You’re probably here as you’re preparing for your own new build project, and want to ensure it runs as smoothly and pain free as possible.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a ‘problem-free build’ – as much as we wish this wasn’t the case, it is inevitable that you will hit some issues with any project you partake in.
However, some incidents can be avoided, and right now we are going to be talking you through the top 3 mistakes that people make when building their home, and how to avoid making them.
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- BUDGET.
When embarking on a self-build project, we cannot express enough the importance of creating and sticking to a budget.
Your budget dictates how much you can afford; materials, size, location and quality.
Having a fixed budget for construction projects helps to determine what is affordable and should be set as early as possible. It is important that they are based on evidence and are realistic to what you are expecting to achieve.
A piece of advice; you should always be prepared for extra, unexpected costs to crop up at any given time, so take this into account and set your budget accordingly.
- MATERIALS.
If you are determined to purchase your own materials, then ensure that you are purchasing the right quantities of the correct materials and that they arrive on site in good time to be installed.
Low-quality materials are prone to cracks and breaks in comparison to high-quality materials which are sure to have a long life expectancy. Quality materials also ensure a lower need for maintenance and that your property always looks at its optimum.
Minimising costs and improving efficiency is easily achieved – ensuring that you’re choosing options with structural integrity and quality. From design to manufacturing, start to finish, choosing the right materials ensures the highest possible standard for the final product.
If help is offered, don’t turn it down. Having the right materials is absolutely essential; getting the wrong ones is a waste of money, and you’ll have to wait even longer before the project can begin, until the correct ones arrive.
- PLANNING.
We’re not just talking about planning permission – and that is equally important.
The three words that strike fear into builders and designers are, “we’ve been thinking”.
If you are going to change your mind, the time to do it is when the plans are nothing more than just that – a plan.
Altering a project once the build is underway is both expensive and time consuming, so take as much time in the beginning phase as necessary – there is no rush. Understand what you want to achieve and get the drawings the way you want.
Functionally, project planning is necessary in order to determine an accurate assessment of the costs associated with a project as well as a timeline for completion. As we previously stated with a budget, no one wants to find out that the project they thought was going to cost a certain amount of money will cost significantly more.