If you’re looking to move into a new home, you’ve likely browsed hundreds of listings. What happens when you don’t like what you see? It may be time to build your own house. This avenue allows for ultimate customization — and as a result, you’ll be able to craft your dream space.
That said, it’s essential to evaluate your situation before you move forward. Here are a few questions to ask yourself.
1. What’s Your Budget?
There’s a lot that goes into building a house. Your numbers may seem feasible, especially when you already own land. However, it’s essential to note today’s figures won’t be the same as tomorrow’s. You need to pad your budget to anticipate market changes and potential errors.
What happens when your contractor has to reorder your kitchen countertops because they measured incorrectly? If you don’t have enough money to appease mistakes, it’s not smart to pursue such a significant project. You’ll inevitably find yourself in a pickle otherwise.
The average cost to build a house is just shy of $300,000, or $114 per square foot. This figure varies when you adjust location and size, but it’s good to have an estimate to build upon. Cost can also be affected by the time of the year you build. Analyze your situation to get a more accurate amount. If you can afford that alongside an additional 10% for wiggle room, you’re good to go.
2. Do You Have Enough Time or Energy?
House hunting can indeed be exhausting. You’ll quickly see that building a home takes another level of patience. You need the time and energy to see your dreams come to reality. It’s not a process that happens in a few months. In most instances, your build will take around six months when accounting for errors.
As a result, you need to plan accordingly. Do you have a place to stay during that time? If you have a job or go to school, you should also consider your commitments. Is there a possibility those responsibilities could add unnecessary stress to your life?
Be sure to think about all aspects of your life before you start building. You never want to sign onto a project that will only cause problems for you and your family.
3. Have You Figured Out Styles and Furnishings?
If you’ve decided to commit to building a house, you’ll need to figure out which style of home you’d like to have. This part is crucial because you’re determining your house’s permanent look. You can use a few different determinants to decide your approach.
You may want to look at other homes in your area to gauge what may look nice. For example, colonial and Cape Cod styles are very popular in the New England area. You could also explore today’s trends. Modern farmhouses have made a comeback across the country.
You’ll also need to consider what goes inside of your house. You’ll use and see these furnishings for years to come, so it’s smart to make classic choices that should stand the test of time. Still, you need to remember your budget, too.
Keep in mind that it’s often challenging — and expensive — to recall decisions like these after you make them.
4. Where’s Your Location?
Another step to building a house is securing a location. You need enough land to accommodate your project. This process in itself requires time and energy because you need to research prices by location. Plus, you need to find acreage that puts you where you actually want to live.
Once you find a spot, you should look into residential building permits, as well as power lines, sewer hookups and more. It’s key to ensure your land is primed to accommodate building a home. If you already have a contractor, you can answer these questions with their input.
Make These Considerations Before You Build Your Own Home
If you’re thinking about building a house, you should take time to consider what’s ahead. You need to decide you have enough money, time and energy beforehand. As a result, this process will be more enjoyable overall.
Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.
