, you will need a stubbed-out power outlet nearby. Similarly, installing a few extra exterior power outlets may be helpful if you plan on stringing Christmas lights along your roof. Make it so that all of the front-facing “holiday” power outlets may be turned on and off together or programmed to turn on and off at specific times by connecting them to a single light switch.
- The garden lighting could benefit from being wired to a separate circuit. It’s important to give everything due thought.
- Power outlets are often located in inconvenient areas due to lack of space and bad planning. When attempting to relax in your new house, nothing is more annoying than searching in vain for an electrical outlet. Since most of us rely on electronic gadgets on a daily basis, it’s important to think about where to put outlets in each area. You shouldn’t have extension cables and power boards plugged in everywhere, as this increases the risk of you tripping over them.
- It’s also more cost-effective to instal things like TV and power outlets in bulk while building is still in progress as opposed to after completion.
- Therefore, it’s better to have a little bit more than not enough. It’s a good idea to instal electrical outlets in the garage, the patio, and any other high-traffic locations. Putting in extra-large plugs and extra outlets in the hallway are both good ideas.
Securing the Sub-Floor
Make sure the builder uses Liquid Nail and screws to secure the second story sub-floor and the stairs. Using regular nails will allow the subfloor to shift over time, which will cause the floor to groan underfoot. You’ll have no trouble checking this out once the stairs have been constructed and the upper-level flooring has been installed.
It is imperative that you notify the building manager immediately if you observe the use of a nail gun. Nail screws, which look like screws but have spiral grooves to make them appear to be screwing in as they go into wood, could have been the ones he used. Not that I can think of, regarding those.
Smart storage solutions
Once a house is built and the new residents move in, only then do they realise how much space they need for storage. Ample storage space should be reserved in advance; in fact, you should acquire more room than you anticipate needing because, believe me, you will eventually run out of room! Give yourself plenty of time throughout the planning phase to meticulously sketch out each room and space in order to determine where the storage should be put. Think about the garage storage space as well.
There are a great many things to think about before beginning a new home construction project. The list of considerations that should be made during home construction may prove useful to you as you work to realise your ideal home. We love hearing about innovative approaches that others have taken to reduce complexity and streamline their daily activities.
Conclusion
Constructing your first house can seem like navigating a minefield, but it doesn’t have to be. In order to get started on a home construction project, there are a few fundamentals that must be taken into account. Get a good plan together and set aside a reasonable amount of money to build a house. Building regulations and codes must be followed when constructing a new residence. Allies in the construction industry, like as plumbers and gasfitters, must also have valid licences to practise their craft.
If you want to know if the people you’re thinking about hiring are licenced, you can find out quickly and easily online. A home in Australia must be environmentally compliant or face severe penalties. Include as many eco-friendly design elements as you can into your home’s construction to reduce energy consumption. Think on how close you will be to things like good schools, grocery stores, hospitals, and shopping. Do not commit to anything legally binding before you have fully understood it.
After you sign the paperwork and pay the deposit, the builders will likely immediately begin the preliminary stage of building. Staying in close communication with your builder is essential for monitoring project development. The size of the air conditioner’s intake vents should be determined. You’ll need to tunnel a long PVC tube (3 inches in diameter) beneath the driveway if you want grass to grow on each side of the path. A well-lit house is crucial for safety and ease of living.
Thanks to adaptable lighting, each area can have its own distinct character. Installing the system’s master controller here would allow for easy access from the garage’s main entrance. You will need to utilise conduit to route wires from a power circuit to several locations in the yard if you plan on installing low-voltage landscaping items. It’s a good idea to have both extra-large plugs and additional outlets in the corridor. Installing amenities like cable and electrical outlets early in the construction process can save money later on. If the builder isn’t using Liquid Nail and screws to fasten the subfloor, tell him to start.
Content Summary
- Before you can choose a builder and a floor plan for your new home, you need to know how much you can afford to spend on it.
- Think about housing plans now that you know your budget.
- A new home must be constructed in accordance with applicable rules and standards.
- Choosing the right builder is essential.
- In Australia, a house must meet strict environmental standards set by the government.
- You should look into the numerous types of land that are accessible in the area you plan to build your house.
- Keep in regular contact with your contractor
- Constant contact with your builder is critical.
- Meet with the project manager at a time that is convenient for both of you to make sure that things are progressing as planned.
- Find out the size of the air conditioner’s intake vents.
- Try to avoid unrealistic assumptions when making a financial plan.
- In the front of the garage, next to the entrance from the driveway.
- A master controller for an irrigation system installed in this location would be convenient for access from the front of the garage.
- Think about where you want to put your tree and flower gardens.
- It’s a good idea to instal electrical outlets in the garage, the patio, and any other high-traffic locations.
- Make sure the builder uses Liquid Nail and screws to secure the second story sub-floor and the stairs.
- Think about the garage storage space as well.
FAQs About Home Construction
What are the things to consider when building a house?
- Budgeting the expected cost. …
- Getting the right location. …
- Designing and building your dream house. …
- Choosing a quality contractor or house builder. …
- Picking the right materials.
What is a checklist in construction?
Construction checklists detail specific information of activities and phases in your project. Construction checklists can categorise particular items, materials, equipment, tasks, etc. in a more meticulous manner. Construction checklists break down complex activities into simple actionable components.
What is a construction process?
The construction process is the detailed steps required to complete your construction project. This process can be broken down into five phases – planning/design, pre-construction, procurement, construction, and post-construction. Depending on the size and scope of the project, each phase has its own set of challenges.
What makes a good floor plan?
In addition to efficient flow, a good floor plan has appropriate room sizes and proportions, minimized corridors, adequate storage space, and provides universal accessibility. A good floor plan also addresses exterior views and solar orientation to make the most of the surrounding landscape.
What is the perfect house layout?
Ideally, to provide the best layout for your family, there should be one bathroom for every two bedrooms in the house. Homeowners who entertain frequently should choose a house layout that has a full or a half-guest bathroom near the living area. The guest bathroom should be downstairs in homes with multiple floors.
