A bachelor of arts graduate from California University in Pennsylvania, Brandon Colella has over 25 years of experience in construction development and real estate management. Brandon Colella is president of Clayton Construction Inc., specializing in interior and exterior renovations and new homes.
While building your dream home from the ground up is an exhilarating and one-of-a-kind experience, you should be prepared for a time-consuming and strenuous process. To help ensure a smooth build, here are some essential things you need to do first. First, determine your budget before you start building. Get an all-inclusive price for all amenities you intend to build. Include taxes, materials, down payments, and labor costs. Next, your building schedule is only a guideline and not fixed. Expect Hiccups. Even with meticulous planning, faults are bound to occur. You cannot control the weather, construction, or contractors. Also, budget for unexpected expenses like broken items to avoid delays.
Hence, choosing a builder is the most critical decision in home construction as they will be with you for the next 12 months (or more). It would help if you considered these factors. Are they certified, licensed, and insured? What is their work history record? Are they within your budget? And do their previous jobs' styles and designs meet your expectations. Also, plan for the future and not construct with the "now" in mind, but with a five or 10-year outlook. Finally, finish first and then move in. This point may sound simple, but when a long build is nearing completion, you're eager to move in. You may consider finishing the basement or landscaping the front yard after moving in. But it's much easier to complete the pending work now than pay the contractors to return later. Keep your resolution and finish all those tasks before your first night at home.
