Building Your First Home

Building your first home can be an exciting adventure that you embark on to see your long-held construction goals realized. Once you hire the right custom home builder, you can be on track to move into the property of your dreams within a matter of months.

However, much has to happen from when you decide to build a new house to when you put your keys in the lock for the first time. Here are a few of the most important things you need to consider:
 

Who You Will Hire

While thousands of construction workers operate throughout the United States, not all will be recommended for new home construction projects. When you’re investing a significant sum of money into your build, you want to hire the right people for the job.

Spend time researching the best companies to offer the house-building services you’re looking for. For example, you may be more inclined to seek out highly-rated custom home builders if you’re looking beyond cookie-cutter builds.
 

How Much You Can Spend

Most people don’t have endless budgets when building their very first home. As a result, knowing how much you can and are willing to spend can be crucial. Otherwise, you risk spending more than you can afford and struggling with repayments.

Look at the initial costs to buy land, build your home, and pay for permits and design. It can also be worth having a contingency fund of up to 20% for unexpected expenses. Even long-term costs, such as utilities, taxes, and future maintenance, are worth considering.
 

Where You’ll Build

You may have grand ideas about the type of house you’d like to build and what it will look like, but that doesn’t always mean the property you choose will be suitable. Make location selection a core part of your planning.

Think about the most convenient location in terms of work, school, family, services, and amenities. You might also research potential development plans in specific neighborhoods and even safety.

Most importantly, consider the land itself. Before construction gets underway, you will need to consider topography, drainage, and soil quality.
 

Your New Home’s Design and Layout

After purchasing land and creating a budget, you can start thinking about your future home’s design and layout. This is easily one of the most important things to consider when building your first home, as its future suitability for your needs and those of other buyers can depend on it.

Think about your lifestyle, the size of your family now and in the future, and your hobbies. Many soon-to-be homeowners also explore energy efficiency options like sustainable materials and renewable energy sources.

If your first home is also your forever home, remember to consider accessibility. Ramps, single-level living areas, and wide doorways can all be helpful design features that are easily incorporated into a new home rather than a renovation project later.
 

Interior and Exterior Finishing

While the bones of a new house are important, so are the interior and exterior finishing. You want the design choices you make to reflect your personal taste while also being timeless, which can save you money later on. It can also be worth researching high-quality finishes to enjoy less maintenance for longer.

There is much to think about before building a new home - from its design and layout to your budget. Once you’ve considered these factors above, you can get ready to kick off your construction plans and move into your new home.