Do you want to build your dream home? Building a home is one of the most significant investments you can make, so there will inevitably be some financial discussion. Meeting professionals to work on your dream home is necessary to ensure everything is on track. They will be asking how much budget you're allowing for this dream home project, but how do you know how much you need?
Although professionals can help you leverage your budget realistically, it's a good idea to be prepared with a more accurate estimate. Can you afford to construct a house? Before you start canvassing, here are some factors to consider when coming up with your estimate!
General Considerations
Before anything else, you should consider the size and location of your home. The bigger your house is, the more materials and labor are required to build your home, which means the more expensive it will be! An excellent way to evaluate this is by considering what your family needs, how much space is needed, and where you want your home. These factors will significantly impact your general budget. Aside from the size, your location will also significantly impact your overall budget. Think about the distinction between building a home in the province and building a home in one of the major metropolitan areas. Land prices, transportation, materials, and even services will vary greatly.
Check out our previous blog here to know more before you start designing and planning!
The Lot
Are you building on a finished lot or an unfinished one? A finished lot is where you're supposed to build your house but with all the utility systems needed already. These include plumbing, electricity, and a sewage system. If you're building on an unfinished lot, consider allowing more budget as you need to install those systems.
Plans, Permits, Fees
When building a house, you'll need professionals to create the plans for you. It's best to have an architect or draftsperson that has worked with builders look at your design—better yet, have your builder draw them for you. Having someone to draft your plans with actual experience in building is better to make sure that your design is realistic. Once you have your plans, you'll need to have all the permits and pay fees before the actual start of the construction. Have some more leeway in your budget if your permit inspections cost more than expected.
Construction Phases
Before the actual construction process, you must ensure that your land is ready to be built upon. Processes like groundbreaking and excavations require heavy equipment and hiring professionals to ensure your lot is prepared for construction. After this, you'll need to consider the costs of laying a solid and sound foundation for your home. Take into account the prices of steel, metal, lumber, and cement.
Exterior Finishes
Building exterior finishes take a lot of material because they go all the way around your house. It keeps the house safe from the outside, supports its structure, and helps the roof stay in place. Doors, windows, and garage openings are also part of exterior finishes that you need to consider.
Interior Finishes
Your interior finishes include everything that goes inside your home, so it would take you one of the most expensive parts of building a house. Because this is where you'll spend the majority of your time with your family, you'll want to make it as functional, convenient, and comfortable as possible. This includes your walls, flooring, modular and countertops, walls, lighting, and so on. Break it down and canvas each area to ensure you get a close estimate.
Final Steps and Other Expenses
These will be your expenses for all the finishing touches. It would be best if you also considered the landscaping of your yard, porch, patio, or deck, as well as your driveway. Also, always budget for all clean-up expenses. There will be a lot of debris and dust to clean up before your home can be considered livable.
If you are well equipped with the knowledge, you can predict your budget accurately. Knowing the basics will give you a considerable advantage in the negotiation process. This is also important so you can consider the home financing options you can have if you need them. Above all, make sure that you are not just working for money but for a dream home that will never be forgotten.