What Do I Need to Know Before I Build a House?

What Do I Need to Know Before I Build a House?

Take your time during the information gathering and conduct thorough research to gain the necessary knowledge before beginning the planning and construction process. Before you build a house, consider your budget, timeline, location, contractors/builders, materials, and home design.

Set a budget. Start by compiling a detailed list of expenses and creating a budget. Consider each piece of the project and note the necessary materials, cost of the property, and appliances. Likewise, factor in additional help, such as contractors and designers.

Create a timeline. Building a house isn’t an overnight task. The time it takes to build a house from the ground up depends on the type of home. An article from Ramsey Solutions shares that 7.4 months was the average build time for a single-family house in the United States. Be aware of your limitations (time of year, availability of labor/materials), and be prepared for delays.

Choose a build site. As you look at preferable land to build your house on, be aware of costs, soil conditions, and additional fees. Additionally, you’ll need to obtain necessary building, zoning, and environmental permits and approvals from the local government agencies before construction.

Research contractors, home builders, and necessary permits. Review all your options for contractors. Ensure you thoroughly research a contractor’s reviews from customers, experience, and reputation. They should be insured and have all necessary licenses and experience.

Choose design and materials. The design phase of building a house is often the most enjoyable part. During this stage, you have the opportunity to collaborate with an architect to create the floor plan for your home. This involves determining the layout of rooms, taking measurements, considering orientation and scale, selecting amenities, and incorporating structural elements.

What Questions to Ask Before Building a House?

As you venture into the world of house-building, look at these vital questions. An answer for each of these will give you a clearer vision of the final product you’re working towards.

1. What’s my budget?
2. Where do I want to build a house?
3. What size is the property?
4. What is the square footage of the house?
5. What are the architectural guidelines for the community?
6. What are the necessary permits of the city or county?
7. What are the rules, regulations, and building codes for the neighborhood?
8. Who will I hire for contract work and design?
9. What is my project timeline?
10. What building materials do I need?
11. How many and what type of rooms do I want/need (e.g., # of bedrooms, # of bathrooms, laundry room, living room, game room, etc.)
    
    

What are the Pros and Cons of Building a New House?

You have options for moving into a “new” house. You can find a pre-existing home on the market or work with a construction company to build a new house. Brand-new houses can be custom-made or chosen from pre-made floor plans. Just like with anything, there are pros and cons to each of these options. As we’re looking at building a house over purchasing a pre-built one, we’ll break down the pros and cons of opting for a newly built home.

Pros of Building a New House

Floor plan personalization. Although some new builds come with specific floor plans, customs and more versatile builders allow you to select your room types, locations, and sizes.

Customization. When you build your house from the ground up, you get a say in the initial design, including layout, materials, finishes, and features.

Energy-saving options. When you can choose your home’s materials/amenities, you have options to save on energy, like solar panels, geothermal heating, and insulation that may not exist in an already-built home.

Involvement in the building process. Building a new house gives you full participation in the process and allows you to oversee the quality of work done.

Cons of Building a New House

Budgeting and costs. While building a new home doesn’t automatically cost more than buying a new home, there are a lot more types of costs to consider; material, labor, amenity installation, etc.

Time restraints. Unlike a pre-built home, you have to factor in the build time for a brand-new home. This can range from several months to up to a year, depending on the availability of materials and laborers, processing times for things like permits, property purchases, and other factors.

Greater Efforts. The process of building a new home, in comparison to purchasing an already built home is much lengthier and more complex. It requires a lot more steps: locating available land, hiring laborers, planning the design, and obtaining needed permits and materials. But, if you’re set on purchasing a home that’s designed to suit you, these efforts will pay off in the end.

What is the Most Expensive Part of Building a House?

Framing is typically the most expensive part of building a house. The costs of labor and material that go into the building’s foundation and framing can reach up to $70,000 depending on the size of the home and how many levels it has.

Trust Trinity Homes AZ to Build Your Dream Home

Building a house isn’t necessarily easy, but it’s definitely rewarding. Think of it this way, when you choose to build your own home, you equip yourself with firsthand, lifelong knowledge, all the while designing and personalizing a home fit to your individual needs and preferences.

Equipped with a team of professional designers and trade partners, Trinity Homes AZ has years of experience in bringing our clients’ ideal dwellings to life. Let us join you on your house-building journey. Contact us so we can hear about your vision for your future home and take action today.