How You Can Save Money When Building a New House

Building a new house is an expensive venture, but there are ways of bringing down the total cost of construction. However, this does not mean compromising the quality of the workmanship. Some of these cost-cutting schemes include the following.

Careful Choice of Land

The cost of land is usually included in the final cost of the house. Getting the right piece of land becomes hard and tricky because of scarcity and high prices. The land is more expensive in metropolitan places. You can choose a reputable realtor or land developer to help you get a good piece of land at a fair price.

Invest in Problematic Lots with Caution

Such places include hills and lots located on in-fill. They attract lower asking prices because they have never been developed before. They make a great choice especially when they are close to infrastructure and other homes. However, it is wise to consult your realtor first before committing yourself. This is because though they might be cheap to buy, the cost of developing them might be very costly.

Share the Cost of the Lot with Someone else

In case you find an appropriate lot that you need but it is too big for your needs, then it would be cheaper to acquire if you split the cost with another person. This will bring down the cost of acquiring land considerably. However, you must adhere to the various local laws governing the subdivision of land. Also, find out what can be legally built on such a lot.

Choose Your Design Carefully

A stock plan is usually cheaper because most houses are laid down with such a blueprint, and the builders are familiar with its requirements. If you opt for a custom design, the contractor will have to rely solely on the provided dimensions they have not seen before. As a result, the total cost will likely exceed the initial estimate.

Most people fear to build a house from scratch due to the high cost of construction. However, building a new house is still manageable if you follow the above tips. Found a great article here that will give you 7 tips on how to save money with new construction, check it out here.

How to Plan a Successful Construction Project

Similar to other projects, the success of a construction project mainly relies on how well you plan for it. However, the planning for a construction project is slightly different and entails a series of requirements that must be met for success. Nevertheless, the following are key strategies on how to successfully plan a construction project. 

Embrace the Use of Technology 

Construction projects often involve a lot of paperwork and documentation. Apart from the material checklists, building plans, ROIs and permits, there could also be agreements to be signed by various parties. 

All these paperwork must be properly filed and documented. To avoid the loss of important data and also ensure efficiency, you should use project management software. The software will help you to properly organize all the paperwork and track the progress of the project. 

Decide on a Suitable Budget 

This is where most people usually lose it. Construction requires money, which you should have in hand before the start of the construction. From the start of the project, you should know the amount of money that you are willing to spend on the construction. 

Your budget should also clearly indicate how every cent will be spent. The budget should also include money for miscellaneous expenses or emergencies that may arise in the course of construction. 

Engage a Professional Construction Manager 

Even with the best project management software and enough money for your construction project, you need the help of a professional to make sure that things go on smoothly. There are many things about planning a construction project that you may not know. A professional construction project manager with experience in the industry understands the processes and, will ensure that you have the best plan.    

Planning a successful construction project can be a real challenge, especially if it is your first encounter. However, the above tips can help you to ease the pressure and ensure success. 

Top Reasons why you should hire a Local Construction Company

If you’re looking to have a good experience and success with your construction project, you have to hire an experienced contractor with excellent communication and project management skills. You probably have come across friends or neighbors who have had a nightmare with a contractor and some who had a good experience with their contractor. As a client, your goal should be to work with a reliable contractor who not only has great communication but is committed to ensuring the success of your project. It’s even easier to work with a local contractor and here’s why. 

Understanding of Local Building Codes

A local construction company understands the local building codes and regulations since they’ve done similar projects in the area previously. Compliance with local building codes and regulations is one of the most important aspects of construction. This gives you peace of mind knowing your construction project won’t stall due to compliance issues. 

Easy Communication

Communication is one of the top reasons why most projects aren’t done successfully. While there are various methods and channels of communication, nothing beats face to face. Hiring a local contractor to manage your construction means you can easily get to them in urgent times. Of course, you can still use other channels of communication but the fact still remains that site meetings with the contractor will be easier. 

Nearby Previous Projects

When hiring a general contractor, one of the things you must ask for is a list of their most recent projects. The company’s website and online reviews are a good place to start but it’s important to visit some of the previous projects done by the contractor. A local contractor is likely to have several projects within your area which makes it easier to talk to and even reach the owners of those projects. You want to know if the owners had a good experience working with the contractor and are they delivered quality work. 

Huge Cost Savings

Out-of-area construction companies often charge extra to bring their construction teams and equipment to your site location. Furthermore, they’ll need more time to plan and travel to your location which could have cost implications on your project. A local contractor has all the teams and equipment close to your site and will arrive to your location in less time, thereby saving you money. 

Timely Completion of your Project

A local contractor understands the workarounds of your local area and market. You don’t want to work with someone who will extend the completion time of your project since they have to spend weeks or months researching and learning about the area. Working with a local contractor means easy access to workers, subcontractors, high quality materials, and other resources since they are within reach to ensure the timely completion of your project. 

Once your construction project is complete, you can have your local contractor help with after project care. An out-of-area contractor might find it difficult or expensive to provide you with the support you may need after they project and you might never see them again.