So, you’ve decided to plan your dream home from scratch? Building a home is one of the most rewarding projects you can take on, and it is one where you get to have as much control as you want.
Do you want to plan out each step of the process and be involved in all the major decisions? You might have to plan ahead and feel quite overwhelmed at times. It is important to remember that although you may want to have full creative control, it is a great idea to hire a professional at every stage who can guide you through the technicalities.
Don’t forget to analyze the full scope of the project before you get started. If you don’t want to bring a professional on board at the start, educate yourself on the proper ways to find the location, materials, design the layout, get permits, and so on.
We recommend you take it step by step. Here are a few stages of building a home and decisions you might need to take while you’re at it;
1. Where You Want To Build It
You’ve decided that you want to plan your dream home. But have you made a decision on the exact location yet? Are you well aware of all the factors that need to be considered?
People usually plan their custom homes all on their own only to figure out at a later stage that their design doesn’t meet the requirements of the location or isn’t well-suited to the climate. So, if you haven’t picked a location yet, let’s start searching for that first.
Ask yourself a couple of questions to figure out what you need;
- Climate: What climate do you prefer for your location? For instance, if you live in an area that frequently experiences urban flooding or hurricanes you might want to factor that into the final build. Same goes for intense heat, cold, or other extreme weather conditions.
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Land: The type of land on which you build your home is also essential as houses that are built on shifting sand will have failing foundations after some time. That is unless they are built on special pilings.
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Accessibility: Before you decide the location do your research and see if there are schools, hospitals, or police jurisdictions available nearby.
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Utilities: The location will also determine the convenience of electric power, telephone, water, and so on.
2. Financing the Property
Yes, this should be a very important part of planning your dream home. You must select land on which your home will be built, which is going to be expensive in itself. However, suitable property purchases are just as important as the building process.
Decide how you are going to finance that home. If you are going to invest in a construction loan to purchase this land and secure funding then don’t wait for too long. Find a builder or contractor and enter into a contract that you find reasonable. However, for that you must hire a builder first.
Once you have purchased the property make sure you have no real doubt about the property lines just so you are sure you aren’t encroaching on the neighbor’s property or violating any state laws.
3. Designing a Home
You can choose to design your own home or consult an architect. Whatever your choice, make sure you make an educated decision. A custom home builder has years of experience in designing homes and they can also guide you on building and zoning jurisdiction code requirements.
Remember that the house you build will ultimately benefit you so it is important to be involved closely in the design process. An architect usually takes up to 6 months to design the final blueprint of the home. They will initially work with you on the first draft and then they will create more detailed plans. These will go through multiple iterations before the final process.
Before you hire an architect make sure you thoroughly vet their company by reading reviews online. Architects can also connect you to contractors as well as inspect their work at every stage to ensure it is in line with the design.
Keep in mind that before you begin building you must submit plans to the city or county commission for approval. Here are a few tips you can keep in mind;
- Research pre-drawn plans and check out ones that appeal to you. Give thought to the kind of rooms you want according to family size.
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Keep functionality a priority when you are designing utility areas such as kitchen, garages, and laundry rooms.
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Place windows keeping in mind energy efficiency and a design that will save you energy cost in the future.
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Opt for a design that tackles potential water damage through rain, snow, and other types of drainage. Your design should ultimately lower the chances of damp wood or frozen pipes and so on.
4. Insurance and Permits
You must get insurance before you start building your home. It is usually provided by the builder but it depends on the state where you live.
Insurance saves you from any unforeseen loss including fire damage, accidents, vandalism, and so on. You must also invest in general liability insurance that covers against accidents on your property.
Permits matter the most. They are basic requirements of all states. As mentioned earlier, building plans must be submitted to the Department of Housing before you begin. You might also need the following permits;
- Environmental impact permit
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HVAC permit
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Septic tank permit
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Plumbing permit
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Electrical permit
5. The Building Process
Building your house usually begins with excavating the site and laying a solid foundation, usually concrete, then setting up building lines and installing either a slab-on-grade or pier-and-beam floor.
From there on the walls are framed, plumbed, and braced, followed by the installation of roof trusses, decking, and roofing felt. These are finished up through siding, windows, doors, and the final roof.
Inside, builders rough in plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems before adding insulation, ceiling, and wall finishes. The last steps include installing fixtures, trim, cabinets, flooring, and appliances, then turning on utilities and checking them to ensure the home is move-in ready.
Final Thoughts
Your home is your unique vision. It should stay that way. Be confident enough to communicate that to the interior designer so they have your vision locked in and your ideas are an active part of the design process.
Happy home building!
