22 Jul 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Build
From finding the perfect piece of land to build on to choosing a home design that suits your lifestyle, building your dream home is an exciting journey, however, without taking your time to do your due diligence, things can go pear-shaped quickly. Elliott Hardie is one of the leading Canberra home builders, with an emphasis on innovative design, high quality finishes, unique personalised service and impeccable attention to detail. We understand the building process can be daunting, so here we have put together a few questions you should ask yourself in the beginning to ensure the whole process is as smooth and seamless as possible.
Why Have I Chosen to Build?
The answer to this will help you to identify your building goals and determine what you want out of your new home. Do you see building a house as better value for money? Do you like the location but cannot find a suitable established home? Are you building a home you can grow old in that requires thought regarding accessibility? Are you building for investment purposes? Once you have a sound understanding, it makes it much easier to figure out finer details to ensure the end result matches your expectations.
What is My Budget?
Knowing how much you can spend and where the funds are coming from is absolutely crucial from the outset and will help you make smart decisions for the build. A well-designed home is the result of many careful decisions made, and knowing where to save your dollars and where to splurge to get the best return. It’s also important to have some contingency funds, when building a house there could be unforeseen issues and variation changes that could end up costing you more than you expected. Savings put aside for this purpose is a wise idea.
What’s My Style?
From minimalist and contemporary to traditional, Hamptons-inspired or mid-century modern, it’s important to understand the architectural style that you like. If you aren’t sure, browse home design magazines or websites, or pay a visit to some local display homes in Canberra to determine the exact aesthetic that suits your taste. Also take into consideration your favourite colours, fabrics and finishes and think about any materials you might like to use. Putting all your ideas into a mood board or a Pinterest board will help your chosen home builder to understand and visualise your style expectations and deliver a home that you will love.
What is On My Wish List?
Whether you visualize grand high ceilings, a luxurious master suite, a large butler’s pantry or children’s playroom, now is the time to write down all of the elements you wish to include in your new home. One of the biggest advantages of building a new home is that you can make it truly yours, but it’s important to consider your desired features early on in the planning stage so you can budget for it accordingly.
Then you need to think about the specifics:
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need?
- Do you work from home regularly and require a functional home office?
- How many cars would you like to park in the garage? Would a basement garage work best?
- How much bench space do you need in the kitchen?
- Do you have any views that you wish to take advantage of?
- How much time do you spend outdoors? Will you need a bigger entertaining area? Or a large grassy space for the kids?
Having a list which specifies your wants and needs will help you communicate with your home designer and builder. Good home builders will do whatever they can to make it possible for you to have what you want.
Where Can I Find the Right Builder?
It’s vital to partner with Canberra home builders who share your passion and who will do their best to deliver a home that far exceeds your expectations. Take the the time to research different builders in your area and check out examples of their previous work, this will help you find the one that best meets your building needs and goals. Look for home builders with expertise in the style of home you want to build and that have a reputation for delivering high quality homes on time and without hidden costs. Once you have found a builder, make sure you are clear on the price and options included within your specific contract. This will ensure there’s no nasty surprises upon completion of your home.
Award-Winning Home Builders Canberra Trusts
If you are looking for a reliable home builder to turn your vision into reality, get in touch with the team at Elliott Hardie today. We will work with you throughout the entire journey from concept and design through to construction and completion to deliver a high quality, beautiful new home for you to live in and love. Call us on 0479 106 944 or visit one of our Canberra display homes today.