construction tips Archives - Houseyog https://www.houseyog.com/blog/tag/construction-tips/ Beautiful Homes, Designed Your Way Thu, 30 May 2024 10:59:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.6 https://www.houseyog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/favicon.png construction tips Archives - Houseyog https://www.houseyog.com/blog/tag/construction-tips/ 32 32 The Ultimate Guide to Custom Home Building https://www.houseyog.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-custom-home-building/ Thu, 30 May 2024 09:57:18 +0000 https://www.houseyog.com/blog/?p=1329 Building a custom home is a dream for many, but the process can seem overwhelming if you’re not prepared. That’s why we’ve put together this ultimate guide to custom home building.  Whether you’re just starting to explore the idea or you’re ready to break ground, this post will walk you through every step, from finding… Continue reading The Ultimate Guide to Custom Home Building

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Building a custom home is a dream for many, but the process can seem overwhelming if you’re not prepared. That’s why we’ve put together this ultimate guide to custom home building. 

Whether you’re just starting to explore the idea or you’re ready to break ground, this post will walk you through every step, from finding the perfect lot to adding those final finishing touches. 

So, let’s dive in!

Laying the Groundwork

Before you can even think about construction, there are a few critical steps you’ll need to take. First up? Determining your budget. Building a custom home is a significant investment, so it’s important to have a realistic understanding of what you can afford. 

Work with a lender or financial advisor to get pre-approved and set a firm budget that accounts for land, materials, labor, and any unexpected costs.

Next, it’s time to find the perfect location. Consider factors like proximity to work, good school districts, and access to amenities. You’ll also want to research zoning laws, building codes, and any homeowner’s association rules that could impact your plans.

Assembling Your Dream Team

Once you’ve laid the groundwork, it’s time to assemble your dream team of professionals who will help bring your vision to life. At the top of the list? A reputable architect and custom home builder in Columbus. Interview multiple candidates, check their references, and ensure they have experience with projects similar to yours.

You may also need to enlist the help of other experts, like interior designers, landscape architects, and various subcontractors (electricians, plumbers, etc.). Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions and ensure everyone is on the same page regarding your goals, budget, and timeline.

Designing Your Dream Home

This is where the fun begins! Work closely with your architect to design a home that not only meets your practical needs (number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.) but also reflects your personal style and any special features you desire (like a home theater or outdoor kitchen).

During this phase, you’ll also need to select all the materials and finishes, from flooring and countertops to light fixtures and hardware. Don’t forget to consider factors like durability, energy efficiency, and long-term maintenance.

Breaking Ground

With your plans approved and permits in hand, it’s finally time to break ground! This is where your custom home builders really shine, taking those blueprints and turning them into a tangible reality.

Expect the construction phase to take several months (or even longer, depending on the complexity of your project). Stay in close communication with your builder, and don’t hesitate to ask questions or raise any concerns along the way.

The Finishing Touches

As the construction wraps up, it’s time to focus on those all-important finishing touches. This might include things like:

  • Landscaping and outdoor living spaces
  • Smart home technology and security systems
  • Window treatments and light fixtures
  • Built-in cabinetry and storage solutions
  • Decorative elements like paint colors, wallpaper, and artwork
  • Don’t forget to schedule any necessary inspections and obtain a certificate of occupancy before moving in.

Enjoy Your Custom Home

After months (or years) of planning and hard work, the day has finally arrived – it’s time to move into your brand-new, custom-built home! Take a moment to soak it all in and appreciate the countless decisions and details that went into creating your dream living space.

Of course, the journey doesn’t end there. Proper maintenance and upkeep are crucial to ensuring your home stays in top condition for years to come. Be sure to follow any recommended maintenance schedules and don’t hesitate to call in professionals for any repairs or renovations down the line.

Wrapping Up

Building a custom home is a significant undertaking, but the rewards of having a space that’s tailored to your unique needs and preferences are truly priceless. By following these steps and working closely with a team of experts, you can navigate the process with confidence and create a home that you’ll love for years to come.

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How to Save Money on House Construction: Budget-Friendly Tips https://www.houseyog.com/blog/how-to-save-money-on-house-construction-budget-friendly-tips/ Thu, 07 Dec 2023 05:17:42 +0000 https://www.houseyog.com/blog/?p=1253 In the ever-growing realm of construction costs, planning and constructing your dream home can sometimes feel like an overwhelming financial burden. However, being budget-conscious doesn’t mean compromising on quality or design. At Houseyog, we understand the importance of mindful spending and have compiled a comprehensive guide on how to save money on house construction without… Continue reading How to Save Money on House Construction: Budget-Friendly Tips

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In the ever-growing realm of construction costs, planning and constructing your dream home can sometimes feel like an overwhelming financial burden. However, being budget-conscious doesn’t mean compromising on quality or design. At Houseyog, we understand the importance of mindful spending and have compiled a comprehensive guide on how to save money on house construction without sacrificing your vision.

Why Save Money on House Construction?

The escalating costs of construction materials and labour make it imperative for homeowners to explore cost-saving strategies. By making informed decisions, you not only keep your budget intact but also ensure a sustainable and efficient construction process.

Tips and Tricks to Save Money on House Construction

Embarking on the journey of building your dream home can be a thrilling yet financially demanding experience. However, we believe that strategic planning and informed decision-making can significantly alleviate the burden on your wallet without compromising the integrity of your house construction project.

How to Save Money on House Construction

In this section, we unveil a curated set of tips and tricks designed to empower you to make budget-friendly choices throughout the construction process. From laying the groundwork with a meticulous budget-conscious plan to the finishing touches that enhance aesthetics without breaking the bank. These insights aim to guide you through the intricacies of cost-effective house construction.

Let’s explore how you can transform your dream home into a reality without exceeding your financial boundaries.

Craft a Budget-Conscious House Construction Plan

Begin your project by developing a comprehensive and detailed house construction budget. Beyond the standard house construction costs, factor in contingencies, permits, and potential overages.

Leverage budgeting tools and software to stay organized, allowing you to track expenses and identify areas where adjustments can be made.

Implement cost-saving measures like value engineering, a process that maximizes functionality while minimizing costs without compromising the quality of your home.

Strategic Plot Selection

Choosing the right plot is a crucial step in your construction journey. Look beyond just the initial cost and consider the long-term benefits. Opt for a plot in areas with potential future development, ensuring that your property value appreciates over time.

Strategic plot selection also involves considering natural elements like sunlight and wind direction, maximizing energy efficiency and reducing long-term operational costs.

Optimize Floor Plan and Facade Design

Beyond aesthetics, your house floor plan can significantly impact your construction costs. Focus on efficient space utilization by avoiding unnecessary rooms and hallways.

Consider an open floor plan that not only enhances the flow of your home but also reduces the need for additional walls, saving on construction materials.

A well-thought-out facade design not only adds curb appeal but can also be cost-effective by utilizing materials that balance aesthetics with affordability.

Invest in Detailed Structural Drawings

Allocate a portion of your budget to professional structural drawings. This investment is more than just a blueprint; it’s a roadmap for precision and efficiency in construction.

Detailed Structural Drawings

Accurate plans minimize errors during construction, preventing costly rework. Professional drawings also streamline the approval process, avoiding delays and potential additional expenses. This upfront investment ensures a smoother construction journey.

Choose the Right Construction Materials

The selection of construction materials such as cement, steel, bricks etc is a critical aspect of cost-effective building. Research and choose materials that strike the right balance between durability and cost.

Consider locally sourced materials to reduce transportation costs and explore eco-friendly options that align with sustainability goals. The right choice of materials not only influences the initial construction cost but also impacts long-term maintenance expenses.

Minimize Construction Waste

Efficient waste management not only contributes to environmental sustainability but also reduces disposal costs. Plan materials carefully, and explore recycling options for construction waste.

By minimizing waste, you not only contribute to a greener environment but also save on disposal fees. Consider partnering with recycling centres or organizations that can repurpose construction waste, adding a sustainable touch to your project.

Use Economical Finishing Materials

While the finishing touches of your home are essential for aesthetics, there are economical options that don’t compromise on style. Explore cost-effective finishing materials that provide the desired look without straining your budget.

Consider laminate flooring instead of hardwood, and explore alternative countertop materials that mimic the appearance of high-end options. Careful selection of finishing materials allows you to achieve the desired aesthetics without overspending.

Conclusion

Saving money on house construction is not about cutting corners but about making informed decisions that align with your vision and budget. At Houseyog, we specialize in providing end-to-end architectural and interior design consultancy, ensuring that your dream home comes to life without breaking the bank.

For personalized assistance or consultancy services, contact Houseyog at 75960 58808. Let’s build your dream home together, with mindful spending and thoughtful design.

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Six Easy Ways to Reduce The Cost of Building a House https://www.houseyog.com/blog/six-easy-ways-to-reduce-the-cost-of-building-a-house/ Fri, 07 Apr 2023 09:06:42 +0000 https://www.houseyog.com/blog/?p=939 Do you dream of building your own house someday? As easy as it may seem, constructing a home requires a huge corpus of funds. To actualize your wish, you need to kickstart this journey by purchasing a plot first. In fact, the thing which may concern you the most is the increasing home construction cost.… Continue reading Six Easy Ways to Reduce The Cost of Building a House

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Do you dream of building your own house someday? As easy as it may seem, constructing a home requires a huge corpus of funds. To actualize your wish, you need to kickstart this journey by purchasing a plot first. In fact, the thing which may concern you the most is the increasing home construction cost.

Needless to say, as the labour charges, prices of materials and lands are increasing at a steady pace, the overall home construction cost is increasing with each passing year. So, while being concerned about the home construction cost is natural, with adequate financial planning you can easily build the corpus and reduce the cost of building a house.

If that sounds familiar, then continue reading as that is what we are discussing in today’s post.

Easy Tips and Tricks to Reduce the Cost of Building a House

Well, don’t stress as today’s writeup will give you some really smart and effective tips on how to curtail the cost of building a house in the best way possible.

Take a look at these six ways.

Hire a qualified contractor and architect

You may think that hiring an architect and building contractor will cost you a lot, which may be true in some cases, on the other end it will save on your overall construction expense to a great extent.

Hire a qualified contractor and architect

Just the way a professional contractor will complete the home construction by strictly adhering to the stipulated deadline, an architect will assist you in making the most of your existing space while saving you money on further maintenance costs and the prices of materials as well. Similarly, a professional interior designer can further help in designing the interior spaces of your dream home.

So, how to know that the architect or contractor you are employing is worth the investment? Well, to the best of suggestions, try and seek advice from friends, colleagues or family members in this matter who have constructed their homes recently.

As they already have previous experience, they will be able to give you the finest of suggestions to let you hire the most reliable architects only.

Next for you is to create a detailed agreement as fast as you can.

Do include every aspect in this document, including the tentative fees for architects, who will fetch the construction materials, payment and project completion deadlines and penalty in case of delays etc. Aside from that, also consider the cost of interior designing services as you have to furnish the house before moving in.

Coming to the construction costs (by the contractor), they charge anywhere between 8-12% of the total house construction cost. So, keep that factor in mind. However, if you don’t want to implement this trick, you are free to do that.

But if you think that it will save on your actual home building project notably, it’s not going to happen. You still need to bear certain imperative costs such as hiring supervisors or contractors while your dream house is being constructed.

Despite that, if you continue to stick to your decision, you can go for it. But make sure that you adhere to a simple but modern house design in order to get the entire construction work done on time, and, needless to say in tandem with your tailored needs and requirements.

Select an appropriate plot

Even though the most crucial factor to consider, the type of plot you are buying plays a vital role, particularly when it comes to saving your overall home construction cost. So, try to choose a strip of land that is situated right on the road and retains an even level as well.

Select an appropriate plot

Conversely, if the plot seems rocky, uneven or way lower as compared to the surface of the road, then it’s simply not worth the investment. So, in the case of the latter, you will need extra materials or components for levelling up or filing the land, thereby adding to the overall house construction cost significantly.

As a result, you must buy your plot wisely, if a budget-friendly house building is what you are looking for.

Prioritize the quality of materials

No matter whether you are buying bricks, cement, sand, tiles, marbles, bathroom fittings, windows, doors, blocks, bricks or cement, make sure that you get these items from a local service provider as their costs are generally lower as compared to the more reputable brands.

Also, you can buy them in large quantities in advance to save money even more, but be careful about storing them properly. To further cut down the cost and improve the construction quality, make sure you select the desired cement grade by consuming it in adherence to the given instructions.

Say, for example, you can optimize PPC cement for non-structural works such as tiling or plastering and OPC for the sake of structural consignments including roofs, columns, foundations and many more.

While it may be a good idea to buy alternative and sustainable building materials to keep the costs down, there is no point in compromising with the quality. For instance, you should not ignore the waterproofing of wet areas. Although you can save some costs by not doing proper waterproofing, it may turn out to be an expensive decision later on.

In a word, you got to be smart with your choices when building your dream home.

Don’t compromise on the quality

When constructing your home, taking both the initial costs as well as the total cost into consideration is of the highest importance. These include all the expenses that will be covered during the entire lifespan of your house.

At the least, a house maximum lasts for around 30-50 years and we all know that. So, make sure that you build a super-sturdy home with the help of a qualified architect as the person will assist you in selecting good-quality materials that will not only last longer but are available at affordable prices also.

Consequently, you can avoid the unnecessary repair or replacement costs that you may have to bear in the future. To the best of suggestions, go for eco-friendly construction materials. Blended cement is the best option to optimize in this matter, reducing your overall construction and maintenance cost notably.

As a result, you would be able to save more money on your construction project down the road.

Avoid changing anything at the eleventh hour

When the final construction is done, an inspection or walkthrough of the building needs to be conducted. And a few changes at the last minute can occur at any point in time. But, try to avoid such expenses as much as possible as it can increase your overall construction cost quite a bit while hampering the overall structural quality as well.

So, it is best to preserve these expenses for future needs only such as emergency purposes or in case of severe damages. Also, if possible, get the essential upgrades and improvements done while the home construction goes on. This will save you from spending huge sums of money on the patch-up works or defective portions of your house every now and again.

Make the most of the latest technology

Pre-engineered building (PEBs) is a concept that is gaining immense popularity with each passing day. Interestingly, this idea is implemented in residential constructions also nowadays. In more simple words, PEBs are galvanised structures of iron steel that are first manufactured in factories and subsequently assembled on the site itself.

Coming to the walls and flooring, a mix of gypsum particle boards and cement are used so as to give these parts of your house the desired firmness. So, if building a faster home construction is what you are looking for while also saving on the overall building expense, then PEBs can certainly fulfil your wish.

Because they are way lighter in weight, quite naturally, charges related to construction will be way less as compared to conventional residential projects.

Time to build a sturdy yet affordable home!

We all want to save money no matter how massive or minimal our house construction project is. So, reducing the cost of building a house without compromising on the quality and amenities of materials is something totally attainable.

Make sure you implement each of the tips given above to do that while building an exceptionally strong and durable home without breaking the bank. All the best!

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7 Things to Consider When Constructing a House https://www.houseyog.com/blog/7-things-to-consider-when-constructing-a-house/ Tue, 20 Sep 2022 11:43:25 +0000 https://www.houseyog.com/blog/?p=627 Every person wants to have their own home. So, are you also someone who is planning to build a new house very soon? As easy as it may seem, but turning your most-awaited home into a reality can get somewhat tricky if not done systematically. In fact, there are several factors worth considering before you… Continue reading 7 Things to Consider When Constructing a House

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Every person wants to have their own home. So, are you also someone who is planning to build a new house very soon? As easy as it may seem, but turning your most-awaited home into a reality can get somewhat tricky if not done systematically.

In fact, there are several factors worth considering before you finally start constructing a house and do everything to make it your perfect living space. Moreover, you need to take care of each and every aspect that goes into the design, placement and privacy of your residence.

Factors to consider when building a new house

Usually, we build a house only once in our lifetime. And therefore it’s important to plan everything well and consider the factors that can make or shatter the dream of building a beautiful and sustainable house.  

If you are planning to build a home of your dreams any time soon, then consider these factors as it will help you avoid any pitfalls while constructing your house. Considering these factors can also help you eliminate any guesswork and complete the construction in your budget.

Prioritize your individual requirements

What do you want your home to appear like? Ponder over the decor, the layout and the embellishment pertaining to each and every part of your house.

Besides, focus on the essentials that your house will consist of aside from getting some fresh ideas that you wish to implement for your favourite abode. Also, pay attention to its size as per the length of your family.

It would even be better if you can communicate your ideas with a professional like an architect etc. in order to share your thoughts and intentions with that person. Subsequently,  he or she can revamp your ideas a bit and coin some more effective hacks that would help enhance both the aesthetic as well as the price value of your dwelling.

Take your budget into consideration

No matter what you spend on, it must remain within the limitations of your budget. In this case, your home-making project cannot be an exception. So, make sure that you plan a proper budget in advance and stick to it as hard as possible.

Always remember, that while building your home, you will have to spend quite a bit of money from time to time. Devising a financial strategy wisely would not only save you from overpaying but also let you avoid unnecessary costs.

In this process, try and reap the maximum benefits of each of the spaces you’ve built. After all, you’ve shelled out your hard-earned money to make such a lovely residence. Say, for example, you can utilize your kitchen space by creating an open kitchen and dining space together over there.

Besides, you can also convert your hallway into your study area if need be. This way, you can surely make the most of the budget you’ve framed while constructing the house of your dream.

Focus on the Home Automation and Utilities

Using automated devices and getting the lighting of your Kolkata house proper is the key to reinforcing your property’s aesthetic appeal and utility. So, make sure that you install premium lights to get every part of your abode well-illuminated.

The fact is, each of the spaces of your house will appear outright stupendous once the desired kind of lighting has been incorporated there. Besides, the components that are kept inside these areas will also look way more fascinating and visually attractive than before.

Coming to the usage of smart tools must be one of your imperative considerations when building a home. Instances include getting automated heating and cooling systems, window coverings, lighting and alarm systems and so on and so forth.

Using such modern-day devices for your home means you’re trying to stay abreast of the changing technological advancements from time to time. The greatest advantage is that you are able to manage your house remotely even while you are away.

Reflect upon the materials you purchase

Even before the construction of your new home begins, you may wonder what the materials you would need indispensable for it are. Doing so is quite important as you must shell out for these things by keeping a particular budget in mind.

Again, don’t invest in alternate and cheaper home-building materials like bricks, cement, steel etc just to save a little bit of money. So, choose only the top-quality building materials needed to construct your home that too in the right amount.

While the cost of constructing a house in India can range between Rs. 1300 to 1700 per sq ft using standard quality materials, if you are looking for premium quality finish, then you may have to allocate a higher home construction budget.

Also, you can decorate and furnish your home as and when needed. However, you can’t really change the structure of the house. Hence, it is important to not compromise on the quality and grade of cement, steel, sand, aggregate, tiles and marble, electrical wire and switches, plumbing pipes and fittings.

On the contrary, if you order materials more than is needed, it will not only lead to wastage but will also impact your budget negatively. That’s why, it would be wise if you can buy your construction materials from a renowned company as they sell good-quality products at affordable price options.

Go for a functional floor plan

Building a house is not just about building a space to live. You need to do a lot of planning ahead in terms of positioning the different areas of your home according to your varying requirements and design preferences.

Like, you can divide your dwelling into portions according to the purposes they serve. Using your kids’ play areas or bedrooms, the dining area or maybe the recreational spaces at night would be a great idea.

Similarly, you can optimize the bathrooms, guest bedrooms, study area, kitchen, living room and dining space of your home during the day. However, make sure that these areas are away from the attached baths, master bedrooms and walk-in closets of your house to make the most of them.

Besides, consider building your dining and living areas towards the south or may be southwest in your residence.

Ensure proper lighting and ventilation

Since we tend to spend most of our time in these rooms, we need the maximum amount of lighting there. And needless to say, both south and southwest are the most sunlight-friendly positions so far.

Subsequently, install large-sized windows for these areas of your house so that they seem well-lit-up and bright all through the day. Most importantly, pay attention to making amusement zones and a home-gym if possible within or outside your home.

Last but not the least, there should be a few fun spots as well where you can get along with your family to stay connected and close to each other.

Work with professional architect and building contractor

No amount of planning can substitute the importance of a professional architect near you. They have the expertise to help you through the planning and construction of your house. Similarly, it is equally important to choose the well placed and experienced team of building contractors while constructing a house.

While the architect helps you with functional and efficient floor planning, 3D house designs, structural and working drawings, the building contractors can help construct the house. The building contractors will be responsible to take care of all the civil as well as plumbing, electrical and other finishing works like putty and painting.

Constructing your dream home is now a cakewalk!

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and daunted when you think of building your dream home.

You may find it hard to make easy decisions like which brands of materials to choose for waterproofing or painting a house. Which cement will work well for slab casting? Luckily, with adequate planning and a bit of help from professionals like architects and construction contractors, you can easily figure it out.

However, executing the tips and tricks mentioned above would definitely let you build your most-awaited house easily and effortlessly.

FAQ

What to watch out for when building a house?

When constructing a house, just watch out to ensure the construction is happening as per architectural specification. The construction should progress as per the specification, budget and the timeline.

How much money is needed to build a house in India?

The amount of money needed to build a house in India may depend on the size of the house and build quality. Assuming the build area of 1000 sq ft, with standard quality material and finish, you may have to spend around Rs. 1500000 to Rs. 1700000.

What should I know before building a new house?

First of all you need to make a budget for the civil work and soft furnishing and then accordingly make the construction plan. Once you have the budget, and know the size of the house i.e. the total build area, then you can plan the rest of the steps much efficiently.

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How to Save Money to Build a House https://www.houseyog.com/blog/how-to-save-money-to-build-a-house/ Fri, 28 May 2021 11:42:50 +0000 https://www.houseyog.com/blog/?p=217 Building a new house of your dreams may require a lot of planning and preparation. You have to prepare yourself and decide whether you want to build a house instead of buying a house. If you decide to build a house, then you have to figure out the cost of construction. And accordingly, you can… Continue reading How to Save Money to Build a House

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Building a new house of your dreams may require a lot of planning and preparation. You have to prepare yourself and decide whether you want to build a house instead of buying a house. If you decide to build a house, then you have to figure out the cost of construction. And accordingly, you can start saving money to build the house of your dreams. If you are planning to build your dream home, and you are unsure about how to save money to build a house, then read on. As today, I am sharing everything you need to know about how to save money to build a house.

Constructing a house is a huge financial commitment. Even if you opt for a home construction loan, you still have to save money to build a house. With careful financial planning and saving, you can save enough money to build your dream home. But, first off you have to find out the tentative construction cost, so that you can start saving money accordingly.

Try these simple tricks to save money to build your dream home.

How to save money

Amount of money you need to save

Saving becomes easier when you know how much money you need and by when. First of all, prepare a rough estimate of construction. A professional Architect Now that you know your construction budget, aim to save at least 20-30 per cent of the total construction budget. Because, even if you are planning to avail of a house construction loan, the bank is not going to finance 100 per cent of the construction cost. They want to see your commitment before approving and processing your loan application form. And therefore, you have to save money for the down payment.

How much money you need to cover the initial construction cost may depend on the total home construction cost. But, whatever the total construction cost may be, you should aim to save as much as you can. This will help you ensure you don’t have to borrow a lot of money from the bank. So, look to save anywhere between 20-30 per cent of the total construction cost. However, if you can save more, then that will be even better for you.

Open a savings bank account

Open a savings bank account and consider it as a home-building fund account. You may already have a savings bank account. But still, it’s highly recommended to open a separate bank account and use it to save money for home construction.

This home fund account is going to be used as the main account to save money to build a house. Deposit any surplus money like a bonus, tax refund, commission, and salary raise etc to this account.

Save and invest to get higher returns

Invest the money wisely from this account to get better returns and yields. Consider different investment options like equity and mutual fund investment. They are known to offer better returns than the usual fixed deposit, recurring deposit and saving bank accounts.

If you opt to invest in a mutual fund or other market-linked schemes like equity, then be very careful in choosing the funds and scripts. For the best returns, analyze the past performance of the instrument. Also, check for reviews and comments by experts. Understand the financials of the companies/funds, and then make your best judgment.

However, if you are unsure, it is best to talk to an expert financial planner. A financial planner can help you get a better return out of your investment as per your financial goals.

Cut your expenses

There can be two effective ways to save money for building a house, buying a home or an apartment. Or to meet any of your other present and future financial goals. One is to cut down your present expenses and the other is to increase your earning.

How can you cut present expenses?

Note down all your expenses big or small on a daily basis. Analyze your expenses and you can easily find a few cost heads that can be tweaked and adjusted. Get rid of any cost heads that do not add value and make a huge difference in your life. This will help you bring down your monthly expenses and you will end up saving some extra cash every month. Put this extra cash into your home saving fund and then invest it wisely to get a handsome return.

For instance, if you are going out every weekend for dinner, then you may like to change the frequency of dining out. Instead of dining out every weekend, you may like to go out once every month. Instead of dining out every week, if you eat out just once a month, you can save a substantial amount of money every month.

Similarly, you can get rid of a few of the subscriptions like DTH, and instead watch shows online. Get rid of newspapers and other periodicals and you can read online news. Look for recurring expenses and check out which cost heads can be adjusted to cut your monthly expenses down.

It may appear like a small saving. But, when you seriously want to save money to build a house, every penny you save will help you realize your dream of building a house faster.

Increase your income

As I said, when you want to save money for building a house or to meet any other short or long-term financial goals, you have to save and invest money wisely. Now, if you are able to increase your monthly or quarterly savings even by 10-15 per cent, it will help realize your financial goal much faster.

How do you increase your income?

You have to put in extra effort and build some sort of passive income. Apart from your day-to-day job, find ways to earn a little extra every month. You may consider starting a side hustle because starting a side business is not as difficult in today’s time when you have free tools and apps to take care of your operation. For instance, you can use Canva for designs, Zintego to generate business receipts, Google Calendar for scheduling tasks and so on.

Today we are living in a creative economy where anyone can monetize their skill. So look for a new opportunity where you can monetize your time and skill. Here are a few options you may like to try.

  • Look for a part-time job opportunity
  • Teaching a few hours on online platforms
  • Starting a blog and publishing posts every week
  • Take up some freelance assignments as per your expertise
  • Start a video blog on YouTube to generate extra income

Do whatever you can to increase your income, even if it’s just a few thousand every month. By investing this extra income wisely, you’ll be able to reach your financial goal faster.

Cut the cost of construction

As a future homeowner, you only know the efforts it takes to build a corpus for new home construction. The sweat, efforts and sacrifices you have made should not be wasted and thus you should look for ways to keep the cost of construction under control.

The process of building a house has changed a lot over the years and there is so much that can be added while building a house. From fancy tiles and marbles to ultra-modern home automation systems, there is much to do.

But, you should not get carried away and look for the features that can add real value to your home. Get your priorities right and accordingly plan for the construction and this will help you build your dream home without getting over budget.

You should also consider hiring a professional architect who can help design the house and estimate the budget for construction. Hiring an architect does not cost much and there are many architects who offer flexible rates as per the level of engagement. Having a professional by your side has many advantages and you must consider this option.

Final thoughts on saving money to build a house

Choosing to build a house on your own land is a big financial and emotional commitment. If you have decided to construct a house, you are actually gearing up towards a long, exciting and overwhelming journey. As it involves a lot of money, it requires a foolproof financial plan and savings. From saving money to manage initial construction expenses to arranging housing loans and getting a house plan in place, this journey is going to be super exciting.

However, saving money to cover 20-30 per cent of total home construction cost is not going to be easy, especially when you do not start saving money early on. I have shared a few simple and easy money-saving tricks that’ll help you to save for home construction. If you follow these simple saving tips and hacks, you will be able to manage the funds much more effectively.

What else do you think can help save money to build a new house? Share your money-saving tips and tricks by commenting below.

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Custom Home Design Tips to Build a Beautiful House in Budget https://www.houseyog.com/blog/custom-home-design-tips-ideas-build-house-in-budget/ Wed, 31 Mar 2021 12:12:52 +0000 https://www.houseyog.com/blog/?p=173 Home construction is a long tedious process that requires detailed planning and perfect execution. Any lack of planning at the custom home design stage will result in delayed construction and higher construction cost. Hence, it is important to plan for your upcoming custom house design project carefully. We at houseyog put a lot of effort… Continue reading Custom Home Design Tips to Build a Beautiful House in Budget

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Home construction is a long tedious process that requires detailed planning and perfect execution. Any lack of planning at the custom home design stage will result in delayed construction and higher construction cost. Hence, it is important to plan for your upcoming custom house design project carefully. We at houseyog put a lot of effort while creating a custom home design for our clients. We ask them a lot of questions as it help understand their requirements and priorities correctly. And that is very important for anyone planning to design and build a custom house on their own land.

If you are planning to build a new custom house, and you are looking for the best custom home design tips and ideas that’ll help you to plan and design a beautiful home in budget, then I can help you get it right. We have worked on several custom house design projects and we interact with hundreds of customers like you. We have helped them with their custom home designs and we can help you get it right as well.

What is custom home design?

A custom home is a unique house which is designed for a particular client according to their requirements, plot size, lifestyle and budget. A custom home design is different from a ready to move house because it offers plenty of control to the home owner. Designing a custom home gives you the opportunity to design the layout, number of rooms, floors, features etc as per your requirements and specifications.

The custom house plans and designs are created by a professional architect or a custom home builder as per the input, space requirements and budget of the client. Naturally, you don’t get such control when you buy a ready to move property that was designed by the builder or a previous home owner as per their needs and requirements.

Best custom home design tips worth knowing

The whole idea of designing a custom house is to design it as per your requirements, priorities and budget. But, designing and building a custom home is no easy task, because it’s a long term process that involves multiple stakeholders and contractors. You will get multiple ideas and inputs from different contractors. But, you should stay focused on your priorities and stay focused on features, amenities and areas that are important for you, and your family lifestyle.

Here’re a few of the best custom home design tips and hacks that’ll help you create beautiful custom home design plans for your new home.

Start with the basic

We have been designing custom house floor plans and elevation designs since over a decade now. I can tell you with authority that the best way to end up with a fully optimized and well designed house floor plan is to start with the basics.

This is your dream home. Hence, it must be designed as per your priorities, and space requirements. You don’t have to be an architect to draw a simple house floor plan with all the amenities and features that’s important for you and your family.

Moreover, you are not supposed to create a final house floor plan on your own, but the idea is to bring your vision on paper. Draw the layout of the plot and visualize how you want to use the space and just create multiple floor plan ideas. Try and accommodate all your requirements on the paper and see if you liked the division of space and overall floor plan idea.

Brainstorming with multiple floor plan layouts will not just bring clarity, but it’ll also help your architect understand your priorities and vision for your dream home.

It’s absolutely important to hire an architect to finally draft the building plans, elevation and structural drawings. Architects do not charge a huge service fees, especially for smaller homes and buildings. But, a little bit of home work prior to meeting and consulting an architect will make things easier for both of you.

Think long term

The main idea behind designing a custom house plan is to ensure that your dream home has all the features and amenities you need today and might need in future. So, when planning your custom home design, don’t just think about the current space requirements, but think of the future requirements as well.

For instance, if you have aging parents who may stay with you in a few years from now, then you should create a room for them. If you have kids or plan to have kids, then they require a separate bedroom room. Similarly, if you have frequent visitors, then you should think of a guest room. You may have a car or may like to buy one in the future, so your custom house design must have a provision for a car parking space. Similarly, you may need a flexible space that can be used to setup a home office or can be used as a library or as a store room.

All I am trying to say is your custom home design should include your future space requirements. It does not cost much to keep provision for amenities and features you may require in a few years from now. However, if you don’t look at your future space requirements and amenities while drawing your custom home plan, it may be difficult to accommodate those requirements at a later stage.

Even though you plan to build one floor currently, there is no reason why you would not design a ground plus one or two floor building. Planning has to be with end in mind, especially when you can build the second or third floor when needed in the future.

So when designing a custom home, you should always think long term.

Choose facing wisely

Since you are exploring custom house plan design ideas, you most likely own a plot to build your house. If you don’t already have a plot, then it’s the right time to search a suitable plot as per the house size you are planning to build.

However as every plot has some unique features and properties such as open space, park, main road, pond, greeneries etc, you should consider these features when you are designing the house floor plan. For instance, if there is an open space in the north, then it would be wise for you to keep the bedroom on the north side to enjoy the open space. Similarly, you may like to expose the living room towards the north side to get extra light and ventilation in the entire living area and hall.

While choosing the right position for doors and windows in your custom house plan design, you should consider already available features of the plot. Ideally, the doors, windows, balconies, open terrace etc should be placed in the direction that offers natural light and ventilation.

Check out functionality

Now that you have finalized the key features and amenities you want in your custom house design, the next step is to figure out the layout of the floor. However, while choosing the placement of different spaces like bedroom, kitchen, temple, study room etc you should always consider the lifestyle of your family.

For example, to avoid noise and to get more privacy, you may like to place bedrooms away from the living and drawing hall. Similarly, if you have a big family and like to gather in your drawing room, then your living and drawing space should be a little bigger.

The idea is to make the floor plan much more efficient and functional.

However, there is no one fit all rule, so choose a layout that works well for you.

Consider your priorities

The whole idea of a custom house design is to ensure you get all the features and amenities you want in your home. But, if you try to incorporate too many features and amenities, then the cost of construction can easily go up by a good percentage.

So, ideally you should list out all the features and amenities you want in your custom house design, then sort it out as per your priorities and of course the budget. For instance, it would be nice to use Italian marble on the floors, but it’ll also cost nearly double than a good quality floor tile.

Similarly, if you always wanted to have an open terrace, then you should go for it. However, if you are building the house on a small plot, and you need one extra room, then it becomes crucial to take the call. What’s more important, an open terrace space or an extra study room?

I hope you get the idea?

Check construction budget

Now you have a house floor plan design for your new custom house, it’s time to look at the financials. The simple rate of construction comes at around Rs. 1300 -1700 per square feet. But that’s not enough, especially when you are building a duplex or a triplex house.

However, you can calculate very accurate construction estimate with a bill of quantity. As you already have detailed measurements and the total build up area, you can easily calculate the approx construction cost.

The building contractor or the architect can provide the bill of quantity for your new custom home construction project. Once you have the bill of quantities, you can easily make the overall construction budget and start constructing.

And if you calculate the BOQ correctly and stick to it, it can even help reduce home construction cost to a good extent.

Stay in budget

There is always a possibility of exceeding the budget during the construction. However, you should try and stick with the budget you have already made. Crossing the budget by 5-10% is okay and natural because a custom home is built once in a lifetime. However, you should not get tempted and get carried away while sourcing materials and fittings for your new home construction. You should rather stick to the custom house design and plans. Or else, you may end up spending a lot more than you had thought of initially.

Conclusion

Building a new custom house can be overwhelming for anyone. There is so much to plan, so many things to look at, and so many decisions to be made. It really requires proper planning and knowledge. I have already shared a few of the custom house design tips that’ll help you big time. Here are the custom house design tips and ideas we have discussed today:

  • You should start with the basic planning
  • Always think long term space requirements
  • Choose the facing for the house wisely
  • Give priorities to the functionality
  • Always be mindful of your priorities
  • Make  detailed construction budget
  • Try and stay in budget

If you stay focused and follow the above custom house design tips and ideas then you should not have any issues in designing and building a beautiful house in your budget.

What else do you think one should keep in mind while designing and building a custom house?

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How to Reduce Home Construction Cost and Budget https://www.houseyog.com/blog/how-to-reduce-home-construction-costs-and-budget/ Mon, 22 Mar 2021 05:13:00 +0000 https://www.houseyog.com/blog/?p=163 Per square feet cost for home construction in India with standard quality materials was around Rs. 1000 per sq ft in 2018. But today, the prices have gone up to Rs. 1300 per sq ft in 2021 with the same build quality. Naturally, that’s because of the rising prices of raw materials, labor costs, professional… Continue reading How to Reduce Home Construction Cost and Budget

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Per square feet cost for home construction in India with standard quality materials was around Rs. 1000 per sq ft in 2018. But today, the prices have gone up to Rs. 1300 per sq ft in 2021 with the same build quality. Naturally, that’s because of the rising prices of raw materials, labor costs, professional fees, and rental costs of tools and equipment. If you are planning to build your dream home and you are looking for ways to reduce the home construction cost then continue reading. As, today in this post I am sharing a few quick and simple ways that’ll help you to bring the construction costs down to a good extent.

The major home construction cost heads that we’ll be discussing today:

Therefore, if you want to reduce home construction cost then you have to find ways to adjust some of the expenses under some of these cost heads.

So, how do we do that?

That’s what we are going to discuss next.

Simple tips to reduce home construction cost in India

New home construction costs have grown significantly in recent years. Prices of raw materials like brick, cements, sand and steels keeps on changing dues to different factors. Also, labor charges and rentals for equipment and machinery keep rising every year. Needless to say, constructing a new house has already become a costly affair.

Home construction costs primarily depend on the size of the house you want to build. Secondly, the kind of materials you use and the quality of finish you want. And therefore, you should plan everything minutely and may be make a home construction checklist to manage and track everything correctly.

But how do we reduce the new home construction costs and budget? Well, that’s what I am going to help you with in this post.

Save on cost of land

Prices of residential lands have gone up substantially in recent times and therefore it’s important to choose the right plot. If you buy the right plot at the right price, you can save a good amount of money on construction.

Here are a few ways to save money on home construction by choosing a good land or plot.

Land preparation cost

Overall cost of construction will go up in case the land require some preparation like filling and leveling. If you end up buying low lying land then you have to prepare and level the land. Land filling cost can go in hundreds of thousands of rupees, especially when you have a substantially large parcel of land of over 2000 sq ft area.

However, if you have not purchased a land yet, then you should look for a parcel of land that does not require leveling or filling. Ideal plot should not be too low or too high from the road levels. Otherwise, you have to spend extra money in leveling the land and that may increase your home construction cost and budget.

Floor area ratio

This is another important thing to note when buying a plot. Different municipalities and development authorities have different regulations for floor area ratio.  In simple terms, floor area ratio is the maximum permissible floor area.

FAR calculation is different for different places or municipal areas and it keeps on changing as well. Width of the approach road to access your plot plays an important role in FAR calculation. Hence, you should always buy plots that have wider access roads, even though it will be a little costlier, you can build multiple floors on the same plot size.

For instance if you buy a plot of 40×30 =1200 sq ft, and the FAR is 2 then you’ll get the buildup area of approx 2400 sq ft. However, with a FAR of 1.5 you only get 1800 sq ft of built up area. And hence, it is important to look for areas or plots where you get a higher FAR.

Saving on architectural services charges

And therefore you must consider hiring an Architect. We often consider architect fees and charges as an additional expense. But trust me, it’s totally worth it. An experienced and professional architect have a crucial role in helping you design and build your house cost-effectively.

However, there are a few things to note when working with an architect to get a house plan designed.

  • It’s always better to work with an architect or an architectural firm with real experience as they can design cost-effective house plans and elevation designs.
  • Don’t just choose an architect coming your way. Rather check architectural service prices from a few local architects to know of the standard architectural service charges.
  • Even consider online architectural services as they tend to offer comparatively better price and hassle-free house designing services.
  • If you have an even dimension plot e.g. rectangular or square shaped land, then check if you can get a ready to use house plan and elevation design.
  • Cost of construction is calculated based on total built up area, so be mindful of the total buildup area in your house plan.
  • A ready to use house plans can be customized as per your requirement. It also costs a lot less than a custom made house plan.
  • It costs less when you want to build a rectangular and square shaped building, than an L shape or an H shaped or any such odd shaped structure.
  • Always insist on getting the full architectural drawing that include, master plan, floor plan of the building for each floor, elevation, structural and working drawing etc.
  • Having a full set of architectural drawings and perspective views in 3D can help avoid construction error and save construction costs.

Saving in documentation charges

Before starting the construction work for your home, there are certain legal formalities that have to be done. You need to get the house plan approved prior to starting construction. If you are working with an architect, then the chance of getting the house plan approved is higher.

Since you are already going through the process of plan approval, it’s better to get the full building plan approved. That means, if you plan to build single floor now, and second floor later, then it’s always recommended to get both the plans approved now. Otherwise, you may have to go through the same process to get the approval for the second floor.

Moreover, instead of going through a third party, you can approach the authority on your to get your house plan approved and save more.

Tips to save costs on building materials

A good portion of construction budget will go towards buying building materials. Needless to say, you have to choose the right kind of materials available at cheaper rates.

Here’re a few of the ways to save money on building materials and bring down the home construction cost and budget:

  • Cement, sand, steel and bricks are the main building blocks for your new home. Majority of your home construction budget will be spent on these materials and therefore it is important to choose these materials wisely.
  • By choosing the right quality and grade of cement, brick, steel etc, you can save as much as up to 20-30% of the cost.
  • When choosing the cement, instead of looking for the national brand, look for similar grade materials available from the regional brands, which will cost a little lower than the national brands.
  • Use the right grade of materials as per the advice of your architect. For instance, there are two grades of cements usually available in India i.e. OPC and PPC. OPC cement is a little costlier than the PPC cement and both have different applications.
  • You can use OPC cements for structural work like pillars, beams, roof etc. However, for brick work like plastering, tiling etc, PPC cement may be the best choice.
  • Similarly, when it comes to bricks, you have multiple choices like ‘A’ grade red bricks and ash bricks and both these bricks are equally good. But, you got to choose a brick that is available cheaply and for less.
  • If you are after a multi storied building, you may even consider concrete blocks, for they are lighter in weight. And therefore, you can save on structural elements and as it keeps the building cooler, you can save on cooling expenses moving forward.
  • Another major cost head is for wood work i.e. door frames and doors. Wooden door frames and doors for all your rooms can become costlier.
  • But, you can choose to install laminated flush doors for all rooms except the main door. Similarly in the washrooms, you can use PVC doors which are available in fancy designs; they are more durable, and available at much cheaper rates.
  • Roof railing can be done with a little gap (the jail pattern) for it offers ventilation as well as help reduce the construction costs.
  • For electric work, always use the best quality wire and accessories, but that does not mean you have to use the costliest products and accessories available. Basically, you should look at the quality and grade of the materials, not the fascinating brands.
  • While choosing lights and light fittings, you should look for regional brands with adequate warranty and if you choose right, you can save up to 50% of the total lighting and light fitting expenses.

Saving on labour and contractor expenses

Different types of contractors, subcontractors and labor are required to build a new house. And a good portion of your home construction cost will go towards labor and contractor payments. However, if you hire the right kind of contractors and labour, you may end up saving some extra money and that will help you reduce your home construction costs and budget to a good extent.

Here are a few of the best ways to save money on labour and contractor expenses.

There are many benefits of working with a team of experienced contractors and labour. They tend to make no mistakes, work efficiently and can help complete the construction on time and that in turn help you save money indirectly.

However, when you work with inexperienced contractors and labour, they tend to make more mistakes, which may be expensive in terms of build-demolish and rebuild. And sometimes, they will end up with irreversible construction mistakes and that may turn out to be expensive, even though they may charge a little less than the experienced contractors.

Another important way to keep the labor charges low is to go with simple elevation design. Simple elevation can be finished quickly. However, it may take extra manpower to finish a complicated building elevation design and thus, it will cost more.

Saving on finishing costs

Once the basic construction like structure, brick work and plastering is done, it’s to give finishing touch to the house. And this is an area, where you need to be very mindful while choosing the materials like paints, lighting, floor tiles etc.

Here are a few tips to save on finishing expenses and bring the overall home construction costs down.

  • For flooring, tiles and marbles are available in different ranges. But if you want to keep the costs low, you can use mosaic flooring instead of tiles as this will help reduce home construction costs significantly.
  • While choosing tiles and other flooring materials, you will get several options in different price ranges. Review and evaluate all the options available and then choose the tiles carefully to keep the overall construction costs low.
  • False ceiling could cost you well, especially in a duplex building. But, you can get rid of the false ceiling to keep the construction costs low.
  • Alternatively, you can even consider creating a tray for lighting around the walls as it serves the purpose and costs under 10-15% than false ceiling cost for the entire ceiling area in a room.
  • For plumbing and fixtures, you will get tons of options in different price ranges. The national brands are generally costlier for the range of products they offer.
  • But, as I said, there are tons of options and as far as durability is concerned, they are mostly durable. It’s the brand name and the looks and finishes that costs more. So, if you choose the sanitary and plumbing materials wisely, you can save over 30-40% of the total expense towards bath fittings.
  • You can also save substantially in wall painting expenses by choosing reasonable wall paints like semi-acrylic wall pains, instead of getting fascinated by the high end paints.
  • Using a lot of tiles on external walls to get luxurious elevation can shoot up your construction budget, so you can use wall paints instead to reduce home construction costs.

Other tips to save money on home construction

Apart from what we have already discussed, here are a few other ways to save money when constructing a new house in India.

  • Make a comprehensive plan and budget, and stick to it.
  • Never start construction unless you have figured everything well, from permission to house floor plans to budget to the kind of materials you will be using in construction.
  • It’s natural to get impressed with those shiny tiles, but don’t get carried away and fascinated or you will end up spending more.
  • Check prices from multiple builders and contractors to ensure you are not being overcharged and that you are paying the fees as per market rates.
  • When possible, buy materials from bigger suppliers and bargain for a better deal. When your order size is bigger, you can easily negotiate better rates from the building material suppliers.
  • Working randomly may result in misuse of your funds and if in case you run short of cash then you may have to pause or halt the construction.
  • Always work with experienced hands, their fees may be a little more, but there are long term benefits of working with people who know what they are doing.

Conclusion

Building a house is considered to be a costly affair. And due to lack of proper planning and budgeting, the total cost of constructing a new house can easily go up by 10-25%. Needless to say, if you are planning to construct a new house, you go to be very careful with everything.

I have already shared the major home construction cost heads, and how you can cut these costs to reduce the overall cost to construct a new house.

Hope these cost cutting tricks and ideas will come handy for you.

What else do you think once can do to reduce the home construction costs in India in 2021? Share your tricks and hacks by commenting below.

Happy home constructing!

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Things to Consider When Building a House in 2021 https://www.houseyog.com/blog/things-to-consider-when-building-a-house/ Fri, 05 Mar 2021 07:41:15 +0000 https://www.houseyog.com/blog/?p=138 Building a house on a plot of land as per your space requirements and lifestyle needs can be the most exciting and fulfilling experience for anyone. However, home construction is a long and complicated process that runs into months and years in the case of larger homes.  Moreover, it also requires plenty of money to… Continue reading Things to Consider When Building a House in 2021

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Building a house on a plot of land as per your space requirements and lifestyle needs can be the most exciting and fulfilling experience for anyone. However, home construction is a long and complicated process that runs into months and years in the case of larger homes. 

Moreover, it also requires plenty of money to build a house today in 2021 and therefore, everything has to be planned minutely before starting the construction of a new house. In fact, you should make a construction checklist to track everything and to ensure you are not missing out on anything important while building a house.

There have been phenomenal changes in the way people build their homes today e.g. home construction process, tools and equipment they use and also the building materials. Today, people are talking about sustainable living, smart homes and whatnot. 

Therefore it has become even more important for someone planning to construct a home to plan everything minutely and consider all the vital factors and aspects of building a house.

If you are building a house or planning to build your dream home in the near future and you are wondering about what to know and consider when building a house, then continue reading.

I have been associated with some of the best builders for over a decade now, and I know the industry and the process of constructing a house inside out. So, today, in this post I am sharing a list of the most crucial things you should consider when building a house of your own.

So, are you ready? Let’s talk about the first thing first.

What things should be considered before building a house?

There are many vital things that have to be considered when building a house on a plot of land e.g. the location of the land, legal formalities, size of the house, actual built-up area, open space etc.

Here’s the list of the most important things you should consider before building a house in India.

Location of the plot

Among all the other things that you should keep in mind, the location of the land is probably the most important thing worth considering. While all of us want to live in a developed residential locality, sometimes you may not get the appropriate size plot in an already developed area. Moreover, the cost of land will be super high in such residential areas, and unless you have a decent budget, you may have to look out for a plot in other localities, and that’s absolutely fine.

However, you should just see to it that the area in general and your plot of land in particular is not in a restricted zone. Double-check and ensure that you’ll get the required permission for constructing a new house before booking the plot or proceeding further with your home construction plan.

Legalities

Different cities may have different zones and building regulation laws. For instance, in major cities like Kolkata, there are different zones that are planned and developed by local building authorities. But the same is not the case in smaller towns.

So, based on where you plan to build your home, check with the local building authority, and Municipal Corporation or Gram Panchayat office about the legalities of constructing a house.

For instance, if you have farmland where you plan to build your home, you can easily do so in smaller towns, but you can’t build a house in major cities without converting the use of land. So if you are planning to build a house on a farmland, you may have to follow certain legality and documentation to get the permission for construction of a house.

Build area

The build area is not going to be the same as the land area. So for instance, if you have a rectangular plot of 50×40 sq ft i.e. 2000 sq ft, then you can’t really use the entire space for building the structure, especially in major cities / municipal areas.

Different cities may have different regulations and building codes, which may restrict you from using the entire space. Depending on your city, you may have to leave anywhere between 15-30% (or more) of the space as open space. And, you can only carry out the main construction in the rest of the area.

So if you are asked to leave 25% of the plot, then you are left with only 1600 sq ft to carry out the construction of your home.

The best way to know how much open space has to be left at your plot is to check with the local regulators and building authorities. Only when you know how much space you have got to carry out the construction work, you’ll be able to take a call on the build-up area you can use for construction purposes.

House size

It’s very important for you to think through and decide the size of the house you want to build. Depending on the size of the family, and the build-up area you can use on your plot, you can take a call on the size of the house and the number of floors you want in your house.

However, when deciding on the size of the house you want to construct, you should think long-term and decide accordingly. Because we build a house only once or twice in our lifetime and therefore, it is important to think about:

  • The immediate space requirement
  • Space you may require in the next 5-10 years
  • Size of the land and built-up area
  • Home construction cost
  • Maintenance cost etc.

Open space

While building a house, we often think about the building and how to best use the built-up area. However, you should pay equal attention to the open space and use the space wisely and creatively for different purposes.

If you have plenty of open space available then you should ask your architect to develop that space strategically. Similarly, if there is little open space left then also they can put it to best use.

Some of the best and the most creative ways to use open space could be to:

  • Design a landscaped garden
  • Use the space as a sit-out area with or without shade
  • Setup a home garden
  • Create a barbecue zone
  • Plan for a small swimming pool
  • Build a deck

There are many ways to utilize the space, and you just have to think through and make the best use of free space.

What should you not miss out when building a house?

Building a house is a long and complicated process and it involves multiple stakeholders from architects to interior designers, construction contractors to building material suppliers etc. And you can’t really afford to miss on anything which is crucial.

It usually involves:

  • Working with architects to get the house plan right
  • Working with local bodies to get necessary permission and sanction
  • Construction contractors to get bill of quantity
  •  Sourcing of building materials from suppliers
  • Working with interior designers to decorate your home

Then you have to finally furnish the newly constructed homes before moving in with your family.

Here’s the complete list of the most essential things that you should not miss out on when building a house on your own land.

Detailed house plan

If you want to build a beautiful home then you can’t really miss out on designing a perfect house plan. House plans are usually created by professional architects and engineers. A properly drawn house plan can help visualize the division and usage of the entire plot space, including the open space.

Getting a detailed house plan before starting the construction of the house is very important. I have seen people build houses without a proper house plan. And then regret later as they end up wasting space and creating inefficient traffic movement on the floor. As a result, they end up demolishing and reconstructing a part of the building. Building without a proper plan may result in wastage of space and increase in overall construction costs.

However, you can avoid all these hassles by getting a properly designed house plan designed by a professional team of architects. And it’s highly recommended to not miss out on getting a customized house plan according to your space requirements, lifestyle, plot layout and construction budget.

Efficient floor planning

I have seen people build homes without getting a house floor plan drawing from architects, especially in villages. Sometimes, the building contractors help draw a simple house floor plan and at other times they do it themselves.

However, that’s not the right way to do it.

Floor planning is a crucial step where you divide the buildup areas into various rooms, passage, balcony, open terrace etc. Moreover, it is easier to tweak the size of a room or any other area at the planning stage. Because you are working on a paper or a computer file and it does not cost anything to edit.

However, it’ll be really difficult, expensive and impossible at times to adjust the size of a room once the construction is already in progress.

Imagine a situation when during the construction you realize that the bedroom is actually small. Or the kitchen could have been a little wider, can you really do anything about it now? Maybe yes. But that means demolishing some walls and then redoing it and that is going to cost you time and money.

Moreover, you are already spending a lot of money in constructing a house. So, there is no reason you would not engage a professional architect to create a space optimized and efficient floor plan for your new home.

Building elevation design

If you want a beautifully elevated house within your budget, then you can’t really miss out on not designing the building elevation. Building elevation design helps you visualize how the structure of the building will look from the outside.

However, the building elevation designs are not done just to visualize the design of the house from the front and other sides. But, it helps you prepare the bill of quantity, and the most accurate estimate to construct the building.

Moreover, without visualizing the structure and finishes of the exterior walls of your upcoming house, you may not estimate the cost of construction correctly and that may result in increased construction cost. So don’t miss out on building elevation design when building a house on your own land.

Budgeting the construction cost

Estimating the cost of construction is yet another crucial thing that you can’t afford to miss out on when building a new house.

After all, it’s not about a few thousand bucks, because home construction costs could easily run in hundreds of thousands of rupees.

Moreover, if you don’t do detailed estimation of construction cost, you may end up shooting the total home construction cost. And in the worst case, you may have to pause or halt the construction work due to lack of funds. I am sure you don’t want to get into such a situation while building a house.

Calculating the construction cost accurately is so very important before starting the construction of a new house, so don’t miss out on this.

While estimating the cost of constructing your new house, you should always keep a buffer amount to deal with the sudden price rise of the construction material or some unplanned expenses that may come during the construction.

Home construction loan

If you have a detailed home construction estimate and bill of quantities (BOQ) and if it runs beyond you might have thought of, then you can avail home construction loan. Home construction loan as the name suggests is offered by Indian banks to an Indian citizen who has a free hold plot and who wants to construct a home on their land.

As the rate of interest on home construction loan is way less than personal loan or a loan against fixed deposit, it’s always better to apply for a house construction loan than taking any other loan for building a house.

We have already published a detailed post on home construction loans that talks about the process of documentation, eligibility and everything else you need to know to apply and avail such loan, that you may like to check out.

Home building contractor

Unless you plan to build your house on your own, you have to work with a reliable and credible building contractor to build your own house on a plot of land. And if that’s the case, you can’t really miss out on finding a reliable custom building contractor who can help you in constructing your home as per your house plan and budget.

Ideally, it’s better to work with one building contractor to build a new house instead of dealing with different individual contractors for different tasks like flooring, roofing, water proofing, plumber, electrician etc.

Moreover, when you have one key contractor working on your home construction project, then there is more transparency and accountability and that matters a lot in the long run. However, if there will be different independent contractors working on your construction project, they start playing blame game for any error or mistake they might commit inevitably.

So think through and take a call on if you want to give a full construction contract to one reliable construction company, or you want to work with several independent entities or individuals. And whatever you decide, make sure to check their credibility, prices and quality of work before signing the contract.

What costs the most when building a house?

Cost of constructing a house primarily depends on the size and elevation of the house. However, there are certain elements like foundation, roofing, flooring etc that costs more than other jobs.

Here are the top five cost heads that you should think about when estimating the costs of constructing a house.

Foundation

You already know that the foundation has to be really strong to ensure the longevity of the house.

Roofing

The next major expense goes towards the roofing, especially the concrete roof.

Flooring

Flooring again is a costly affair, but thankfully there are many options when it comes to flooring from simple mosaic flooring to floor tiles, Italian tiles and marbles, there are plenty of options.

Fittings

Majority of expenses will go towards the fittings e.g. bathroom and kitchen fittings.

Doors and windows

Doors and windows when done right can cost you some good money.

What to know about building a house with a builder?

If you are building a new house, you are most likely going to hire a home builder contractor available near you. However, because of the no entry barrier to the construction industry anyone can become a construction contractor.

But can you really trust just anyone coming your way to build your home?

You can’t and you should not. Here’re a few things you should know about building a house with a builder.

Credibility

Before hiring a building contractor, you have to ensure that the builder is credible and trustworthy. Anyone can become a construction contractor because all it takes is a little experience and some contacts. But, that does not mean you will award your home construction contract to anyone coming your way.

So, check everything from license to industry certification, team strength to the building they have built in the past. And only when you are fully satisfied with their credential, you should award your home construction contract to the builder.

Experience

Ideally, you should work with a builder with relevant work experience i.e. builders who have experience building the kind of house you are planning to build. If you’re planning to build a small house, then you should work with a builder that specializes in building small homes.

Materials

This is the most vital thing that should be considered when working with a home builder. The grade and quality of materials the builder is planning to use is directly related with the strength and longevity of the building. And therefore, you should ask for a detailed bill of quantities to get the most accurate idea of what types and grades of materials the builder is proposing to use and at what price.

If you just keep these things in mind before hiring a home builder, you should be fine.

Conclusion

Building a new house from ground up requires adequate planning and preparation. From coordinating with different stakeholders like architects and construction contractors to getting permission and sourcing materials, it takes a lot to build a beautiful home.

The journey to building a new home can easily become easy when you know of the things that are crucially important and you can’t do without it. We have already talked about what are the essential things to know and what you can’t miss out on when building and constructing a new house.

Hope that’ll help you plan and prepare yourself for building your own house.

What else do you think one should consider and absolutely not ignore when constructing a new house in 2021?

Bring up your tips and ideas by commenting below.

Happy home construction!

The post Things to Consider When Building a House in 2021 appeared first on Houseyog.

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