Becoming
an owner builder is a huge task but it is one that could potentially save you
vast amounts of money. Building a property yourself will allow you to achieve a
higher level of quality for a lower price and the feeling of producing your own
home is one that cannot be beaten. This being said, there is little doubt that
it is a monolithic challenge and one that will potentially end up very costly
if you do not do it right. Being an owner builder requires a certain level of
expertise because a house is not something you can pick up at IKEA and screw
together. Here are some things you should consider before opting to become and
owner builder:
Managing
the Project
As an
owner builder you will literally be in charge of and on top of the entire
project. This means that everything from land acquisition to building permit applications and
insurance will all fall under your list of responsibilities. There is a huge
amount more behind a home construction than would first be imagined and
completing it correctly is vital. If you buy land then it does not necessarily
mean that you can build upon it without worry. Running this project will be a
full-time role that will not let you sit back and relax until it is
successfully complete.
Excessive
Preparation
When
managing a project on a construction site the key is preparation. It is
essential to be prepared for every eventuality and this can be a very complex
requirement. When materials arrive, for example, access needs to be arranged
and space needs to be created. In most cases the material will have to stay
where it is dropped and most materials are somewhat weather sensitive. This
means that the area has to be ready well in advance and items need to arrive at
precisely the right time of the build so that you can accommodate.
Preparing
for deliveries is manageable but preparing for the arrival of rain when your
roof is still a pile off wood is somewhat more vital. In this case, and in many
other cases, a mistake or a failure to prepare could end up costing you
thousands of dollars and also delay the build dramatically.
Structural
Integrity
Remember
that the home you are building needs to support your family and your life. It
is vital that the structural integrity of the home is faultless and your
ability to achieve this needs to be solid. Constructing a home should not be
something that you learn on the job as every inch of it needs to stand
together.
Safety
As owner
builder you will be responsible for the safety of everyone on your site and
this is a huge responsibility to take on. Given that even hand
tools dropped from the roof of a house could
cause a fatality, it is vital that safety is number one. The responsibility of
this cannot be taken lightly because it is a serious issue and one that could
ruin you financially even if no injuries take place. Insurance costs will be
significant but more seriously than this, people’s lives will be in your hands.
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