Getting to build one’s dream home is one of life’s most exciting and rewarding things.  

Some homeowners are okay with buying a ready-made home and then tweaking it to their liking through some renovations here and there. There are others, however, who prefer the more challenging but often more rewarding route of building from the ground up. This means building a custom home, with every nook and cranny drawn, planned, and built according to a person’s specific preferences.  

That being said, building from the ground up isn’t easy. Before finally walking into your dream home’s doors, so much can go wrong if you’re not careful with the planning and building process. Getting this right is made possible through a qualified set of professionals and tradesmen, from builders, architects, interior designers, electricians, and plumbers, to name a few.  

To help you understand how to build your dream home from the ground up, this post lays down some of the most critical steps you need to take. Read on.  

Get In Touch With A Good Builder  

Building a home is already challenging, let alone your dream home. If you’re like the majority of the homeowner population, this dream home could be your forever home. It’s a big project, indeed. With something as significant of a project as this one is, it’s fitting to trust only the experts: a good builder or contractor, like https://www.buildguardian.com/idaho-home-builders/, to name a few.  

Once you start looking for a custom build contractor, you’ll find quite a few in your local area to get by. But before signing a contract with the first builder you’ll see, take the time to review your options. Not all builders offer the same quality of services, so it’s best to be prudent and do your due diligence.   

Go through at least two to three choices. Ask for their quotation and interpretation or plan of your dream house. Check the inclusions of the builder’s services, too. This is a long process, but one that’s vital to kicking off your dream house construction to a good start.  

Determine Your Budget  

As you meet with a builder, it’s important to discuss your budget. The budget determines the limits of your dream home, especially regarding size, features, and even the construction materials to be used.  

For example, say you’d like wood features on some walls and floors. But, having all hardwood floors is too much for your budget. A good builder can offer alternatives that still give out a wood-like aesthetic sans the price tag of natural wood.  

While you’re at it, take note that budgeting isn’t as simple as it seems. It goes beyond setting the fixed limit of how much you can spend. Ideally, a reasonable budget breaks down precisely a close-to-accurate estimate of all expenses, like labor and materials.  

Here are some suggestions to help you through the process:  

• Be realistic about your budget. Building a house isn’t cheap. Ask around from friends and family who have recently built a house. This gives you a good start as to what a reasonable estimate is.   

• Account for extras. Once the build is in progress, there will always be extras you have to account for. Say, you underestimated the timeframe and now must pay more for labor. Or, towards the end of the project, you realize you’d like to add a swimming pool, a sunroom, or landscaping in your yard. Put a little extra into your house project to make this dream house a reality.  

Even with a good builder, taking a hands-on approach to constructing your dream home is an excellent move. Visit the site at least once a week and monitor each expense you have to pay for weekly.  

Find And Purchase The Lot  

If you haven’t already, it’s time to be serious about finding and purchasing the right lot for your home. This can be a long process, usually ranging from a minimum of three to a maximum of twelve months. There are lots to get by, but the choice also boils down to what you’re looking for in the land to build your home on.  

First, you can start with the location. Focus your search only on the specific sites where you envision living. Next, proceed with the size. Lastly, you can tackle all other particulars, like the surrounding area. Do you prefer a residential area? Or somewhere more secluded?   

Finding and purchasing the land for your home is just a piece of the puzzle, but it’s already considerable progress. From there, you can proceed with all other steps, like finally completing all the permits and legal requirements to proceed with the build.  

Apply For The Necessary Permits  

Because you’re building from the ground up, you must comply with all the necessary permits, including the building permit. Aptly named, this permit is issued by your local government only after compliance with local building laws and codes. Otherwise, no permit will be issued.  

Never pour that first sack of cement without completing all the necessary permits. If found to have proceeded with the construction process without one, the legal implications, either a fine or a penalty, can be damaging and expensive. Likewise, facing legal consequences could delay your dream home’s construction timeline.  

Set A Realistic Timeline For Your Project  

While you’d want to live in your dream home in the next year, stop and assess whether you’ve set a realistic timeline. Your builder will be able to help you out with this, too. Setting the timeline is another critical step, as this affects your budget, among other things. Moreover, it gives you an idea of when to start packing up your current home and then prepare for the big move.  

Many variables can affect the construction timeline, like weather, the supply chain of materials, and the tradesmen’s availability. Like the budget, give an allowance for any delays so you don’t get frustrated if there seem to be a few slight delays here and there.  

Final Thoughts  

Building your dream home from the ground up demands a tad bit more work; but imagine the joy and excitement of having every aspect of your brand-new house specifically built just for you. If you want to build your dream home from the ground up, check out the points raised above for guidance.

Jane