If you are thinking about buying a plot of land and building a new home, there are many things to deliberate over. It takes lots of time and planning to take on such a project, so you must be prepared for it.
Building your own home can also be very costly, so give it lots of thought before finalizing your design, or you could regret it.
Here are 7 things to consider when building a new home for a growing family.
Energy efficiency
It makes sense to ensure that your new property or extension is as energy-efficient as possible. It could save you thousands over the years. Adding solar panels can substantially reduce your electricity bills, and having a decent boiler fitted is also worthwhile.
Energy-efficient appliances, LED lightbulbs, sufficient insulation, and triple glazing can also increase energy efficiency and drastically reduce your running costs. So, it’s certainly worth looking into the cost of each and establishing whether it makes good long-term financial sense to spend a bit more and reap the rewards further down the line.
Do you need a project manager?
When you start building a new home, you need to decide if you intend to manage the project yourself or employ someone else to do it. Remember that if you do it yourself, it will take up a great deal of your time. If you have a full-time day job, it may not be realistic so consider this carefully.
A project manager will make things far less stressful for you, so if you can accommodate it in your budget, it could be well worth it. They will put together a program and organize all the trades, so whether the next step requires a plumber or an electrical technician, they will make sure it’s all in hand and timescales are adhered to.
Make sure you have the necessary consents in place before you begin
Before you start building, various consents may be required. This will vary depending upon where you live, but you will likely need some form of planning permission and building warrant. Before these are approved, certain things need reviewing. It will not only ensure that the design meets building regulations but allows them to be satisfied that your home will (where applicable) look in keeping with other buildings in the surrounding area.
If you aren’t sure which consents you require, speak to your local authority, who will give you advice. You will also need to get an architect on board to discuss the design. They will then go ahead and produce all the relevant drawings for the build.
How much space do you need?
When designing your new home, it is wise to consider how big your family is likely to become. If, for example, you want lots of children, you should start building a new home that will accommodate them. If your home proves too small, it could be back to the drawing board a few years down the line when an extension is needed!
It’s not just bedrooms that you need to consider either. You may want to include a playroom that you can, perhaps, convert to a second lounge once the kids are older. If you have a big family, then it’s likely that you will need a minimum of 2 bathrooms. Give the design lots of thought, take your time, and you should be able to design a dream home that you will never grow out of.
Where will you live in the meantime?
If you need to sell your current home to fund the build of your new one, you need to consider where you will live while it is under construction. Some people hire or buy a caravan and live on the plot, while others decide to move in with the parents/in-laws until their new home is ready. Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you have a good indication of how long it’s likely to be before your house is completed. Once you know this, add a contingency of a month just in case. You can experience delays along the way, so it makes sense to have a bit of wriggle room if you need it.
Another option is to private rent, which can be costly but may be worth it, especially if your build could take a long time. It will make things far less stressful for everyone and help to keep stress to a minimum.
Consider built-in smart home technology
Smart home technology has come on leaps and bounds in the last five years and is likely to keep advancing, so if budget allows, why not add some nifty gadgets when you are building a new home? Smart door locks are becoming very popular these days, so might prove to be a cool addition to your home. Some work with sensors or a keypad, while others work with fingerprint technology, so if you are looking for something a bit different, it might be a good shout. Another popular piece of ‘smart’ kit is a smart thermometer. It links to your heating system and allows you to control the temperature from your mobile phone or tablet.
If your budget only allows for one piece of smart home tech, then a smart home security system might be the way to go. These come in a variety of different packages to suit most budgets and home security requirements and could help protect your home as well as your family.
Can you actually afford it?
Possibly one of the biggest questions when it comes to building your own home is whether you can afford it. If your budget is wrong or you haven’t factored in various items, you could find yourself with a half-built home or sub-contractors walking off the job. Do your sums, make sure you include everything, and add a contingency fund of at least 10% when taking loans out.
Building a new home takes a lot of time, effort, and money, but once it’s complete and you settle in, it might prove to be one of the best decisions you ever made.
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