1. The house you envision is not necessarily the one you will build

• A home is a huge undertaking. Your house will most likely be different from what you expected, and not necessarily in a bad way. It’s important to be prepared for this mindset, as it will help you maintain a healthy perspective throughout the process. Even though different things might pop up that force you to compromise your plans, flexibility is key here. When your house is finally complete, it may have evolved from its original concept, but it should still feel like *your* home.
• Be prepared for details to change along the way; they probably will. When building our first house, we were pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed learning new things and making small changes as we went along—we discovered all sorts of great ideas that improved our final result! And along the way, we found out which materials or colors looked better than what had originally been planned (or just didn’t work).

2. The more research you do, the better

With so many options to choose from and a limited budget, it’s important to know what you want before you start.

To make your life easier, I’ve compiled a list of 10 things I learned when building my first home. My hope is that this list provides you with some insight you can use to build the home of your dreams and avoid common mistakes. Here goes:

• The more research you do, the better
• Make sure everything is in writing
• Find out as much as possible about your contractors and subcontractors
• Hire an architect
• Work on getting estimates for all necessary work before signing any contracts or making any purchases

3. Stay organized—you’ll need all your paperwork

One of the things I wish I had done was stay more organized with all the paperwork. Keep it in one place and keep it in order, put it in separate files for each stage of your build, and make sure to record when you need to submit documents so that nothing falls through the cracks. One thing that we didn’t do was submit a certificate of final inspection (COFI). This is required by law. Unfortunately, because we hadn’t recorded when this was due, 60 days after the building inspector had signed off on the house we received a letter from the council saying that if we didn’t supply it within 28 days they would fine us $2,000. To avoid paying any fines for mistakes or oversights I would advise you get everything certified as soon as possible.

4. It isn’t always cheaper to buy your own materials

When I first started building my own home, I thought that it would be cheaper to buy all of the materials myself, rather than leave it up to the professionals. At least, this was my assumption based on the many horror stories and shows I had seen about contractors taking advantage of homeowners.

While buying materials yourself can save you money in some situations, this is not always the case. It is important to know your market before buying any materials yourself. There are different types of materials that could be better bought by yourself or by a professional contractor.

The following are just a few types of materials that should be left up to an experienced contractor:

• Windows – these should always be purchased by a contractor who has a relationship with the manufacturer and has experience installing these windows on other projects
• Plumbing and electrical supplies – these type of supplies often require a specialized license to purchase and install properly in your home
• Kitchen cabinetry – there are several manufacturers out there who do not sell directly to consumers and require an experienced contractor or designer to order their products

5. Ask your builder for referrals

Ask your builder for referrals.

You’ll want to ask your potential builder for references of clients who are similar to you – and some who are not. It’s also important that the references you get have been working with a particular builder for at least a year because it takes time to see how they do business.

Once you receive these referrals, make sure you actually use them. Call the people on the list and ask them if they would rehire their builder again or if they would recommend him/her to others. Ask them what they liked or didn’t like about working with this particular builder and inquire as to whether there were any issues during construction that came up unexpectedly.

In addition to speaking with references, go visit their homes! This is one of the best ways to see first-hand how this person performs his job.

6. Make sure your utilities are in place before the building begins

Even in the 21st century, some areas are still not served by water and power companies. In such cases, you may be responsible for getting a well drilled and/or installing an alternative energy source such as solar panels to provide power to your new home. If you will be using an alternative energy source, make sure that you can legally connect it to the electric grid when necessary.

You should also make sure that phone service is available before you start building. Whether or not you choose to have a landline connected, high-speed internet is essential if you plan on working from your home or want to do most of your shopping online. If none of these utilities are available in your area, consider hiring some strong college students for manual labor instead of investing in costly machinery that could end up sitting idle for months at a time during bad weather or just because there was nothing to do until the utility company showed up with a backhoe and dug a trench across your front lawn.

7. Change orders happen—and can add up quickly

If you’re building a home from scratch, you’ll probably experience some change orders. That’s just the nature of the beast.

It’s usually easier to make changes on a computer than in real life—and that is especially true when building a custom home. If you can find out what changes will cost prior to construction, that’s great. But if you know how much things cost ahead of time, then it won’t hurt so bad when your builder adds those expenses to your final bill.

Unfortunately, change orders are almost always more expensive than their original estimate. The builder may not have been able to foresee all issues that could come up during construction, so there will always be additional expenses and unplanned costs.

8. Inspections take time and preparation

You will have a lot of inspections. Some are required by law and others are strongly recommended. If you live in a rural area, be prepared for your building inspector to drive from two hours away every time there is an inspection. This means it can take days or even weeks for an inspection to happen. Be sure you have a plan for the inspection day, and that you know what needs to be inspected (walls, floors, appliances, etc.). Be sure the builder knows about the inspection and has made himself available on that day. Good luck getting the inspector out if it’s raining!

Also, make sure you have access to the home on that day so you can be there during the actual inspection. You wouldn’t want something to get missed because you didn’t let your inspector into a specific room or area of the house!

9. Be prepared to negotiate after the inspection

• 9. Be prepared to negotiate after the inspection

Inspection negotiations can be tricky because it’s not a good idea to purchase a home without having an inspector verify its condition. But inevitably, you may need to ask for concessions from the seller.

Your Realtor can help you navigate this process, but here are some general tips:

• Keep emotions out of it. Homes are personal, and sellers often feel attached—especially if they’ve lived there for many years. It is important not to offend them or make them feel as if they’ve done something wrong by having a home that needs repairs. If you remain calm and professional throughout the negotiation process, you will have a much better chance of getting what you want while maintaining your relationship with the seller.
• Don’t lowball your offer…unless you’re willing to walk away. Your inspections should give you enough information about the property so that you know whether or not it’s worth pursuing—despite any flaws it might have—and at what price point it begins making financial sense for both parties involved. If your budget is tight, don’t put in an offer that doesn’t leave room for negotiation unless leaving is okay with you!
• You aren’t just buying one thing; rather, everything inside and outside of the home goes along with it (such as appliances). Asking for certain fixtures or furniture pieces might be part of your agreement with the seller.

10. Be ready to make a lot of decisions on the spot—and be okay with that

As a single person, it can be easy to drop your first house payment on something you might regret later—especially when it comes to aesthetics. But when you’re building your first home, you need to make sure the things that matter most are the things you pay attention to. In my case, I needed to make sure that I put everything I wanted and needed in my house from the beginning: a kitchen with a washing machine, a dining room table and chairs, and an entertainment system for Sunday football games with friends. Once my vision was clear, I wanted everything else to fall into place as well. Then when it came time for me to move in, there were many decisions I had no time (or energy) for—like whether or not I could afford a new coffee maker. So instead I just bought one of those cheap $5 ones from the Dollar Store and hoped for the best.

Building a home is a long process, but it is worth it to create something that fits exactly what you want

Home building is an exciting hobby, and every new step of the process is an opportunity to be conscious of what you are doing and why. Here are a few things I learned along the way:

• Building a home takes time. So does finding a good builder. No two homes are ever the same, so it’s hard to say how long it will take until you receive your keys, but be sure to find someone who knows what they are doing if you want the whole process to go smoothly. Don’t rush yourself into making decisions about something that could potentially bring your life crashing down around you.
• Don’t let yourself become overwhelmed by all the different choices available in home construction, especially when you’re getting started. Remember that there’s no right or wrong way to build your home—just make sure that as many important details as possible are covered by what you have decided on beforehand. If there’s something essential missing from your plan, look at it from another angle—maybe it doesn’t need to be included in your plans at all!
• The end result is worth it—so long as you’ve taken the time to figure out exactly what kind of person you want living with you, creating a home has everything to do with that person! Give yourself permission for whatever quirks and personal touches your future roommate may show up with (à la: “Oh yeah? Well my house is gonna have this… [insert outlandish decoration idea here]”).

Hey guys! I’m a new homeowner, and I learned a lot about building during my first few months. Here are the top 10 things I learned when building my first home:

1. The benefits of sulphate-resisting cement

2. How to pick the perfect paint color

3. What it’s like to live in a house that isn’t haunted

4. How to keep my outdoor flowers alive for more than one month

5. Tips for getting the best price on appliances

6. If you install a pool, you have to clean it yourself—or hire someone else to do it

7. New windows can save so much money on your energy bill!

8. Having a baby really helps you get your DIY projects done faster… and with less mess

9. How to renovate your kitchen and bathroom without going over budget

10. You don’t need to use every single square foot of your house—sometimes less is more!

As a first-time home builder, I made a lot of mistakes—like putting in cement that was not sulphate-resistant. This simple mistake cost me $2,000 in repairs, but I learned a lot from it. Here are the top ten things I learned while building my first home:

1. Invest in siding that is resistant to mold and mildew.

2. Hire an architect who will listen to your feedback and input.

3. Make sure you have a good relationship with your contractor. Communicate clearly and often.

4. Use the word “sulphate” as much as possible when talking about cement.

5. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed by indecision or fear—just do it!

6. Remember, you’re probably going to make some mistakes—that’s okay!

7. Get in shape so you can help out with construction work when needed (even if it’s just handing someone a tool).

8. Make friends with people on your block who are building homes so you can swap stories and tips on construction and renovation projects—or even borrow the odd saw or drill bit!

9. Take care of yourself by eating well, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep during this

When I decided to build my first home, I had no idea how many decisions I’d have to make, or how little I knew before getting started.

Looking back on all the lessons I learned, it’s pretty overwhelming. To help you avoid some of these mistakes and feel more confident as you embark on your own home-building journey, here are the top 10 things I’ve taken away from my experience:

If you’re building on a lot that’s exposed to high levels of sulphates—like in New Orleans or coastal areas in Florida—use sulphate-resisting cement instead of plain Portland cement. Otherwise, the concrete can become compromised over time.

Stick with natural stone rather than manufactured stone wherever possible. While the labor is more intensive up front, if you want your house to last for a long time and look great for years to come, it’s worth it.

Use stainless steel screws instead of wood ones when installing wood flooring—they’ll last longer and reduce squeaking.

If you use hardwood floors on a second story in an area with hot summers and cold winters, don’t forget to use a moisture barrier between the subfloor and finished floor!

1. What is a sulphate resisting cement?

Sulphate resisting cement is a special type of cement that can be used for two main purposes: to stop water from flowing through the concrete, and to prevent the concrete from expanding when exposed to sulphates.

2. The reason this type of cement is needed in certain situations is because of the chemical reaction that can take place when sulphates are introduced to concrete. This chemical reaction causes the concrete to expand, leading to cracking and structural damage, as well as allowing water to flow through it more easily.

3. Sulphate resisting cements are also known as Type V or Type S cements, and they are produced using a different type of clinker than regular Portland cement (also known as Type I).

4. The amount of expansion caused by sulphates depends on various factors such as the amount of sulphate present in the soil or groundwater, which can vary widely based on location, and how much time has passed since the concrete was initially mixed. For example: if you mix your own concrete then use it immediately after mixing, there will not be enough time for any chemical reactions between sulphates and other materials in order for them to occur; however if you wait several hours before pouring your

Why use sulphate resisting cement?

Sulphate resisting cement has a higher resistance to prolonged exposure to sulphates in the ground than ordinary Portland cement, which is why it’s often used in coastal areas or other locations with high sulphate levels in the soil.

Using SR cement can prevent your house from having structural damage due to sulphates, and will also prevent you from having to deal with very expensive repairs down the line.

Some of the signs of concrete damage from excessive sulphate exposure include:

-Expansion of concrete (due to increased water content)

-Cracking or spalling of concrete (as a result of swelling and expansion)

-The appearance of white salt deposits on the surface of the concrete

If you’re reading this, you’re probably building your first home. Congrats! This is a big deal, and a lot of fun. It’s also a lot of work, so we want to make it as easy as possible for you. That’s why we’ve put together this list: 10 things we learned while building our own homes. You’ll find everything from how to find the perfect real estate agent to tips on choosing the best counters for your kitchen.

10 Things I Learned When Building My First Home!

1. How to find the perfect real estate agent (in 5 easy steps!)

2. What does it mean when someone says “water-resistant”?

3. What are the most common countertop materials, and which one is right for me?

4. Best in-home pizza ovens (for any budget)

5. Favorite appliances for small spaces (that don’t look like they belong in a dorm room)

6. Five ways to make your bathroom more like a spa (without breaking the bank)

7. How to choose the right paint colors (even if you’re not sure what colors you like)

8. Best faucets for showerheads (that won’t

I’ve had the opportunity to work on a lot of cool home improvement projects, but this one was a little bit different—this time I was building my first home! And while I knew that there would be a lot of mistakes, missteps, and other m-words along the way (thanks for reading if you made it through that alliteration), there were still a few things that caught me off guard.

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