Don’t you love that new home smell? Okay, new homes may not have a distinct aroma the way cars do, but being a first-time homeowner definitely has a distinguished feel. Whether it be a palatial estate or a bungalow, the point is that it’s yours.
The only thing that can make buying your first home sweeter is building it yourself from the ground up. When you build your own home, you get to add your flavor to every nook and cranny.
Will you manage the project or hire a general contractor?
The first decision you have to make when you decide to build your own home is whether you will be your own general contractor. The general contractor’s role is to organize every aspect of the project, from managing the budget and getting building permits to hiring subcontractors to complete the project. Some general contractors have their own construction crews and can complete most of the work themselves. However, the vast majority of general contractors use subcontractors for at least some portion of the project.
It’s natural for the homeowners to be impatient and anxious during new constructions, but the best thing you can do for your peace of mind is to let the experts handle the expert work. Leave the tough stuff to the pros.
However, when choosing a contractor to oversee the building of your new home, it’s important to remember that you’re searching for a partner. When working on new construction projects, general contractors hire subcontractors to handle specific aspects like roofing, window, and plumbing installations in new constructions.
However, if you choose to be your own general contractor, you’ll have to handle hiring crews to do everything from the building to the plumbing and electricity. You’ll also be responsible for getting the necessary building permits and ensuring everything is up to code for inspections.
Go a little crazy in the kitchen.
Some people consider the kitchen to be the heart of the home. If you’re one of those people who binge-watches the Food Network and falls in love with decked-out kitchens, now is the time for you to go a little crazy with your own. If you’re passionate about it, why not build a kitchen that’s suitable to be the set of your own cooking show?
When choosing cabinets and appliances for your kitchen, it’s important to be sure that your kitchen will stand the test of time, but you also want it to stand the style test as well. While many people love the modern black on stainless steel-look in their kitchens, some designs incorporate refrigerators and dishwashers with wood finishings and blend in with the cabinets and other fixtures. Once you put your swag on it, you’ll be ready to start a cooking show in your kitchen that will have people tuning in for the style as much as your recipes.
How long do new construction projects take?
The general rule of thumb is that a well-organized construction crew can finish a simple 2,500 square foot home in about three or four months, but custom-built homes can take from seven months to a year to complete. It will take even longer if you decide to manage the project yourself. You have to handle everything from getting building and plumbing permits to paying for materials and getting inspections.
New construction is expensive, especially if you want to build a custom home and manage the project yourself. It’s important to set a budget you can live with from the beginning and stick to it. The main reason construction projects get delayed or halt altogether is that the general contractor runs out of funds. However, if you set a realistic budget for your project and don’t deviate from it, you’ll be able to finish your home successfully.
