Everything you need to know about building a house (and save your marriage)

Have you ever heard the saying: “If your marriage can survive a building or renovation project, you have a very strong marriage?” Well, it’s definitely true. And let me tell you, you will need a lot of patience and perseverance as the planning and design process, the duration of the project and unexpected financial constraints can add a lot of pressure to even the most secure relationship.

But before you start to worry, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Here are a few key pointers to help ensure that you’re building or renovation journey stay as fun and exciting as possible. You’re making a dream come true after all.

BUILDING your dream home

Selecting a stand
Before the creative part of drawing up plans and designing your dream house starts, it’s important to find the correct stand. This is a crucial step in the process as it is not only about the position of the property (estate, alone-standing, etc.) or your preferred lifestyle choice, but also about the type of soil. Any uneven parts of the property (ground-level) will have to be levelled out during the foundation process and sometime earthwork might be needed. This can get expensive, especially when you are on a budget.

Designing your dream home
When designing a home it is important to keep the future in mind. You might not need the same things in 10 or 20 years – especially if you have a growing family. Think carefully about your family’s daily needs and make sure that your architect designs you a home that not only reflects your personality but also flows naturally with your family’s lifestyle needs and budget.

Choosing a contractor
This is the key aspect that should be taken into consideration when building your dream home and should not be based on cost alone. It is vital to consider quality and reputation first as it can save you lots of money in the long run. Do your homework and definitely make sure your contractor is registered and have the correct documentation to go with it. Having your contractor going the extra mile registering for workmanship compensation, contractors all risk etc. not only says a lot about his credibility but also shows you the commitment he has towards your project. There is a reason why builders study, yes study, to be in this industry. They have the knowledge and skillset through experience to build your dream home with minimum hiccups.

You’ll want a turnkey quoted project
In short you’ll want to make sure that your contractor gives you an all-inclusive quote. The term ‘turnkey’ basically just means what it says – when all is said and done you should just turn a key to get into your home…not swipe your credit card for any additional costs that might have occurred. Make sure there is no hidden or forgotten costs and that your quote includes everything that you have in mind including boundary walls, pools, decking, paving etc.

Keep the timeframe in mind
Building a house can take anything from six months to a year. Also keep in mind that you will have to work alongside the contractor for the entire period and it is important to maintain an honest and respectful relationship between all parties involved. If you have the budget to get a Qualified Project Manager to run your site, it’s a definite bonus! The extra help will most definitely go a long way to ease some stress.

 RENOVATING your dream home

On a budget
The key to renovating your home beautifully yet on a budget, is to primarily plan the entire process and prepare for small obstacles; even those we tend to forget about

Use quality contractors and not just a general labour guy of the street.
We all know that meme, “I have a friend that can do it for cheaper”. This does not always turn out the way you planned and can result in untimely extra cost. With an experienced contractor on your side you will have expert advice and help with each step of the way and it will ensure that the renovation project go faster and smoother. You’ll also have assured quality work and your friendships will stay in-tact.

Prepare for dust, dust and more dust
Something to take into account when renovating is that there will be dust and noise… lots of it!! Be prepared. Especially if you are prone to allergies or have kids in the house.

Renovations that adds value
Do renovations that adds value to your home. Two of the biggest value adding renovations that you can do is bathroom and kitchen renovations. This not only adds to the possibility of increasing the value of your property, but also makes it easier to sell your home in the future.Adding a fresh coat of paint to the interior and exterior of the home can make a big difference. Paint also affects lighting and can make spaces look bigger or smaller. Tiling your house with a new updated tile or vinyl also makes the world of difference.

Don’t forget about regular maintenance
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of a renovation project, but it’s important to not skimp or skip on regular maintenance. Fixing cracked walls, waterproofing the roof and maintaining wooden windows and doors yearly with a fresh coat of varnish is key to help your home look its best.

Use quality materials
Even when working on a budget, using quality materials is very important. You can have a high end product even on a budget. Speak to your contractor or a local hardware stockist you trust, and ask for their opinion.

Whatever your plans or dream – building or renovating your home, remember. It should be fun. And don’t forget to take before and after photos!As we say in the building industry – “It takes hands to build or renovate a house, but only hearts can build a home!” Enjoy the special journey!