There are a lot of big benefits to building your own home but it’s a big task to take on and there are many hurdles that you will have to overcome along the way. If you have been searching for the perfect home and you simply can’t find anything that fits your list of must-haves, you might be thinking about building your own. You can create the perfect house that ticks all of your boxes, and if you manage the project in the right way, you could even save money. Building your own home usually saves you money in the long term as well because you can make it more energy-efficient and add some clever green features that help you to save on your utility bills.
However, a house build rarely runs smoothly and there are plenty of things that can go wrong along the way. If this is your first time building a house, it’s vital that you are aware of the potential problems so you can allocate extra funds in the budget to deal with any mistakes, and hopefully avoid any big issues with the build. These are some of the most common issues that you will face when building your own home.
A Gap Between Design And Budget
So many first time home builders make the mistake of creating their perfect design and then looking at their budget, only to realize that they can’t afford half of the features that they want to include. At this point, they have to start cutting back and trying to compromise on things, which always leaves them feeling as though they are not really building their dream home.
The best way around this is to make sure that you bridge the gap between design and budget and consider what you can actually afford when you are in the planning stages. Before you get carried away and start drawing up a list of the features that you want in the house, you need to work out a detailed budget for the build. Remember to assign extra money to cover any mistakes or delays with construction and you will have a clear idea of exactly how much you can afford. Then, you can start designing the house in line with your budget, so you don’t have to make cutbacks later on.
It’s also a good idea to find a builder early on and bring them on board during the design process. If the builder is working closely with you during the design stage, they can give you accurate estimates of how much things will cost and let you know if you are going over budget. If things are getting too expensive, they can also suggest cheaper options for materials, etc. so you can stay within budget without having to compromise too much on your favorite features.
Mistakes With The Design
People often assume that the architect will finish the designs and hand them over to the construction team, who will be able to follow them exactly with no issue. Unfortunately, there is potential for mistakes with the design, and these can slow things down considerably. If the architect has to redesign certain aspects, the construction team cannot move forward until they are done. If the designs have major mistakes with them, this can be incredibly expensive for you and you may have to consider taking legal action against the architect to recoup some of your losses. When you are looking for an architect, make sure to find one that has insurance coverage for architects so they are able to cover any losses that you incur because of mistakes with the design. It’s also important that you see examples of their previous work and find an architect that designs properties that are similar to the one that you want to build. Having a good relationship with the architect is also important and you want to find somebody that works closely with you throughout the design process so you can pick up on any potential issues early on. Working with your builders during the design stage will also help to avoid errors because they will pick up on mistakes that you will probably miss.
Changes To The Design
If the architect makes a mistake, you have no option but to change the design. But things slow down a lot more if you start making your own changes to the design once the building has already started. This is quite common because 2D plans or a 3D model don’t always give a clear picture of what the final build will look like. You may find that, as you start building the house, there are things that you want to change. Small changes won’t cause too many issues, but it’s important that you think carefully about any big changes that you want to make.
If you want to completely redesign certain aspects of the home, that means that you have to stop construction while new plans are drawn up, then you will have to order new materials and wait for them to arrive. This all costs money and slows the project down, so unless a change is absolutely necessary, keep things as they are. You can also avoid big changes during the project if you take your time during the initial design process. Make sure to go through every detail with your architect and your builder so you are completely happy with the design. If there is anything playing on your mind, now is the time to ask questions because it’s a lot easier to change the design before construction has started. Regardless of how happy you are with the design, always allow extra money in the budget just in case you do want to make changes further down the line. If you don’t end up making changes, you have that money there to spend on added features when decorating your home.
Permit Delays
Before you can break ground and start building your home, you will need to apply for the relevant building permits. The plans will be assessed to ensure that your planned home complies with the building standards set out by the local authorities. Your builder should manage all of this for you, so make sure that you ask about this when searching for the right contractor. It’s important to remember that permits always take longer than you think they will because there is a lot of bureaucracy involved, and site inspections will need to be carried out. If your schedule is based on getting quick permits, you are almost certainly going to fall behind.
However, a lot can be done while you are still waiting for permits to come through, so make sure that your builders are using this time wisely. They can start going over the plans that they have been given by the architects and resolve any issues and help you secure financing if you need it. You can also start looking at different suppliers for materials and comparing prices, but it’s best to wait until the permits are approved before you start buying anything.
Material Delays
Once the permits are in, you need to decide on materials and start ordering things early on. Lead times on things like kitchen and bathroom units, for example, can be quite long. There is also the chance that materials will be out of stock and you may have to wait for longer than the normal lead times, so always allow extra time. If materials don’t arrive on time, your builders cannot do anything, and big delays can get expensive.
Your builder should give you a full list of everything that they need and when they are likely to need it. If they don’t provide this early on in the project, chase them up and get the information. You need to make sure that all materials are ordered and delivered before they are needed, so your builders don’t run out of things to do.
However, it’s important that you don’t rush into any decisions because you don’t want to end up using materials that aren’t right for the job or spending lots of money when there is a cheaper alternative. When it comes to choosing things like the kitchen and bathroom, you need to make sure that you don’t make a hasty decision, only to realize that you don’t like it once everything has been fitted. Finding that balance can be tough, which is why it’s so important that you start early so you have time to do enough research, but you also make sure that everything arrives on time.
There are a lot of great benefits to building your own home, but so many people make the decision without really understanding what they are letting themselves in for. If you think that it’s all going to go as planned without any issues, you’re in for a big shock. No matter how well you plan, there will always be hurdles that you have to overcome. However, if you are ready to face these potential issues, your home build should be a success and you will be able to stay within budget.
