tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2150681458980481952024-03-26T02:22:25.731-07:00Home Building Plansexcel99http://www.blogger.com/profile/04804602844798504612noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215068145898048195.post-76424903608144651622012-02-25T20:10:00.000-08:002012-04-15T20:10:56.986-07:00Building a Home - The Cost of New Construction<div style="text-align: justify;">We know that building a new home means having to spend a lot of money. We call the money to be spent as the Cost of Construction. If you are thinking of building a new home rather than buying from the many available existing homes, you should know the right procedures you have to take before you finally start buying materials for it. But before we go to that, let's identify first the choices you have when it comes to financing your home.<br />
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In financing, as the owner of the home that is to be built, here's the two ways you can choose from to finance your new construction.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
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1. Finance it by your own money.<br />
If you have saved enough to finance a new construction, you do not have to look for a bank to loan. This could be great because you do not have to worry about bank loans and the financial obligations that come with it.<br />
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2. Bank loan<br />
Going to a bank to loan for the cost of a new home construction could be a hard process as more banks don't usually allow loaning for a new home construction. But do not be discouraged because you can still find banks that allow this kind of loan. You just have to find one, talk about the terms, and your construction finances will be taken good care of by them.<br />
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Now that you know the two options a home owner like you has when it comes to getting the finances for the construction, next let's get to know about the real deal i.e. where the finances you have will be used.<br />
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Home builders- First and foremost, you will have to contact some local home builders. Builders will tell you how much per square foot they will be charging from you. They can give you a good idea of what your ideal home might cost.<br />
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Count the Square Footage - one way to do this is by finding an existing home similar to the one you want to build. All you have to do is take the price of the home, deduct the price of the land, and divide that amount by the square footage of the home.<br />
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You will have to remember that your contracted builder wants to make some money one way or another out of the new job; therefore, you have to pay attention to everything that will require money. Be sure that you get quality materials and not some cheap ones as the quality of your newly built home depends on the quality of materials used.excel99http://www.blogger.com/profile/04804602844798504612noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215068145898048195.post-4158586854542743012012-02-12T20:09:00.000-08:002012-04-15T20:09:56.629-07:005 Questions You Should Ask Your Custom Home Builder<div style="text-align: justify;">Building your own home is not a process that should be taken lightly. It is a huge investment on your finances and your time, and because it is a custom home, you should get exactly what you want. When you enter into a relationship with a custom homebuilder, the process from start to finish can take anywhere from nine to eighteen months, so you'll want to make sure you're working with someone who can meet your needs for an extended period of time. Before deciding on your homebuilder, be sure to ask the following 5 questions to make sure you cover your bases.<br />
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Experience<br />
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Consider hiring a custom homebuilder similar to hiring a long-term employee. You should know what's on their resume. The last thing you need is someone practicing on your brand new home. Inquire who they've worked with, what projects they've worked on, examples of homes that have been built, and how long they've been in business. Inquire if the firm is part of a larger entity. Try to get as much background information as possible.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
References<br />
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If they're building custom homes, odds are they're proud of their work and should have no problem producing references for you. If you can't find references online, ask the company to provide some references for you. You'll want to ask these references questions like: How long did the process take? What were the issues you encountered when dealing with the firm? How were they resolved? Did they listen to your input during the building process? What level of satisfaction did they receive? Would they recommend the company to others?<br />
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Communication<br />
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"Communication is key"... especially for long-term projects. Since this is your custom home, and not theirs, it's important that your opinion matters. Ask the builder how much participation you can have in the project. Also inquire how communication will be handled? Will you receive routine updates or do you have to chase them down? Will you be communication via phone, email, fax, etc?<br />
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Quality Assurance<br />
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Much of the "quality" behind your homebuilder's work is hidden where you can't see (i.e. ventilation systems, insulation, roofing, plumbing, etc.). You'll want to verify that this work is not only built up to code, but it's built up to the specifications you and the builder agreed on. Check with the company to verify whether they have an internal QA process or if they hire a 3rd party company to analyze the work once completed, but most importantly, verify that there is some kind of verification system.<br />
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Warranty<br />
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Perhaps the most important factor in your decision-making process is what type of warranty the homebuilder offers. It's routine to offer a warranty, so if, for some odd reason, a homebuilder you were looking into does not offer a warranty, it's probably best to walk away. Warranties are usually 1-year or 2-year, so make sure you get at least that. Ask about the specifics involved with the warranty. It might be safe to ask a lawyer to review the warranty terms before moving forward.excel99http://www.blogger.com/profile/04804602844798504612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215068145898048195.post-31124228043687313782012-01-13T20:08:00.000-08:002012-04-15T20:09:15.278-07:00A Guide to Selecting the Right New Home Builders<div style="text-align: justify;">When you can't find a house that fits your needs, maybe it's time to approach new home builders. Building a house from the ground up is a great way to get the best home to fit your specifications and lifestyle perfectly. Before you go and make the plans for your dream house, it is just as important to pick and choose the right company. With a few helpful tips, the search becomes much easier.<br />
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First, contact your local chapter of the National Association of Home Builders. NAHB is one of the largest trade associations that assure safe, decent and affordable housing. Ask them for a listing of active builders in your area. That should be the first list of builders you should keep. Build the roster some more by inquiring at real estate agencies or consulting a buyer's agent. Get referrals from friends and family; news by word of mouth is always valuable information. Search online for home builders in your area. Check the real estate listings on the newspapers or real home design magazines for listings of new home builders.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
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With that on hand, we can move on to the second step in choosing a home builder. Strike out the builders in your list who construct houses that don't appeal to you and get rid of the ones that are out of your target price range.<br />
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Next is quality assessment. This will require both research and house visits. Check the credentials of the building company you're looking into. Look for a builder that has a large portfolio of residences and has at least three to five years of experience. This is the usual time it takes for a business to stabilize, but there's also no harm in checking whether or not it has a good bank record. One method of checking this is through a simple check for a permanent business address. It also helps to know if the builders have won awards or any kind of recognition.<br />
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The last step in quality assessment is visiting the homes your chosen home builders have constructed. Ask the builders on your list for addresses of their latest projects. Drop by and visit these houses on the weekends. Interview the people living there if there are any and ask them about their homes. Most of the time, they'll be happy to talk about what they like best about their living space and they will be just as eager to talk about what troubles they have. Take note of these details, good and bad, for your perusal later.<br />
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With these in hand, you can narrow down your list of new home builders to a more manageable level. This way you're one step closer to building your dream custom home.excel99http://www.blogger.com/profile/04804602844798504612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215068145898048195.post-66716850929544388632011-12-05T20:07:00.000-08:002012-04-15T20:08:22.356-07:00Where Do I Find Custom Home Plans?<div style="text-align: justify;">When you venture out towards building a custom home, there are so many things to consider. Where you will your plot of land be? Will you build completely custom or go with a semi-custom home? There are many options, and it can seem a little confusing at first. A lot of people don't understand where the actual house plans come from. Is it the buyer's responsibility to produce plans? Is there a ready-made place where they can acquire plans? Will the custom homebuilder assist with the plans?<br />
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It's easy to get sucked into the many house plans that are available on the Internet today. A simple Google search will show you numerous sites that provide both free and paid house plans. While this may be a good jumping-off point for you, you'll want to exercise some caution with these plans. First, you should ask yourself how much time and strategy went into the plans. Is it someone's dream house they sketched quickly, and with no expert advice? If so, you may find that there are some structural issues and/or gaps in building code. This can leave you with an undesirable house. It would be wise to use these plans a way to get ideas for your own, unique plan.<br />
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If you're purchasing a semi-custom home or a custom home, you'll find that your homebuilder should have some existing plans already in place. For semi-custom homes, you can add tweaks to the plans that make it custom. For example, maybe you add an additional car port, an additional bathroom, or a game room. You can choose other custom projects like the tiles and the countertops that go in the kitchen. For completely custom homes, most builders do have ready-made plans available that they've used before. Again, these should be a jumping off point to begin discussing your own personal needs and wants.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
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The point of a custom home is that it is customized. It's quite simple to come up with a plan that suits your needs. Sit down and analyze how many bedrooms you'll need, how many bathrooms you want, any additional rooms you'd like (i.e. media center), how many carports you want, how big your deck will be, and more. Draw a basic plan yourself to mark out where you'd like the layouts of the rooms to be. From there, you should be able to go to your custom homebuilder and begin the process of working out how exactly your "rough draft" plans will come together to form your personalized home.<br />
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The bottom line is, your custom home is meant to serve your purposes. It is meant to be your dream home. If you really want that effect, you'll need to put some time in and create your own basic, custom, rough draft version of your dream house. From there, the possibilities are endless.<br />
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Ginger Heise is the Director of Operations for Stillbrooke Homes/Bud Bartley Homes. Bud Bartley Homes takes great pride in the value offered to each client. We build in the warmth and comfort, never forgetting that a home is where memories are born. Our building associates are craftsmen, each dedicated to fulfilling your distinctive vision for your custom home and using only the finest in materials and modern building techniques. Privately owned and operated for over thirty years, we are confident that the Bud Bartley team will exceed your home building expectations.excel99http://www.blogger.com/profile/04804602844798504612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215068145898048195.post-60187219806743128962011-11-19T20:07:00.000-08:002012-04-15T20:07:42.021-07:00A First Time Buyer's Guide to New Home Builders<div style="text-align: justify;">A new home may be the biggest investment you make in life. You should not settle for major compromises when it comes to the construction of the property. This is the reason why it is important you find the right developer for the new construction project. Buying a new property can get overwhelming. There are many considerations to keep in mind and chances are you will get frustrated. Knowing what to do will ease some of the anxiety and will make the process easier for you.<br />
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After settling on the location and budget, your first duty is to look for new home builders and eventually hire one. Here are some tips you should keep in mind before setting out on the task.<br />
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Choose new home builders with extensive experience in the business</div><a name='more'></a><br />
Experience is the defining factor when it comes to finding a builder to work with. A new house is a big deal and you cannot buy one just because the developer claims to be the best. It is your obligation to find out if it is true before signing on the dotted line.<br />
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The best way to conduct a search today is over the internet. Keep in mind that the web will be one of your greatest resources when preparing for the home building process. Do your research about the developer through this medium. Browse through their website and check for portfolios if possible. Check out their past work and see if it fits your preference. You can also use their website to check if the kind of homes they build will fit your needs.<br />
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Narrow down your search according to location<br />
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Make informed choices by narrowing your search for builders in the area you are interested in. Avoid searching for the "right developer" only to find out they are only available for projects on the other side of the country. Avoid settling for the first attractive deal you come across. Remember this is a major undertaking and you should conduct an exhaustive search.<br />
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Incomparable customer service<br />
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A good builder will give you more than just a quality home at the end of the day - they are also there to assist you every step of the way. The working relationship between you and the builder will likely be long term. It will call for constant communication between you and them. It is for this reason that you need to establish a good bond with the developer. You need to share a common vision and have mutual trust for each other.<br />
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Choose a new construction builder who will be in constant communication with you every step of the process. Such professionals allow you to be more involved in the home building process. Constant communication will also ensure that you see eye to eye regarding every detail. A lack of communication can lead to misunderstandings - something you should try to avoid at all costs. Such happenings will only delay the construction of the new home.<br />
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Work with new home builders who provide customer care beyond the project's completion. Constant interaction will give you assurance and affirmation the project is in the right hands. Think things through before making any major decisions. Negotiate the best deal possible before agreeing to a developer's services.excel99http://www.blogger.com/profile/04804602844798504612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215068145898048195.post-74508260015666364792011-10-17T20:06:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:07:02.783-07:00Finding a Good Builder to Build Your Next Home<div style="text-align: justify;">Building your own home the way you like is the new trend that everyone seems to be following. Many cities have old homes that were constructed over thirty years ago. A new home would be more stable and it would have a better market value when the time comes to sell it. Investors choose to build homes and sell them mainly because there is a large profit margin in the business. When building a home, you will need to have some capital. Without capital it is extremely hard to get a builder to work on your project. There are several builders in most markets, so you should look at some of their recently built homes to get an idea of how their craftsmanship is.<br />
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First, draw up a list of potential builders you will be using for your home. These builders should be both established and knowledgeable about the industry. The internet is a great place to start your search for a builder, as they list reviews and information on expertise. If a particular builder specializes in commercial buildings, you should leave them to it. Focus on home builders that have experience in building the type of home you want to purchase. Once you have found your builder, run a check on the company and the people that you are dealing with. You can use online resources to get information on the builder.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
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The builder would have a collection of modern home floor plans and designs. You will be the one making the decision to purchase, so everything is in your hands. You could give the builder instructions on what you want and they will draw up a plan for you. Most people tend to choose a plan that the builder has experience in building. The home itself would be built with no extra furnishings. The floors, tiles and carpet would be part of the last step. Once a plan is derived, you will need to negotiate a building contract. Builders typically take a portion of the money up front for materials and labor, and they will expect frequent payments in the middle. The final payment is made through a lender that you have fixed your mortgage with.<br />
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A good builder has better access to roofers, electricians, plumbers and painters. You simply watch them get the job done. Once the foundation for your home is built, all the walls will go up. The electrical and plumbing work would be completed next, and drywall would go up. You will then be given a number of different styles in terms of flooring, tiles and carpet. The builder would need to know what type of flooring you want and the type of tiles you like. Some are more expensive than others, so people tend to choose the low cost ones. The final product should be exactly like how you imagined it would be, and if you have a good builder, it will be.excel99http://www.blogger.com/profile/04804602844798504612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215068145898048195.post-39930228425803661532011-09-10T20:05:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:06:15.663-07:00How to Conduct Interviews With Home Builders<div style="text-align: justify;">Hiring the wrong builder to build your house or any building project can be very costly. That's why you need to be very careful with the builder company that you are going to choose. You need to do a thorough research about them and make sure that they are worthy of your trust. You must select a company from a number of home builders you can find in your area. How will you do this will have a huge impact on how your house will be built later on.<br />
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The first step that you must make it so put together list of builders. How will you do this? Well, there's nothing better than the word of mouth. You will feel more secure if it's your close friends, families or anyone you know suggested a particular builder. So ask the people around you first for recommendation. One of them might know someone whose home was just finished and is impressed by their builder's job. If you can't find anyone, there are the local newspaper ads, yellow pages, and the internet. If you have your list, you can start doing a background check on each and every company on it. It may take a while but rest assured that it will be worthwhile afterwards. During this process, your list of builders might be trim down to three to five companies. If you have these numbers, your next step must be to interview these companies. If you don't know how to proceed with the interview, follow these tips.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
Find a meeting place where you will be most comfortable. You can have it in your home or somewhere public where you can hear and understand each other. If you choose to go to a restaurant, make sure it's not lunch or dinner because will you probably just be busy eating your food. A coffee with light snacks is probably the best choice. And choose a neutral meeting place where both of the party will be at ease. When you meet, pay attention if the builder arrives on time. If you can, write down notes your remarks about a particular builder because it will be hard remembering it all later. But you should ask them first if they are okay with it. Just relax, be polite and be confident while you're doing the interview. Learn what you can about them. Ask anything that comes into your mind. Just think that your future house depends on the builder that you will hire. If there are questions that the builder can't answer, you need to decide and weigh if it's important or not.<br />
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Limit your interview to an hour. This will be an ample time for the both you. Be direct and honest if you think they are not the company for your project. If the builders ask why, tell them what your reasons are and they will understand. Apply these simple guidelines and you won't go wrong with finding the right builder for your future home.excel99http://www.blogger.com/profile/04804602844798504612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215068145898048195.post-75014416627211179732011-08-12T20:04:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:05:21.136-07:00There's No Place Like a Custom Built Home<div style="text-align: justify;">You know it's time to buy a home but you're just not quite sure; should you hire a home builder to build a home for you, or simply buy an established home? ("Established" by the way, is a term that realtors employ... what they really mean by "established" is "used"). Sometimes, when you are looking to avoid hidden costs and headaches, a custom home can be just the ticket.<br />
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Of course, there are advantages to both. Older homes come in established neighborhoods, and can often be quite charming. The existing window treatments and household appliances are often included in the purchase, and the character of your neighbors is fairly easy to read from your surroundings. Plus, the upfront price for a "used" home is usually lower than for a newly built one.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
Still, there are some very alluring qualities that come with building a new home as well. For one thing, you'll have the opportunity to put a great deal of say into just what your new home will look and feel like...it's built to your specifications. You get to choose the decorating options and floor plans as well, which can eliminate some of the headaches a "used" home may bring, such as ripping out and replacing a worn-out and ugly 1970s bathroom. Also, the appliances and amenities of a custom built home will be up to date, so, all in all, your new home will probably look a lot nicer and be far more efficient.<br />
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Looks, however, aren't everything. What's behind the walls in a home can be just as important. In fact, the money you save on the purchase price of a used home may very well be consumed in expensive renovations. Building codes are reviewed and changed frequently to ensure safety. A few years after buying a used home you may need to make huge expenditures to bring the house up to code (water pipes, electrical, proper egress windows) or remove hazardous substances such as lead-based paint or material containing asbestos before you can resell.<br />
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Your custom built home will be constructed and wired to the most recent and safest standards, and, as a general rule, be environmentally friendly. Finally, (although you should be careful to read the fine print) your new home and the appliances in it will often come with a warranty, leaving you with options if and when difficulties arise.<br />
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Another real plus to a newly custom built home is energy efficiency. Older homes were built in an age when energy was inexpensive and affordable. That's not the case anymore, and it's not likely that energy costs will drop significantly anytime soon. So, while you may save a few dollars on the purchase of an older home, you may find that the money you saved is going up the chimney, escaping under the doors, or leaking through old and drafty windows. New homes are build with energy efficiency in mind...you'll realize the savings on your energy bills every month.<br />
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While a new home can seem more expensive at first glance, in the long run it can be a better buy and wiser investment. As with anything, the key to success lies in the people you work with. Before choosing a builder, do some research; seek out and talk to past customers, find out where the builder has already put up homes, and then visit those neighborhoods. It can be really helpful to go at a time when homeowners are outside doing chores...simply stop, introduce yourself and say that you're thinking of working with their builder and listen to what they have to say. Talk to a Real Estate Agent, or, better yet, talk to a few. Look carefully at both the appearance and the quality of workmanship in the model homes you visit. Take your time, do your research, take notes and make a wise and educated choice about who you would like to work with.excel99http://www.blogger.com/profile/04804602844798504612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215068145898048195.post-82273878643205029912011-07-10T20:00:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:04:17.665-07:00Ever Thought About Building Your Own Home?<div style="text-align: justify;">Many think about building their own home but few ever get beyond the dream or even the TV property programmes that stimulate the dream. If you do look a little harder finding land, getting planning permission and commissioning a competent architect are hurdles that stop many in their tracks.<br />
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Let's start with the issue of finding land; always a good place to start. For many self builders the popular place to look is for old bungalows instead of open spaces of land which have become increasingly difficult to find. The advantage here is that a dwelling already exists on the land possibly with water, electric and gas already supplied. Assuming the property has little interest to the local authority it could mean you're in with a chance of getting permission to demolish and replace it. The internet also offers plenty of plot finding sites which are definitely worth checking. These sites will at least give you an idea of the going rate for building plots in the area you plan to build. Check out plots which may come up for auction and possible attend on auction day in order to get a feel for the prices they go for. Obviously you'll need to do your sums before committing to anything. Do you have much equity in your current house, or additional savings? Remember auctions will require almost instant payment and you need to have concluded you'll get permission to build before you get too carried away and start bidding.<br />
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Planning permission is possibly the step people dread most. Gaining permission can be a little less stressful if you present a plan which echoes local styles and possibly uses local material. This is not to say you can't push the boundaries a little, but it's often better to remain somewhat conservative with your ideas. If you present an ambitious plan, good for you, but keep in mind a fallback position if it's wholeheartedly thrown out by the local authority. Again the internet offers lots of advice as to how to go about getting permission. Home-build magazines are also great for chase studies and stories of how people dealt with their local planning office which will both frighten and motivate you in equal measure.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
Engaging the service of an architect is the next important step. You'll need to push hard to get them to give you an idea of the costs involved in building your dream. Many will be happy to take you into project over-runs with plenty of additional expense. A lot of architects see budget increases almost as part of the course. So choose well and try to strike a balance between those who understand your budgetary restraints but can still deliver great design that's well worth building.<br />
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Don't over look the costs of moving once you decide to take steps towards building. If you have a house to sell you'll need to factor in the cost of estate agents, solicitors and removals firms and possibly storage. If the build requires capital locked up in your house then these costs will need to found upfront. Conversely, if you can fund the build through other means you need to keep something back to cover these costs at the end of the project.excel99http://www.blogger.com/profile/04804602844798504612noreply@blogger.com0