Building A New Home
Written by Elizabeth Wood
Editor In Chief, United Home Improvement

So you have finally decided that you are ready to endure upon the project of a lifetime, building your new home. In a perfect world you would be able to wave your wand and see your dream house appear before your eyes. Unfortunately, in the real world, there are several considerations you should face before your build, all of which will require careful planning and patience.

A great home is one that meets all of your needs, accommodates to your lifestyle, and brings a smile to your face upon wakening each day. In order to bring this home into existence, you will need to put time and energy into the planning and design.

One of the very first steps to building your new home involves finding a plot of land on which to build. You want to make sure the plot is large enough to fit your home; the soil is strong enough to support your home, and that you can afford the property taxes in that area. Also, check for municipal sewer and waterlines.

Once you have selected the perfect plot of land, you need to begin your planning and design. Assuming that you will be living in this home for some time, you want to make sure that your layout is practical and efficient, yet still appealing to your senses. You will need to expand your creativity and integrate visualization into your floor plan. This step includes detailing all dimensions, height calculations, roof pitches and several other layout intricacies.

You have the choice of hiring an architect to draw up blueprints, or you can do the planning and designing yourself. Either way, you need those plans to be well thought out and logical. It is extremely important to consider all regulatory requirements including building permits, local zoning ordinances, sewage, and water and utilities. Also, consider the any and all constraints that the actually building site may have such as sun and wind exposure.

The next crucial step involves financing. It is important to estimate how much it is going to cost you to buy the land and build the house. In addition, you will need to consider the monthly mortgage and any additional design and engineering fees. You want to be very clear about the overall costs to ensure that you can afford to finish and maintain your project.

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