Have you chosen to build a new home in the Brainerd Lakes area? Then congratulations are in order! With a location like that, you’re already off to a great start.
Continue making good choices. Building a new home can be very easy, or it can be just as hard. Much of the difficulty depends on the decisions you make right from the get-go. Here are a few key things to keep in mind while you’re planning construction.
Budget
You would never buy something without first knowing its price. The largest purchase of your lifetime should be no exception.
Determining the budget for a new construction project isn’t all that different from determining one for a remodel. You have to consider labor, materials, and possibly permits. New construction’s expenses also include land, land clearing and site preparation, as well as any increased living costs you may have to cover while you’re between homes.
Estimated costs of building a new home in Minnesota vary widely. Depending on the size and quality of the home, it may range from $275 to $700 per square foot (excluding land). As a general rule, it is cheaper to buy a move-in ready home. It just won’t be built to your specifications or at a location of your choosing.
Location
You obviously want to build your home in a nice spot. But what constitutes “nice?” It’s more than just the view. Without losing sight of your budget for land acquisition, judge a potential construction site’s location according to its school district, the zoning laws it’s subject to, and its proximity to retail and amenities. If you commute, then your choice of location shouldn’t force you to commute very far.
You may already love a certain design for your home and landscape. Our advice is to stay flexible with your vision until you have finalized its location. Certain aspects of the land may necessitate changes – or give you opportunities to come up with even better designs.
Preparation
Don’t break ground before you have dealt with all the red tape and other formalities that precede new construction. If you’re hiring a general contractor, then they should handle many (if not all) of the following critical details on your behalf.
- Utility hookups
- Inspection scheduling
- Building permit applications
- Compliance with local regulations
Foundation & Framing
Some aspects of your construction are more fun than others. You’ll spend many years looking at your kitchen countertops and bathroom fixtures, which is why you should weigh those options carefully. Just don’t forget: The most important elements of your new home are the ones you’ll never see.
A stable, waterproofed foundation that is designed for surrounding soil conditions is essential to building a long-standing home. And without strong and expertly constructed framing, your home won’t just have structural issues. It will also be more vulnerable to destructive weather, and the passage of time may cause its floors to become bumpy or uneven as well.
Electrical
Unless you are an electrician, then we strongly advise against wiring your own home. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t at liberty to design your home’s electrical system.
Whoever designed your home should also have chosen the layout for its lighting. You may wish to change that layout to fit your preferences – but only before the electrician arrives on scene. You should also choose light switch locations that make sense to you, as well as convenient outlet locations. Remember: Having more outlets than you wind up needing is far better than the inverse.
Contractor
If you want to secure your greatest chance at total homebuilding success, then you have to hire a reputable general contractor to handle the project for you. Only a fully licensed and insured professional will do – ideally one with positive online ratings, multiple references from recent clients, and experience with construction projects similar to your own. Your contractor should produce a realistic timeframe and budget for your project, and back those estimates up with a legally enforceable contract.
If you’re building a home in the Brainerd Lakes area, then you deserve a skilled, reliable and committed contractor. Contact Wensmann Contractors today for service with integrity!