Every person’s dream is to build their own home, and if that is on your list of things to do, you have come to the right place. We outline some important aspects to consider when building your dream home.
Factors To Consider When Building Your Dream Home
1. Purchasing a plot of land
If you are ready to move ahead and acquire the land, you will need a lawyer to scan the contract; you might wish to take out vacant land insurance that protects you with further planning and zones. Planning permission is essential; if the land does not have planning permission, you must find out if it is possible post-acquisition. If you find the ideal plot and it already has a structure, a knockdown is the best way forward; completely remove the structure and footings and start from scratch. Most custom builders can handle demolition and removal, which is pretty straightforward, and in a couple of weeks, the site is ready for the below-ground work.
2. Choosing a builder
Google can help you locate a master builder with hands-on experience in building to order; most builders offer a turnkey solution, from design to handover. Your choice of contractor can be the difference between success and failure; do some online research and ask for a few addresses of their previous projects to get a clear picture of their workmanship. The contractor should be affiliated with major Australian building federations/associations and check Google Reviews for an accurate assessment of overall service.
Builders require payment in stages, which would be clearly defined in the contract, and you should have your lawyer browse the terms and conditions of your agreement with the builder. The builder is normally OK with the client visiting the site at a pre-arranged time; of course, you can see the progress. Google can find a list of websites for master builders who offer comprehensive services from design to completion.
3. Solar energy
It makes total sense to incorporate solar panels into the building. Moreover, the Australian government offers financial incentives to homeowners who wish to switch to clean, renewable energy. With current prices, you can recover your initial investment within five years. We all want to escape the hungry energy corporations’ grasp, which is a golden opportunity to become energy-independent. You can have a system designed to generate all the energy you need, so you don’t need to connect to the national grid. You can downgrade and still use the national power grid, with an option to upgrade anytime.
4. Smart technology
We are moving into a new dimension of digital tech, and a new build should be a smart home. You can control all systems and appliances from your smartphone; if the technology is built into the home, every system and appliance can connect seamlessly. Talk to your builder; he would have hands-on experience integrating smart technology into the build.
5. Design
The builder has a lot of templates on which you can base your blueprint, or they can start from scratch if you want something truly unique. Some are looking for a futuristic look using composite materials with high insulation; others are enchanted with bricks and mortar, and a few think timber is the best material for a house. Spend the time to be 100% happy with the design, as you can’t make changes once the structure is completed. Consider where the sun rises and sets when thinking about direction; anything is possible when building from the ground up, while you will need mature trees to provide shading. It pays to think about property maintenance at the planning stage; composite materials do not require much upkeep.
Conclusion
Of course, you should crunch the numbers to determine the total amount the project will cost; if you need a mortgage, some Australian lenders can finance the project. This is an exciting time, and your dream home awaits the right builder!
