7 home building mistakes to avoid

Building your dream home is a lifetime investment and you’ll want to make sure the whole process goes as smoothly as possible. The best way to tackle such a large project is by being prepared and arming yourself with expert knowledge.

Being aware of potential pitfalls can go a long way to ensuring a successful build. So, take note of the seven most common home building mistakes people make and how you can avoid them.

1. Engaging an architect first

An incredibly common mistake people make when building is engaging an architect before a builder. The design stage comes before the construction, so it does makes sense to engage an architect first.

However, while this may seem logical, you will quickly realise that architects aren’t always well versed in real time building costs and don’t always consider the expense required for certain designs, techniques or materials.

What this means is that, more often than not, you’ll come out the other end of your design process with features that can’t be implemented as they will blow out your budget.

2. Putting cost before quality

We are all guilty of wanting to save a few bucks here and there but cutting costs when building a home is neither the time nor place for it.

Whether it’s choosing a low-quality builder or designer or cheaper materials, know that they are less expensive for a reason and in the long term, this decision can ultimately cost you more.

3. Not setting your budget early

Your budget is an integral part of your build and should be one of the first things you consider in the planning process. It is always important to set expectations early and give your builder and architect or designer a firm budget to work with.

Having an inaccurate budget or under budgeting can make your home build far more stressful than it needs to be. Being realistic and sorting out lists of wants versus needs in line with your budget will give your builder a point of reference to mitigating costs along the way.

4. Engaging a low-quality builder

When you hire a cheap or low-quality builder, you’re taking the risk that your build will be subpar. The fact of the matter is – it costs money to build a high-quality, long-lasting home and choosing a low-quality builder will almost always result in a lower quality build.

A quality builder will have expert knowledge and experience in the field. Make sure the builder you engage with is someone you can openly communicate with and trust to understand your needs and wants. Ideally, someone who has experience in your type of home building project is always advantageous.

5. Not considering your lifestyle in your design

This is a big one that many people forget when planning their build. It’s so important to think of yourself as the focal point of your build and ensure the design reflects your current and future lifestyle.

Be conscious of how you function every day – are you working from home or do you have young kids who need a dedicated play area? Take these considerations into account as well as things like your floorplan and how each room flows together. Also be sure to invest in features that you will use and not ones you won’t.

6. Making changes during the building process

Whilst it is not uncommon for changes to occur in the design stage, if you decide to make any design changes during the building process, you will be responsible for any additional costs. Variations to the design once this has been signed off can also cause time delays in completing the build.

7. Not understanding the inclusions

Always know what is included and excluded in your building contract. This is the most common mistake you can make, so make sure to never assume anything when signing your contract.

It is common for items such as landscaping, gardening and driveways to be excluded from a building contract so always double and triple check so you can plan for this as an additional cost.

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While it’s common for clients to make mistakes when building a new custom home, you can mitigate potential issues for your build by being informed and educated about the process. If you’ve got questions about any stage of the design or construction process, get in touch with the expert team at Adam Mason Homes today.