| Building a new home is a process that begins | | | | more time you put into carefully selecting |
| way before the concrete is poured. There are | | | | your builder, the better your chances are for |
| several important steps you must take to | | | | getting the house of your dreams. Putting in |
| avoid costly mistakes during the construction | | | | a little extra time to review four major |
| process. Planning and preparation is | | | | areas of hiring a builder could save you |
| absolutely essential to a successful project. | | | | hours of distraught in the future. The four |
| The end result could very well be the home of | | | | areas include financial security, variety in |
| your dreams. | | | | floor plans, buying power, and a good |
| | | | warranty program. |
| The first step is to plan your budget. Start | | | | |
| thinking about how much you can afford to | | | | Before you built you must have a house plan. |
| spend and how much building your new home is | | | | It is common for people to use stock plans |
| likely to cost. Most people end up taking out | | | | from a catalog because they are the most |
| a construction loan and a mortgage at this | | | | affordable. The builder or a home designer |
| point. In the very beginning of your planning | | | | that you hire can then make minor |
| you should find out what size loan you | | | | modifications in room size, window style or |
| qualify for. Also, knowing the approximate | | | | other details accordingly to what suits you |
| building costs will make it easier for you to | | | | best. A custom-designed home, on the other |
| modify your building plans to meet your | | | | hand, is created specifically to the needs of |
| budget. | | | | those living in the home. Custom plans are |
| | | | obviously much more expensive and usually |
| The next step is to choose your lot. Before | | | | require the assistance of a licensed |
| you build your new home, it's wise to take | | | | architect. |
| the time to consider the ground on which it | | | | |
| will stand. If you carefully think about what | | | | Lastly, you will want to make sure to |
| you most desire before choosing a lot then | | | | negotiate a contract thoroughly. It is |
| chances are you will want to lay roots there | | | | crucial that a thorough contract be made |
| for a long time. Some of the major things | | | | between you and your contractor to establish |
| that you should take into consideration | | | | two important things. It should first specify |
| before selecting a lot include your | | | | who is responsible for what and secondly, it |
| lifestyle, surrounding sounds, surrounding | | | | should determine what to do in the event of a |
| sites, and quality of the soil. You will also | | | | disagreement. Put simply, a construction |
| need to investigate factors such as drainage, | | | | contract is the document that ties all the |
| zoning and building codes in the region. | | | | project agreements together by listing them |
| | | | and by setting forth rules that apply to |
| It is now time to hire your team of | | | | each: plans, specifications, payment |
| professionals. When looking for a builder to | | | | schedule, written change orders, |
| consult or hire, there are four basic | | | | subcontracts, production schedule, etc. |
| requirements the builder should fulfill. The | | | | |