Do I need to have a design in mind before finding a builder?

More often than not, people face the dilemma of either choosing a home design plan first or finding a builder. While it’s your personal choice, but we suggest having a homeplan ready at hand, as that would make things easier for you.

To back our suggestion of having a home design plan, we have a few points for you:

1. You understand your needs better

A home design plan is more about your personal and family’s needs. You are the best judge, as you know what are the requirements of your family members and what is their definition of an ideal home. You know about their likes and dislikes, living habits, where do they go for work or study, their mode of transportation, etc. These are some of the essential factors that determine the structure of your house and help in making a perfect homeplan.

For example, you have an elderly member at home who uses a wheelchair, then the house should definitely be wheelchair-friendly. A builder won’t know it beforehand and you should tell them to incorporate the special requirements such as antiskid flooring, adding ramp ways, use of assistive technology etc.

2. Deciding the budget

There can be a situation where you might have pre-empted a certain budget for the construction of your house but the builder might exceed your estimated cost. In such a scenario, you can try finding a builder who seamlessly fits your budget and produces the same result as you had anticipated.

In places where you find that the builder is going overboard, you can correct them by reminding about the budget and timeline. It will help them to stay within the expected timeline and estimated cost. This plan can work in your favour, as sometimes the builder themselves guide you about the various ways through which you can control costs. It’s a two-way job and teamwork is necessary to build a dream house.

3. Going green

Though builders might have a fair idea about eco-friendly construction, they don’t implement it in every building or house they construct. It is the house owner who has to insist on implementing these features while building a house. If you are clear about the features you want to put in your homeplan, it will be easier for the builder finding a way to incorporate  them into your new house.

Solar panels are usually used on the roofs of houses to trap the solar energy and use it for lighting, heating or cooling your home. Likewise, your homeplan can have a rainwater harvesting system where the water gets collected underground and recycled for bathing, cleaning and gardening purpose. Every drop of water is valuable and this effort on your part can certainly help the environment and encourage the builder to insist on other house owners to include it in their home design plan.

4. Cost controlling while buying raw materials

No doubt a builder is capable of finding the right place to buy construction materials, but sometimes you have contacts in the local market who can supply you good quality material for a cheaper rate. In such situations, you save a lot of money that you can use for some other work. Keep the resale value of the house in mind while constructing a house. Building cost shouldn’t become too high for the locality and for the facilities you have.

A builder can craft beautiful pavements and lawns for your house, but you need to guide him as to how and where you want to have that kitchen or vegetable garden. Your love to conserve the environment would actually make a difference because every small step towards a good cause counts. Ensure that the home builder considers it in your homeplan and constructs your nest exactly the same way like you had dreamt of.


BuildMyGhar..

Top ways to settle into your new custom home

6 easy ways to settle down in your custom home

            Now that you have acquired your new home and it’s ready to move in, the next challenge for you is to settle down in the new custom home. Once you move into the place, the real battle of unloading and unpacking all the items begins - stacking and arranging things at their right places and so on. During the initial days, accepting and living in a new place might be an emotionally and physically draining activity. Here are some quick tips to plan and make the transition from the old home to new home smooth -

1. Know the place prior to moving in

            Make sure to know the place beforehand - at least the community you are going to live in, nearby hospitals, schools, post office and police station. These things are important when you move in with your family. Apart from that, the culture, rules and regulations of the society you have relocated to, are also of significance. Knowing these beforehand would prepare you to adhere without much effort. You need respect their customs, so that you don’t hurt or offend their beliefs. Also, understand the design of the new home, so that you get the clear idea about where to place what.

2. Make new friends in the neighborhood

            It is essential to have friends when you are going to live in a new environment, they lend you a hand in times of need. Make sure you make new friends once you shift to the new home. Setting up your custom home is time consuming but having friends for a chit chat would definitely help you get over the stress. Introduce yourself to your neighbors and let them know that you are yet to move or just moved in. You can share some cookies or some snacks to break the ice and start a conversation, over a cup of tea.

3. Ask someone to be with you for sometime

            If you are single or staying alone, ask a friend or a family member to stay with you for a while, at least for a week or so. It would help you accommodate yourself with the new place and kill the boredom as well. In case you got to go shopping for some home needs, having a shopping partner would help you in a great way!

4. Keep in touch with your family and friends

            You won’t feel lonely when you can easily reach out to your family and close friends. Keep your cell phone within reach, and get the telephone and internet connections set up at the earliest.  It would help you being in constant touch with your loved ones.

5. Get involved with activities in the neighborhood

            Every town or community has one or the other festivals and activities once in a while. These are the opportunities to meet and get to know people around your custom home. You make new friends and get to know more about your vicinity as well.

6. Stay positive

            Never have a preconceived notion about the place or people; try understanding the surroundings and take your time to know people. It would help you get a better idea about everything and let you adjust easily in the long run. Don’t fret or panic about being in a new place. Your new home is a new territory that you are yet to explore. Find a park or gym nearby and plan to exercise, jogging or yoga. It would kill the time and make you healthier. Unpack and settle things gradually and plan your weekends accordingly to have some free time to relax.

In life, change is the only constant. Accepting the changes, shifting and settling in the new environment of a custom home is not that difficult. Understanding the home ‘naksha’ or map would allow you to arrange things properly in the new house and save your time as well.

BuildMyGhar..