Nowadays, buyers don’t shop for existing properties anymore, the market for pre-existing homes becoming limited. They prefer building their own homes from scratch. Like many other people, you have decided to build your own house. Good for you. However, you have your work cut out for you. The project is complicated, not to mention that there are many aspects to pay attention to. Along the way, you’re going to make mistakes. What are the biggest mistakes that you can make and how can they be prevented? Continue reading to find out.
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1. Not involving yourself directly in the selection of aggregates
Making the building strong and durable should be your main concern. If the home doesn’t have a strong foundation, then it will collapse even before you finalise the project. Aggregates are used in construction projects, so as to reduce fissures and add strength to the structure. It’s the job of professionals to select durable materials. They are the ones dealing with
aggregate importers in Kent. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get involved in the process. Do your homework and get involved in the selection of the aggregates. What you need to pay attention to is performance, hardness, and resistance to impact. If you’re not sure what qualities to require, talk to the aggregate importers.
2. Acting as a general contractor
One of the biggest mistakes that you can make is acting like a general contractor. You’re not a professional and you’re not capable of overseeing the construction site. No technical education is necessary for this sense, but you do need to have experience. Hiring a plumber and roofer is simply not enough. A general contractor communicates with many specialists over the course of the project, such as concrete finishers, seeking estimates and proposals. What the general contractor does is determine the cost of the materials, add up labour costs, and factor additional expenses. Do you think that you can do all that? Whether or not you’re on a tight schedule, it’s better to hire a professional contractor.
3. Not predicting delays
There will be delays; you can be sure of that. It’s an experience that can’t be avoided. You may be excited to see the finished product, but you’ll have no choice but to wait a little bit longer. The thing about delays is that they are very annoying. And costly. Due to the constant interruptions, it’s difficult if not impossible to schedule craftspeople. The best course of action, when dealing with delays, is getting in touch with the project manager, i.e. the general contractor, and figure out ways to address the issues. You shouldn’t be scared to ask questions. The expert is there to help you. If the interruptions are related to permitting and bureaucracy, then seek legal advice. A solicitor who specializes in construction law is more than able to provide you some tips. They will carefully study the contract and tell you whether or not you can take legal action. Make sure to talk to a solicitor when you encounter problems.