Planning a new kitchen, extension – or building a brand-new home from scratch – is both exciting and stressful. On the one hand, you can’t wait to start. But you also need to budget for your project, which means calling and vetting home builders, then comparing quotes.
It’s not just the cost of hiring home builders you’ll need to take into consideration though. There’s also the cost of materials to think about, and you may need to hire an architect. Failure to plan could result in your budget spiralling out of control.
So, before you hire commercial building contractors, here are some tried and tested tips to help you stay on track.
Five Things to Do Before Hiring Home Builders
1. Planning a new build? Location is everything
Having decided to build your dream home, it’s time to think about location. The cost of materials, labour, and any professional fees or services will need to be factored into your plan. But where you decide to build your property will have the biggest impact on cost.
Land will account for well over 50% of your expenditure. And so, it’s important to find an area that’s affordable – while ensuring the value of your home rises over time. Otherwise, you could struggle to sell later.
2. Don’t forget about professional fees and services
Sometimes referred to as ‘soft costs,’ construction projects often require the services of qualified professionals. Architects, solicitors, and engineers are just some of the specialists you may need to hire before work can begin.
In most cases, these fees are unavoidable. For example, your local authority will need to see design plans to ensure they meet building and planning regulations. These architectural drawings will also be used by your home builders to create an itemised quote, which you can then review to ensure costs are acceptable.
3. Factor in the cost of building materials too
The combination of Brexit and the global pandemic has increased materials costs, which might concern you. On the one hand, you don’t want costs to overrun. However, you probably don’t like the idea of putting your project on hold indefinitely either.
Fortunately, many home builders work with multiple suppliers. This means they can compare quotes and request discounts for buying in volume. So, don’t feel afraid to talk to your builder or renovator if you the budget is creeping outside your comfort zone. There may be a remedy the problem.
4. Don’t forget, you’re also paying for labour
Depending on the complexity of your project, you may need to hire electricians, bricklayers, joiners, and other tradespeople. Knowing how many hours they’ll need to complete the work is essential, otherwise, costs could increase exponentially.
Homebuilders usually sub-contract specialists in and coordinate the work. They’ll also estimate how long the project will take based on the architect’s drawings, then quote accordingly. This means unexpected costs shouldn’t arise later.
5. Compare at least three quotes
Before hiring a trusted local company, compare them with at least two other building firms. Once you’ve received quotes from all three, dig deeper by asking for customer testimonials and images or videos of successful projects they’ve worked on. That way, you can hire them with peace of mind.
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