Building a house is a major undertaking, requiring many decisions over a long period of time. It’s also a significant financial investment. Here are some tips to keep in mind to make the process a little more manageable.
Budget
From the beginning of the home-building process, budget is one of the most important aspects to keep in mind. It’s very easy for your building costs to creep up on you slowly over time, so be sure to check in on your spending frequently throughout the project. You’ll need to consider finances with every major decision, from finding land for sale in Suffolk VA to choosing architectural plans to purchasing bath fixtures. Exceeding your planned cost is often par for the course when building, so also be sure to leave extra room in your budget for unforeseen expenses.
Decisions
Many people underestimate the number of decisions they will make when building a new home. If you have the option to work with a professional designer, you can rely on that person’s expertise for most decisions and save giving your input for the choices that are especially important to you personally. Reduce your chances of reaching decision fatigue by deciding once when possible. Limiting yourself to one brand can reduce the number of items you have to choose from. Selecting one generic color for paint and carpeting can also help. If you decide that all carpeting will be shades of tan, you can choose specific colors and patterns from fewer options.
Timeline
As with budget, it’s common for the home-building process to take longer than originally planned. Frequently checking in with your builder may help keep the construction closer to on time, but it’s also important to plan for delays. Many different problems can hold up your timeline, and not having a place to live during building delays can present an expensive challenge. Keep your timing flexible to avoid being hurt by delays.
Knowing what to expect before you start building a home can help you enjoy the process more and end up with a home that you love.