How to build your perfect home
The process of building a house is typically broken down into five major stages:
1. Budget
2. Planning
3. Designing
4. Construction
5. Completion
The first three stages are where you will do the heavy lifting before you sit back and let us do the hard work. You’ll have many decisions to make, the first, and most important being your budget.
How to Budget the Right Way when Building Your Home
Budgeting is an essential first step to consider when planning to build a house. It is easy to become swept up in the excitement of the project and let your plans run away from you.
Late in the process, many people come to the realisation that they cannot afford the dream home they had initially envisioned because they underestimated the costs.
As such, it is vital to plan ahead and determine what is feasible and what is not. Before you even think about designing the layout of the house, you must determine the budget.
Estimate the costs of materials and labour and factor in any contingencies. These can include any unexpected expenses, such as additional excavation fees. Having a realistic budget in place will help to ensure that you are able to build your dream home without any surprises.
We can help from the very beginning. Drawing on our experiences, we can help you understand the various costs associated with building a home and provide advice on how to stay within your budget.
For the best results, it’s vital to seek our help early on, so we can advise you on the variable costs. Furthermore, we are partnered with some of the best draughtsmen and architects in New Zealand, so we can refer you to them, and be on the same page from the get-go.
How to Choose the Right Location for Your Home
There are several factors to consider when choosing the right location for your new home. The choice of location can have a significant impact on your quality of life.
You should start by identifying what you want out of your new home and lifestyle, which will help you determine what type of location will be best for you.
For example, if you want to live in an urban area with plenty of shopping and entertainment options, then you’ll want to choose a more central location.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for more space and a quieter neighbourhood, then a house in the suburbs may be a good fit. If you have children, then you’ll also have to think about how close you are to potential schools, and so on.
How to Choose the Right Design for Your Home
Next up is design. It’s partly a practical exercise, but there’s also room for some personal flair.
Choosing the right design for your home can be a difficult and time-consuming process. There are many different factors that need to be considered when choosing a design, such as the size of your space, the style of your home, and what you want out of it.
How do you want your home to look? Would you like to blend in with the neighbourhood or stand out? How much space do you need now? Will you need more in the future? With so many working from home, is a home office more important post-pandemic? All of these are crucial considerations when you decide to build your perfect home.
It’s best to approach it by considering your needs first, with the aesthetic being a finishing touch.
A good-looking home isn’t worth much if it isn’t functional. Once plans are drawn, it isn’t too late to adjust them later on, but keep in mind that redrawing and submitting plans will cost extra time and money, so it’s best to be as certain as possible before beginning.
How to Choose the Right Floor Plan for Your Home
This step is a subset of design but taken in more detail. The floor plan is the concrete layout of the home. Are you looking for a place where you can entertain guests? Or do you need a space where your family can enjoy time together? A bit of both perhaps?
The size of the rooms also needs to be taken into consideration. If they’re too big, then they could feel empty and cold. If they’re too small, then there may not be enough room.
Lastly, don’t forget to consider how much natural light comes into each room. This is important because while some people want a dark and cosy atmosphere in their homes, others prefer lighter living spaces.
Be sure of the floor plan because it’ll dictate the structure of your home.
How to Choose the Right Materials for Your Home
Finally, we come to the final step that involves you, the homeowner. Choosing the right materials for your home is a decision that can affect the function of, and resale value of your property.
Homeowners should consider factors such as how much time and money they want to spend on maintenance, how long they plan to live in the home, and the climate zone where the house is located.
The following are some of the most popular materials used in residential construction:
● Timber and weatherboard cladding: These materials are tried, tested and can be painted or stained in a variety of colours (be aware, however, that most manufacturers have a limit on how dark you can paint or stain pine, due to potential warping, cupping and resin bleed).
● Fibre cement cladding: This material is efficient to install, fire and insect-resistant, and can be painted in a number of colours (including dark colours).
● Brick: As a cladding, brick is a traditional choice with a timeless, appealing look. It is very durable and does not require painting.
● Stone cladding: This includes slate, granite and schist. These materials add a rustic, natural look to the home.
That’s just the exterior. For the interior, you’ll have to decide on how to outfit your kitchen and your bathrooms, so there is a lot to consider.
Conclusion
While this may all seem overwhelming, you don’t need to be an expert on home construction… that’s our department. All you need to do is dream big and envision your perfect home. We’ll be there every step of the way to help you plan it, design it, advise on materials, and finally, bring it to life.