Things You Should Know About Building a Home

Personality Matters

• The home building process requires individuals to work with a wide range of people, from architects to general contractors, and interior designers to plumbers. Aside from having to coordinate with multiple parties, home building projects commonly take longer than anticipated, or encounter unexpected weather or permitting delays. Problems like these can induce major stress for individuals with personalities not well suited to dealing with change or conflict. Realize that building a home requires the ability to be flexible and focused without becoming overwhelmed.

Costs Can Add Up

• The budget for a home building project can be quickly derailed by changing the initial building plans. The addition of extra square footage, altering building plans or choosing more expensive fixtures or appliances can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to a home building budget. To avoid unexpected costs, it is imperative for a home builder to keep a close eye on the budget and change only items that would be cost-prohibitive to upgrade after building was completed.

A Good Contractor is Key

• A general contractor facilitates the actual construction process of your home and often acts as a "project manager" to gather bids from specialty contractors and materials suppliers. To ensure quality work and a pleasant experience, it is integral for homeowners to select a general contractor with positive references and a personable demeanor. Before beginning the building process, homeowners should interview and collect bids from multiple contractors to select the best candidate.

Location Matters

• Depending on the location of the build site, certain utility services may not be available. Before starting the construction process, a home builder should work with his local government planning agency and general contractor to determine what services are available for hook-up at the build site. In remote areas, electricity or natural gas may not be readily available. Likewise, more urban jurisdictions may charge a substantial fee to hook into city water or sewer lines if installation of a well or septic tank isn't an option.