Steps BEFORE building a new home
Building a new home is an exciting new adventure with many things to consider. Knowing where to start can sometimes be overwhelming. There are however some steps to consider before building a new home. The steps you take before building a new home can save you a lot of time and money in the long run and definitely be worth looking into now.
Step #1: Planning a Budget
Of course before you do anything else you will want to sit down and figure out how much you can afford to spend and how much your new home with cost (give or take a few thousand dollars). Talk with lenders and banks to figure out what types of loan you qualify for, and how much you will qualify for. If you can get a handle on the costs before you begin building you will be able to modify your building plans to meet your budget. Don't ever build a home and try to modify your budget to meet the building plans. It just never works out that way.
Step #2: Finding your Lot
It seems silly to talk about building a new home if you haven't found a place to build it yet right? Well, for some it may and for others it often gets neglected. They get caught up in all the excitement of building a new home that they forget to find a lot or even consider adding the cost of that into their home. Choosing the land on which you will build is a necessity before you build anything. The grade of the land, whether it's rocky, flat, soil conditions, zoning, building codes, etc. will largely depend on what type of house you will or will not be able to build and how it will be built.
Step #3: Picking your team of Professionals
Unless you plan to do all of the work yourself and in most cases never actually get it done, then you need to sit down and put together a team of qualified experts to design and construct your house. You will need a builder, a surveyor, an excavator, and an architect or a home designer. Your first step should probably be selecting a contractor or builder as they can help point you in the direction of the other team of professionals you will need.
Step #4: Finding a Blueprint
Depending on what or how you decide to go about this will depend on what type of blueprint you use. Some people choose new homes out of stocks plans from catalogs. A builder can look at the blueprint and make modifications if needed to the home according to the lot size and such. You may however decide to have a custom built home which takes a little more planning and requires a licensed architect. Whichever way you decided to go, make sure the home meets the needs of you and your family.
Step #5: Negotiations
After everything has been carefully thought through and planned you need to make sure you have it all in writing that has been signed and dated by the builder and the architect. Your contract should describe in detail all the parts of the house that are to be built and it should also have a place where things may need to be changed if need be. Make sure you
Step #6: Keep Records
Make sure that you keep records of everything that happens. It may sound mundane and unnecessary, but if something happens where it's your word against someone else's, then those records are vital. Conversations, written agreements, and confrontations should all be recorded.
Hopefully these steps to take before you build a new home will get you started on the right path to a new home you can love.
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