We’ve all seen Grand Designs, right? We’ve all seen how the people featured design the most unusual, extraordinary and unique dream houses. And we’ve all seen how, in most cases, they plan the stages of the build using guesswork and end up either going over budget or over their planned work schedule.
Here are some tips for self-build success to ensure the problems and disasters you see on TV don’t happen to you.
Take your Time
Depending on various factors, the time between envisioning the house of your dreams and actually moving in can take anything from 12 months to 12 years! It can be a long process so prepare yourself. Take your time with the initial planning stages. Set realistic time scales, there’s no real rush so make sure you take care and get all your ideas down onto paper first. Working with a professional, such as an architect, can make the planning process a lot easier as they make the best use of your space and can add value. For the project to run smoothly, you want to have planned every single detail and have made all of the decisions before any construction work begins. This will make it easier to organise yourself, your employees and the project you are planning to create.
Scheduling is King
Creating your dream house is very exciting and you will be tempted to dive straight in and get started right away. However, you need to ensure you have created a work schedule which sets each stage of the build-out clearly. The advantages of working to a schedule are second to none. Having a work schedule prevents delays and confusion as it explains to your team where they need to be and what they need to be working on at any time. It allows you to be 100% clear so you can create order and ensure the project is built efficiently.
The work schedule often contains important information, such as cost details for each section of work so you can calculate the value of the project and assess how much you pay your employees. In addition to this, it allows you to know when to order your materials so you have everything you need at the time you need it.
Budgeting is Key
Your budget should be calculated and assessed during the planning stages of the build to ensure all aspects of the project go to plan. You can always seek help from the professionals to assure you have set a realistic budget – they are there to help you along the way. Throughout this journey, you may encounter a few surprises so it’s always handy to have budgeted some money for a contingency fund to cover any unexpected mishaps. At every stage of the project, ensure you know what’s been spent, what’s predicted to be spent and what the expected end project cost is. Money is one of the most important factors when building a self-build as it powers the project and takes it from fantasy to finished project.
Hire a Great Team
Hiring the right builder to undertake the work is one of the most important decisions of the project. Find out all you can about your chosen contractor, carry out some extra research, look at their previous work, get local recommendations from family and friends and speak to their previous employers. This will be useful as it can make the decision-making process easier.
Enjoy & Stay Involved
Be actively part of your self-build project, this doesn’t mean getting up the scaffolding or laying cement just stay present. Keep track of the journey, get to know the team and take an interest in every section of work as it’s completed. At the end of the day, it’s going to be your home so make sure you are in charge and involved every step of the way.