Owning a home is a dream many people wish to fulfil in their lifetime. And what better way to do that than to build it from scratch? Building a new home is one of the most rewarding projects you can ever take on. When you’re done, you get to have your dream home, customized to your lifestyle and design preferences.
That being said, the home building process isn’t immune to failure and errors; plus, it does come with its own set of challenges. Here’s a look at some of the common mistakes you should avoid when building a new home:
Poor Overall Planning
Building a new home can be so exciting that you end up forgetting the practicalities that need to be taken into account. First, you need to consider your lifestyle and habits. For instance, how long do you intend on living in that house, do you entertain a lot, do you have relatives or friends who stay over often, are there any safety considerations to make for children and elderly people, what about outdoor features, and so on. The answers to such questions will help you design a house that fulfils your current and future needs.
Poor Lighting
Without enough lighting, even the biggest of houses can feel dark, gloomy, and not particularly homely. Natural light should be the main source of light. To achieve this, the windows should be large and present in every room. Think about the sun’s position throughout the day when placing windows. Skylights can also be a great source of natural light. You also need as many light fixtures and outlets as possible throughout the entire house to suit your current and future lighting needs.
Overlooking the HVAC System
Poor HVAC planning can cause all sorts of problems with moisture levels, air quality, and even mould growth. This can lead to all sorts of health concerns for the occupants. Your HVAC system should be just the right size for your home. A system that’s too small for your house won’t cool or heat it efficiently. On the other hand, models that are too large will only consume more energy and cost you more in utility bills.
Energy Inefficiency
One of the most important things today’s home buyers look for is energy efficient homes. Most of those who are building don’t know that they can still get Energy Star certification for their own homes as well. If your home doesn’t get Energy Star certification, it means you’ll be losing a lot of money in the long run. Building an energy efficient home requires installing Energy Star appliances, advanced insulation, and an efficient HVAC system, among other things. Working with a qualified and dependable home builder like FC Developments from Edmonton AB will ensure you meet all the requirements set by the local authorities.
Poor Space Planning
Space planning is crucial no matter the size of your new home. Even the largest of houses can run out of space if they’re not designed properly. Take your time to plan your floor space in advance and ensure you don’t skimp on important details. For starters, assess how much storage space you’ll need in each room. But also pay attention to where you place these storage spaces.
Overbuilding
It’s quite easy to get carried away with all the possibilities of building your own home. The addition of a gym room, a game room, walk-in closet, or a playroom sound enticing. However, adding rooms that you don’t need will only increase the cost of building, cost more to run, take more time to clean, and possibly turn into a dumping ground for all sorts of unused junk. If you really want a spare room, ensure it can be used for multiple purposes.
Wrong Room Placement
Building a new home entails so much that it gets easy to forget the real issues. When you’re designing your home, you need to think outside the box when it comes to the location/placement of rooms. For starters, the kitchen should be at the back entrance or near the garage to make unloading groceries easy, bedrooms should be placed on the quietest side of the house, while the laundry room should be close to the bedroom for convenience.
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