A Guide to Building Your Dream Home
Have you ever thought about building your dream home? If so, then congratulations! You have come to the right place. In this article, we will give you an overview of the various steps that you need to take in order to make your dream a reality. Let’s get started.
Decide Where To Build
The very first step in building a home is to decide where you want to build it. Depending on where you are in the world, you might not have a lot of choices. Nevertheless, you should still try to find a place that is within your budget, has the basic necessities (like water and electricity), and is close to family and friends. Once you have made the right choice, you can move on to the next step.
Create A Floor Plan
When we think about home, most of us immediately think about a floor plan. A floor plan is essentially a plan of how you want your home to look. Nowadays, floor plans can be really detailed, down to the very last detail. For instance, if you are following a floor plan designed by a professional architect (or if you have one drawn up yourself), you will note that there are certain rooms that are restricted (off-limits) due to various codes or regulations. Be sure to check with the city/town building department before you start creating your floor plan so that you do not overlook any restrictions or regulations.
Do Research
After you have made the right decision regarding the location of your home, the next step is to do some research. You will need to find out a little about the area that you have chosen, especially if you live in a region where there is a lot of rainfall (and humidity). In order to be prepared for the worst, it is advisable to do a bit of research into the weather patterns in the area so that you know what to expect and can prepare yourself accordingly. For example, if you are located in a region where it frequently rains, then you might want to consider building your home on stilts so that the roof is at a reasonable height (to prevent flooding).
Hire A Surveyor To Draw Up The Detailed Plans
Once you have decided where you want to build and have a general idea of what you will need to build it, it’s time to hire a surveyor. A surveyor will help you draw up detailed plans for your home. During the course of the construction process, there may be several iterations of the plans (floor plans), so be sure to hire a surveyor who is flexible enough to accommodate your needs.
Obtain Construction Permits
After you have hired a surveyor, the next step is to obtain construction permits. Building permits are essentially licenses that allow you to begin the actual construction process. You will need to get these permits in advance, as they can take some time to process. It is advisable to get these permits in writing (in case there is some confusion).
In most cases, building permits will be issued within 10 days of submittal. You must be able to show proof of insurance as well as a sworn statement from a contractor (or homeowners’ association) verifying that you have obtained the necessary permits. If you are building on private property, you will need to get the owner’s approval as well. This step can be really frustrating, so take your time. Be sure to follow the permit guidelines and process them as smoothly as possible.
Select A Contractor
The next step is to select a competent contractor. It is advisable to hire a general contractor for this phase of the process as opposed to doing the work yourself. A general contractor will take care of all the structural work, and in return, you will pay them a portion of the cost. They will then subcontract the remainder of the work to different builders and tradespeople (like carpenters, electricians, etc.). The advantages of hiring a general contractor are manifold: you will not have to deal with the paperwork, dealing with contractors is generally more convenient since they will handle all the communication, and the quality of work will be much better.