Pests in Buildings | Sydney Builders

Posted on January 8, 2012 by bleyeradmin

Pests in Buildings | Sydney Builders

The most damaging environmental pests in the property industry are greedy humans like developers, builders and estate agents. Other pests. like termites. do much less damage

Even some designers, tradesmen, suppliers and home owners create environmental problems. Unfortunately human pests are hard to eradicate. instead I will try to enlighten you about TERMITES and their secretive ways

Termites | Sydney Builders

Permies may have more problems with termites than other folk due to the permaculture passion for gardening. Permies often use raised garden beds and deep mulch next to walls of buildings which can allow entry for subterranean termites. Trees, shrubs, neighbouring properties and bushland may also harbour termite nests

Damp soil attracts termites and their damage is often first found near bathrooms and other wet areas in homes

If you intend buying or building/extending a home you should be aware of the havoc termites can create and know how to manage their invasion with proper.

  • preventative barriers
  • regular inspections
  • on-going maintenance

There are many different species of termites but only a few species of subterranean termites will attack buildings. However these little critters invade all kinds of houses and secretly damage more than just timber in buildings. 70% of homes in Adelaide will be attacked at some stage in their life

Built-in barriers which protect the whole house are highly desirable. Easy access for the inspection of termite activity is essential

Raised floor levels can deter subterranean termites. The concrete floor level of a house should be more than 100mm above any external paving. Timber floors need at least 400mm of clearance from the ground for underfloor inspections and ventilation.

Note: Do not use underfloor spaces for storing termite fodder (cellulose based materials)

Low toxicity termite barriers include the following.

  • concrete floor slab
  • stainless steel mesh
  • layer of small crushed stones
  • galvanised steel capping
  • bait box monitoring

Each system of protection has its own special requirements and should be installed by a licensed expert. Approved chemical barriers ( termiticides ) have a limited life and may cause other problems

Termite resistant timbers are preferred for use in landscaping and garden areas

Annual termite inspections are needed in high risk areas like Adelaide . Cold climates, like in Tasmania , are less attractive to termites

Some household insurance policies may not cover termite damage. so check your policy OR run the risk of a huge damage bill

Commenting on pesky termites our Bill Mollison might say “You don’t have a termite problem, but you do have a numbat deficiency”. However once termites set up a colony in your house even numbats, echidnas and aardvards may be stumped to control them

OTHER PESTS such as mice, cockcroaches , silverfish, flies, fleas, mosquitos, wasps, possums, etc may be controlled in the home by.

  • blocking their entry
  • restricting their breeding habitats
  • removing food and water sources
  • adding bait stations

using repellents such as certain herbs, natural oils, plants
encouraging predators such as spiders, black ants, frogs, gecko lizards
Each kind of pest problem needs an individual approach by an experienced person. Some local Councils offer advice and assistance. A useful guide to pest control is J Tyrrell’s book “Pest Pack” available from Choicebooks.

For all building services in Sydney (Sydney Builders), please contact us today

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Recycled Materials Northern Beaches Builders

Posted on December 28, 2011 by bleyeradmin

Recycled Materials Northern Beaches Builders

A better approach is needed to reduce the volume of building materials which is sent to landfill as waste. Re-cycling of suitable building materials is an essential part of ecological sustainability in northern beaches builders.

All building and northern beaches builders materials can be recycled (even concrete), but some are easier to re-use than others, eg.

  • Bricks for example are difficult to recycle if they are set in hard mortar, so using weaker mortar is preferred
  • Reversible jointing methods are preferred in framing systems, eg bolted or screwed connections rather than welded joints in steel
  • Copper and aluminium may have a high embodied energy content as new materials, but they are still suitable for recycling
  • Composite materials are generally more difficult to recycle, eg coated materials, laminates, etc
  • Some materials, like timber, are easily re-constituted into wood products: other materials require more energy inputs to be recycled
  • The durability of some materials enables them to be re-used several times, and the life of all materials can be extended if they properly protected and maintained while in use
  • Some materials are difficult to recycle as building materials. Other materials may outlast the life of the building
  • Lightweight framed structures are the most suited for de-construction, re-use and total re-location
  • Construction methods which are selected at the design stage will often dictate the ease or difficulty of de-construction and the percentage of re-usable materials salvaged from a defunct building.

So building designers have a responsibility to specify preferred materials and methods of construction which are suited to recycling. Building contractors need to exercise care during demolition, and should be prepared to re-use suitable materials on projects. Owners should insist on the use of recycled materials.

. in the interest of ecologically sustainable development.

PS. See the ‘Owner Builder’ bi-monthly mag for some radical recycling ideas. Contact Bleyer Constructions today for all your building requirements in the northern beaches

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How Upselling Works In The Construction Industry | Northern Beaches Builders

Posted on November 16, 2011 by bleyeradmin

How Upselling Works In The Construction Industry | Northern Beaches Builders

Have you noticed whenever you buy a burger, the sales people always try to persuade you to “Go Large”, or have “extra fries” etc. Have you also noticed at the checkout of every superstore are racks of things you would not have thought of buying, but as you stand there waiting at the checkout, you suddenly realise all the things you “need”. Scary stuff! Real profits come when you get the client to buy a larger, more expensive, or more comprehensive product or service in the northern beaches.

Northern Beaches Builders

This is how it works in the construction industry:

EXAMPLE A: The Remodeler/Home Refurbishment, in the business of building extensions, bathrooms, sun rooms, loft conversions etc., How about suggesting certain enhancements at the point of survey. Or ask them if they had considered extending the work to include a the latest whiz bang disposal unit, designed to be 150% more efficient and thus delivering significant cost savings to your client.

EXAMPLE B: The Commercial Contractor, how about offering a Repairs and Maintenance service after the initial defects period following contract completion. This can deliver great benefits for your client because you already know the premises and can operate much more efficiently with the prior knowledge base you already have.

EXAMPLE C: The House Builder: If you are building housing schemes where a number of homes will be rented/leased you could offer and Liaison Officer based on site for the first 6 months after completion, to make sure people are secure in their homes, know where to find everything and are happy. You could offer this service as a “free added benefit” this may be the deciding factor that will win you the contract over your competition! Alternatively, if the client/housing association/ local housing authority are intending to employ someone for this job, you could easily extend your business reach by supplying “the right person for the job” someone who already knows the property and has proven qualifications to do the job.

EXAMPLE D: The Sub-Contractor: if you work for a number of larger contractors, the way you source the products you use is crucial. It may be that the main contractor already has an approved list of suppliers, but often good relationships can be established with individual Buyers to enable the Subbie to recommend where to source materials at competitive prices. A whole range of complex partnerships can be made to enable commissions to be paid and everyone benefits! Of course, it goes without saying that any deal agreed should be completely transparent and should ultimately benefit the client in terms of cost savings and quality products and services. One wrong move or “under the table” deal can result in lost credibility and trust. So keep everything above board.

EXAMPLE E: The Architect: Design & Build contracts are one obvious root to establish good working relationships with construction professionals on a project team and can be one way architects can “up-sell” their professional skills by working on a partnering basis. Partnered Contracts can be lucrative for all involved, including the client, but they have to be set up correctly to work efficiently. More about this in a later chapter. Architects who are willing to get involved at the Pre-Construction phase of a project on a “No Pass No Fee” basis are more likely to keep busy down the line. (“No Pass” meaning not getting Planning Approval for a project).

EXAMPLE F: Whatever area of construction you are in, you will have a network of approved professionals you work with. So you will have a lot of bargaining power when soliciting goods and services for your project. Sub-contractors, agents, architects, quantity surveyors, building consultants and merchants will all be part of the mix. This can be an area of healthy growth for your business when approved list suppliers, partners and subsidiaries reciprocate with their own recommendations for your company – northern beaches builders.

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Roofing and Roof Repairs | Northern Beaches Builders

Posted on November 16, 2011 by bleyeradmin

Roofing and Roof Repairs | Northern Beaches Builders

Roof repair on a residence or commercial property in the northern beaches is critical when it comes to safety. A weak roof on any building should be repaired right away, because depending on how bad the condition, it could cave in during a Miami rain storm. There are common signs to look for to determine if a roof needs repair work. Paying close attention to these signs and taking appropriate action could save you a great deal of money in the long run.

The most blatant sign that a roof needs repair is water leakage. This could be detected if there’s water in the attic or water in the ceilings. Miami’s wind driven rain can get under shingles, as well as penetrate through tar paper. If a roof is missing or have any cracked shingles; this can and normally does allow seepage. If your roof have shingles that are cracked, curled or missing, it is time to contact a roofer for some serious help. Rain storms in southern Florida will completely ruin a roof with missing or damaged shingles.

There are simple ways to prolonged the life of your roof in the northern beaches. Many people have their roofs treated and cleaned every few years. Having your roof power-washed is a great way to remove the moss and buildup. Of course, when the time does come to have your roof repaired or replaced, the dreaded question is always asked, “how much will it cost?” Naturally this is a very unpopular question among nearly every home & business owner. Roofs are not indestructible and over the years they will need to be repaired and or replaced. This is unfortunately inevitable. The cost to replace a roof depends on the size and materials of the roof. It is recommended to get several quotes from roofing contractors in the southern Florida area before settling on a company to use. The more quotes you get simply means the better options you’ll have.

Northern Beaches Builders

Having your roof repaired or replaced is a huge deal, so researching companies regarding the quality of their work is imperative. The best way to research a roofing contractor is through your family and friends who have had roofing work done. Referrals from family and friends is actually preferred when trying to find a good reputable company. The main questions to ask are questions that get right to the point, such as:

1) Was your family member or friend satisfied with the roofing contractor?
2) Did the roofing contractor stay within the budget?
3) Did your family member or friend have any problems with the roofing contractor?
4) Will your family or friend recommend the roofing contractor?

The above questions will set you up to make the right decision for northern beaches builders in choosing who to give your business to. There are numerous roofing contractors in the south Florida area, so finding help when needed should be an easy task.

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Green Construction is The Newest Trend in Home Builders Northern Beaches

Posted on November 16, 2011 by bleyeradmin

Green Construction is The Newest Trend in Home Builders Northern Beaches

The green revolution is slowly but surely taking root in the construction industry like in all other arenas of modern life – northern beaches builders.

Today world awareness of global warming and environmental issues becomes common knowledge and all around the world people are starting to act on this very critical problem in many ways, and as we shall see, the most immediate way to adapt good “Green Habits” is at our home. We don’t need to go out there and fight with all the big destructive “Red industries” such as the petroleum industry, to save our precious planet, but rather we can do it quietly yet effectively with green design and construction of our home. More then ever the old saying “charity begins at home” proves to be right, only now a days this charity can have far reaching ramifications that can benefit also our big home “our planet”.

Green construction in the northern beaches will become the convention as more and more ecological regulations and laws supervising the industrial sector are mandated. The cities of the future will be completely self sustainable in terms of energy consumption, and architects will need to follow strict green design and construction criteria. As a matter of fact, most of the technology for environmental friendly construction already exists and it is only a question of time until we see it being implemented on a regular basis in home and building design.

Northern Beaches Builders | Building Contractors

General contractors too will need to reassess their approach to home improvement and remodeling, putting Eco friendly concepts on green construction to use on every job they do. For instance, recycling of old materials from the job site is completely easy to do with huge benefits to the environment in terms of waist control and reduction. Builders and general contractors only need to do a small attitude revision and a little learning to upgrade and take part in this global change of going green.

The industrial revolution that started 150 years ago brought advances but also marked the beginning of dangers down slope to the environment. Now is the time to start using technologies that can work harmoniously with the wonderful world we live in without compromising our quality of life. Smart green design and construction is the way to go and general contractors and re-modelers as well as home owners are obligated to consider how to implement green construction technologies and products on every remodeling project, small or big.

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Retro-fitting Your Home For Summer In Northern Beaches Builders

Posted on October 31, 2011 by bleyeradmin

Retro-fitting Your Home For Summer In Northern Beaches Builders

Is your home a haven from the heat or is it a hot-box that offers little relief from the scorching sun?

As a Building Consultant I am often asked about ways of cooling a house in summer. The key elements are shading, insulation and ventilation. Some general suggestions are offered below to make your home more comfortable; they may also reduce your power consumption Northern Beaches, Sydney builders.

1. add external shades to windows and walls that are exposed to the summer sun. Allow an airspace of 30cm between an external blind and the window. Roll-up blinds will allow the sun into your home in winter

2. insulate your ceiling to R3.0 level and your walls (if possible) to R2.0 using a natural fibre insulation like wool and venting the roof space will also help

3. pergolas and verandas are useful shade additions, but they should be vented to reduce the build-up of hot air next to the walls

4. cross-ventilate your home fully in the coolest part of the day/night to exhaust accumulated hot air and gasses

5. add ceiling sweep fans to living rooms and bedrooms .moving the air over your skin will make you feel cooler

6. if you have raised floors you can draw cooler air from under the floors with fans .and exhaust the air thru adjustable vents

7. check your local climate (hills, sea, city, plains) for the direction of prevailing winds in summer so you can catch a breeze

8. divert greywater from your bath/shower/basin to feed trees/shrubs/lawns near the house. Plants are ‘sun sponges’

Note! Do not allow water to collect next the footings of your house, because it may cause structural damage Northern Beaches builders

9. reduce the use of appliances that generate heat in your home

10. zone the coolest room (usually on the south side) from other areas of the house as a cool ‘retreat’ area

11. when all else fails try wearing a damp T-shirt

Longer term options in the Northern Beaches may include:

Planting deciduous trees on the east and west side of your house Northern Beaches builders, but not close to the walls
Deflecting cool breezes towards your home with a hedge or garden structure
Painting dark roofs and walls with light colours
If you still need an air-conditioner then consider an evaporative cooling unit. They use less energy and are suited to the Northern Beaches, Sydney drier climate.

Shading, insulation and ventilation are the key elements in cooling, but each property has its own ‘micro’ climate which should be assessed individually.

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How to keep construction costs down in Sydney

Posted on October 6, 2011 by bleyeradmin

How to keep construction costs down in Sydney

Six essential tips you need to know

Just last night while relaxing in front of the TV watching Grand Designs, I was reminded of the stresses involved in home renovating and building. The building process is nerve-racking and expensive, and if given the opportunity to do it over, many people simply would not.

So why do building and renovating cost so much? And what can you do to limit the mental stress and tame the capital outlay that will inevitably occur? Here are six tips to help keep the process in check and prevent the loss of your sanity.

Tip 1: Don’t make emotional decisions

Think hard about decisions that will increase the cost of construction. Listen to the professionals when they say ‘that is going to cost you more’. And if they don’t say ‘that is going to cost you more’, ask the question: ‘will that be an extra cost?’. Just having this level of awareness will save you thousands.

Tip 2: Limit your unknown building costs

There are two main reasons why it’s tough to keep costs under control when renovating.

The first is you don’t know what you’re going to find during the renovation process. And the second is all professionals involved in the job will need to keep referring back to the existing structure.

For these reasons a renovation generally takes more time, more thought and more money than a new house, per square metre. Footing costs can work into the hundreds of thousands and are an unknown cost until construction is complete. As a general rule, builders exclude footing costs from their quotes because the cost will depend on what is found in the ground. However, it is generally safe to assume sloping blocks and waterfront properties are going to have the highest costs for footings. Try to gain as much information as possible early in the project by speaking to the right people such as well respected quantity surveyors.

Tip 3: Choose a builder with a good local reputation

The best way to select a builder is to spend six months or more chatting to people. Talk to anyone and everyone from friends and family to mums and dads from your kids’ school. Find out which builders those people have used and ask if their building jobs were well managed and if they were happy with the work. Do this and you will start to notice a few builders keep being mentioned, and from this you will be able to choose the right builder for you. Building is a big job, so avoid using family or friends and be extra careful if you choose a builder from the Yellow Pages or the Internet.

Tip 4: DIY what you can, but keep within your comfort zone

There are loads of jobs you can do yourself, the most obvious being painting and landscaping. But the average person can also do tasks like tiling, assembling flat-pack kitchens, carpeting, paving and more. However, if you do plan to go down the do-it-yourself path, ensure you have enough space in your life to take on these tasks – otherwise mistakes will be made and they will cost you extra. See our DIY house design article here. If you decide to build using an usual structure such as a strawbale home, bear in mind that you will probably need extra professional advice and a longer learning period.

Tip 5: Become an owner builder

Owner builders will save themselves the supervision percentage that builders charge to manage a job. And typically this charge is about 10-15% of the total bill. However, in reality, you are capable of doing it yourself. Managing the build means engaging the trades, managing them, checking their work and paying the bills.

If this idea appeals to you, there are weekend courses you can do to educate yourself about the process. Also, speak with your local council to find out what they require from you to be registered as an owner builder. For further reading, see “The building process fully explained” to get educated about the construction process.

Kit homes are perfect for the owner builder and depending on the size you may not even need council approval.

Tip 6: Stick to your building budget

Stick to your budget, stick to your budget, stick to your budget. This is a critical tip so many people seem to ignore during the construction process. But this is the golden rule that you must abide by, or you will run the risk of over capitalising or enduring a huge mortgage.

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Protect Yourself When Working With a Home Builder – Northern Beaches

Posted on September 28, 2011 by bleyeradmin

Home Builders Northern Beaches – Protecting Yourself

Building a home is complex. There are many things that you can’t completely control.

Here we will discuss some things you will want to keep in mind when working with a builder of your new home. The more educated you are, the less likely mistakes will be made and regrets to be had later.

If you are working with a custom home builder, it can simplify the process because they will have legalities in place already and will be easier to work with. But if you hire a contractor yourself you need to arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can.

Here are just a few: the weather, production of cabinets & tops, inventory of items at the local supply houses, the schedules of sub-contractors, the quality of the vast amount of materials you are expected to install.

Stop and think of how many different trades and different parts go into a house. You or the builder needs to be familiar with each one. If a mistake is made early in the job (say an out of square foundation), it will handicap the rest of the project.

Houses require excellent foundations. The same is true for the entire home-building process.

The foundation of the process is an excellent set of plans and written specifications. Many people think that any plan is a good one.

Great plans leave little to speculation. They include lots of detail, there are separate pages for electrical and mechanical layouts, and there are many schedules or tables that outline what is supposed to happen where.

Specifications are a must. Written specifications are just detailed notes and explanations about various aspects of the actual drawn plans.

For example, there can be a paragraph about the exact nature of the mortar used for the brick. Other notes can mention the process of finishing the hardwood flooring.

If you are building a home, you need a simple, clear contract. There is little need to include lots of words about what is going to be built if you already have an excellent set of blueprints and specifications.

Building your own home whether you do it yourself or use a builder is one of the toughest jobs you will ever do. It can be lots of fun and filled with excitement IF you are prepared.

If you want a solid house with few problems, then you are going to have to work side by side with the builder. This means that you will need to do lots of reading.

Many of the aspects of construction are well documented by numerous associations. In other words, if you want to know some details about concrete, why not contact the Portland Cement Association or the American Concrete Institute?

Your foundation must be square! Your footer needs to be at least 8 inches thick with 2 number 5 bars run continuous.

Spend the extra money and get vertical steel in addition to the horizontal steel in your foundation. Don’t allow the house to be built too deep into the ground.

The top of the foundation must be a minimum of 18 inches above the highest point of soil within 10 feet of the foundation. You use the dirt from the hole to create this slope. If done correctly, it will appear that the house is on nearly level ground.

Use cast iron pipe for your plumbing drain pipes that carry water within the walls. You will have a quiet house.

All roof flashing must be tin or copper and be soldered. 95 percent of all roof leaks happen at flashing. Make sure yours are the best and installed properly.

One of the biggest nightmares with new home construction is failing to identify a cost item.

To obtain an accurate total price, you must have two things: 1. Each major and many minor items listed 2. Accurate prices for each item – not guesses or allowances.

Though every single nut and bolt won’t need to be listed, you might be surprised at the detail of the list anyway. Remember, it can be a tedious process, but the end result is your beautiful home..

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Expert Renovation Ideas Northern Beaches, Sydney

Posted on September 20, 2011 by bleyeradmin

Expert Renovation Ideas Northern Beaches, Sydney

Renovation to enhance cottage design is pretty open. Key themes to incorporate are cozy, and quaint, with emphasis on country charm. So regardless if your cottage home is lived in year-round, or a summer cottage, cozy cottage getaway; keep cottage style open and friendly. Mix and mingle old with the new to tell a story, inviting and warm.

Country Cottage Design; a Marriage Between the Past and the Present

Cottage country design can blend the past and present for cozy cabin charm. Consider the following ways to exploit an existing wall to find solutions for small kitchen space:

A two-legged table on hinges that folds down from the wall makes a perfect small space kitchen table. Or use it as extra table space to arrange platters of food served buffet style when entertaining. Two or three outlets, hidden from view when the table is up, provide electrical sources for heated trays, crock pots, and anything else that requires electricity.
A compact microwave oven can be installed into a cubby hole in the wall; make sure there is adequate ventilation. Add wood shutters on either side to hide the microwave when not in use.
A distressed floor wood complimented by a braided country rug provides classic cottage appeal. The modern addition of a heated floor element underneath keeps feet comfy cozy during winter months.
Another small space idea while keeping the cottage design theme of mixing old with new? Open the ceiling to the underside of the rafters, and add skylights. A stenciled ivy pattern weaving up along the wall to the skylights will soften the effect.

Enhance Cottage Décor with Box Light Fixtures

Use box light to enhance aspects of cottage home design without taking up valuable headroom or floor area.
Even if you plan on handling other aspects of cottage interior renovation yourself, you might want to hire a specialty contractor for this type job. An experienced electric contractor will not only be familiar with building code requirements. They can create custom boxes using distressed finish wood to complement cottage design.

Box Light Basics

Part of building box light fixtures is determining the right combination of molding and spacer pieces. The molding must project far enough from the side of the box to hide the light fixture, yet allow enough space to change the bulb when needed.
Use a fluorescent bulb for box light. Fluorescent light lasts longer than incandescent, uses less electricity, and throws less heat. Include a new technology fluorescent light dimmer for subdued or bright light.
Paint the boxes using semi-gloss latex paint in a light color; line the inside surfaces of each piece of molding with reflective foil duct tape.

Home Renovation Tip; How to Remove an Interior Plaster Wall

Many older cottages have plaster walls. Replacing an interior plaster wall is a messy, dusty job. Always wear eye protection and a dust mask during the demolition process; use sheets of plastic to protect furniture and block open doorways.
If the plaster you want to remove covers most of the wall surface, consider removing the whole surface of that wall. It is easier to replace an entire wall with wallboard than patching around a project area, and results look better.
After marking the plaster wall to be removed, apply a double layer of masking tape along the outside edge of the cutting line. Use a utility knife to score the cutting line several times. Use a straightedge as a guide; make incisions at least 1/8-inch deep.
Begin at the top of the wall in the planned center of the opening, and break up the plaster by striking the wall lightly with the side of a hammer. Continue breaking up and removing the plaster to within 3-inches of the cutting lines.
Break the plaster along the edge of the cutting line by holding a scrap piece of 2” X 4” lumber just inside the scored lines. Rap it with the hammer; use a pry bar to carefully remove remaining plaster.

Removing the Lath

If there is metal lath over the wood lath, you must first use aviation snips to clip the metal lath edges. Press jagged edges of the lath flat against the studs. Be sure to wear heavy work gloves to avoid injury.
Use a reciprocating or jig saw to cut through the lath along the edges of the plaster, and a pry bar to remove the lath from the studs. Remove any remaining nails, vapor barrier, and insulation.
Your best resource for renovation success and small space solution ideas that enhance cottage life is a renovation contractor. One with experience in cottage interior renovation.

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Advantages of Building Your Own Home Northern Beaches

Posted on September 1, 2011 by bleyeradmin

Advantages of Building Your Own Home | Northern Beaches, Sydney

Buying a home is the biggest financial investment you will ever make in your life, and since you’re going to be living in it, it might as well be exactly what you want it to be. To ensure you get exactly what you want; nothing more, nothing less, building your own home is a great alternative to settling.

Though most think building is more expensive than simply buying an existing home, it can actually be less expensive if an ample amount of research is done to find the right contractor for the right price. The weeding out process may be hard, but if it means saving thousands of dollars, the time and energy will be worth it.

The biggest hitch to get over will be the time factor. Building a house can take months or years to finally complete; that is why it is important to find the right contractor to get the job done in the time frame you have in mind.

Building can also be stressful with the amount of decisions that need to be made. Every detail, big and small, from the floor plan to what light switch covers you want, has to be made by you.

Some, however, will find the ability to choose everything exhilarating and refreshing, but the decisions will definitely take up a lot of time and once something is put in, you may decide you want is another way, so it has to be changed, which takes even more time.

But the ability to choose everything you want allows you the freedom to customize the house to your lifestyle and your flow. This can make living in it a lot easier, because the house was built specifically for you and no one else.

This also allows for a completely unique home, and you know that no one else is living in a home quite like yours. This factor alone can attract buyers, knowing that they have a home that is 100 percent original.

Another draw in building your own home, is that you get to pick your own lot. This means that the size of the yard is up to you; where the property is located is up to you; which direction the house is facing is up to you; everything can be chosen by yourself.

After choosing the lot you can choose a floor plan works perfectly for your needs. You can have a huge master bedroom and a small office, the closets can be any size you want, you can have a pantry, double wall ovens, two living rooms, tons of storage–everything from size to location of the rooms are all decided on by you.

The home doesn’t have to be completely original though, you can take ideas from other homes you like and implement them into an existing floor plan. If you like most of a floor plan, but there are a few things from another floor plan that you want, you can take both ideas and combine them together to fit your needs.

When buying a pre-existing home, you get things you don’t need, like a separate dining room, or you don’t get the things you want, like a separate tub and shower. But when building your own home you get exactly what you want; no extras, not settling.

If you are making an investment that cost upwards of $100,000 and you have to live in it for years to come, it should be something that you love completely and that works for your lifestyle.

Building your own home is a great way to go if you want something that fits your needs perfectly, and you don’t want to settle on a house that is just “good enough.” It may take more time, but in return you get a completely custom home that was built just for you…

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