8 Reasons Why Building A Home Can Be More Stressful Than Buying

8 Reasons Why Building A Home Can Be More Stressful Than Buying

A homeowner that just cannot find the right house to suit all of their wants and needs may look to building a home from scratch.  This gives any homeowner the ability to design what they want in their home exactly how they want it. That is if they have enough money to cover it.  

Besides paying for the project there are hoops to jump through with building codes.  And while building a home can be an exciting experience, look at these eight reasons why it may be more stress than it is worth.

Down to the Last Dime

Funding such a large scale project should not be taken lightly.  Buying a house is an expensive process from the cost of the house to closing fees.  However, that does not mean that building a home cuts down on any of these expenses.  A homeowner must still purchase a plot of land, pay for labor, and materials. And the charges do not stop there.

As the house is built, permits will need to be purchased.  Inspectors will need to be in and out frequently to make sure everything is up to code.  Plus, most new builds get delayed for one reason or another and that can cost even more. Always estimate at least ten percent more than expected when getting an estimate from a professional.

Running out of Time

Anyone that is under pressure to get into a house right away will not have the time to build their own.  First, they must purchase a plot of land. This alone can take months between looking for potential plots to making the purchase.  Then comes planning, building, correcting problems and finally finishing the project which can take up to two years.

Be Mentally Prepared

While it may seem wonderful to make every little decision about a house in order to make it perfect, it is bound to wear on a person’s mental state.  A couple that is building a house may find that their tastes do not match. By the end of the process, it is a battle between owners, building codes, and workers.  To reduce stress it is best to hire a general contractor to help with small problems.

Do Not Leave Permits Up to The Contractor

Most general contractors will take care of obtaining what permits are needed to complete the house.  However, if any permit is not obtained at the appropriate time the homeowner is on the hook. The homeowner has to make sure all permits are in place before any work is completed or they are going to be looking at some serious fines.

Learn More About Building In The Area

Hiring a team of professionals to complete the work on a house is necessary to avoid getting completely overwhelmed.  This team will be well-versed with the local laws surrounding their job.

A homeowner should also brush up on these laws to make sure everything is running smoothly.  A slip up on the part of a professional is going to come back on the homeowner who hired them.

Choosing Where to Build

It can be a difficult decision to choose where to build.  There are benefits to different areas and to different tactics.  Some people prefer to start from scratch on a blank plot. This can add major costs when the team has to install systems for water, gas, and electricity.  

To avoid these costs some homeowners will buy a house to demolish and use the old systems.  However, this can also present problems when getting everything up to date.

Going Without a General Contractors

Some homeowners feel that they can take the role of the general contractor on themselves to avoid the added cost of hiring one.  Beware of the time that must be spent managing the project. It goes beyond making a few choices. The general contractor will obtain all permits, order supplies, and orchestrate who is able to install what and when.  Any scheduling problems can lead to long delays and added costs.

Think Towards the Future

Planning the layout of the house and what furniture is ideal for the family is needed before construction begins.  For example, wanting a huge dining room table after planning for a very small dining room will mean that you need to make space for a bigger kitchen.  Think through all major decisions to avoid making rash decisions throughout the project.