Where it is your first or fifth, home building is always an exciting time that presents lots of opportunities.
Aside from choosing what subway tile to use for your kitchen splashback or what color you should paint the architraves, there are a lot of important points you may have not considered before building a new home.
Read on to find out about the top seven points to consider before you take the next big step in your life.
Research the Suburb and Area
You think you’ve found the perfect block for your new home. Congrats, but don’t jump on it just yet.
It’s incredibly important that you extensively research the suburb you before you make any decisions. Since you are likely to spend many years in this location, you need to ensure that the area suits your lifestyle. Is it close to work, family and friends? Is an active community important to you?
To get a good look at your potential new neighborhood, you can research online by postcode to find the median house and property price, the average demand for property, and even the demographics and lifestyle. However, nothing provides as much insight as a simple drive through the suburb and interactions with the locals.
Research the Builder
This should go without saying, but one of the first things you should do before you decide to build a home is to find a reputable building company.
Your builder should be licensed and have no outstanding issues with your state’s building commission. Check whether they use dependable subcontractors and if they have the necessary insurance. Word-of-mouth always goes a long way, so look up reviews online and ask your builder to provide referrals from previous clients.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask your builder to detail what’s included in their quote and how long the construction is likely to take.
It’s vital that you trust your builder and feel comfortable raising issues with them, so don’t settle or be pressured into choosing a builder that’s not right for you.
Who Is Responsible for Temporary Fencing?
In many countries, temporary fencing needs to be present on your building site in order to adhere to occupational health and safety laws. It will protect your home from intruders during the building process and keeps the nearby public safe from potential hazards.
If you are building through a licensed home builder, they are responsible for sourcing temporary fencing. It is often already included in the cost of building your house, however, before you begin building, check your contract. If temporary fencing isn’t mentioned within your contract, raise it with your building company.
If you are an owner-builder, you will need to source temporary fencing. Consider whether buying or renting temporary fencing is more cost-effective, but not having it is a non-negotiable.
Build with Resale in Mind
You’re building your home to be the perfect fit for your family, but realistically it’s not going to be the last property you own.
Consider features that will be ageless – you may love those hot pink walls, but chances are someone looking at your house to buy a decade down the track probably won’t be as into it.
Look at the neighborhood you’re in too – if your home’s features and upgrades overprice your house for the area, it will likely be difficult to sell in future years.
Think Eco-Friendly
Save money while helping the environment – it’s a win-win!
Do your research, especially when it comes to heating and cooling your house. A good builder will look at window and room placement to help maximize sunshine to naturally heat your home.
Look into the most efficient window glass and wall insulations, and choose energy-efficient appliances, toilets and taps. It will all add up in the long run.
Residential Design Codes
Residential design codes control the design of residential development. Every state and territory will have its own code.
These codes look at things such as sustainability, neighborhood character, how many dwellings can go on a lot, and subdivision precision. Make sure your builder is up to scratch on these codes to avoid any potential issues and it's worth running your eye across them too.
Council Building Regulations
There are specific guidelines set by local councils when it comes to residential developments and these differ throughout local governments.
They are similar to residential design codes in that they consider your site, neighborhood character, scale, the density of the area, and how your plan connects to all of those.
A reputable builder will design a home that meets these regulations, so you shouldn’t have any issues – but it’s important to be aware of these regulations!
If you are planning on moving into a new home soon, House to Home Organizing can make the process seamless and stress-free. Contact the H2H team today for more information!
Author Bio: Written by Taya Coghlan, on behalf of TTFS, an Australian temporary fencing provider. You can catch Taya on LinkedIn.
