You might be on the verge of retirement, your kids are grown up with kids of their own and you have put the family home on the market and plan to build your dream home. This is supposed to be your golden years, a time when you and your partner have raised a family and after 4 decades of work, you can look forward to a few years living in your dream home.
In this short article, we offer some valuable tips for those wishing to build their dream home.
- Choose a custom builder – A custom builder has a wealth of hands-on experience building houses to order; check out their narrow block house designs and if nothing excites you. Their in-house architect is ready to work his magic; working with you to create the perfect layout. You should visit at least one of their previous projects so that you can see for yourself the quality of the build. It is wise to look for a builder that has won awards in the construction industry, as their standard of workmanship is top-notch.
- Composite materials – We recommend using composite materials in your new build; such materials offer high insulation and zero maintenance. Talk to the builder and they can show you a wide range of composite materials, plus they can help you make the right choices. Vinyl window frames are a good example of maintenance-free materials.
- Pay attention to the details – It isn’t every day that you get to design your own living space; pay attention to the small things and there will be no regrets after the build is finished. The in-house architect should help you by making the right recommendations and there is no point in rushing through the design stage.
- Staged payments – A custom builder would work with a staffed payment system; the client pays a deposit upon signing the contract, a further payment is made when the foundations are complete, another payment when the roof is completed and a final payment upon completion of the project. You would be invited to inspect the build at every payment stage for peace of mind and a final inspection when the build is complete.
- Think maintenance – When choosing building materials, it is important to consider the maintenance factor; clever selection can all but eliminate building maintenance, and let’s face it, no one wants to spend time and money on upkeeping the home.
- Clean & renewable energy – Anyone who is serious about a new build in Australia, should install a solar energy system. We have more sunshine hours than most countries in the world and we have the technology to obtain all the energy we need from solar panels. Why be hostage to the corporate energy giants when you can be energy-independent?
This should be the most exciting time in your life and with your dream home ready for occupation, you can look forward to your golden years.
