Being an owner builder can be a very challenging role but it is one that is well worth the effort. Every Australian dreams of being able to build their own home overlooking the beach but you need to know how to achieve this and where to start. For most, building a home is a one off venture but it is crucial that it progresses perfectly from start to finish because it requires a large investment and a large commitment of time. Having the right tools is the best place to start and this article considers what you will need from knowledge to safeguards:
Management
The management of your project is the most essential part because accurate planning is crucial to keeping the budget down and the quality up. First of all you will need to arrange building permits and land ownership. Remember that buying the perfect plot of land is only a good move if you will actually be allowed to build there. Seek permits and zoning information before making any investment and be prepared to look around if you cannot build.
Once your permits are sorted it is time to start planning your property and for this there are numerous tools available. Planning Apps are available on the iPad and iPhone and there are also numerous online resources to help you plan your budget and your construction from start to finish. This process should be heavily considered because your home will literally be shaped in this planning stage. These plans should then really be taken to an architect for fleshing and calculations so that you can develop a realistic blueprint to work from.
Knowledge
The best free tool you can get is that of knowledge. Be sure to learn from the experiences of other owner builders so that you can avoid the mistakes that they have made. Before embarking on your construction project, make arrangements to meet with other owner builders and research online for articles about experiences. This will greatly enrich your understanding and improve your chances of success. This will also give you a great opportunity to see what is possible with particular budgets and time frames.
Identify Problems
Identifying problems with the build before you start will allow you to avoid making any mistakes. These problems can range from delays with the roofing to poor weather conditions. Everything needs to be considered because preparation will save you thousands of dollars in a wide variety of scenarios. Having spare back-up generators on site or with easy access could make the difference between an active day and a costly delay that stretches your budget unnecessarily.
Safeguards
No matter how well planned a project is and no matter how skilful any help that you hire is, there is no doubt that safeguards need to be put in place to protect your investment and your interests. Insurance is needed to cover the build and also to cover the safety of anyone on your worksite. The importance of safeguards cannot be stressed enough because if anything dramatic happens then you could find yourself with some serious damages to pay. Remember that your site will necessarily have valuable equipment on it too, which will make it a prime target for thieves. Insuring your project is an absolute must.
