Owning your dream house is one of the most memorable milestones in life. It embodies your hard work as one of the significant investments you can make for yourself and your family. One way to achieve this goal is by building a new home from scratch.
Building a new home allows you to create spaces that fit your lifestyle and personality. However, some aspiring homeowners may be skeptical about it since the process can be stressful due to rigorous planning.
Here are the pros and cons of building a new home to help you decide if it’s the most practical option.
Pros
Building a new home is an exciting journey. Many aspiring homeowners choose this option due to these advantages:
1. Freedom To Customize
Building from scratch allows you to customize every detail. You can choose an elegant architectural style, size, and finish. It gives you the freedom to turn your dream design into reality.
The first steps of construction planning start with the design. A well-thought design can provide an easy guide to building a home with the help of professionals and experts. You’ll collaborate with an architect to customize your dream house to your preferences while meeting your local code requirements.
2. Build Where You Want
Another great advantage of building a new home is the freedom to construct in your preferred location. You can choose a plot of land to build your dream house. Some contractors also offer knockdown rebuild services for property owners who want to stay in their current neighborhood.
Living in a newly built home in an idyllic location and a peaceful neighborhood provides unmatched comfort. If this is your goal, building a new house from scratch is the wisest choice.
3. Budget Flexibility
The size, design, and your home’s type of finish rely on your budget. Building from scratch provides an opportunity to own a house without breaking the bank.
Building a new home allows you to choose materials within your budget. Your contractor can provide low-cost options without compromising the safety and durability of your house. You may also opt for a smaller floor area with an efficient layout and space-saving features to maximize the space.
4. Improved Safety
A custom-built home has safety features specifically added based on your needs and preferences. During planning and designing, you can talk to your contractor about the details you need to add for improved comfort and reduced hazard.
Safety features like handrails, non-slip floors, and high-traction stairs are required for family homes with kids and older adults. Aside from these details, you may also opt for health-safe construction materials to maintain indoor air quality.
5. Energy Efficiency
Newly built homes are more energy efficient than older properties. When you construct one from scratch, you can add energy-saving features to make your house eco-friendly and reduce utility bills.
One crucial feature of an energy-efficient home is proper insulation. You can talk to your contractor about the best wall and roof insulation options that will help lower your heating and cooling bills. Opting for double or triple-glazed windows is also an excellent choice for utilizing natural light without overheating.
6. Low Maintenance
A new home requires almost zero maintenance, at least for the next five to ten years, depending on the construction and material quality. In the long run, it will help you save from frequent repairs and restorations that usually cost around USD$3,000 per year.
Cons
A newly built house offers many benefits. However, the process of actualizing it can be daunting. Some aspiring homeowners might have second thoughts about building a new home due to the following disadvantages:
1. Longer Project Timeline
Building a house requires time. Finding a contractor, planning the project, and getting permits can take months. Including the pre and post-construction process, it can take eight months to more than a year to finish. Considering the timeline, it may not be the most practical option if you want to move in quickly.
2. High Upfront Cost
Building a new home requires a high upfront cost despite its budget flexibility. Financing the construction can be more challenging than buying a ready-built house. However, the savings you can get from utility bills and repairs once you move in can be worth it.
3. Requires More Effort And Patience
Planning to build a home is a difficult task. It requires more effort and patience, especially when designing. In most cases, the back-and-forth revisions from the client and contractor take months before finalization. You’ll also need to prepare for possible delays during the construction due to weather, unavailability of supplies, and other setbacks.
4. Lack Of Lush Landscape
A brand-new home is only complete with proper landscaping. One advantage of new residential properties is the lack of lush landscapes. Trees and plants take a long time to mature. If you’re building your house on land with surrounding greens, save as many trees and plants as possible.
Conclusion
Building a new home is a challenging yet exciting venture. Knowing its benefits and evaluating the challenges you might face can make this project hassle-free.
