Whether building new or renovating an existing structure, ‘’creating a new home is a journey of discovering what you want, how you want to live, and where you want to be’’ says Mike Greeff, CEO of Greeff Christie’s International Real Estate. The decision to build your dream home is one that is rooted in wanting to have something that you worked on yourself. If you’re going to be building the home of your dreams, it’s very easy for you to get carried away. Keep the below tips in mind while you design and build your dream home.
Do the math
Before you embark on any building project, be it an alteration or a complete newbuild, you must ensure you have sufficient funds and a little extra for contingencies which invariably creep up. Check on the latest residential building stats to give you an idea of the costs you are likely to be in for. According to BusinessTech, in 2019 it was approximately R7,432 to build per square meter. This number will obviously increase depending on the fixtures and finishes you select. Ensure that you have available funds or a line of credit to pay contractors and suppliers along the way.
Assemble a team
While you might think you can do it alone, assembling a team of tried and tested professionals is the better approach. This might possibly be the single largest investment so it’s in your best interest to employ an experienced team from architects to designers and everyone in between.
For a start, apart from punctuality and reliability, there should, at the very least, be a timeous and helpful response to messages and emails. You need to feel that your team is completely dedicated to your project while they are on it.
It's important that you are comfortable with your team’s work ethic and personality. These people are going to be significant in your day-to day activities for the next few months, and given their role in what will invariably be your greatest asset, they will likely have an impact on you for years to come. Choosing the right fit for your project will not only ensure a fairly seamless experience but it will ensure that the journey is all the more enjoyable.
Go green
As we move to a healthier and more conscious way of life, our homes will, too. It's ideal to plan an off-the-grid home and install all your energy-saving elements from the start. Ultimately this saves money and is more likely to be compliant as well as aesthetically pleasing. Many eco-conscious construction attributes are more expensive and, by nature, more high-end. As the green movement progresses, fixtures and materials, and the companies that manufacture them, are producing products that carry the eco-conscious stamp of approval. Remember, when building ‘’green’’, you’re not sacrificing luxury. You are, in fact, maintaining, if not, increasing value when the time comes to re-sell. The demand for ‘’going green’’ will only continue.
Plan, plan and plan some more
Any project, large or small requires planning, and building a home requires more planning than a lot of things most people are going to take on in their entire lives.
Ensure you have a checklist and weekly goals. These should be assessed at a weekly site meeting to ensure the project is on track. Do as many things as you can to streamline the process - the more elements you can have ticked off your list, the fewer delays there will be when these elements are required. The last thing you want is to hold up the project because you haven’t decided on a particular style. Having said this, it’s important to accept that even the best laid plans can go awry, and there will inevitably be some delays which will require a patient approach.
Snag check
Whenever you walk around the site, you should make notes about all the elements you observe that need attention. In this way, you can stay on top of things as the build progresses.
When the building is complete, or almost complete, it's important to make a detailed list of all the outstanding tasks, issues and any faults you may find. Enlist the help of a qualified estate agent who will also know what to look for.
Keep a portion of the budget in an interest bearing account and only pay the final amount to your building contractor when you are completely satisfied all snags have been effectively dealt with and or eliminated.
Enjoy your new home
You've worked hard and spent more than a few Rands to create your new home, so enjoy it to the max. Discover how this place gives shape to your life and grab the opportunity to create new memories in your new home.
