Building & Renovations

It takes more than a builder to make your new house a home. Renovations can be an exciting, overwhelming and even mind-boggling experience for you. For the builder however, it is simply matter of fact, daily routine. Sometimes these attitudes can tend to clash. Building your new house or doing renovations to your existing home should not be a passive exercise. Many decisions have to be made, by you. Where you are unable, or unwilling to make decisions, you will force your builder to make them for you. To make absolutely sure your new home fulfills your own vision, use these guidelines as a way to make theprocess as painless as possible:

Understand Your Building Contract

• You will agree to a contract involving a huge amount of money when you sign on the dotted line for the construction of your new house. By so doing, you will not abdicate any of your basic legal rights; therefore, know them, and exercise them if required!
• A good place to begin is by actually reading the contract and understanding it. You are paying for the knowledge of the builders -- their experience and ability. Not only that, you are paying your builders a profit above their expenses. What should you expect in return? How do ensure that you actually get what you expect to get?
• Communication is key.Be sure to be clear on evrything, if you are not, ask, and ask for it in writing. If it is in writing, there can be no disputing what was discussed.

Costs

• Keep costs in perspective; $10 per 1000 bricks more for the brick you actually like only translates into $100 more when 10,000 bricks (a typical amount) are involved.
• Remember that you will be living in this building - get what you want the first time as ling as it is still reasonably within your price range. That doesnt mean get the diamond encrusted shower head, but rather don't necessarily get the cheapest of evrything - cheap doesnt always translate into a good buy.
• Take care that the bling and gadgets do not overwhelm good basic construction-- don't trade them for lesser quality construction. Bouncy floors (where joists are stretched to the absolute maximum) are not remedied by a designer bath or jazzy door hardware.
• You pay for each and every square meter of space in your house, be it occupiedor usable. If the cost is $800, $1000, or $1200 per square meter, "extra", unused, vacant and unnecessary area is provided at the very same cost. Plan your space wisely to get the most out of your new home or renovations.
• Always check building codes and you local council! Never build without approval - you wont be able to get insurance. If somethinghappens, you wont be covered. it's just not worth it.
• Don't expect to control the exact number of nails used!
• Do expect a well built house, free of defects, and in accord with all applicable codes and regulations.
• Require proof of such building code compliance. This indicates accord with the minimum code and safety standards.
• Realize that some things are basically unchangeable later on and they should be done properly the first time. This includes foundations and structure etc. Changeable items such as finishes and coverings should not distract you from watching for and requiring good basic construction.
• Watch for things that are not necessarily what you want and that you will not be able to change easily or cheaply lateron. Question things that just don't look or seem right to you. Most of the time they are NOT right! Don't justtale your builders word on it. If you are still not sure, get second opnion.
• Seek some reliable outside, impartial advice -- just the same way you would for a doctor.

Be Flexible with your Building & Renovations

• Be prepared to resolve building & renovations situations and problems by compromising. However, be aware of what you may be also giving up in this process. Examine and understand both sides of th story. What is the cost benefit analysis? Is it actually worth the effort of arguing?
• Remember - anything can be done - but always at a price. Be careful and wary of unique or far-out requests, very new technology, and untested materials or equipment. Do your homework.
• Understand that construction is not a perfect science. Combine this with natural elements (site conditions, weather, wood members) means that things can change, must be changed, or simply exceed capabilities.
• Mistakes do happen. Absolute perfection (or your idea of it) may not be achieved. Drastic imperfections, however, should not be accepted. It is within your rights to require this.

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