Building a new home can be an exciting and rewarding experience. But it can also be overwhelming and stressful if you’re unprepared.
From choosing a location and a builder to navigating the construction process and making design decisions, there’s much to consider when building a new home.
Knowing what to expect is one way to help combat the anxiety of new home construction.
The following covers some of the most important things you need to know about building a new home. Let us help you make the process a little easier!
5 Important Things to Know When Building a House
Whether you’re a first-time home builder or a seasoned pro, these tips and insights can help you navigate the process more smoothly. They help ensure that your new home meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.
Let’s dive into five essential things to know when you build a new home!
1. Visit Your New Home Worksite Frequently
Visiting a new home is often a great way to stay involved in construction and ensure that your new home is being built to your specifications.
Here are a few reasons why you may want to visit your new home build regularly:
- Check progress: By visiting the construction site regularly, you can keep tabs on the build’s progress and ensure it stays on track. This can help you identify any issues early on and address them before they become more significant problems.
- Inspect quality: Visiting the construction site regularly also allows you to inspect the work quality. You can check that the framing, electrical work, plumbing, and other components are up to code and meet your expectations.
- Make decisions: As the construction process progresses, there may be decisions that need to be made regarding finishes, fixtures, and other design elements. By visiting the construction site, you can get a better sense of how these decisions will impact the overall look and feel of the home.
- Communicate with the builder: Regular visits to the construction site also allow you to communicate with the builder and other contractors directly. You can ask questions, provide feedback, and ensure everyone is on the same page.
If you plan on visiting the construction site regularly, coordinate with your builder and adhere to any safety guidelines or restrictions they have in place.
Additionally, be prepared for construction sites being messy and noisy, so dress appropriately and bring any necessary protective gear, such as a hard hat or safety goggles.
2. You May Exceed Your Budget in Certain Areas
Going over budget in a home build can be a common occurrence, but taking steps to manage the situation and avoid excessive costs is essential. Here are some tips for dealing with a budget overage during a home build:
- Revisit the budget: Look closely at your budget and determine where you’re overspending. Identify areas where you can cut back, such as finishes or fixtures that may be more expensive than necessary. Work with your builder to see if there are any areas where cost savings can be found.
- Prioritize: Determine which features or aspects of the build are most important to you and prioritize those. This can help you make informed decisions about where to allocate your budget and where you may be able to cut back.
- Adjust expectations: Be realistic about what you can afford and adjust your expectations accordingly. If certain features or finishes are simply too expensive, consider less costly alternatives that still meet your needs.
- Negotiate: If you’re working with a builder or contractor, negotiate to see if there’s room to reduce costs. They can work with you to find a solution that meets your needs while staying within your budget.
- Consider financing options: If you’re struggling to cover the costs of the build, consider financing options such as a construction loan or home equity loan. However, be cautious about taking on too much debt and ensure that you have a plan for paying it back.
Ultimately, going over budget in a home build can be stressful, but it’s essential to remain calm and focus on finding solutions. Work closely with your builder, communicate openly about your budget concerns, and be willing to make adjustments as necessary to stay within your means.
3. Expect Slight Imperfections
When you visit your new home site, you might notice slight imperfections. The tile may not be lined up in one spot. Or, you may not like how one of your wood planks looks.
If you laser-focus on every detail in an empty home, you will likely find some slight imperfections. It is nearly impossible to build a house without a single flaw!
The good news is that you will likely stop noticing the imperfections once you move in and furnish your home. They will become a distant memory.
If there is a major mistake, bring it up to your contractor so that it can be fixed immediately. That is why stopping by your home site often is essential. You can catch any big mistakes early so they can be easily repaired.
Let go of minor imperfections. Once you are done with the building process you will feel so relieved and good that it will become a distant memory.
4. Framing Feels Small
It’s not uncommon for a house frame to feel smaller than its actual size. There are a few reasons why this might be the case.
First, when a house is under construction, it’s often difficult to visualize the finished product. Without walls, flooring, and other finishes in place, it can be hard to get a sense of the true size and layout of the space.
Additionally, the size of the framing members themselves can create the illusion of a smaller space. For example, if the walls are framed with 2x4s instead of 2x6s, the interior dimensions of the rooms will be slightly smaller. Similarly, if the ceiling joists are exposed and visible, they can make the ceiling feel lower, and the room feel smaller.
Finally, the layout and design of the house can also impact how large or small it feels. For example, if the rooms are arranged in a way that creates a lot of small, narrow spaces, the house may feel more cramped and less open than it is.
If you’re concerned about your new home feeling smaller than you anticipated, talk to your builder or designer about ways to create a more open and spacious feel. This might include using larger framing members, optimizing the layout of the rooms, or incorporating design elements that make the space feel more open and airy.
5. You Might Wish You Did Something Differently
Once your home is complete, you will probably love it. As you live there, you will also likely wish you did something differently especially if this is your first home build.
Seeing something you would change is okay. Not only does the building process help you learn more about what makes your perfect home. But many things can be changed at a later date.
If the change is so major that you cannot do anything about it, you can always apply it to a future home build. You will still love all of the things that are perfect in your new house.
Any home you live in will likely have things you would like to change. A custom-built home is still a better fit for you and your family!
Are You Looking to Build a Custom Home?
At Tropic Coast Homes, we do more than buy houses for cash. We help Southwest Florida residents build the new homes of their dreams. Contact Us to learn how we can help you buy, sell, or create your home.