Construction & Contractors Blog
Constructing a new house to your exact specifications can often be one of the most exciting ways to purchase a new home. Of course, working with a building contractor to design and execute your dream from the ground up can often be more challenging than you might expect. Most people begin by looking for a perfect lot, but what if you already own land you want to use for construction?
If you're starting with an existing lot, there are a few more details you'll need to consider during your new home construction process. Keep reading for three tips to convert your lot into a dream home for you and your family.
1. Choose Your Contractor Early
Everyone wants to get started with design right away, but selecting a contractor is often one of the most important parts of the process. Not all new home construction contractors will work with individual buyers building on their own land, so make sure you find one specializing in construction for individuals, not developers.
Your contractor will also help you evaluate your lot and explain how much of the land is usable and what limitations you may face. Uncovering these issues as early as possible will allow you to work around them, rather than discovering them later on, when adjusting your plans may be expensive and disruptive to your project.
2. Plan for Land Clearing and Development
If you purchased a lot already prepared for development, you might not have to do much before you're ready to begin construction. On the other hand, undeveloped land can often require significant work. In addition to clearing trees and brush, you'll typically need to grade the land to deal with water drainage issues.
Your construction contractor will often be able to work with you to handle these details, including hiring subcontractors to remove trees, brush, and other obstacles. Planning for land clearing as early as possible will allow you to work these costs into your budget and make other adjustments as necessary.
3. Consider Your Design Options
Of course, the fun part of building a new home from scratch is designing it. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to fit numerous budgets. Working with a professional architect is the most expensive option and often only necessary when constructing unique, high-end homes. For most residential projects, you can instead work with your building contractor.
Some contractors will offer pre-designed plans to fit your lot, while others will work with you to develop a more custom solution. Working with off-the-shelf plans will save some money, while more bespoke plans will often cost more. Whichever option you choose, always work closely with your builder to ensure your design is a good fit for your property.
For more info, contact a local new home building contractor.
Share10 March 2023
There's a common misconception that all construction workers and contractors do the same job. On one hand, this is kind of true. Construction workers and contractors all built things. However, most people in this field have a specialty. Some hang drywall. Others paint. Still others know how to pour foundations or install roofs. While some construction workers and contractors move from field to field throughout their careers, others spend their career honing one particular skill. Either approach is fine, from our perspective. What we really care about is the excellent work that these workers do, and that's what we plan to feature on this website.