Build a Home of Your Dreams

What You Need To Consider When Planning to Build a Home of Your Dreams

Many people have a dream; they wish one day to build their own home. Getting on the first rung of the housing ladder these days is no easy task thanks to the recession and credit crunch that followed. It is a fact that you get more for your money by managing your own building project in addition to getting the best home for you.

A self-build is a big project to take on, and it places much responsibility firmly on your shoulders until it is complete. Those who do not have the confidence to risk everything they own, turn to companies such as Cannon Custom Homes, and many others you will find with an internet search, who design the house and see the build through to completion.

But what should you consider when planning to build a home? Here are a few tips.

Location

Location is everything, just as it is when buying a home. The area in which you live can affect your quality of life. You may come across a cheap piece of land in a run down neighbourhood. Buying it could be a big mistake. You may find that the house has a low resale value should you ever want to move, and it may be subject to vandalism and burglaries in some areas. On the other hand, paying more for a plot in a desirable area will increase the value of your house and make it more attractive to buyers in the future.

Economy

Think about the energy efficiency of your home. Everybody is environmentally aware these days, but it isn’t all about saving the planet. If you are wise during construction, you can include features that will keep the energy consumption of the home close to zero. Passive buildings use no power at all, and sometimes generate electricity that the owners sell to the suppliers.

Here are a few tips for creating an energy efficient home.

• Insulate the loft. There is nothing more important than loft insulation. Make a layer up to four feet thick for best result. It will prevent any heat escape through the roof, which is the most significant area.
• Insulate the walls. If the house has cavity walls, insulate the cavity as they go up. Timber framed houses should also have as much insulation as you can fit. Money spent here will be recouped very quickly.
• Install triple glazed windows throughout. They are the most thermally efficient models that there is. You may pay a lot of money for them, but thanks to modern materials they will last a lifetime.

The Design

Though the house will be to your specifications, only use an architect that has a history of successful projects behind them. If you have friends or relatives that have used one before, they will give you an honest opinion of them.

Contractors

As with the architect, only use contractors to erect you home that are recommended to you. If you cannot find recommendations, look for a builder who is a member of a national federation and has plenty of completed projects to show you. Go to a previous client and talk to them about their experience.

There is much to think about, and we have only scratched the surface here. Keep a cool head throughout the process, and focus on the final result. You will have stressful times, but looking back on them you will see that you may sometimes have overreacted. It is all worth it in the end though so don’t give up on your dream.