Building a new home from scratch is an exciting process, however, it can come with challenges along the way if you are not prepared. The excitement of owning your new home could quickly turn into a disaster if you don’t know what to avoid. These mistakes can cost you money, cause undue stress and delay building times, which you definitely do not want.
Here are the 5 most common mistakes that could occur when building a new home and how you can avoid them
1. NOT KNOWING YOUR BUDGET
Figuring out your budget is one of the most important steps in your build journey and knowing where to start can be daunting, especially if it is your first time building a new home. There are a range of factors that can affect the price of your build including; home size, location, build materials, etc. So, understanding not only what you are willing to spend but also what you can afford to spend is important.
HOW TO AVOID
- If you are taking out a loan, find out what your borrowing power is and see if you can obtain pre-approval. You can use a home loan calculator to get started.
- Be realistic when budgeting for a new home build, you can find out more tips about how to help you save for a deposit here.
- Be transparent with your builder about how much you can afford to make sure you can achieve your vision. At Arista Homes, we can work with you to get the most house for your budget.
- Don’t undercut standards with a low budget that will give you a poor end result, choosing a building solely based on a cheap price is never a good idea.
2. SELECTING A LOCATION THAT DOES SUIT YOU BEST
While it is important to consider what you want in a location, it is also important to think about the neighbourhood’s objective qualities – such as the local amenities, schools, hospitals, parks and shops. Researching the neighbourhood you are looking at can potentially help ensure your investment appreciates in value over time.
HOW TO AVOID
- Think about what you will need now and in the future, and ask yourself: How long is the commute to work? What are the schools like? Are there shops and supermarkets close by? These can all help determine if the location is right for you.
- Visit the site in person to see if it is right for you! You can visit us at our three Display Homes located at quality Estates in Beaudesert, Jimboomba and Walloon.
3. CHOOSING THE WRONG BUILDER
Knowing what builder to choose can be a difficult decision, especially if you don’t know what questions to ask or where to even start. If you chose the wrong builder, it can be a costly mistake that can impact the building process, budget and the finished product.
HOW TO AVOID
- We have identified ten things you need to know before selecting a builder in South East Queensland, which you can download here.
- Always do your research and check the credentials of a builder, look up reviews from clients and chat with the builder to see if they are a good fit.
4. PICKING THE WRONG HOUSE DESIGN
Building a new home gives you the opportunity to design your home exactly how you want it, however, not thinking about the function of a space can incur costly corrections after the property is built. Not thinking long-term can result in a home that won’t suit your needs in as little as 5 years from now.
HOW TO AVOID
- You can ask yourself these questions to find out what you need to include in your house design:
- Do you work from home? If yes, a home office space will need to be considered in your plans.
- How many kids do you plan on having? You need to plan how many bedrooms you will require to make sure you can fit all family members!
- Will you retire in this home? If so, you may need to think about accessibility, such as making sure there is a bedroom and bathroom on ground level.
5. MISSING OUT ON GRANTS
There are ways to save money when building your home, especially if it is your first purchase. If you are not aware of these grants, you might be missing out on saving some serious cash! The Queensland Government currently offers a $15,000 state government initiative to help purchase your new first home sooner.
HOW TO AVOID
- See if you are eligible for the $15,000 Queensland First Home Owners Grant.
- Check in with our team to find out what Grants you could be eligible for.
