At first glance it seems simple: foundation, walls, and roof. Tada! A brand new house built entirely to your specifications.
Well, I’m sure you’ve learned by now that it is a bit more complicated than that, but there is plenty of information out there that will help guide you along the way and keep you on the path to your dream house.
Tim Carter, writer of the “Ask the Builder” website gives a thorough New Home Construction List that should not be ignored. With each item on the list, he goes into detail about what you should be checking and then double checking so that you don’t run into costly and heartbreaking problems later on. For instance, his checklist mentions, “Foundation Drain Line – Does the foundation have a 4 inch perforated drain line? Is the line covered with two or three feet of washed gravel? Is the gravel covered with straw or felt paper BEFORE backfill dirt is placed?” (Carter, 2008)
Don’t forget insect control, valves, electric service, etc. Make sure to check out his website for wonderful guidelines that will help on a project you may have already started, and it will give you a wonderful idea of what you are in store for if you are just thinking about building from scratch.
When it comes to designing your new home, it can be easy to get carried away and throw in every single thing you have ever dreamed about, but be careful, and be frugal. Do you really need a formal living room? A separate eating area in the kitchen might be nice, but is it too far away from the kitchen that it makes your home more awkward than homey? Remember that you want all of the rooms to flow together.
In all honesty, if you know next to nothing about new construction, or if you are even in the middle of the scale between novice and expert, it is probably best to consult with professionals, or flat out hire one. Home designers, architects, etc., may take more money during the actual construction, but they will more than likely keep any major mistakes from happening, which will save you a lot of money in the long run. And the whole point of building your own home is that it will be something you and your family can live in happily and comfortably for years, perhaps even generations, to come.
On a final note, try not to follow any designing fads. Lime trim with bright red walls may be all the rage now, but be honest, in five years time it might make you cringe. Who doesn’t look at pictures of living rooms and kitchens from the ‘60’s and ‘70’s and laugh? Shag carpeting, anyone? Yes, this is your house and you should do it your way, but you want your home to be timeless, so try to tone it down a bit.
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