Where to begin when building a home

There are a number of steps you must go through from the moment you decide to create your ideal home before you can take pleasure in all the hard work. You might also be asking yourself if there is anything you can do to make the process of building a house as smooth and simple as possible.

While the process can be time-consuming, the end result is well worth the wait especially when it is done right and without impulse decision making. Once you start working through the things you want in a new home, including location and features, the more exciting the prospect becomes.

There are several stages that one can be in before signing the dotted line and beginning the build process and our team can assist you at any stage. Below we outline the different stages, there may be one that you already find yourself in.

Finding the perfect section

Finding the ideal piece of land can be straightforward for some people, but for others, finding a section that can support the design and layout of your dream home can present a completely different set of difficulties. If you’re currently in the searching stage, checking out the weekly property press as well as real estate websites, including TradeMe, is a good place to start.

It is critical to avoid common pitfalls such as selecting a less expensive, oddly shaped, or sloped block if possible, as these features may make the build more difficult and costly. There are many key attributes to look for when searching for the perfect section for your new home. In this blog we outline what you need to consider when choosing a section to build on and how Location Homes can assist you in your search for the ideal section, making the building process seamless from start to finish while positioning you for success and ensuring you get the best value for your money. Our relationships with local land developers and individuals who are thinking about subdividing or selling, means that we are aware of land that hasn’t been advertised yet and could be the missing piece of the puzzle that you have been looking for.

Identifying your budget

Do you have an idea of what you’re wanting in your head but no idea if your budget can match? Unlike buying a home where a house is listed with a price (including house and land packages), building a custom design and build home is designed for your budget. There are many design features and materials that can drive up the overall cost of a house but if you’re not in the industry, in some cases it is hard to know.

If you find yourself in this stage, then meeting with your lending provider to confirm your budget is the first step. Once you are able to identify your budget, you will be able to move into the design stage of the building journey with a clear vision.

By listening and working alongside you, we can create a truly personal design that carefully weighs the balance between cost and benefit. Talking through your needs, your wants, future plans, family dynamics, budget and lifestyle we can work with you to bring your dreams to life.

Finding your home style

Sometimes it’s easier to identify what you don’t like, before you can understand what it is that you do want in your new home. Scrolling through social media, or picking up a selection of magazines is a great place to start your design journey as there is a wealth of inspiration online, so let Google become your friend. A great way to keep all your ideas together online is by using Pinterest, if you don’t already use it, create an account and start ‘pinning’.

Determining your "must haves," such as an ensuite off the master bedroom or a second living space for the kids, is also crucial. Going big at the beginning of your design journey by outlining your luxury wants from must-have to would-like means that, once you've secured a design partner, you can design a home to fit inside your budget. You don't want to start the build and then have to redo something (which will result in an extra cost) or worse you finish your project and then regret a design decision because you didn’t explore the options at the beginning.

Choosing a design and build partner

Once you have identified your budget and discovered your build style including your luxury must-haves, the next stage is finding the right design and build partner to engage with. This could range from architects, design and build companies to project managers and builders.

Just remember there are two different stages here, the design stage and then the build. The design stage is where you work with an architectural draughtsman or an Architect company to design your home. These need to include working drawings that can be sent to council for building consent and are designed specifically for your section. This is not something that you can get from a standard house plan on a website, which only includes a floor plan and an eye-catching render.

The next stage is finding a builder, and this is probably the most important decision to make.You may have heard horror stories about unreliable contractors, budget blowouts, and unfinished sites. The vast majority of builders are skilled and professional, and you can do a lot to prevent unpleasant situations by simply being careful with who you hire.

There are a few options to consider here, have an architect design your home and get a trusted builder to build it. Or engage with a design and build company to do both.

Fun fact: At Location Homes we not only work with architects to build and project manage your architecturally designed dream home but we can also complete the full design and build service in-house.

Deciding if now is the right time to build

Building a home is not a fast process, from the moment you decide to build a new home , going through the stages outlined above to receiving your keys can take 18months. A lot can happen between now and then. One thing is for certain, we have never heard anyone regret building a new home, especially those who intend to live in it longterm.

If you have been concerned about whether or not now is a good time to build, then we suggest checking out our article ‘Addressing common concerns around building a home in 2022’, here we outline the concerns we are hearing and explain how we are combating them. Helping make building your new home a smart, enjoyable and rewarding decision.

If you’re looking for a trusted building partner or a design and build company to help bring your new home dreams to life, then don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss how Location Homes can help. Contact us today by clicking on the button below.