Building Your Own Home For Dummies

Differentiating between some land and a lot may seem like an easy distinction. But not so fast. The two are in fact quite different. All lots can be considered land but not all pieces of land can be called lots.

The second way of billing is on an hourly basis. Hourly rates vary widely depending on the firm you engage, its experience and reputation, and its location.

Wondering what the biggest mistake made in the design process is? Underestimating the time you need and the sheer amount of decisions you need to make.

Hiring a Contractor Most people building a custom home end up hiring a general contractor to do the job. In fact, 80 percent of custom home projects have a general contractor involved in some capacity. Many people find great comfort in having someone with experience manage the job while they earn the money to pay for the project.

You can also choose from a growing number of talented home designers who aren’t licensed architects. They offer you the possibility of significant cost savings in the design phase of building your new home. They don’t have the architectural training or certification, so they bill at a lower rate than architects. These designers may draft the house

Get the facts from the architect and conduct your own research. The more you take responsibility for educating yourself and making some decisions upfront, the greater chance you have of eliminating problems, saving some money, and getting the home you’re looking for. Use your architect as the high-paid consultant that he is and make sure to set a r

The more square footage you build, the more the house will cost, so efficiency is important. At the same time, skimping on rooms can reduce utility and make for unpleasant living. Here are some minimum recommendations for typical room sizes to give you a general idea of what you need: Bedroom: 100 to 200 square feet Dining room: 100 to 300 square f

Don’t take today’s zoning for granted — the local government can zone to meet with the needs of the community on almost a moment’s notice and without your agreement or even advance knowledge. Although this change happens mostly in rural areas, check with the local government to see if any zoning questions for your area are scheduled. While you’re a

Give yourself a break. Design a house that doesn’t stretch you to your limits. That way if you’re coming in on budget, you can choose to upgrade and splurge here and there without worry.