Building a new home has its ups and downs that you should consider well in advance.
One moment you may be extremely stressed, the next – full of joy and enthusiasm, and to get the best out of the experience, you need smart solutions and well-informed decisions.
That's why the team at New York Engineers has put together this guide to guide you.
1. Plan… and then plan some more
A new house is an asset that will last for a long time. Completing the process from A to Z will require money, patience, trial and error, and many hours. Therefore, you should customize the new home according to your vision for the next 5, 10, 20 or 30 years, or perhaps the lifestyle of the 1950s.
- Will you welcome new family members?
- How much storage will be enough? (It's never enough.)
- Will you need a home office?
- Will you sublet the home or register it for short rental?
- Will you stay in this location for the rest of your life?
These are just a few questions you need to ask to plan your dream home.
Always think about the safety and security of your property. Consider smoke detectors, fire alarms and exits, security systems, patio lighting, locks, and any smart devices you want to install.
2. Get your finances in order
Even if you don't like dealing with numbers, you need to summarize and define your budget based on goals and limitations. There is a difference from a financial point of view when you buy a house and when you build it.
The following are two important steps as you begin this journey:
- Find and get estimates from a trusted builder.
- Submit your documents to a bank and get pre-approved for a loan.
Typically, most people opt for a permanent construction loan. Banks set timelines to determine which steps require payments to the contractor. In most cases, this happens once a month. A bank representative will inspect each phase of construction, and you can pay off the mortgage as soon as your new home is complete.
3. Build the perfect team
We cannot emphasize enough how important this is. You have to collaborate with the architect and contractor throughout the construction process. To ensure the process goes smoothly, you must establish effective communication with the staff working in your new home.
- Take your time before choosing contractors.
- Find multiple builders.
- Interview each one.
- Ask for photos of completed projects.
- Talk to previous customers if possible.
- Search online to get more information about their reputation.
“Look for someone who really listens to your plans, understands your needs and makes thoughtful suggestions,” says veteran and real estate professional Darren Robertson.
4. Choose Sustainability
It will be great to think about Mother Earth when building your new home. Discuss with your contractor how to implement energy-saving measures, eco-friendly practices, sustainable technology and soundproofing materials throughout your new property. Talk about every step, from storing materials before construction, to avoiding mistakes when renting dumpsters, waste handling and post-construction cleaning.
- Packaging Waste Management in Civil Construction, Part I: Costs and Benefits
- Packaging Waste Management, Part II: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
An important thing to know when building a house is to have as many south-facing windows as possible. This orientation guarantees maximum natural light and minimum need for extra lighting and heating.
Take enough time to find high-quality, energy-efficient appliances, reliable HVAC systems, analog or digital thermostats, water-saving toilets and faucets. Consider investing in solar panels and solar water heaters for as sustainable and off-grid a home as possible.
The more solar panels you put on your roof, the better. Ask an electrical engineer to estimate your consumption and consider solar batteries to store energy during nighttime and cloudy days. A high-quality solar inverter is also important as it converts DC power generated by solar panels into AC power used by your home appliances. Solar energy needs thorough planning and professional specification.
You may also find these guides helpful:
- Green Building Trends: Pros and Cons of Passive Home Construction
- Home Features That Help Protect the Environment
- Sustainable Architecture Elements
5. Visit the construction site
We advise you to supervise the construction process. Let the builder know that you will be involved in the project every step of the way. This is how you ensure that errors are detected soon.
Stages of building a new house:
- Preparation of the area and foundation
- Structure, cornice and roof
- Installation of electrical wiring, AC ducts, and plumbing (more on each below)
- Isolation
- Interior textures (brick, plaster, stone, etc.)
- Outdoor walkway and/or driveway
- Kitchen countertops and tiles
- Bathroom ware
- Landscaping
- Installation of mirrors and lighting
- Floors
- Final painting and touches
The steps that need the most attention are steps 2 to 5. You will be able to see the “skeleton” of your new home before it is hidden with drywall.
Also Read: How an MEP Engineer Speeds Up the Construction Process Schedule
6. Maintain a good relationship with your contractors
Always strive to be kind to your construction manager. Work is already stressful enough to manage multiple teams in different locations simultaneously. Construction managers also hold the power card when completing construction tasks and steps: maintaining effective communication and a professional business relationship. Also, remember that contractors are not employees – they are service providers who follow construction documents and a contract.
Being kind and friendly can improve the end result of a home construction project.
7. Consult a professional electrician
Ask an electrician to check your plan and inspect the property with you for additional tips. The specialist can recommend extra sockets where they are needed or small appliances that you may not have even thought of.
Consulting a professional can shed light on new perspectives and help you plan for aspects you may have missed:
- Location of TVs or audio systems.
- Plan the location of switches and outlets throughout the house.
- Use of a central vacuum system.
- Location and energy consumption of household appliances.
8. Consult a professional plumber
Are you about to build a single, double or more building?
Plumbing is an art: The plumbing professionals on our team can share tips, advice, and best practices that can save you many hours and thousands of dollars in the future. Trust our planning and design expertise when dealing with plumbing installations.
Check out some of our other helpful guides:
- What is the best piping material for plumbing installations
- Recommended Plumbing Updates During a Major Building Renovation
- Plumbing Tips to Reduce Water and Energy Consumption
9. Document everything, photos and videos
Collect visual evidence during the home construction process. You can use them as leverage if you don't like the result of a certain feature or if the builders don't follow the approved design.
It's also helpful to take photos and videos from the framing stage when the plumbing and electrical wiring are in place. This way, you will be able to find pipes and wiring more easily if you decide to renovate in the future.
Visuals are also a great way to document progress and take pride in how much you've accomplished. You can go further and use a drone to film and use simple online video tools to organize and control visual media.
10. Simplify the interior design process
While the architectural aspects of your new home are obviously very important, the interior is where you'll spend your time once it's complete.
To speed up the setup process, consider using a virtual staging app for your home, like Virtual Staging AI. This is the perfect way to layer different design ideas, from furniture to floor coverings and more, before making your final decision.
11. Prepare for investment
Securing your initial payment from the bank isn't the only financial challenge. Many additional expenses may go unnoticed if you have only lived in a rental or resale property until now.
You need to plan the location and design of the following when building a new home:
- Furniture
- Home appliances
- Lighting equipment
- Ceiling fans
- Blinds
- Mattresses
According to Jonathan Prichard, founder and CEO of Mattress Insider Company, a custom-made mattress is the best addition to any bedroom. This investment is worth the patience and budget, along with high-quality bedding, toppers, and of course, pillows.
We don't want to scare you. However, we must highlight the importance of the extra costs that accompany the construction of your new home. Estimate the value of all items along with the down payment, insurance, and taxes to get the final price.
12. Remember the to-do list
During the final phase of the home building process, you will need to check off the tasks on your to-do list. This document is created near the end of construction and contains items that still need to be completed or repaired.
You will collaborate with the construction manager to write the punch list during the final stage. Be sure to take notes whenever you inspect the construction process.
Building a new property is rewarding but challenging, and the project must be planned with risks and best practices in mind.
