Category: Home Improvement

How to build your own house: a self build beginner’s guide

Bringing your perfect home to life is an exciting venture, but it requires careful planning, organisation and budgeting. Our step-by-step guide will help you #breaknewground and ensure your self build project runs smoothly.

What is self build?

A project is defined as a self build if the homeowner directly organises the design and construction of their new property, according to the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA).

Fear not – this doesn’t mean you have to shoulder the bulk of the work. Self builders can take on as much or as little as they want; some choose to get their hands dirty with construction while others will order from a package home company.

Typically, it can take around two years to build a home, from finding a plot to moving in, but this depends largely on the complexity of your project. So is self build for you? It’s important to do your research and make sure you know what you’re getting into before you embark on building your own home.

How to finance your self build

Arranging finance is the first crucial step in the self build journey. Taking your home from paper to plot in the can cost somewhere between $1,000 and $3,000 per square metre, but the final figure will be dictated by the location, scale, design and specification of your dwelling, along with how much of the work you undertake yourself.

 

Steps to building a new home

Building a home can give you the freedom to enjoy a brand new property that’s been designed just for you and your family. However, it’s a big project that needs to be carefully managed at every stage.

Choose a home design

There are many options for building your home, from house and land packages and project homes to custom-built properties or DIY kit homes. Each has its own benefits, disadvantages and costs, so it’s important to work out where you want to build, what you can afford and which option best suits your needs.

Find your land

If you’re not rebuilding on your existing block, make sure your building design is compatible with the land you want to buy. This can have a significant impact on building costs, so it’s a good idea to hire an expert to inspect the site before you commit to buying the land or building design

Choose a builder

It’s important to spend time finding the right builder for your project. Get recommendations from friends, contact the Master Builders Association and Housing Industry Association and invite various licenced builders to quote on your new home.

Apply for a home loan

Staying on top of your finances is key to the successful construction of your home. Work out how much it’s likely to cost and make sure you have your home loan in place before you begin.

 

Home Builder Guide

The Home Builder Guide has been prepared to assist homeowners or contractors who are unfamiliar with building and municipal Code sections in planning residential construction, alteration or repair work. This guide is intended to assist in planning, obtaining the necessary permits and inspections, and successfully completing work. We invite you to contact the Department of Community Development, in person or by telephone for any questions regarding specific code requirements

Q: What may I build?

A: What can be built on your property depends primarily on the how it is zoned. Properties have various zoning designations as stipulated on the Huntington Beach Zoning Map and General Plan Map. Development requirements such as lot coverage, building setbacks, floodplain compliance, building height, etc…will vary depending on the zone of the property.

Q: Where may I build on my property?

A: Depending on the zoning of a property, various minimum building setback requirements will apply. Building setbacks identify front, rear and side areas of a property where the construction of a building, fence or other structures is prohibited (except as otherwise stated in the zoning ordinance). For example, if you’re located in the Residential Low Density (RL) zoning district the minimum rear setback is 10 feet, the minimum interior side yard setback is 5 feet, and the minimum front yard setback is 15 feet. All setbacks are measured to property lines.

Q: How big can I build?

A: Lot coverage is another factor that is important for any new construction or additions to existing structures. Lot coverage is the maximum area of a lot (your property) that may be covered by a structure or structures. Most lots permit up to 50 percent of the total lot area. Swimming pools and lattice patio covers are not counted towards lot coverage.

Q: How big can I build?

A: Lot coverage is another factor that is important for any new construction or additions to existing structures. Lot coverage is the maximum area of a lot (your property) that may be covered by a structure or structures. Most lots permit up to 50 percent of the total lot area. Swimming pools and lattice patio covers are not counted towards lot coverage.

 

HOME DESIGN: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO DESIGNING YOUR DREAM HOME

Every self builder has their individual expectations and ambitions in terms of the final result of their Self Build project. The process of designing a home is very demanding and challenging, as it is a crucial stage that is responsible for making your vision a reality. The series will take you through the three main stages in developing an empty plot into a well-organised construction site equipped with experts who can successfully build your dream home.

Before starting to create your project brief you need to think simply: “why?”. Why do you want to build your home instead of buying it directly from a mass home builder? Every self builder’s reason can be different. Some of them want to build a safe and joyful environment for their children. Others may want to build a house to then sell on, to gain maximum profit.

Throughout the whole project, it is important to remember ‘why’ you want to build your own home. By doing this it will help you get through the most challenging moments. There will be a lot of them.

At first, we need to answer the question what is a brief and what is it used for? The brief sets out all of the crucial requirements for your project and needs to be created before you engage with your design team. The brief will help you obtain accurate fee proposals from your design team and will be an evolving document throughout the life of the project.

First thing you need to include in your brief is the basic room information and room sizes. It is helpful to use the measurements of your current rooms, as long as they meet your expectations. The second aspect you need to consider is your building flow – the layout/structure of the internal rooms.

 

Residential Building Information

A Guide for the Homeowner

To repair, alter, add to or construct a new home, carport, garage, sundeck or other work. The aim of this guide is to assist the home owner or builder who wishes to alter or construct a new one or two-family dwelling or accessory building. These guidelines are for general information only and should not be used as a substitute for city bylaws and regulations.

Zoning Information

Prior to making a building permit application or to change the use of a property, it is important to confirm the heights, setbacks, permitted uses and other considerations as part of the Zoning Bylaw. Zoning regulations is one of the due diligence checked by the designer and/or professionals.

Tree Protection Information

The purpose of the Tree Protection Bylaw is to protect Richmond’s urban forest by restricting tree removal from private lands and ensuring replacement trees are provided when trees are required to be removed.

Demolition, Move or Salvage a Building

In an effort to minimize the demolition of livable houses as well as expand on the homeowners to post their houses on the City’s House Moving and Salvage List for the purpose of offering to move or salvage their house, prior to applying for a demolition permit.

Obtaining & Viewing Building Records

Permit records and survey certificates are available for viewing at the Information Centre of City Hall and may be viewed by anyone. Building drawings are also available for viewing to the registered owner of the property. If not the owner of the property

Raise the Value of Your Home with These 7 Remodeling Tips

Raise the Value of Your Home with These Remodeling Tips

When it comes to home renovations, the money that you put in cannot always be recouped when it comes time to sell. Most people want to get the best value for their dollar when doing home renovations and there are some important things to keep in mind. Before you decide on a remodel, consider the cost versus the value, and decide if the remodel you want to do is a worthy investment. Ultimately, you want to improve your home and then when it comes time to sell, you can command a higher price. The following remodel ideas may help you add some value to your home.

Increase Light and Space

Dark, cramped rooms are no good when it comes to real estate. One thing that homeowners can do to increase the appeal of their property is open up the house to create more of a flow and enhance natural light. Consider knocking down some walls to brighten up a space. An open floor plan will also make a home feel much larger and is better for entertaining. Perhaps you’ve wanted to do this for years, but worried about the cost. It’s time to answer the question, how much does it cost to knock down a wall?

Landscape & Curb Appeal

The curb appeal of your home is incredibly important when it comes time to sell. The first impression of a home that someone will have is from the look of the exterior. It is said that a good first impression of a home can add five percent to its value. Make sure your exterior paint and details are up to par. The driveway should be paved properly, and any lawn space should be properly maintained. Consider drought tolerant plants if you are not great at gardening. If you have a deck, add some nice furniture, or create a colorful garden in some extra space.

Create a Home Office

With more companies giving employees the option to telecommute, a home office can really add some value to a home. If you have some extra space in your home, consider converting it into a home office. Make sure there is plenty of work space, and remember to have grounded outlets installed as well as data ports and possibly an extra phone line.

Consider Adding a Deck

It has been determined that when you spend the money to add a deck onto your home, you will likely be able to recoup more than eighty percent of its cost at sale time. If you choose to install a deck, take some time to plan it out and come up with unique features such as built in benches or a fire pit if your city or town allows them. Use higher grade materials to increase the life of the deck.

 

Your DIY home renovation project may actually lower its value

Homeowners wield hammers, wrenches and brushes for the satisfaction of completing the work and to save money, usually hoping to bolster home value in the process. And two out of three isn’t bad — until it’s time to sell.

Don’t assume that DIY projects build home value.

When home inspectors come across evidence of one botched DIY project, they know that there’s more to discover. With every badly done project, a homebuyer adds one more item for the “fix or discount” list for renegotiating the sale price. Cosmetic work might be subject to dispute but dangerously wrong plumbing, electrical and structural work is non-negotiable: The house must be brought into compliance with local building codes. Buyers are not interested in purchasing liabilities along with a house.

“The seller will compare their DIY house to a gut rehab down the street that was done by a licensed contractor, so the seller thinks, ‘I’ll get the same price, and I’ll make more money because I saved money by doing it myself,’ ” said Jeff Merritt, a Chicago home inspector who runs Homestead Inspections.

Fix the fix: Be sure that all work — DIY and professional — is completed in compliance with local building codes and inspected accordingly. Keep copies of all municipal inspections and proof of fulfillment of codes so you can show a potential buyer that the house complies with code.

Don’t confuse code compliance with quality of work.

Municipal inspectors confirm that work in process is up to the standards set by the building code, explained Decker, but code compliance is no guarantee of final quality

 

things to consider before buying a property to renovate, according to a realtor

The objective of the tour was to give buyers an idea of the market, plus to showcase homes in a friendly, suburban neighborhood that is up-and-coming. Even though we’re not ready to buy yet, we’ve begun researching the market in more affordable areas while we discuss what we’d want if we choose to buy

We were surprised when Keller Williams real estate agent Marc Hagerthey insisted that we ought to consider buying a “Grandma’s house.” And we were even more surprised that we were excited by the idea.

Just what is a Grandma’s house, exactly? Imagine an older home with good bones that is only in need of cosmetic updates. It might have a Pepto-pink bathtub, but, as Hagerthey says — Grandma took care of what matters.

A Grandma’s house sits at a middle price point on the spectrum of fixer-uppers, somewhere between a move-in ready flip and a major renovation. The nice thing about buying a Grandma’s house is that, often, this kind of historic home has never gone unoccupied or fallen into disrepair. Though it might need some updates, a good Grandma’s house will be structurally sound and well-maintained.

In certain real estate markets, says Hagerthey, there is low inventory when it comes to move-in-ready historic homes. A Grandma’s house offers a solution and might help buyers get a “deal” they may not normally get in a more competitive market.

 

Designers And Experts Share The Best Home Renovation Tips For Maximum Resale Value

Whether it’s just one room or an entire house, renovations are a major undertaking. These projects require time, energy and cash. From investors planning to rent out or flip a property to the average person buying their first home, every renovation decision made now can impact the return on investment in the future.

While finishes, appliances and construction choices aren’t the only factors that affect resale value—they are essentially the only things sellers can control. So, will spending extra on a marble floor in the bathroom today feel still feel a smart idea five years from now? The experts weigh in.

The house was essentially a teardown. But because the property is located in a historic preservation zone, every square inch of the 1921 Spanish style home had to be gut renovated from the outside in. Just two original features remain—the carport, which was grandfathered in, and the façade, which had to be restored.

The first and one of the most important things the couple did was assembling the best possible team. The Mintons hired Rob Diaz and Anastasia Ratia to build and design their new home. “They had an amazing vision that we knew was going to transform the property into the house we always wanted to live in,”

Many structural elements of the house had to be replaced both for the sake of habitability and resale, including installing a new roof and foundation. All of the electric and plumbing was replaced. The floors were leveled and ceiling raised. The Mintons are also in the process of turning the garage into an additional dwelling unit to add resale value.

 

Things You Must Do Before Remodeling Your Home

Whenever you approach a home renovation or remodel project, there is a range of emotions. As a homeowner, you feel excited about the changes to your home, but there is sometimes a sense of uneasiness about the process.

Know What You Want In Your Home Remodel

Before you go too far down the path of design and style, you need to determine what your goals are for remodeling your home.  This may seem obvious, but many homeowners get far along the path without truly understanding the purpose of the renovation.

What is the best way to determine your goals?

Start by making a list of everything you want when you are done remodeling your home. If you need ideas in this dreaming stage, you can find plenty of ideas on realtor websites, home improvement magazines, Pinterest, and any other homeowner’s source.

Figure Out Your Renovation Budget

We all know good things take money, and when it comes to renovating your home, sadly, it usually takes a lot. Make sure you take a good look at your finances in setting your budget, and make sure you stick with this budget.

Be careful – this is not always true!

For example, if you spend a lot of your remodeling budget on expensive extras and upgrades, this does not always increase the home’s value by the spent amount.  Even installing energy-efficient windows, one of the best upgrades you can do to your home, will see an average return of 81% of your money.

Common Home Renovation Mistakes

Are you renovating your home? Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, make sure you do it right the first time. Home projects can take a big bite out of your budget and your time if it’s not done correctly. Here are  the most common home renovations mistakes to avoid:

Setting an unrealistic budget.

Renovations invariably cost more than expected. Build in an extra 20% to your budget to be better

prepared for any surprises.

Not complementing the original architectural style.

Additions don’t need to be the same style as the original structure. However, they do need to complement it to help with resale value and to look and feel great while you’re living in them.

Sacrificing function for form

Think about how you’ll actually live in the space. That affects such details as door, window and outlet placement. It can also determine traffic patterns throughout the home.

 

Ignoring Your Gut

On that note, do your homework and interview multiple contractors and other pros as you assemble the team. They may have good working relationships with people they can recommend to you, but  stresses that you should meet contractors in person and talk to at least three to five people before committing.

“Every meeting is going to be an education; you’ll learn about the project and yourself,” . “But listen to your gut!” If you feel like that initial meeting seemed overly rushed, or that they were rude or condescending, those feelings are only going to multiply during a renovation. Move on

Miscommunicating

Communication is key: With your workforce, between the team—and with your partner, too. “The project can become a kind of blank canvas for any issues that exist in the relationship,” . “Go in with your eyes wide open!”

If you have a strong rapport with your contractor, that person can help you and your partner work through any disagreements,  that you shouldn’t have side conversations without each other. It’s also important to establish with your contractor how best to communicate. “Whether it’s by text, phone, or an email once a week, you want to know how to reach them once the work gets under way,”

 

Waiting too long to consult a general contractor

Ask a contractor to look at plans in the schematic stage, rather than at detailed finished plans. “This way you can find out if your project is in the right budget ballpark before falling in love with a plan—and paying for a complete set of biddable drawings. It’s also a good way to meet potential contractors, get their input, and not misuse their time.”

Making too many changes along the way

Changes that seem simple to you may require a lot of work on the back end, so be sure you check with your designer or builder on even slight adjustments. “Even moving a light switch a few feet can cost $1,500,”

Not setting up a timeline

Work with your contractor to put together a list of items that need to be purchased and deadlines for making decisions. The last thing you want is to feel under the gun to make an important fixture selection you’ll later regret.

 

Spending Too Much Money on Unnecessary Things

If you’re on a limited budget, you may want to forgo investing in some of the items that can really add up: This includes such luxuries in a bathroom renovation such as heated towel racks, self-flushing toilet and other fancy fixtures, or a kitchen renovation with high-end appliances. Consider what you really need and what you can live out, and look for the alternatives.

 

Not anticipating roadblocks

Unfortunately, renovations rarely go according to plan. The last thing that anyone wants is to hit an unanticipated setback in the middle of a project, but it’s not uncommon. The best thing that you can do is make sure that you’re ready for the unexpected before your renovation even begins.

You can do this by padding your budget and timeline from the start. Conventional wisdom states that you should leave around 10 percent to 15 percent extra in the budget for incidentals, or these unexpected costs. Similarly, though your contractor will work up the official project timeline, make a mental note to pad it by at least two weeks to account for any issues that may delay the work slightly.

Do you have experience with renovation mistakes? Do you have any tips that we missed?