The Top Five Things to Consider Before Building Your Home

So, you are building a new home, congratulations! The fun starts here, along with the heartache and the stress of course. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Building a new home will likely be one of the biggest investments (both financially and emotionally) that you ever make so it makes sense to plan ahead. It should be an exciting and fun time and with some careful planning and realistic goals, it can be just that. To avoid the minefields that building a new home can often uncover, make a checklist of what’s important to you and your family and plan ahead.

Hire Professionals

It may appear obvious, but the architect, developer and team who actually design and construct your new home will be the most important relationships leading up to and throughout the build.  Like any relationship, it will need to be cultivated so ask for references and to see examples of previous projects etc. You need to trust the people you are working with and this will go a long way towards building that trust.

Budget Accordingly

How many horror stories have you heard where people run out of money or go way over budget? What happens then? Well, it depends on your personal situation but a budget is set for a reason. Maybe you are in a position to expand the budget, or maybe the whole project collapses because you ran out of money. Not only is it important to stay within the parameters of what is financially viable for you, the end result has to be worth it financially speaking. It makes no sense to construct a house that costs you €700,000 and then discover its market value is only €650,000. Engaging a Quantity Surveyor will help to manage your budget and remain within your financial ‘comfort zone’.

Plan Ahead

When it comes to building a house, most of the important decisions will be made before any block is laid or concrete poured. By that stage, it is likely too late to make any changes to the design so it is important that the design phase of the planning application is comprehensive and thorough. Consider the everyday needs of your family and ensure they are integrated into the design. Perhaps an open fire is of the utmost importance, don’t forget the chimney, it will affect the roof line. Windows cannot be changed once planning is granted so ensure the placement of your windows and doors and the natural light within the site. Getting these features correct from the beginning will negate the need to make changes to the design after planning, thus saving you both time and money.

Research Matters

Once you get to contract stage with your construction team, it is quite likely that EVERYTHING will be included on that document. Light fixtures, paint colour, skirting boards etc. Your developer will have included costings for what has been agreed in the contract and any changes after signing will mean a change in the price, upwards only. While it may appear futile to be researching bathroom tiles before the actual construction commences, agreeing these items (or at least a PC sum for them) at any early stage will prevent any disagreements in the future.

Future Proof Your Home

These days, it’s all about smart technology within the home and if you are embarking on a new build, now is the time to consider what technology you may want, either now or in the future. Consider planning for smart home automation, sufficient wireless access points throughout the house, outdoor wiring for lighting and access for the elderly or infirm. Putting an extra bit of thought into your home design or layout at the beginning will make it easier to make any adjustments in the future, should they be needed. Do as the scouts say and ‘Be Prepared!’. Believe me, you will be glad you did.

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