Tips for building your dream home

Building a home is the adventure of a lifetime, and it represents a major step in any homeowner's investment. 

However, without excellent planning, the dream of building your home can quickly become a nightmare. This endeavour can be overwhelming, but there are some tips to keep in mind so the process is smooth from start to finish: 

First, make a budget

It’s an obvious point, but setting a realistic budget is the most essential part of planning to build a home. 

This is particularly important when it comes to smaller costs that you may not have considered before. Creating a budget isn’t only about looking at how much money you have, but also noting down all possible expenses so you don’t get blindsided.

Set aside the time

Building a home from the ground up is a significant commitment, especially if you decide to oversee everything yourself. It essentially becomes a part-time - or even full-time in some cases - job that you need to ensure you have the time to sustain. 

If you can, it may be a good choice to hire a project manager you trust to help you deal with smaller issues and processes. This will give you the time you need to focus on larger elements of the project. 

Choose the right location

Do your due diligence on the area you want to build in. Check for proximity to all amenities your family needs—schools, shops, hospitals, and whatever else you need close by. 

More importantly, understand the zoning laws in your area so you don’t get caught up in legal difficulties amidst everything else you need to do. 

Prioritise green building 

Planning for off-the-grid installations will not only help save on energy costs, but also help you navigate energy challenges like loadshedding. Solar energy is also more environmentally friendly.

Borehole solutions with a fitted filtration system and solar PV power should be part of your budget, as a result. Additionally, this will increase the long-term sustainability of your home if you ever want to sell. 

Integrate smart home technology

Smart home technology has been on the rise for the past few years, and for good reason. It makes your home more comfortable, of course, but it also presents some excellent home security features. 

It will also increase the long-term value of your home quite significantly, so it's worth an early investment. 

By following these tips, you can easily turn your nightmare planning into a smooth-sailing process.