Although building a new home can be a hassle due to the large budget and time required to complete all the stages, it is still a dream for some, as it is about controlling everything from design to implementation, and the pleasure of having a home that you planned with passion and love.
Knowing all the steps – realistically – before deciding to build a new home protects you from feeling impatient until it is finished.
Here are the stages of building a new home step by step
The first stage: Buying the land
Choose a land located in a vital area close to hospitals and rich in services and shops, and make sure that there are water, electricity, and sewage services by asking about the plan for that area in the affiliated authority, and if these services are not available, ask if they are included in the services or not.
Try to obtain the necessary legal papers after purchasing the plot of land, such as a building permit and others.
Remember that if the area is new and there is a lot of construction, it is better not to intend to move into the house immediately after it is finished; to avoid the noise resulting from digging the foundations and the sound of workers…etc.
Stage Two: Budget
There are basic needs that are difficult to give up when building a new home, such as having a private room for each person or two, a reception hall, a kitchen, a bathroom, and sometimes a room for the servant on the ground floor… Determine these needs and know the average space needed, as well as the amount needed to implement them.
Involve your family (adults and children) when determining your needs for the number of rooms. For example, it is known that boys have a separate room from girls’ rooms. Ask them if each of them likes to have his own room alone or if the boy shares the same room with his brother and the girl with her sister.
Also, does the budget allow and does the space allow for more than one bathroom and more than one kitchen?
What about one or two rooms designated for guests?
You can add other luxury requirements after that, but accept that it is very likely that a large part of them will be dispensed with or completely dispensed with due to insufficient budget and fluctuating prices.
Be aware that the suitability of these needs is measured with the available land area, in addition to the budget, and it is advisable at this stage to be realistic and not to compare with any acquaintance who has a new and spacious house; because his financial situation and needs are different from yours.
Stage Three: Design and Choosing an Engineering Office for Design
It is best to search the Internet for various designs for homes before going to the engineering office, to get inspired and get a general idea, and form an imaginary image of your new home, as well as write down all the details you want to discuss with the engineering office so that you do not forget them.
Take into consideration that the large number of walls in the house leads to the presence of many corridors, which is a waste of space, and *Tip: Ask to open more windows in the building if the site is surrounded by a comfortable view, and do not forget to calculate any modern smart system to secure your home against theft if you want.
Do not focus only on the internal divisions and decorations, make sure to take care of the aesthetic appearance of the exterior facade of the house.
There is no need to hire a very large engineering office when designing the house even if your budget allows it; the price may be high because these offices – usually – are responsible for large projects.
It is also not recommended to hire an unknown architect or engineering office that does not have previous work, meaning do not be deceived by the low price.
The best things are in the middle, it is enough to find an engineering office with a good reputation and previous work that suits your taste.
The architect of the office (specialized in designing your home) must be flexible, cooperative with you, and able to help you achieve the best image of the house you described to him. Ask about him well and notice his design method.
This article will help you distinguish the architect who is successful in his work. Do not forget to ask about the previous work of the same architect.
Be aware that in the design phase, you can change on paper, but there must come a moment when you decide that there is no return; at that time you will have reached the implementation phase, and change during implementation is difficult and costs a lot.
Ask about any services that the engineering office can provide you, such as engineering supervision of the construction implementation or nominating a good contractor.
Stage Four: Choosing a Contractor
If the engineering office nominates him to you, that’s okay, but if he doesn’t, search for him carefully, and it is not preferable here – especially – to search extensively to choose the lowest price thinking that this is the best option.
Gather information from several experienced contractors from your acquaintances’ recommendations, provided that they have one average price, then choose from them the one you trust and feel comfortable with, provided that you are sure of the quality of their previous work and their reputation in the market in terms of commitment to delivery dates and any standard related to construction.
Cooperate with the contractor and “don’t cheap out”, meaning that any additional costs allocated for building materials are in the interest of the quality of the building.
Avoid future damages, and invest in purchasing high-quality building materials.
Record the conditions of the construction stages and the necessary materials agreed upon in the contract, as well as the budget allocated for that.
Do not dispense with the presence of an engineer to supervise the construction stages based on the contractor’s good reputation, as the presence of an engineer here is very necessary; because he follows each stage with an expert eye and ensures its suitability.
8 Mistakes to Avoid When Building a New Home
Borrowing to build a house. Who will pay off your debt if you are in a financial crisis?!
Sharing with friends and taking their advice when designing the new house, instead of sharing with the family.
Irrationalism in designing the house, and choosing specifications that do not fit the budget.
Not planning carefully to exploit the ground floor, and over-equipping it to receive guests. Do not forget that your main goal of building a new house is to live in it and not to make it a place to receive your guests. But it is okay to allocate a suitable space for them, especially if the house is in a city far from your family.
Not planning the final ceiling height on the ground floor after making the “gypsum board”.
Not setting a sufficient budget for finishing and painting work under the pretext that “it is easy”, while that stage may require a larger amount than expected.
Finishing an apartment on red bricks step by step
The illusion that the cheapest contractor’s price is the best for you, as a promise may be broken halfway through due to a lack of budget or neglecting the quality of building materials and buying the cheapest.
No deadline for completing all stages. Even if you don’t plan to move into the new home immediately after it is completed, don’t leave the deadline open, to complete it as quickly as possible.
“I don’t like my home, and building a new home is better for me”
Easy to say, but not easy to implement.
Are you willing to complete every stage without fail? Or do you think that searching for an apartment in the market is better for you?