5 Common mistakes to avoid when building a new home
Many people aspire to build a house in Sydney, Australia. However, despite their ambitions, they tend to make some common mistakes that can make the building process quite difficult. Take a look at these things and keep them in mind to avoid making these mistakes and build a great home that will benefit your family now and in the future.
Some of the common things that you should avoid while building a house are:
- Not having a well-thought-out floor plan.
- Not having a concise written agreement with your builder.
- Insufficient kitchen spacing.
- Cutting corners to reduce costs.
- Not being involved in the process enough.
Mistake #1 – You don’t think about the floor plan
You should always keep in mind the type of furniture that you are planning to place in your living room, bedroom, kitchen and other parts of the house. Good house builders can give you ideas on how to plan the space to ensure that you can fit all the types of furniture that you want at your home. This is another common mistake that people tend to make when they use a less experienced home builder to have their house designed.
When you plan your bedroom design you would have to ensure that it gives you ample privacy and enough storage space. After all, you wouldn’t want people to be able to look into your bedroom from the living room or anywhere else. Keep in mind if you are planning to have a family in the future you need to be able to adapt for expansion. It is better to accommodate for that space in the beginning to avoid extra costs in time.
Mistake #2 – No written agreement with your builder
All reliable home builders should initiate a clear written agreement with you before the process starts. This contract should outline your budget, proposed timelines, and all building costs. It is important to understand that it’s common for unexpected issues and
delays to occur when building your first home but the contract will help to reinforce that everything goes according to plan. Without it, you run the risk of potential faults due to miscommunication regarding design costs and plans. This way you can ensure that fixed costs stay fixed!
Mistake #3 – Not having sufficient kitchen spacing
The home kitchen is one of the places where you tend to spend a lot of time when it comes to cooking food at home. Your kitchen should not just be spacious but also be designed in such a way that two or three people can comfortably be at work at the same time. New home builders cannot design a kitchen properly if they do not have enough experience.
There should be proper ventilation to ensure that the food odour does not fill up the entire house. If you have chosen a knockdown rebuild or are just renovating, with a properly designed kitchen, you can ensure that you have a pleasant time when it comes to preparing food for your family.
Mistake #4 – Cutting corners to reduce costs
There are many different ways new home builders try to cut corners in the building process thinking it is going to save them money. While it might initially save you money, the repercussions from these decisions can result in even worse. Try to avoid opting for inferior materials when it comes to the flooring, walls, plumbing, and foundations of the building. While it seems more appealing to your budget it is much more cost-efficient to increase the longevity of your home in the long run.
Another new home builder’s mistake is being tempted to go with the lowest quote when choosing a home builder in Sydney. When making this decision you are getting what you pay for in terms of experience and customer service. Feel free to ask what their inclusions are and where your money will be going as well as asking for a second opinion if possible.
Mistake #5 – Not being involved in the process
Although this part is mentioned as the last of the mistakes that people do it is very important to be involved as much as possible from planning to completion. Whether you’re building a new home or only having first floor additions, it is easy to make the mistake of letting the builders make all of the decisions for you.
Whilst experienced Sydney home builders can make good judgment and communicate well with you it is still ideal you are available to assist in problem-solving when needed to ensure your home is built how you want. Make sure you understand the agreements in place and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re uncertain.
When you choose to use a reliable Sydney builder you would get to reduce the chances of making these mistakes that can cost you a great deal at a later point. Ensure that you put enough time into planning the entire building and getting a blueprint or even a 3D visualisation created before you start building. This would give you a clear picture of how your house would look like once it is completed. It is easy to get over-excited when building, as a result, you make rushed decisions but a good home builder will be able to guide you through the process.
If you’re considering building a new house or creating additions to your current home contact Peakcorp Building to see how we can make the process less stressful for you and avoid these mistakes.