If you’re like most young families, you probably started in a small apartment or rental home. But as time goes on and your family grows, you may feel like you’re ready for something more permanent—a home of your own that can accommodate your growing family.
Building a new home can be a daunting task, but with a little planning and forethought, it can also be an exciting and rewarding experience. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the process of building a new home that can accommodate your growing family step by step.
Start by Finding the Perfect Piece of Land or House
Some families would instead buy a piece of land and build their dream home from the ground up. Others prefer buying an existing house and renovating it until it perfectly meets their needs. There’s no right or wrong answer here—it depends on your preferences, budget, and lifestyle.
If you’re planning to build a new home from scratch, the first step is to find the perfect piece of land. This can be trickier than it sounds—you’ll want to find a piece of land that’s big enough to accommodate your plans but not so big that it’s going to break the bank. You’ll also want to ensure the land is located in a good school district and has easy access to transportation, shopping, and other amenities.
If you’re planning to buy an existing home, you’ll need to determine what kind of home best suits your needs in a suitable neighborhood. Let’s say you’re after single-family houses for sale; you’ll want to find a fast-growing modern community with good schools, shopping centers, plenty of green space, and homes that fit your budget. Since you are building a family, you’ll need a peaceful location founded by reputable developers while still having access to the central building district.
Draw Up A Blueprint or Floor Plan
Once you’ve found the perfect piece of land or existing home, it’s time to start planning your dream home. If you’re building from scratch, you’ll need to have a blueprint or floor plan drawn up. This will help you visualize the finished product and ensure your new home can provide for all of your needs.
If you’re planning to renovate an existing home, you’ll still need to draw up a floor plan. This will help you figure out where to add walls or chop them down, where to put new windows or doors, and how to reconfigure the existing layout to suit your needs better.
If you’re not an experienced architect or designer, you may want to hire someone to help you with this step. But if you’re feeling ambitious, plenty of online tools and resources can help you create a blueprint or floor plan on your own.
Set a Realistic Budget—And Stick to It!
Setting a realistic budget is one of the most crucial aspects of building a new home. The best thing you can do for your family is to create a house that can accommodate your growing family’s lifestyle needs. However, there is no point in going over the budget if it means being house-rich and cash-poor.
If you’re planning to build from scratch, the cost of land will be one of your most significant expenses. The price of land can depend on the location, so it’s essential to do your research and find a piece of land within your budget.
The cost of construction is another major expense. The price of construction materials and labor can vary widely depending on location. In general, it’s cheaper to build in smaller towns or rural areas than in big cities.
If you’re planning to renovate an existing home, the cost of renovation will be your largest expense. The price of renovations can also vary widely depending on the scope of the project. If you’re only planning to make cosmetic changes, such as painting or replacing flooring, the cost will be much lower than if you’re planning to gut the entire house and start from scratch.
Whatever your plans are, get a few estimates from different contractors before making a final decision. Setting aside a contingency fund to cover unexpected costs is also a good idea. Your contingency fund should be at least 10% of your total budget.
Once you’ve set your budget, make it a point to stick to it. One of the best ways to do this is to avoid making any changes to the plans once construction has already begun. Any changes will likely result in additional costs that could strain your finances.
Find a Good Contractor
The next step is to look for a reliable contractor who can help bring your plans to life. This is someone responsible for overseeing the construction or renovation from start to finish. Choose someone you trust and who has a good reputation in the industry.
Find one that already has experience building or renovating similar houses as you want. Check their references, and make sure they have the necessary licenses and insurance. It also makes sense to check their reviews and see what other previous customers say about their services.
Be sure to sign a detailed contract outlining your expectations for the project. Don’t be afraid to negotiate and ask for your copy of the blueprint or floor plan so you can keep track of the progress.
Right now, your family is probably small, but you’re dreaming and planning for the days ahead when it starts growing. So, you’re considering building a home to accommodate a growing family. By keeping these steps in mind, you can start planning your dream home today!
