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