7 Things You Should Know Before Building Your Dream House
Many people dream of being able to build their own house someday. If you’re finally in a spot where you’re ready to get started on designing a new home, there are some important considerations to make first.
Although designing and building a unique property is an exciting prospect, rushing into things can quickly sour the experience and make things more difficult than they need to be. In this blog post, we want to provide you with some helpful tips to help you avoid oversights and achieve the best possible results with your building project.
1. Finding the Right Contractors is Key
The construction company you hire will play a significant role in the success of your building project. By taking the time to do your research to find a reputable general contractor in your area, you’ll be able to bring a great deal of knowledge and expertise to the process.
You’ll likely have many different contracting companies to choose from, but there are some things that you can look for that will make your decision easier. First off, it’s always a smart idea to check their credentials—you don’t want to get halfway through the project before discovering that your builders are unlicensed or uninsured.
It also helps to know that you’re hiring contractors with a solid track record, so try to find an experienced company that is established in the local area. Lastly, you want to ensure that you’re compatible with the contractors you hire, so it makes sense to meet with them beforehand to see if they seem reliable and friendly.
2. You Need a Budget
Before you start picking out furnishings and dreaming about your lavish new house, it’s good to understand what you’re working with. Examine your finances and determine what you want to set aside for the construction. Try to keep in mind that you’ll probably spend more than you expected when all is said and done, so you should allocate some of your budget for wiggle room for things that may come up along the way.
Once you have an idea of how much you want to invest in your new home, it’ll be easier to present this information to the contractors you’re considering working with. Any reputable contracting company will be happy to discuss your budget and let you know what they can do with it.
3. Expect the Unexpected
No matter how much time you spend planning your residential construction project, you’re guaranteed to encounter difficulties along the way. Building a home can be a long, complicated process, so road bumps are almost always unavoidable.
Although careful planning is essential, you should also mentally prepare for things to change along the way. Use your plan as a guide and approach all your challenges with an open mind, and you’ll come out the other side with a beautiful new home.
4. Understand Your Local Regulations
Once you’ve settled on the neighborhood you want to build in, you must ensure that you follow all the applicable building codes. Make sure the local building authority approves your build and that your design fits all the necessary guidelines. By sticking to the construction regulations, you’ll be able to avoid fines and other issues that could affect your building process.
If you’re uncertain of how to go about this process, turn to the contractor you hire. Most reputable contractors will offer assistance in acquiring permits and licenses once they’re brought onto the project.
5. Think About the Future When Designing Your House
When planning a residential construction project, it can be easy to focus only on what you need right now. Rather than being shortsighted about the process, it makes sense to think about 10-15 years down the line.
Are you thinking about starting a family? Will you need additional storage space down the line? If you plan on spending many years living in this house, these are some things that you should consider during the design process.
It’s also a good idea to consider your property's potential resale value. Although the real estate market is constantly changing, many types of features will retain their value and ensure that you can get back a fair price if you decide to sell down the road.
6. Design Around Your Furnishings
Instead of building a new house and then figuring out how to furnish it, it’s wise to think about these things as early as possible. Consider the layout you would like to achieve and how much room is required for the items with which you would like to decorate your home.
By planning around your cabinets and furniture placement, you’ll be able to create a cohesive design that maximizes the space you have. If you already have furnishings picked out, it’s also wise to think about their color scheme and then choose wall paints that complement your items.
7. Embrace the Building Process
Although the end product is the reason for starting a construction project, you’ll be much happier if you try to enjoy the building process as well as the result. Things will probably get messy at some point, and your home will look worse before it turns out as you intended, but it’s important not to lose sleep over this.
Try to be friendly and understanding with your contractors, and don’t let unexpected events distract you from the fact that you’ll have an amazing new home when all of this is finished.
Get Started on Your Dream House with YCI INC.
If you’re searching for a general contractor to make your residential building project go smoothly, YCI INC. is the name to remember. Our hardworking team of contractors goes above and beyond to ensure success with every construction job.
You can reach us today at (757) 871-8691 or damarrisyuille@ycicontracting.com to schedule a consultation. We look forward to showing you what we can do for you.