It’s not always easy to build a house. In fact, it can be downright stressful at times, especially as costs rise, your budget shrinks, and suddenly the weather takes a turn and makes it impossible to do anything for several weeks. While there will almost always be something unexpected in the project that leads to a bit of stress, there’s a lot you can do to make the process stress free. Your home builder is there to assist you during the entire process, too, so don’t be afraid to lean on their experience. Here are six ways you can remain stress-free while you’re working with a home builder to create the house of your dreams.
Have a Plan
One way of reducing stress is to have a plan. If you know what needs to get done, when it needs to be done, and how much it will cost, you won’t be as likely to have surprised occur along the way. Having a plan also helps you make backup plans for when something does go wrong.
While it’s beneficial to have a plan, remember that your plan will need to flexible. You should add in some extra time to accommodate lousy weather or longer than expected shipping time for materials. Also, keep in mind that your planned budget may change as you discover new materials you like better or as surprises appear. Again, have a good plan in mind, but be ready to be flexible if necessary.
Make as Many Decisions Before Building Begins
One tip that will help you not stress as much over the budget is to make as many decisions as you can before the builder starts. If you have all of your flooring, colors, cabinets, counters, and everything else picked out when you’re ready to go, there won’t be as much stress put on you to pick something at the last minute. You’ll know what’s going where, and your builder will know, too. That reduces the chance of any mistakes.
This will also help you stay within budget. You won’t be stressed to pick something that will be installed the next day, so you have time to shop around and look at all of your options. You can also factor in shipping time, too, so you don’t have to pay to have anything overnighted.
Expect Bad Weather
Unfortunately, bad weather happens. It might be a light rain that makes it hard to work for an afternoon, or it could be a tornado or snow storm that delays your home for several weeks. Understand that it’s always a possibility, and add a few weeks into your schedule, so you don’t stress over it.
Your builder will let you know if construction will be delayed and give you an estimate on the new schedule. Unless you absolutely must be in your home by a specific date, this delay usually won’t be too big of a deal. If you do have to move in by a particular deadline, make sure the builder knows that and can plan accordingly.
Visit the Site Often
While you might be tempted to wait until everything is done, so you’re surprised by the final look of your home, that can cause a lot of stress if you walk in and see that nothing is what you thought. Visiting your new home while it’s being built gives you a chance to see what’s happening. You can ask questions, make changes, and even learn a little bit about the house building process.
Communication Is Key
If you don’t talk to your homebuilder, you won’t know what’s going on with your home. By checking in regularly, you’ll know if the project is on schedule, if the builder has any concerns, or if anything needs your attention. Your builder will bring any emergencies to your attention, of course, but you should always be comfortable calling them and asking for a project update. Also remember to direct your communication to the builder first, not the trades on the job site. Your builder needs to to be fully aware of what is happening on the site and if you change one thing it might affect other items.
Likewise, if you see something you don’t understand or don’t like, say something about it. Your builder needs to know if you want to change something or if something isn’t what you wanted.
Trust Your Builder
Your builder has built hundreds of homes before. They understand what needs to be done, and they know how to make things fit your budget. Trust in them to get your home done the way you want it to be for the budget you’ve set.
Put Your Trust in Belman Homes
Many of these tips – communication, trust, planning – involve working closely with your builder. If you don’t have someone on your side you can rely on, your home may not turn out like you thought it would. Belman Homes is a builder you can put your trust in. They will work closely with you during every step of the way, starting with planning and ending with your final review of your home.
Don’t work with a builder who doesn’t have your complete trust. You never know what could go wrong if you do. Instead, partner with a team you can rely on. Contact Belman Homes today to learn more about their services.