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There is no more significant investment than building a custom home. The undertaking can be as simple or complex as you make it, but there are some general steps that all homeowners should follow to ensure the process goes as smoothly – and safely – as possible. Whether you’re starting from scratch or renovating an existing space, this guide will take you from the blueprint to the finish line. So, whether you’re dreaming of your perfect home or want to know what to expect, read on for everything you need to know about building a quality custom home.
Get Financing The first step to building a custom home is financing. You need to research loan options and decide how much you’re willing to spend on the project. Talk with mortgage brokers to compare rates, terms and conditions for different loans before settling on one. Choose a Location Before you can begin looking at blueprints or plans, you need to find the right piece of land. When selecting your site, consider factors like convenience to work or school, access to amenities, public transportation, safety and community development. Find an Architect Once you have financing and a location, it’s time to start drawing up designs. To get started, contact local architects who specialise in custom home design. Please provide them with the details of your project and ask them to see their portfolios. Deciding on which type of house you want is important at this time; whether it be a log home, aluminium, brick or steel fabrication, you need to decide on the desired outcome. Create a Budget Before looking into materials and contractors, you need to create a budget. Take into account all the costs associated with building a custom home, such as permits, legal fees and labour, before signing any contracts or committing to anything. You’ll also need to decide how much you will spend on each room or feature. Select Materials and Contractors Once you have an idea of what materials and features you want for your home, it’s time to start shopping around for the best deal on supplies. At this stage, consider hiring experienced contractors who will be able to help you with the construction process. Construct Your Home Once all the necessary materials and contractors have been secured, it’s time to begin building your home. This is usually a long and complex process that involves multiple steps, such as laying the foundation, framing walls, installing doors and windows, hanging drywall and more. Finalise Details Before moving into your new home, the last step is to take care of any final details that need to be addressed. This includes painting, staining or sealing any surfaces, checking for safety issues or deficiencies in workmanship, connecting utilities, landscaping and more. Once this is done, your custom home will be ready for you to move in. In conclusion, building a custom home is an exciting but challenging process. However, by keeping these steps in mind and following them carefully, you’ll be well on your way to creating the home of your dreams.
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When you’re shopping for your dream home, do you ever consider the nasty weather that could wreak havoc? A lot of homebuyers don’t, and it’s easy to see why shopping for a home is one of the most exciting opportunities, so why would you want to think of the negative? Well, bad weather always happens, and it’s very unpredictable too. So, what precautions could you take to avoid serious damage? Better yet, what is some of the harsh elements that can destroy a home?
Wind The wind is by far one of the most dangerous natural forces. The speed at which these winds travel can cause major structural damage to homes, fences, trees, and other structures. As a result, homeowners should take steps to prepare their properties for high-wind conditions. They should remove dead limbs from trees and secure outdoor items such as lawn furniture, trash cans, flowerpots, and exterior satellite dishes. It doesn’t seem like much, but wind can easily destroy your home if you’re not careful. Rain Your home is one of the most important investments you can make in your lifetime, so you want to be sure it’s well protected from harsh elements like rain. In fact, rain tends to be one of the most common ways for a home to become damaged. Just think about it, rain is fairly common, and it can sometimes rain so much to the point there are floods. This obviously leads to cracked foundations, water damage, and even mould. Snow Winter is the season of snow and ice, which conjures up images of cosy evenings inside, fun snowball fights, and beautiful landscapes. While all of these are good things, winter's harsh elements can also seriously impact your home. While snow, ice, and freezing temperatures are known for impacting plumbing, they can have other harmful effects, such as your roof. It’s best to look into plastic corrugated roofing sheets, as this could help out. Ultimately, it’s about keeping warm, staying say, and avoiding costly repairs. So make sure your home can handle the harsh elements of winter. Heat Heat waves are no laughing matter; even if you’re able to stay cool in your home, you need to keep in mind whether or not the exterior structure of your home can even handle it. With climate change continuing to happen, you need to ensure your home is safe during the summer months. When the air is too hot, it can damage your appliances and cause fires if not properly ventilated. Similarly, the same heat can also damage your windows and doors and even cause them to break in extreme circumstances. To combat this, try installing window tinting or low-emissivity coating to reduce the amount of sunlight that enters your home Fire Whether it’s an accident or a natural disaster, fires are one of the most devasting things that could happen to you and your home. It’s truly scary how easily a fire could just ignite. Despite the fact that fire can be dangerous, you can take steps to protect your home from this harsh element. You’ll be limited, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t options out there. Understanding the common causes of fire and preventative measures will help you keep your family safe from a house fire. So, what type of material is your home made from? Is there a sprinkler system to help combat fires? Do you have a fire alarm? Do you live close to neighbours, and is the area you live in susceptible to wildfires? 
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Finding the perfect home can be an exciting and daunting adventure. After all, you’ll likely be living in your new home for many years to come, so you must make an informed decision. As you search for your ideal property, several key factors must be considered. Here are some things to consider when shopping for your dream home.
Location, Location, Location When searching for a home, location is one of the most important factors to consider. Think about what kind of neighbourhood you’d like to live in and what type of amenities you require nearby — such as public transportation options, schools, grocery stores, parks, or medical facilities. You should also research the local crime rate and other potential safety issues that could affect your daily life. Size And Layout It’s essential to consider how much space you need and how you plan to use it. Do you want a certain number of bedrooms or bathrooms? Will your family be growing? Are there any special features that would make your life easier? It’s also worth considering the layout of the home; some properties might have good-sized rooms but limited storage space due to their design. Condition Of The Home When viewing potential homes, take time to check each room thoroughly for any signs of damage or wear-and-tear — such as water damage on ceilings or walls, cracks in foundations, and faulty electrical wiring systems — that could indicate underlying problems with the property. If any issues are found during your inspection process, calculate if they will cost too much money or effort to repair before making an offer on the house. Features And Amenities Next, think about the features and amenities that are important to you. For example, does it have a fence, or will you have to visit SSWM to buy the products and put it up yourself? Are there any energy-efficient appliances that you’d like to take advantage of? Are there any special features in the home, such as a swimming pool or outdoor patio, that you’d like to use for entertaining? This will help you determine if the home is a good fit for your lifestyle. Your Budget During your search for a new home, you need to know exactly how much money you can afford to spend — both upfront costs and ongoing expenses such as mortgage payments and utility bills — so that you don’t end up spending more than is necessary or getting into financial difficulties down the line. Ensure all costs associated with buying a new home are factored into your budget before signing any contracts. Resale Value When you buy a home, you’ll want to think about resale value in the future. If you plan on living in the home for many years, this may not be a significant concern; however, if you anticipate selling the property sooner rather than later, it’s worthwhile considering how desirable it will be to future buyers and what upgrades could be made that would boost its appeal. With a bit of research, you can be sure that you have selected the perfect property for your needs! There are many factors to consider when shopping for your dream home. Take the time to weigh each of these elements carefully and consider how they will affect your daily living experience before making any decisions. 
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It’s important that when you redo your exterior of your house you are looking for ways to maximize a makeover and get it right the first time. You should also consider increasing the value of your property if you want to put it on the market one day. Improvements take time and you should start with the outside of your house before you move inside.
The reason for this is that - as companies like Cladding Monkey will tell you - the exterior is the first place people will judge when they see your home. Redoing the exterior does take time and it’s a smart way to give your house the makeover you need without the whole remodel! So, how should you make your exterior look good? The good news is that we have the tips you need to get it right the first time. Use the right paint. You can paint the exterior of your home but you need to make sure of buying an exterior paint colour and type. You need to apply a fresh coat of paint and that means a waterproof colour pot that has a high impact without the effort. If you use the best possible paints and primers, you’ll have something that stands well against the weather. A paint job is a small thing you can do but it’s also an amazing thing you can do! Call in the landscapers. You don't have to do this bit yourself. You can call in the experts to refresh the landscaping you’ve got and make a big difference to your home exterior. Consider adding new shrubbery and flower beds, gravelling and pots with plants in them. Pruning your existing plants will also help you to create new pathways and mulch and stones can really create a nicely inviting look. Add some new lighting. Upgrading or adding lighting to your home exterior is an easy way to make the exterior look good. You should take a look at what solar lighting can do for you and go from there. You’ll be surprised at how well lighting can be received and if you put lights along the pathways and the walls of the house you can ensure that the whole place looks great. Upgrade the windows. When was the last time you did this? Upgrading to double glazing or changing out the panes on the outside of the windows is a good idea. You should know that there are many window styles out there which gives you plenty of choice! You can upgrade the windows and be sure that you are making a good investment in the house. Change the front door. Another bold move is to completely strip down and repaint the front door, or change the door entirely by taking it out and installing a new one. A front door makes a statement and the colour you choose makes a good difference to the house, too. Try here first and then build around it! 
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What could be better than owning your own home? Building it yourself! If you're considering taking on the task of constructing your own home, you’re in luck. We’ve got all the information you need to start this exciting journey. From acquiring land and calculating costs to finding blueprints and hiring contractors, this blog post will cover everything you need to know about building your own home. Let's take a look.
Acquiring Land & Calculating Costs The first step in building your own home is deciding where that home will go. Start by researching areas that have existing plots of land for sale, or consider buying a larger piece of property and subdividing it into multiple plots. Once you’ve settled on a location, it’s time to calculate the cost of construction. Factor in the price of land, raw materials, design fees, permit costs, labour expenses, furnishing costs, and more. Keep a running tally as you go along and make sure to add room in your budget for any unexpected surprises along the way! Finding Blueprints & Hiring Contractors Once you’ve decided on a location and calculated the cost of constructing your dream home, it’s time to start designing it! Look for customizable floor plans online or create them from scratch with an architect or designer. Make sure to think through each aspect of the design carefully so that nothing is overlooked during construction. Finally, hire contractors who specialize in building custom homes – they can help bring your vision to life while keeping costs low. Getting the Groundwork Underway It's important to make sure the land you choose provides access to all key utilities, including water, sewage, electricity and possibly more depending on your location. But if not, then you’re going to want to work out how you’ll get this all in. As the groundwork begins, you’ll want to ensure that you have key contractors, such as Nicholls Boreholes, to support the process. When the core utilities are accessible, you can then begin with the main aspects of the construction. Managing Construction & Final Touches But before construction begins onsite, make sure all necessary permits are filed with local authorities before work begins. You may want additional inspections throughout the process as well - check with local code enforcement agencies for specific requirements in your area. When it comes time to paint walls or install fixtures like sinks and light fixtures, take advantage of online resources like YouTube videos or tutorials so that you can do some DIY tasks yourself and save money in the process. Finally – don’t forget those finishing touches like landscaping and outdoor lighting – those little details can really make a difference! Bringing Your Dream Home to Life Building your own home is an incredibly rewarding experience - not only do you get to create something unique that reflects your style and taste but also save money in the process! With careful planning and research upfront (and lots of patience throughout!), you can have a beautiful custom-built house without breaking the bank.  Image credit: Unknown Clutter can be overwhelming and stressful, not to mention it can also make it difficult to find what you need. This is why it's essential to have a plan for organising your home. In this blog post, we will provide you with tips for creating a clutter-free life. Follow these simple steps, and you can keep your home organised and tidy!
Divide and Conquer The first step to organising your home is to divide the space into manageable sections. This will help you focus on one area at a time and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. Once you have divided the space, start with decluttering. Get rid of anything that you don't need or use anymore. Donate items in good condition, and recycle or trash anything that is not. Create a Storage Plan After you have decluttered your home, it's time to create a storage plan. This will help you determine where everything should go and how to utilise the space best. When creating a storage plan, be sure to consider the following: - The frequency of use: Store items you often use in an easily accessible place. - The size of the item: Make sure to leave enough space for larger items. - The weight of the item: Heavier items should be stored closer to the ground. Label Everything Once you have a plan for where everything will go, it's time to start labelling. This will help you keep track of your belongings and make it easier to find what you need. For example, you can label shelves, bins, and drawers with simple labels or use coloured tape to help you organise by category. Sticky velcro tape can be used to attach labels inside cabinets and drawers. Decant into Clear Containers One of the best ways to keep your home organised is to decant into clear containers. This will help you see what you have and make it easier to find what you need. It will also prevent your belongings from getting lost in a cluttered space. Be sure to label each container so that you know what's inside. Set a Schedule One of the best ways to maintain an organised home is to set a cleaning schedule. This will help you keep up with the mess and prevent your home from becoming cluttered again. So choose a day or two each week to declutter and clean, and stick to it! Invest in Multifunctional Furniture If you are short on space, invest in multifunctional furniture. This type of furniture can be used for multiple purposes, which will help you save space and keep your home organised. For example, a coffee table can double as a storage ottoman. Or, you can purchase a bed with built-in drawers for extra storage. Group Items Together When organising your belongings, be sure to group items together. This will make it easier to find what you need and prevent your home from becoming cluttered. For example, store all your cleaning supplies in one place or keep all your paperwork organised in a filing system. Following these simple tips can create a clutter-free life for yourself and your family. A cluttered home can be stressful and overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be! Planning and effort allow you to keep your home organised and tidy easily.  Image credit: Rene Asmussen from Pexels Home renovation is a great hobby, and it is very rewarding to see your property develop in front of your eyes. But can you renovate your home on your own? Whether you’re moving house or fixing up your forever home, here are some questions to ask yourself before you embark on a home renovation project.
How big is the job? Are you looking to give your home a visual transformation? Planning on painting, recarpeting and changing your kitchen cabinets? If the work is minor, you might want to consider doing this yourself. However, if you are not qualified in plumbing or electrical work and expect to take on a complete kitchen and bathroom refurbish, you should probably think again. Is there any existing damage? Are there any areas of your home that are damaged? Do you need new floors, or is there mould or dampness in your home? If you have existing property damage, you need to get this treated by an expert before you proceed with any renovations. For areas where the water damage has not yet occurred but could be an issue in the future, you can invest in your own tools. Consider Silicone Top Coat Render as a decorative and waterproof finish for exterior projects prone to water damage. You can invest in items like this yourself without having existing experience of home renovation projects. How much time do you have? Are you trying to flip a property and sell it at an opportune moment? You might want to consider hiring an expert if you don’t have time to conduct the house renovations yourself. If your spare weekends and days off work aren’t enough to get the job done, a professional could save you time and even money if you spot an opportunity to make a profit or a prime time to sell. What is your budget? How much money can you allocate to this project? In theory, you should add 20% to any projected costs to give you a buffer for any unexpected setbacks or delayed projects. If you have the skills to complete your home renovations yourself, you might save money. However, if you lack the skills, you will ultimately end up paying a professional to fix the errors you make anyway. Will it enhance the value of my home? If you are looking to renovate your home with a view to selling, you should always consider whether the money you invest will reflect in the value of your property. New ensuites and bathrooms can add up to 5% to a If you have the skill to complete your home renovations, you might want to do it yourself. The skill level depends on how big the job is, whether it's a kitchen refurbishment or an aesthetic facelift. Even if you’re skilled, you might be faced with a limited budget, limited time, or a top cap on your overall property value. Consider these questions and enjoy your home renovation project this year. |
Author - Chris
Author, Editor, Creator of Learn Develop Live Archives
April 2023
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