4 Tips for Making Home Building Less Stressful
We here at Lincoln Construction have a storied past of building beautiful custom homes on the Sunshine Coast– so trust us when we say that we know a thing or two about how to make the building process stress-free.
Today, we’ll be sharing our top 4 tips for making building less stressful… because great work has to start somewhere!
Let’s dive right in:
Tip #1: Know Your Budget and Make It Known to Your General Contractor
When you know your budget, whether it be a hard line or an approximate figure, communicate it to your general contractor ASAP. This helps you prioritize both your “wants” and your “must-haves.” For example, if the focus of your budget is to increase property value, there are three main home building upgrades we’d encourage you to prioritize:
A heat pump: Whether it’s a new home or an older home, a heat pump is our first choice when it comes to heating sources that increase your property value . In the winter, a heat pump draws heat in from outdoors, making your home nice and toasty. When the warm summer months come, a heat pump moves the heat out of your house to keep things nice and cool inside.
Green upgrades: Green updates encompass any additions to your home that reduce its overall carbon footprint.
The right spaces: More specifically, modernizing high-traffic areas such as your kitchen, living room, and/or bedrooms.
Tip #2: Ask for Regular Cost Updates So That There Aren’t Any Surprises
Our second tip for making building less stressful is asking for regular cost updates so that there aren’t any surprises. A construction project involves time, money, and commitment from both the contractor and the client. Having an open, communicative relationship with your chosen contractor is important because it gives both sides the opportunity to discuss what the desired finished product is and what the expectations are.
When it comes to finances, sometimes first-time clients feel uncomfortable about asking about them. However, a little discomfort can save you a financial headache later on down the road. Your contractor won’t be offended by you asking for regular cost updates, if anything, they’ll encourage it. A way to do this is through Houzz, a website that is geared towards home design and decorating.
On Houzz, you can find contractors, interior designers, architects and more to make your dream home a reality. You can also shop for all your home needs. The Houzz website is responsible for connecting homeowners and home professionals with the greatest tools, resources, and vendors in their area.
Tip #3: Have Concerns? Ask for Clarity!
When you have concerns about the project, ask for clarity. Whether you’re starting fresh or remodeling, this is crucial to ensuring that your home is what you want and the way you want it.
When you're building your own home, you have a clear picture in your head of what you want it to look like. However, keep in mind that your own unique tastes mean spending money. Before the building process even begins, write out a list of concerns you have and meet with your contractor to go over them. Communication is key, and when you make your concerns known to your contractor they will use their experience and knowledge in this field to put those concerns to rest for you.
Tip #4: Expect the Unexpected
Last but certainly not least, expect that things may not exactly go as planned. Life is full of little interruptions, and we all have to learn to accept that and be okay with it. Building timelines tend to get pushed due to delays in shipping, weather changes, and unexpected supply issues.
Any building professional worth their salt will keep you in the loop about any unexpected timeline or budget pivots that need to happen.
Make Building a Breeze with Lincoln Construction
For all your home building needs, Lincoln Construction is here to help make the building process as stress-free as possible.
Contact us today to tell us a bit about your project and start making your dream home into a reality.