Common Home Building Mistakes

Landon Homes | Old Sebastian Point

You've been planning to build your dream home, but you haven't got a lot of construction experience. Regardless of how much of the building you plan to do yourself, the process is exciting but potentially risky. You will most likely work with a number of hired professionals at every stage of the build from the original framing work to the final finishing touches. Unfortunately, at every stage of home building there are a number of mistakes that can lead to costly consequences. Here are the top 5 home building mistakes that plague a new build.

You're No Expert
Many people who dream of their new home also want to get their hands dirty in the process. DIY can be exciting and satisfying but it is important to know your own limitations. You may think that you'll save yourself money by doing some or most of the work yourself, but if you haven't got the necessary skills or tools, you'll probably cost yourself more than you save. Ultimately, you want to build a solid, safe, and dependable home and to achieve this you will want to work with some professionals. Make sure to accurately assess your DIY abilities and hire professionals to help along the way.

Choosing Materials

You're building your home on a budget, which means you are going to look for cost savings wherever possible. Obviously, you're paying for the project so you have final say, but always choosing the cheapest materials is not always advisable. Inexpensive materials usually offer less in the way of durability. Speak to your contractor about the different materials available and ask for recommendations about what suits your budget and your long-term needs best.

Poor Planning

From financial planning to construction planning, there are pitfalls aplenty during the build of your new home. If you have limited experience building homes, you should take even more time to plan the build. Develop a budget that respects your long-term financial needs, and stick to that budget. You should work closely with an experienced contractor to ensure that your budget is feasible, and he'll also be able to help you plan your build so that you have fewer financial surprises down the road.

Hiring the Low-Baller

As is the case with materials, hiring the cheapest professional is not always advisable. While saving money on labor costs now helps you keep within your budget, those professionals that provide you with a low-ball bid are likely scrimping somewhere important. For example, the cheapest contractor may employ inexperienced workers, and ultimately the workmanship on your home suffers.

Location, Location, Location

Even though you don't have complete freedom when deciding where to build your home, you still have important choices to make. You want to build somewhere that you actually want to live, so avoid lots near busy streets or those in proximity to industrial parks. But location is about more than just appeal; factors like soil conditions, hills, sources of water on the property, and the slope of the property may interfere with construction and increase building costs.