How To Build Your Own Home Us With Pictures

When building your own home with the aid of a build contractor, you can expect to pay as much or more than you would if you were buying a house that’s already on the market. Every home is a little different, but for a 2,800 square foot single-family house, you’re looking at an average cost of around $290,000. That figure will only go up as you increase the square footage or add extra amenities. [1] X Research source

In many parts of the US, it’s possible to purchase a few acres of land for $20,000-50,000. [3] X Research source Quiet rural and suburban areas are especially popular among owner-builders Another option is to buy a lot in an existing development, then have your home built to your own specs. Just be sure to check with the owner of the development to find out if there particular building regulations in place that you might need to know about.

Don’t forget to bring a copy of your budget to the bank with you when you go in for your meeting. Securing a construction loan will allow you to take a piece of land off the market so that someone else can’t buy it before you do. It also gives you time to draw up a house plan and submit it to your local authority for approval.

A realtor will serve as a liaison between you and the builder. They’ll communicate your wishes to your architect and building team, offer valuable cost-cutting advice, and take care of complicated legal tasks for you. [7] X Research source Don’t let budget concerns discourage you from working with a realtor. Their job is to minimize your project’s overhead, which means they’ll end up paying for themselves.

When selecting a house plan, be sure to consider factors like overall size, number of levels, and the general convenience and accessibility of the layout. Features like these will be especially important if you have a family. Premade house plans are most often priced by scale and level of detail. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $700 to $1,500 if you decide to buy a template online. Your house plan will be the blueprint for your new home. You and your building team will be referring back to it every step of the way, so it’s important to make sure that everything is in place.

If you don’t need an architect to hold your hand throughout the entire project, you also have the option of paying them for various services individually. Some architects charge an hourly or daily rate, while others claim a fixed percentage of the total cost of construction, typically 5-15%. [9] X Research source

If your plans are approved, you’ll be notified by phone or email and later receive a copy of the building permit by mail. If your plans are rejected, you’ll need to make the specified changes to the satisfaction of the department in order for them to be officially cleared for construction.

It may help to create a chart dividing construction up into phases. Your first column could include land costs, building permits, and inspection fees, the next would contain foundation, framing, and roofing, and the later columns could be used to record the small finishing details. [12] X Research source Go over your cost estimate with your realtor or buying agent to make sure that everything is accounted for. Be prepared to make adjustments if your breakdown doesn’t fit your working budget.

It’s also a good idea to ask prospective build contractors for a list of references, even if the law doesn’t require it. Get in touch with at least half of the references named to hear about their experience firsthand. Your general build contractor will be responsible for hiring out subcontractors to handle specialized work like plumbing, electrical wiring, roofing, window installation, and painting. [15] X Expert Source GreatBuildzContractor Matching Service Expert Interview. 25 November 2020.

Check in with your contractor periodically to confirm that they’re sticking to the agreed-upon schedule. If you have no way of tracking the various milestones along the way, you’ll essentially be left at the mercy of your building crew.

You’ll also need to specify how your contractor will be paid in your contract. These days, contractors typically receive their money via Draw Reimbursement, which allows them to collect what they need as they go. [19] X Research source Have your realtor or attorney look over the contract with you before you sign it—they’ll be able to interpret any confusing provisions or terminology for you.

Ask your contractor for a copy of their policy to see what kind of protection it offers. If you don’t like what you see, you can always buy your own plan to improve your coverage. A basic builder’s insurance policy may run you $1,000-5,000 per year, depending on where you’re building and how big your project it. [21] X Research source Ordinarily, you won’t need a separate insurance policy if you’re having your home built in an existing community, subdivision, or development. You will, however, if you’re building on piece of private property.

Additional ground shaping may be necessary if you’re planning to build your home on a hillside or other patch of uneven terrain. The foundation is arguably the most important part of a new home. Without a sturdy, well-laid foundation, even the nicest home may be plagued by structural problems.

Framing should only be done by an experienced team of carpenters—every member must be in exactly the right place to ensure that the frame holds securely and satisfies regional safety standards. [24] X Research source This can prove to be one of the most time-consuming phases of construction, as adverse weather conditions such as rain have the potential to slow things down considerably.

Roofing is an extensive job in itself, and will typically take longer to complete and inspect than the rest of the sheathing. [26] X Research source This is also when the outlines for exterior openings like doors and windows will be cut. Depending on how your contractor prefers to do things, they may opt to go ahead and install the siding and other exterior detailing immediately after the sheathing is done. [27] X Research source Water damage can destroy your home faster than anything else. To ensure your home is durable, make sure you really pay attention to the waterproofing of your roof, siding, doors, and windows outside, as well as your showers, sinks, and toilets indoors. [28] X Expert Source Andrew PetersArchitecture & Construction Specialist Expert Interview. 24 November 2020.

Your home’s pipes, ducts, and wiring will be covered up later on by drywall and other finishing details. In many cases, builders will install utility lines and sheathing simultaneously in order to make the most efficient use of their time. [30] X Research source

There are many types of home insulation to choose from, including fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool, spray foam, and concrete blocks. Talk to your general contractor about which type of insulation might work best for your home. Fiberglass and mineral wool insulations tend to be the least expensive to buy and install, while loose-fill cellulose and rigid foam insulations are among the most energy efficient options. [33] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Department of Energy Official site for the U. S. Department of Energy, which provides resources related to energy safety, conservation, and efficiency Go to source

Be sure to discuss your moulding preferences with your general contractor or subcontractor. You can decide on an actual color for your walls and trim later when it comes time to begin decorating.

Hardwood, tile, laminate, and carpet are all common flooring options. You could stick with a consistent theme throughout your entire home, or you might mix-and-match different materials in the same space. [36] X Research source Granite, ceramic, and concrete are some of the most sought-after countertop surfaces for busy kitchens. All of these materials are available in a wide range of colors that makes it easy to tie together any room. With all the major interior surfaces complete, you can move on to decorating and personalizing your new home.