House hunting can take months and even years. It can be so difficult to find a property that meets all your requirements. You may need a minimum number of bedrooms and want to be situated on a particular block. Or maybe your budget just isn’t reaching the kind of property you want in your favorite neighborhood. So how can you overcome these problems? You could try building your own home.
To start building your own home, you need to find a suitable plot. This may be in the form of a derelict building or barn in your chosen neighborhood. Or it may be a plot of land out in the country surrounded by nothing but fields. The choice is yours. Sometimes your local authority puts old scrap land or parking lots up for sale. Keep an eye on the local press or ask your local planning department for leads.
Next, you need to determine your budget limits. Builds can frequently go over budget, so work with quotes that are twenty percent lower than your upper limit. This gives you plenty of wiggle room should there be any complications to overcome. Your budget may not be huge. This doesn’t mean you can’t fulfill your dream of owning your own home. It’s time to work out where to make some savings.
The size of the build will affect the price. If money is tight, look to build a smaller property. And the materials you build with could also be cheaper if you know where to look. After all, it is possible to build low cost housing for just a few thousand Euros made of concrete. Your building could be made from a range of materials. It will affect the aesthetic appearance of your property, so if this is a consideration, you may need to amend your budget.
Many people want to find a new build house that is economical to heat as well as being environmentally friendly. New building standards have dramatically improved the energy efficiency of new buildings. After living in an older property, this could be highly beneficial. But there is always more you can do to improve a new build or older property. Think about the size and position of the windows. You want plenty of natural light but no leakage of your heat.
You could also install solar panels to take advantage of free electricity for your appliances when the sun shines. Consider a water recycling system to reduce the cost and use of fresh water in your home. And there are several different ways to heat your home that could reduce the need for a mains gas supply. It’s important to consider all these things if you’re building your own property.
Now it is possible for those on low incomes to build their own homes thanks to new building techniques. Whatever budget you have, the dream of home ownership could be realized if you build your own. Build from a standard plan, or engage an architect to help you create the home of your dreams.
