It is difficult, if not impossible, to find your dream home on the real estate market. This leads many people to come to the conclusion that building is the way to make dreams come true. The problem is that while most people have a clear idea of what they want to end up with, they have no idea how to get started.
The following tips, compiled from a collection of contractors, can help you on your journey of turning that barren lot into the home of your dreams.
1. Take the Initiative
Even though they are the professionals in new home construction, contractors agree that they are working for you when it comes to building the home. What this means is that while they undoubtedly can build you a quality home, they will not be able to build your dream home without getting direction from you.
Research the materials, designs, and features you want to have included in your home and communicate these with the contractor. It then becomes incumbent upon them to make your dreams a reality. For example, if you are working with Phoenix Roofing Contractors to find a high-thermal mass material that will perform well in the incessant desert heat but are unhappy with slate tile roof life expectancy, then give them a list of products that you think might be better. They may agree or disagree with the research you have uncovered, but this collaboration is essential in coming to a conclusion you are happy with.
2. Pay More to Save Later
If there is something that you really want, pay more upfront to get it included as part of the new home construction. Chances are, the desire is never going to go away and will likely manifest itself in the form of a more expensive renovation down the road.
In addition to paying upfront for your heart’s desires, it is also prudent to invest in materials that will eventually pay for themselves. Any products that are known to increase energy efficiency, such as insulated concrete framing, polyiso insulation, smart windows, and photovoltaic solar panels, should all be given serious consideration as part of contemporary home builds. While they may cost a bit more than basic products, they will eventually pay for themselves in the form of energy savings and can increase the resale value of your home in a socially-conscious market.
3. Use a Real Estate Agent
Many people mistakenly believe that real estate agents are professionals charged with knowing the in’s and out’s of listed properties. As such, you may think that a real estate agent cannot help you with a new home build.
This could not be farther from the truth. While being familiar with listings is undoubtedly a critical responsibility of a real estate agent, quality agents will know things such as zoning restrictions, building codes, and future commercial plans for a given area. This can help you identify the authenticity of contractors’ claims.
Real estate agents also know a lot of people, so if you are building in a region known for hurricanes, such as southeast Texas, your real estate agent will likely be able to put you in contact with Houston Home Remodeling Pros who helped them out when their listings were ravaged by Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
4. Plan for Delays
Contractors are professionals who take great pride in finishing their jobs on time. However, they agree that quality should never be forsaken in the name of meeting a deadline.
Dreams do not always happen on time, so give yourself some flexibility on your move-in date. Whether due to weather, shipment delays, or any other unforeseen circumstance, you do not want to be stuck without a place to live while your new home awaits completion.
Conclusion
There is no more direct path to attaining your dream home than through a new build. However, having your dreams come true is not as simple as telling a contractor to go build it. In order to make the new home construction process as painless as possible, contractors agree that you should take initiative throughout the process, pay extra for the features you want, make use of a real estate agent, and leave some wiggle room should delays occur.
Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.
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