We recently built our own home, something I always dreamed of doing. We didn't just build, no "surprise!" we had a baby too. It was a HUGE year. We learned a lot, we cried a lot, we didn't sleep a lot, but in the end I love my new home and expanded family - a lot! so you can buy new homes in chester.
So when Stocklands asked me to share my top ten building tips I thought it was the perfect opportunity to share my experience with other home builders. Stocklands are in the business of making your dream of building your own home a reality, so it's a perfect combination of their goals and my personal experience.
1. Make an inspiration board & study the details:
With Pinterest inspiration boards have never been so easy, but go old school with a paper file if that works better for you. Make a different board for each area of the house: kitchen, bathroom, living room, laundry, playroom, whatever you are building.
Once you have pinned all your favourites take a step back and study them all together. You will start to see a theme running through your selections. Spot the similarities and study the details and make sure you include these key elements in your final design. This is a sample of my kitchen board - no surprises that I have a black kitchen island, marble top, wood floors and white walls.
2. Work with an interior designer or architect in the concept stage:
Consult an expert to get your spaces and flow working well before the build starts. This is an investment well worth making if you want to get it right first time and you want a polished look! Make your inspiration boards first, they will make it much easier to explain the look and feel you are aiming for.
This is the time to talk about storage and where it should be, light sources, types of lighting, even the position of the light switches. Be specific about how you plan to use spaces, the flow from indoors to outdoors, and where your north light comes from.
3. Create a sample pack and take it everywhere:
Try decide on all major finishes in the concept stage: floors, bathroom tiles, kitchen joinery colours and countertops. Collect samples of all items and put them in a box in the back of your car. As you select other finishes make sure they tie in with the elements you have already decided on. A limited palette of complementary materials will give your design good continuity and stronger visual impact.
4. Make a non-negotiable list:
Unless you have a bottomless wallet you are going to have to make budget choices Luxury Homes. Decide on your non-negotiable list upfront, for me it was my bathroom tiles and wooden floors. When you need to cut costs make them elsewhere first, this way you end up with the items you really want.
5. Use the same fittings throughout :
Choose the same taps for all your bathrooms, use the same floor finishes throughout the house, apply a consistent colour palette in all your finishes. Continuity will make your house feel well designed, and buying in bulk is a good opportunity to negotiate a good price.
6. Make your cash work harder
- Shop around for the best prices, locally and online.
- Never get less than three quotes for any job or item.
- Ask for discounts when you buy, tell the retailer you are building and could be coming back for more supplies.
- Shop at auctions for really good deals, we bought solar panels with installation for a great price on Grays Online.
7. Ask for recommendations:
All our best trades, our builder, and many of our suppliers were recommended by people who had also built or renovated. There is no substitute for a personal reference.