 | Don Norris is the owner of Norris Construction and has over 35 years of experience in the industry. Norris Construction has served the Southeast Kansas area for over 23 years. For more information please call 620-249-7445. |
Construction
2011-06-01 10:47:00
Considerations before building a new home
Question: We are considering building a home. While we are excited at the thought, we are also very concerned about the process, the commitment and knowledge it takes. What things should we consider first as we begin the process of finding land and developing a construction team or choosing a builder?
Answer: Building a home can be a very exhausting and stressful time filled with thousands of details to consider. You are wise to consider those things that may go into it, as you have no doubt heard horror stories of those who did not consider some critical element. Researching what you need to know before heading headlong into the project will save you a lot of grief.
To reduce the stress factor and to keep costs down, you will want to start with these simple but critical steps.
Set Your Budget:
One of the things that most people do not take into consideration is that once they are approved for financing at one amount, it is very difficult to get additional funds should you run over cost. Cost overrun is very common as homeowners start selecting options upgrades. Even a series of small upgrades can add up quickly. Set a personal price cap and determine make all decisions within that budget.
Research Builders:
If you are going to employ the expertise of a builder, do some research to find one with a solid reputation and who has homes in the area which you can view. A reputable builder will not mind you asking to talk with former clients.
Choose a Location:
The location you choose is critical in avoiding later problems and incurring unforeseen costs. For example, you may find a great looking piece of property but the slope of the land may mean that you would have all the storm water runoff from the street threatening your foundation.
Choose a Floor Plan:
As you gather ideas for your own home, be sure to focus on individual design features like kitchen and bath layouts, bedroom sizes and locations, closet and storage space, traffic patterns and room flow, roof pitch, dormer sizes and locations, window types, and any other individual components of the design that might fit your needs or wants. As you consider plans, remember to plan for future needs; very often, it is more cost effective to build in an element rather than add it in later.
There are many elements to consider when building a home and of course the home owner can not be expected to know them all. This makes developing a relationship with a trusted builder even more important. Keep the lines of communication open, and be sure to ask questions about anything you do not understand.
