Building and renovating your home can be exciting, expensive and a complex experience. Before you even start to build, there is a lot of information to collect and important decisions to make.
If you’re considering building a new home you can choose to:
- Buy a house and land package
- Build a house on your existing land
- Use an architect or designer and a building company
- Become an owner builder
- Buy a home off-plan
If you are extending your home you can:
- Use an extension company that manages your plans, council and building permits and construction
- Use an architect or designer and a building company
- Become and owner builder
If renovating, you may need to:
- Engage a range of trades people, or
- Engage a builder to supervise the entire project and co-ordinate subcontractors for you.
The level of your involvement in the project will vary according to the option you choose. Some builders, large extension companies and architects and designers may design and draw up the plans and get permits on your behalf. Architects may also help you find the right builder at the right price and provide contract administration during construction. But regardless of the size or style of the building project, it pays to know what you are signing up for when applying for permits and signing contracts. Another helpful hint is to get advice from a building lawyer.
Most homeowners are keen to get started with their project so they can enjoy the benefits of their new, extended or renovated home. Doing the research to make confident and informed choices can be time consuming and sometimes seem overwhelming. But this could be one of the largest transactions you’ll ever make, so it pays to take your time.
Knowing in advance exactly what you want and what you can afford, and placing the details and price clearly in your contract are the foundations for all satisfying home building and renovating experiences.
It also pays to seek independent expert advice and help. So do some research, shop around negotiate and take your time in making final decisions.
No comments on this post yet.