7 Ways to Lower Home Building Costs
by Guest on Oct 26, 2016
Building a new home is a big investment, probably the biggest one you will make in your life. It is a great delight to own a new home that you have helped to plan, design and get off the ground. Take care, however, as this exciting experience can be fraught with risk. Be cautious, think carefully and communicate and manage properly. Soon you will be happy in your dream home. Neglect certain issues and you could go way over budget both in time and expenses. This could potentially turn your dream build into a nightmare. Follow a few basic rules to avoid this scenario:
1, Do Your Homework
My best advice is to shop around, do your homework. Do not be charmed or fooled by the first contractor that promises the earth. Check references and look at work they have done before. Remember, price, or quoted price, is not the only thing to look at. Select your contractor wisely. Often the cheapest quote will end up costing you the most.
2, Start Small
Build a small to medium size house, with options and areas to expand. Build a decent home that you and your family can live in comfortably, while leaving your options open as funds increase or your family gets bigger. This is easy to do with a little forward planning. A reputable construction company can give you good advice in this regard, but do give it a lot of thought yourself.
3. DIY Can Save You Money
Choose to do some of the basic work yourself. Leave the difficult, challenging jobs to the experts. That being said, there are many jobs you could take on yourself, with friends and family, or even alone. Things like painting or running cables, lifting or removing old structures, could save you a lot of money if you did them yourself.
4. Buy What You Can Yourself
Source materials wisely. Often, your contractor has contacts and connections and can get materials at a way better price than you could. He might have wholesaler or bulk arrangements with them. In some instances, with a bit of research, you could source a reliable and reputable supplier yourself, for a much better price. Unless you really know what you are doing, only buy new materials with good advice and a guarantee. It is no good paying the contractors to install inferior products, just to save a bit of money. It will only lead to problems down the line.
5. Check The Lay of the Land
Look at the land. Often a great piece of land, at a good price, could end up costing so much more before you even get to lay foundations. Look at the substrate. Poor or unsuitable conditions below the ground could lead to very costly construction in order to ensure a stable building. There is no point going to all that expense and effort if the building is going to shift and crack down the line. Also consider conditions above the ground. If you have a lot of trees or vegetation to clear and remove, this could prove very costly.
6. Keep The Design Simple
The design style and shape of your house could add a lot to the expense. As much as you might want to be creative, the simpler geometric shapes are going to cost a whole lot less to build. The more elaborate and complicated the design, the more expensive it will be to build. That is not to say you have to compromise on creativity, just do it in a logical, cost effective fashion.
7. Invest in The Right Areas
Spend the money where it counts. This sounds obvious but so often, people spend a fortune on fixtures and fittings in rooms or areas of the house that probably only you will see. That does not mean scrimp on other areas but focus on bathrooms and kitchens, areas that get a lot of use and are seen by all. That will give you the best return on investment.
There are many things to watch out for when building. The important factors are to have a solid plan, choose contractors wisely, keep an eye on budget and shop around where you can.
This is your home, so build it for your enjoyment, follow this basic advice so you have no regrets and can enjoy your new home with your family.
Happy building!
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
70536 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
67399 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
62836 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
43040 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
26818 Views
Latest Articles
How Much Does it Cost to Install Hardwood Floors
There are specific considerations to make before laying hardwood flooring in your house. The first thing you need to know is that the price of...
on Jan 19, 2023
Home Maintenance Jobs You Need to do This Winter
Winter is the perfect time to get some home maintenance jobs completed. Not only are you stuck inside because of bad weather, but this same bad...
on Jan 10, 2023
Design Tips to Level Up Your Kitchen
Kitchens are the heart of the home. Aside from being where we cook and eat, kitchens can be our workspaces, spaces for relaxation, and - in the...
on Jan 9, 2023
5 Irresistible Reasons for Working with a Realtor
Buying your first home can be a daunting task. If you do not know about the intricacies of the real estate industry, you will not be able to make...
on Jan 5, 2023
DIY Solar Panel Guide
DIY solar panel installation is cheaper than professional solar panel installation, but installing your panels is costly and requires some DIY...
on Jan 2, 2023
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Real Estate Investment for Future Generations
on Mar 14, 2022
Real Estate / Finance

Purchasing a home is not simply a financial commitment. It is also an excellent way to start accumulating your wealth. Your home is also a...
Can I Sell My House with a Leaky Roof?
on Oct 28, 2021
Real Estate / Finance

The answer to this query is YES. It is possible to sell a house with a leaking roof, but it's always essential to evaluate some factors before...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 260
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 239
- Real Estate / Finance — 193
- Appliance / Repair — 185
- Interior Design / Decor — 183
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 143
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 116
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 115
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Removing Urine Stains from Floors
Chances are your dog did not make it outside, your child didn't make it all the way to the bathroom or you inherited a home with preexisting...
6 Wonderful Eco-Friendly Building Materials
These days the importance of eco-friendly materials has become a rage that none can escape. We all want everything around us to be eco-friendly, so...
Choosing the Best Heating System
Selecting the right home heating system is a daunting process because there are numerous brands in the market. Choose a heating system that will...
Dealing with Deer - Deer Free Landscapes
OH DEER! As with most pest problems related to our landscapes, when considering the problem of deer damage, it is better to consider concepts of...
Down and Dirty - Understanding Your Soil
The very first consideration in new landscaping should be the condition of the native soil; the most beautiful design and efficient planning will...