How to Plan and Build your Dream House?  - Sketch by Le Corbusier

Initial Sketches of Villa Savoye | © Foundation Le Corbusier

Homes are not built in a day. Building your dream home from scratch is an overwhelming yet rewarding experience. Creating a home for you and your family is not simply brick and mortar work– it is an opportunity to define the relationship you share with your loved ones and the world. When you build your home, you embark on a journey to discover yourself and your aspirations.

Additionally, planning and building your dream house is a hands-on job. From the choicest interiors to elegant indoor and outdoor furniture – homes are undoubtedly our life’s most significant investments. There are various elements to be taken care of, anywhere from wall paint for each room to planning your vertical garden. Of course, starting from zero is daunting; building your dream house should not be as hard as it seems. As times get more creative, we must get more creative as well.

Here is a hassle-free guide to planning and building your Dream House:

1. Plan, Plan, Plan!

Setting goals is key to set everything in motion. For starters, answer questions, such as:

  • What will be Plan A? What if it does not work out?
  • What is Plan B? Can it be achieved?
  • What is my budget?

This is a crucial step in layout the physical plans, designs, furniture, fixtures, and more. Explore your interior design options, backyard aesthetics, and other details.

A homeowner’s responsibilities do not end at just making grand plans; to convert these plans into reality, intelligent budgeting is necessary. The first step is to create a rough budget considering costs and then finalize a flexible budget to accommodate extra costs. No matter how carefully you plan your budget, knowing what the future holds is impossible.

The purpose of construction is to make things hold together; of architecture, to move us.

– Le Corbusier

2. Choose the Right Builder

Build your Dream House | Construction & Renovation

Villa Savoye Construction | © Foundation Le Corbusier

Builders and contractors are key to making sure your house-building experience is hassle-free and up to the mark. Having already discovered your aesthetic and requirements in the planning stage, which means how to choose the right builder is a question you must confront next. Builders are aplenty; search the market to know your available options. Use the internet, your contacts, and make sure you are confident in your final choice. With a little research and patience, it would not be too much trouble to find a builder whose sensibilities match yours.

It is easy to get enamored by a builder’s personality or well-marketed portfolio but make sure to look beyond the visible. Shortlist builders based on their market reputation and quality of previous work. Technical requirements aside, a convenient professional relationship is established when both parties are open-minded and amicable to work with. Make sure your builder is flexible, modest, and innovative. 

It also makes sense to get written contracts (based on a clear schedule of work) in place to avoid any confusion or disputes down the line

– Ruban Selvanayagam of Property Solvers


3. Get Home Insurance

Homes are expensive investments. Unfortunately, accidents, damages, calamities are part and parcel of quotidian life. Just as your home provides you with comfort and safety, it becomes your responsibility to keep your home safe as a homeowner.

The most effective way to save your home from uncalled damages and devastating accidents is to opt for a comprehensive insurance policy that will act as your safety net. As the name suggests, it protects against loss or damage by theft, fire, burglary, explosions, flood, storm, or any other damages along with your personal property. Additionally, it also covers all third-party liabilities. It protects expensive items like jewelry and electronic appliances and regular and ordinary items like curtains, cutlery, and clothes. Home insurance does not cover the cost of the land, but it does reimburse you for the cost of construction, including the expenses of hiring labor and purchasing construction materials. Your insurance policy may or may not protect you against peripheral risks like the loss of important documents. Although, bear in mind that the above-mentioned items in personal property and electronics vary for various insurance providers and their insurance plans. Therefore, it is always sensible to read the terms carefully and pick the insurance that fits your requirements like a glove.

Insurance policies may seem confusing and intimidating, but a pragmatic and approachable insurance company always helps you understand every term and condition to your satisfaction.

There is a host of more information required before you ended up in a coverage plan, which is why your choice of the insurance company should always be thoroughly researched. Shortlist firms that offer coverage policies that match your requirements. Compare them based on the cover, limits, exclusions, and overall expense. Ideally, choose a flexible and affordable insurance policy that offers customizable policy plans. Always check the claim history, reputation, and financial strength of the insurance provider.

In conclusion: Plan your Dream House

Building your dream home from scratch is an exciting journey. With this essential guide, make sure you end up with the dream home you have always wanted.

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