BUILDING YOUR DREAM HOME FROM THE GROUND UP

Choosing the right partner for your construction project can be the difference between failure and success. Your builder should be in-sync with your vision for your dream home, be responsive to your verbal or written contact, and should be able to instill you with a great degree of trust. Along with checking their references carefully, be sure that your builder works well with you.

From the beginning of your custom building project, you should have a clear idea of your ideal location — whether it be the distance to an ideal school district, shopping area or family members, the size of property you need, or the city or township you like best. Once you’ve narrowed down the area where you’ll search for property, you should also consider the time (and money) the plot of land may require to prepare for build (for example, is there an existing structure to demolish, trees or brush to clear, or extremely rocky soil to overturn?). Any preparation costs should be factored into your timeline and budget along with your land and building costs.

The old proverb “Measure twice and cut once” thoroughly applies to building a custom home. In order to best manage your time, budget (and sanity), plan out each phase of your project in advance. This will help to identify potential issues, better plan for supplies and delivery along with ensuring that the right workers are on-site at the right time. Proper planning also helps to avoid supply wastage or mistakes in building.

As you begin to design your home, it can be easy to get caught up in the products and finishes you’d like to have and lose sight of how you’ll use the space (for example, upgrading to marble floors in a high-traffic area without a thought to the maintenance and cleaning required to keep the stone looking its best). When making decisions, always consider how you or your family will use the space and allow the purpose of your space to inform your decisions.

Your home is an investment and deserves the investment of quality craftsmanship and materials. The last thing you want is to spend a large sum building your home only to have sloppy workmanship or low-end supplies cause disastrous problems shortly after moving in. Quality labour and materials can be expensive items in your budget, but these items will help ensure that your home can stand the test of time. There are always deals to be had — but labour and quality, essential materials shouldn’t be one of them.

You’ve put a lot of thought into selecting your home builder — choosing them based on their qualifications, experience, and the alignment of your goals with theirs. Trust that you’ve made the right decision and trust your partner in their expertise and guidance. Ultimately, your builder simply wants to create the home that you dream of and they have your best interests at heart.