Building a house is likely to be both an exciting and stressful undertaking. When house looking for the first time, it’s easy to get sidetracked by all the model homes, which is especially true for first-time buyers. Prepare to be awestruck by the beautiful homes, well-thought-out floor plans, and complete home-and-land packages that are part of the process. It’s important to weigh the pros and disadvantages of any investment you make before making a decision.
It’s strange how, when you step back and take in the large picture, you could miss some of the finer points of your new house design. Design problems that didn’t seem like a big deal before the house was built can become major irritants once construction begins.
Some mistakes are essentially inevitable when building a house of any kind. However, many of these issues can be overcome if the right data and resources are at hand.
Looking for the best home constructions? Look no further! Hitch Property Constructions has the ultimate list of home designs for you to choose from.
Here are the essential tips for those building their first home:
- When choosing a new place to call home, think about how close you’ll be to essentials like grocery stores, public transportation, schools, and daycare centres, as well as amenities like gyms, movie theatres, and theme parks that can greatly enhance your quality of life.
- Consider your budget and the size of the home you want to build when choosing a lot. Think about how much money you could save on energy costs by orienting your building towards the sun, and keep in mind any height or setback restrictions that may apply.
- Do as much homework as necessary to choose a reliable contractor. See what’s out there by checking out model communities, and if you know someone who has had a home built recently, get their opinion on the process.
Common Mistakes People Make When Building a New Home
Sales reps under-estimating site works costs
The Provisional Sum is the builder’s estimate of pre-closing expenses. In order to secure the contract, some builders’ sales representatives inflate the price of site works. Site works are accurately quoted after the contract is signed, and the customer is required to pay thousands of dollars more than originally agreed upon. Inquire into the components of the provisional cost estimate for site works, and seek a second opinion if necessary.
Unrealistic construction time-frames
It is not uncommon for large construction firms to overload their supervisors by having them manage 30-40 separate projects simultaneously. Inefficient quality and trades management is a common complaint among supervisors. Therefore, projects take significantly longer than the first 5 or 6 months estimated. Inquire about construction schedules, supervisor load, and previous customers’ opinions. The last thing you want is to have someone tell you that building your house would take six months, only to have it drag out for two.
Misunderstanding dimensions on plans
Developers typically include square footage in plans to set their work apart from the competition. Include or exclude space under the eaves from the total room size if needed. Because of this, it is more challenging for consumers to evaluate various house plans from various construction firms. Thoroughly examine alternate variations of the same design.
Shop around for finance
Construction companies tend to be compared, while mortgage brokers aren’t. Home loans from some banks are more affordable than those from others. Talk to your bank and a few mortgage brokers to compare rates and terms from several lenders. Contractors can recommend their prefered broker.
‘Turnkey’ doesn’t always mean ‘Turnkey’
A ‘turnkey’ home package would include the installation of a TV antenna, a clothesline, flooring, wall paint, window treatments, and rear landscaping. Some construction firms market “turnkey” services that omit these finishing touches. First, make sure you have everything you need in the turnkey package.
Understand the area you are buying in
Choosing a region with low growth and rental yields is not the ideal option if you want to receive a decent return on your investment when selling or renting the property. There is no bias or slant in the data and information provided by RP-Data. Look into the median weekly rent, rental yield, and population growth of the suburb you’re thinking of buying in. The information offered here may be difficult to understand, but a good Builder’s Sales Rep should be able to help you.
Over-spending on fittings
The desire to spend more money on the fit-out than necessary is strong, but you shouldn’t fall in to it. Instead, you should take the stance of an investor and not make any changes to the house unless doing so will raise its value, make it more durable, or make it more marketable as a rental.
Be aware of comparing apples to oranges when shopping for house designs
It might be difficult to compare the homes built by different builders to determine which one provides the best value. The specs, materials, manner of construction, and roof beams of a given house might vary greatly from one builder’s estimate to another. Pick a plan that appeals to you, works within your budget, and fulfils as many of your needs as possible, and then go to work.
Display home inclusions
When visiting model houses, make sure to clarify what is and isn’t included in the listed price. For example, flooring, wall paint, air conditioning, and vaulted ceilings may all cost extra. Keep in mind the item’s total price and pay close attention to the specifications page.
Don’t get emotionally attached to an investment property
We commonly see purchasers who want to spend a large portion of their purchase price on improvements, fixtures, and appliances when purchasing an investment property. It’s important to focus on only doing renovations that will raise your property’s resale price or rental income.
Making expensive structural changes
Making changes to a builder’s conventional house plan can result in higher drafting and building fees. The best way to keep the price of your project down is to look around until you find a design you like as is, or that only needs minor modifications or additions. Research costs you nothing but your time, so keep that in mind.
Taking advantage of developer bonus items
If you don’t have to, there’s no reason to waste money on it. Some new land estates come with freebies like planting and fencing, refunds on solar power systems, and reductions in the lot price. Looking into the numerous development estates in the area you’re considering as a potential home purchase area is in your best interest.
Check out our extensive range of home designs at Hitch Constructions.
A tip for saving money
A builder’s markup is the amount of money they charge on top of the prices for all of the supplies and labourers they use on a project. You can save money by handling tasks such as painting, gardening, carpeting, flooring, and blind installation yourself. Taking this step would help you reduce costs.
But remember that these things can only be done after the builder has finished building and given over the keys, so the extra time it takes to get these items completed will mean that your house will not be available for you to live into for a longer period of time.
What to pay more attention to and what to avoid as a new owner builder?
Land selection is key
One of the most crucial considerations while putting up a new home is its location. It’s important to think about how far you have to go and how long it will take you to get there when deciding where to live.
Make a priority list of the features you want in your future home’s setting before you start looking for property or planning the layout of the building itself. Although it may be difficult to find appropriate land in the inner suburbs, there are plenty of places within easy reach of public transportation that are little further afield.
Hire a good builder
Hiring a reputed builder to oversee you for a lesser charge is a good idea if you’ve never built a home before but still want to be an owner-builder. The general contractor or site manager will oversee any subcontractors “as needed.” If one of your contractors becomes disruptive or you need assistance, please contact the supervisor immediately. The builder/supervisor can be of assistance when problems with the technical inspector develop.
If you decide to have one builder handle everything, make sure to get references from past clients. You know you’ve found a reliable function Object() { [native code] } when word-of-mouth keeps recommending the same person. The inspectors hired to check the structure might suggest reliable construction companies. You should look for several different contractors before settling on one. Find a contractor that has been in business for at least three to five years in your region.
Finding the right home constructions company Melbourne is an important decision. Check out our range of the best home design constructions at Hitch Property Constructions.
A few things to keep in mind while you search for a Builder are:
- Verify the builder’s credentials by inquiring about their membership in professional organisations like Master Builders and the Housing Industry Association (HIA)
- References: Investigate the Contractor’s track record. Were your prior customers content with your service? Don’t be shy about requesting recommendations from the builder before you sign a contract. Make sure there are no complaints lodged against the contractor you choose by contacting the Department of Fair Trading. Make sure you enquire about their servicing and warranty options.
- The Previous Tasks: Check out some of the builder’s previously completed projects. Maintain a high standard of quality. You should also research the builder’s past customers and how their homes fared on the resale market.
- Style: Check the builder’s portfolio to make sure the style is consistent with what you have in mind. It’s possible that a specific Builder is excellent at building your prefered type of home, but if you have something more unique in mind, it’s best to look elsewhere.
- Character: You’ll be spending a good deal of time with your builder. First, you should determine if their manner of speaking and your own suit you. There is a strong likelihood that if a Builder is unable to communicate effectively with you, they are unable to do so with their subcontractors.
Set Your Expectations
For those who are building a home for the first time, there will be a few surprises along the process. It’s normal to feel completely overwhelmed by the prospect of building a new house. If you readjust your expectations in this way, you’ll be better prepared for what’s actually going to happen. You should do this first. Keeping your expectations in check can help you avoid unnecessary stress and letdown. It’s important to keep in mind that preparation is key.
Be realistic
Your first order of business should be to sit down and make some sober estimates of the expenses you’ll incur in the next years, on top of the current state of affairs. In doing so, you may need to think about a wide range of factors, such as the cost of long-term travel and the rising cost of college tuition for your kids.
Another consideration is whether it makes more sense to find a house plan first, or to buy the land and build on it. The “chicken or egg” dilemma refers to this conundrum. Making a land choice early on is recommended. Doing so can help you avoid the common pitfall of choosing a plan that doesn’t work with your lot size.
The primary motivation for becoming an owner-builder should be a desire to cut costs. Some people can save a substantial amount of money if they approach this the right way. However, not everyone has the personality attributes needed to successfully manage contractors, making owner-builders a rarity. Keep a level head about your talents, but don’t be too easy on yourself.
Create a budget buffer
When making a budget, try to stick to reality. It’s a waste of time to check out expensive houses if they’ll put a strain on your finances and cause you to go into debt. You should count on paying more than you initially thought. Ask as many questions as you can before signing anything.
Inquire of your builder about any extras that might be tacked onto the final price of your home (i.e. site costs, fencing, stamp duty etc.). If you can, rather than getting a ballpark figure, try to negotiate a firm price and detailed quote. Contracts that have a “to be determined” clause should be avoided. Once you have determined how much money you can save, set aside some of that money as an emergency fund. The importance of this cannot be overstated in terms of financial preparedness and safety.
Become empowered
Surely the pioneering proponent of “knowledge is power” came from the construction business. It’s one of the most vital rules of thumb while building a house. Attend lectures, participate in hands-on training, and study online to improve your skills. Possessing a thorough knowledge of every step of the building process can yield superior results for your freshly created home.
Maximise the space
It’s not just the overall square footage that matters when designing a new house; smart use of the available space is also crucial. A well-designed, compact home might provide the sense of greater space than a sprawling mansion that seems more like a prison.
Typically, if you need additional room, you may get it by adding more space; however, efficiently altering the layout or the functional space can be challenging and costly. Concentrate your efforts on the rooms where you intend to spend the most time. Leave yourself some breathing room in these rooms so you can use them as intended for years to come.
Invest in energy efficiency
We recommend prioritising investments in energy efficiency above other areas for the money you have available. As time goes on, it continues to generate profits for you. The importance of energy efficiency is becoming more well known, and it is easy to achieve by making smart choices about insulation, windows, doors, and appliances like tankless hot water heaters.
Energy efficiency is important, but it must never be at the expense of practicality or aesthetics. You won’t like it there, trust me. It’s a box dug into the side of a hill for maximum energy efficiency, but it has no windows, no natural light, and low ceilings.
Avoid the trendy finishes
Currently trendy coatings should be avoided at all costs. Wooden floors and tiles, for example, might be difficult and expensive to refinish once a fashion has passed because of their durability and permanence in their current state. It is suggested that you maintain a traditional aesthetic with this finish; however, if you feel the need to stay up with the latest trends, you should dress stylishly and add personal touches to your space with finishes that are easily replaced, such as light fixtures, appliances, and paint. You may stay current with the times without worrying about having to make any major repairs or upgrades in the near or far future.
Build to enjoy now and in the future
We disagree with the idea that you should build a house that isn’t practical for you but will increase in value in the long run. You should build to maximise the benefits of the items you already use and like. Given its brevity, one must make the most of each day. If you take advantage of the advise of seasoned local specialists, choose a design that will stand the test of time, and situate your home in a desired region, you will have a property with strong resale value in the future.
Most Australians dream of constructing their own home, but few are familiar with the procedures involved.
If you arm yourself with the right information, it might be a thrilling and potentially life-changing experience. Most homeowners can agree on one thing: it’s crucial to make detailed preparations in advance. Your personal home-building process can be aided by the contacts and materials I’ve listed.
Conclusion
Inevitably, there may be a few hiccups in the construction of your home. Yet, with sufficient information and assets, these challenges can be surmounted in many cases. When deciding on a lot, it’s important to think about your budget as well as the size of the house you intend to construct. Choose a trustworthy contractor after extensive research. Problems with quality and trades management are frequently cited as a source of frustration among managers.
When looking at several house plans, make sure you’re not making an apples-to-oranges comparison. Investigate the average weekly rent, yield on investment, and projected population growth of the suburb. RP-information Data’s and data are unbiased and objective. There may not be an easy way to evaluate the quality of homes from various construction companies. There could be significant discrepancies between builders’ estimates when it comes to the house’s dimensions, supplies, and structural beams.
Changing a builder’s standard house plan might increase the cost of drafting and construction. Considering the distance and time required to reach your destination is essential. Hire a contractor with at least three to five years of experience. A primary goal of any owner-builder project should be cost reduction. Owner-builders are uncommon because few people have the personality traits necessary to effectively manage contractors.
The usual mistake of selecting a plan that won’t fit on the lot size can be avoided if you select property early on in the process. If you have any doubts about a document’s validity, you should ask them before signing. It’s possible that a small but cleverly constructed house can give the impression of much more room. Invest in high-quality insulation, windows, doors, and appliances, such as tankless hot water heaters. An increasing number of people are aware of the significance of energy efficiency.
Many Aussies have a secret desire to build their own house, but they don’t know where to start. Making use of the knowledge of seasoned local specialists, picking a timeless layout, and placing your home in a desirable area will all contribute to a high future resale value.
Content Summary
- Consider your budget and the size of the home you want to build when choosing a lot.
- Inquire into the components of the provisional cost estimate for site works, and seek a second opinion if necessary.
- Inquire about construction schedules, supervisor load, and previous customers’ opinions.
- First, make sure you have everything you need in the turnkey package.
- Pick a plan that appeals to you, works within your budget, and fulfils as many of your needs as possible, and then go to work.
- Making changes to a builder’s conventional house plan can result in higher drafting and building fees.
- Make a priority list of the features you want in your future home’s setting before you start looking for property or planning the layout of the building itself.
- Hiring a reputed builder to oversee you for a lesser charge is a good idea if you’ve never built a home before but still want to be an owner-builder.
- Find a contractor that has been in business for at least three to five years in your region.
- Style: Check the builder’s portfolio to make sure the style is consistent with what you have in mind.
- Keeping your expectations in check can help you avoid unnecessary stress and letdown.
- When making a budget, try to stick to reality.
- We recommend prioritising investments in energy efficiency above other areas for the money you have available.
- Energy efficiency is important, but it must never be at the expense of practicality or aesthetics.
- Currently trendy coatings should be avoided at all costs.
- Build to enjoy now and in the futureWe disagree with the idea that you should build a house that isn’t practical for you but will increase in value in the long run.
- If you take advantage of the advise of seasoned local specialists, choose a design that will stand the test of time, and situate your home in a desired region, you will have a property with strong resale value in the future.
FAQs About Home Construction
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.
Where should the kitchen be in a house?
Ideally, your kitchen should connect to the outdoor entertaining area. That area could be located at the front, back or side of your house, but the best kitchen position will be close to it, so try to include it in this area on your house plans.
Where should refrigerator be placed?
The fridge should always be located in close proximity to a bench with ample available space. This will allow grocery loading to be prompt, meaning the door is open for a lesser amount of time, and when gathering ingredients for food preparation one can easily grab what is required and place down promptly on the bench.
Is it better to buy a house or land?
Less costly: In general, you’ll likely find it cheaper overall to buy an existing home, but that also depends on the market. A home loan is less risky than a land loan, and typically comes with a lower down payment and better interest rate.
What is the cheapest type of house to build?
Ranch Homes
A home with a simple and concise layout is the cheapest type of house to build. Ranch homes are typically single-story structures with attached garages. They’re easy to find construction plans for and highly customizable, so you can find a home that fits your needs and budget.
