Building a house from scratch is a long journey, but it doesn’t have to be as tedious, problematic, or outrageously expensive as you might think. The key to building new without destroying your finances – or your sanity –  is preparation.

It’s particularly helpful to know the most common mistakes people make when building new, so you can plan ahead and avoid them. The way you approach your project from the get-go plays a huge role in the amount of stress you’ll face in the months ahead.

Here are some common pitfalls to avoid when building a new home:

Taking the Lowest Bid

Since building a house is such a costly endeavor, it’s only natural to seek opportunities to save. However, this often leads people to work with general contractors who offer unrealistically low bids.

When a general contractor gives you a bid that’s considerably lower than your other offers, it’s most likely an indication of them missing something. Commonly it’s because they are overlooking some aspect of the project, or they could be trying to win your business by deliberately omitting numerous expenses from their bid. Either way, this is not an area of your project where it’s wise to skimp. Don’t be afraid to show the other bids to each GC in turn and ask the expensive one(s) why theirs is so much higher and the cheaper one why theirs is so much lower. No matter what, it’ll be an edifying moment. 

Deviating from Original Plan

No phrase induces shudders from us like ‘change orders.’ Deviating from the original plan is the most common reason renovations and new construction budgets get obliterated. 

Sometimes, it makes sense – like realizing you really do want that patio, or that the marble for your countertops is worth the splurge. Others, it’s wasteful and doesn’t improve the end result. 

You can avoid this pitfall by taking your time, working with your architect, and creating a design plan you’re 100% comfortable with. Then, sticking to the plan and avoiding making any changes will minimize stress and costs. 

Not Involving Your Architect in the Build Phase

Another common cause of delays in new construction is disagreements between architects and general contractors. It’s inevitable for general contractors to have questions about design plans. And while this never happens with Debowsky projects (ask us why!), for many architects this results in a tedious back and forth process until both parties can come to a compromise that may or may not stray from the homeowner’s vision. 

Why doesn’t this happen with our projects? We’re so glad you asked. We make a point of working with our clients through the construction phase of their project so that we are able to answer all questions and make sure your home is built as planned. 

Splurging on Every Space and Detail 

Many people build new so they can bring their dream home to life. However, this mentality often leads people to spend absurd sums of money in an attempt to make every inch of their home look luxurious. That’s what a dream home is, right?

What you should be focusing on is building a home that’s perfectly suited to your lifestyle. In other words, splurge on what you’ll see and use every day – you don’t need to spend more on custom PVC piping.  And if fashion isn’t your thing, you don’t need that expansive 500 square foot closet that is trending on Instagram. 

Your Dream Home is Not Someone Else’s 

The real definition of a dream home is a home that caters to your lifestyle so perfectly, it seems to have come out of a dream. The keyword here is “YOUR” lifestyle, not someone else’s. That’s how you save on new construction: by only spending money on spaces and items you’re actually going to use on a regular basis. 

If you’re looking to build new but aren’t sure where to start, a great first step is partnering up with an experienced local architect. At Debowsky Design Group, we get to know our clients on a personal level so we can build a finished product that speaks directly to your taste and personality. So, when you’re ready to start putting together a design, give us a call and let’s build the home you’ve always wanted.