Top 10 Easy Mistakes To Avoid When Building A Home

If you have ever daydreamed about your perfect house, then building a new home is probably a challenge you cannot wait to take on. Surely, there are paint colours to choose from and rooms to fill with furniture, but there are also builders and contractors to research.
 
It does not end there. You cannot forget to decipher the warranty details. There are a substantial number of factors to take in before you jump into building your dream house. It is always better to take some early advice and avoid these common beginner mistakes. 

Let us go through some of them: 

1. Starting the project without the right professionals or research  
 
You are going to spend a lot of time meeting and vetting home builders, architects, general contractors, and interior designers. This is for a good reason because your money and personal investment are at stake. 
 
The research takes time but having a reliable team that works together will save you money and pain in the future. There is always a chance some of your professionals have worked together before, which helps the construction process move efficiently. 

2. Working with an Ordinary Builder  
 
One of the biggest mistakes you can ever make is choosing a sub-standard builder. Take your time and research builders that can bring your visions of a fairy-tale into reality. Talk to other homeowners who have used home builders in your area. Read online reviews, check references and scour through their portfolios to see if their style matches your taste. Plan for a few in-person drive-bys for more perspective. 

3. Location! Location! Location!  
 
The location is part of your overall cost of building a house. This is where you should try to spend the most. Keeping in mind that old saying, “you get what you pay for” is as true as it gets. In real estate, location is everything!
 
Do your homework before building a new house. Watch out for traffic patterns, school choices, and any other potential drawbacks such as: 
 

• Busy streets
• Airport traffic
• Train/metro tracks

4. Giving minimal focus on your requirements
 
You cannot try to learn everything at once, especially how to run a construction site on the go. When you are building your dream home, you will need professional help. Having an “I can do it alone” attitude is only going to make the construction process difficult. Focus on your requirements and communicate them with the construction team. Take the help of the main contractor, who will be able to assist you as an expert in the field.   
 
The main contractor plays a key role in construction who will help you in the project. Their job is to gather bids, connect with all subcontractors and ensure all the work is done correctly, within your budget, and on schedule. They have the right connections in the industry and maintain solid relationships with subcontractors. 

5. Lacking Foresight  
 
If you are willing to build a home from the ground up, it is likely because you plan to stay for a while, if not forever. Consider what your life looks like years ahead. Will you retire in the house? Are you prepared to climb three sets of stairs when you reach old age? The features you love today might not work in the future. 
 
Take some time to think about your investment in decorative finishes like the best countertop materials, custom stonework, and wood floors. How long will their appeal last? Will the quality stay for a long time? 

6. Taking a laid-back Approach  
 
During the building process for your new house, you will need a calm and cool approach while handling the inevitable challenges. This does not mean your level-headedness should turn into a laid-back or hands-off attitude. Try to familiarise yourself with the basics of home designs and the general timeline of the project. Your final walk-through should not be the first time you see your house.
 
Here are a few tips that you can use to keep a check on your construction project: 
 
Head to the Work Site  
 
Take as many trips as it takes to the site, ask questions, and dig into the why’s and how’s of the whole process. Plan to see the progress after the house is surveyed and inspected. During the initial process and mechanical installation, problems are much easier to fix. After the drywall goes up, it shall be too late and not worth the trouble.  

Over-Communicate  
 
Just like in life, the lack of communication is a problem that leads to a bigger problem later. Make sure to stay in touch with your general contractor to talk about any changes or worries you might have. Stress the importance of your requests. If it is important to you, it should be important to your team. 
 
7. Expecting on-time program 
 
It is hard not to get excited about the move-in day as you watch the weeks pass but construction is notoriously unpredictable. You should expect delays for all kinds of reasons like bad weather and out-of-stock materials. Work with your contractor to build a schedule that adds extra days to reflect a realistic on-time finish.
 
8. Trying to Cut Corners with your Budget  
 
It sounds like a wish come true: a builder who can build your dream home for a cheaper price tag at a faster pace than the other bids. But, how? A builder may low-ball an offer for a signed contract but later tack on expenses as the project goes on. 
 
Alternatively, they might use lower-quality materials to make up the difference. If one bid looks exceptionally lower than the others, there is a reason, and it is up to you to dig in and discover why.

9. Calculating a Budget Without a Buffer 
 
It is important to have a budget and not to overspend. Many builders lament unexpected expenses. A buffer is a cushion that protects planned projects scheduled from uncertainties. These uncertainties can range from time, money and information. 

A buffer for additional costs is a standard part of the overall costs of building a home. Most builders always recommend planning for a minimum of 10 per cent overage, but you are better off planning 20 per cent more than the original cost. Look at it this way; there is more money for new furniture if you do not use the entire buffer.

10. Availing Proper Inspection Services
 
If you’ve come this far in the building process, then do not risk making costly mistakes. This is an alternative that is suggested quite often: hire a third-party home inspector to take a look at the progress. This simple choice could save you money down the road if small issues turn into big ones. 
 
The same is true for the punch list. Use this checklist to catch any details that might need a touch-up before the deal is finalised. Small problems can turn into a lot of work for you later. You will be looking at everything from scratched cabinets to broken light switches. Give yourself a great deal of time to find everything you would like fixed when building a new home. Chances are, the builder did not realise they existed and will help them get corrected. 

Final Word 
 
Mistakes are inevitable but if you follow the steps, you can avoid them. Then, your dream house is not that far from reality. 
 
If you are unsure of how to go on with your building projects, then don’t worry! Soleil Building Construction LLC is an expert construction contractor. They have a creative and accountable approach for all unique projects. So, you know you are in good hands. 

Contact Soleil, the best construction company in Dubai, and get an appointment now!