Building your own home is an increasingly popular option. It allows you the freedom to create the perfect space for you and your family; at the same time, it can be substantially cheaper than purchasing a new home.
You’re in good company, approximately 2% of all new homes are self-built.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get hold of a reputable luxury home builder and have the home crafted for you. Your decision as to which is the right way to go is purely personal preference.
But, you should consider the following 7 ways to save money when building a new house:
- Do The Ground Work
There are many jobs involved in building a house which are purely labor; you don’t need any specific set of skills. In fact, all you need is a little muscle and a willingness to do the job in hand.
You can save a significant portion of your building costs by undertaking these manual jobs yourself. You can even ask family members and friends to help for free! You’ll be surprised at how many will want to help you complete your dream.
- Consider Your Footprint
It’s tempting to build the largest house possible, but this will usually mean stretching your budget to the limit and not leaving enough funds for unforeseen issues.
Instead, consider how much floor space you really need and adjust your plans accordingly. You can do this by looking at your current living arrangements; you’ll soon realize where you can save space and where you need extra space. Plan your new house according to these parameters.
- Look At Alternative Materials
Don’t be afraid to look at other builds in your area. Not everyone will be adopting a traditional approach to building. There are many different materials you can use, such as old tires. These can cost next to nothing and are extremely good at insulating your home.
By being open to different possibilities you could save yourself a fortune.
- Shop Around For Finance
Most people will need finance to finish constructing their home, even if it is simply a bridging loan until your current home is sold.
Make sure you shop around for the best possible deal; it can make a huge difference to the number of funds you have to spend on your project; and how much you’ll have to pay back.
- Re-use Where Possible
There are plenty of materials that others are discarding which still have life in them. These can be beneficial to the construction or furnishing of your home. That doesn’t mean you have to forsake style, just re-use materials whenever you can.
You’ll be helping the environment in the process!
- Choose Your Contractor Carefully
Even if you intend to do a lot of the manual labor yourself you’re going to need a builder, electrician, and probably a plumber; amongst others.
Make sure you get several quotes for each job and check what is included in the quote; you can often find that the one that appears most expensive is offering much more than the cheapest one!
- Know When To Indulge
Don’t forget that this is your house and will probably be your home for many years. You need to know which features are really important and indulge in making them perfect.
It will make the difference between liking the finished house and loving it.
