Building your own house is often the project of a lifetime. When it comes to building, it is best to be well-informed before realizing your dream. That's why Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes has put together a comprehensive guide to help you through every stage of the building process. From the choice of a suitable building plot to the delivery of your new home, this guide highlights the essential elements to ensure the project runs smoothly and avoids unpleasant surprises. Whether you are an amateur or an experienced builder, follow the guide!
PREPARING YOUR CONSTRUCTION PROCESS DETERMINE YOUR PROJECT AND BUDGET Determining the project: First, think about the house you want to build. Take into account not only your wishes and needs but also your daily and long-term needs. Evaluate the ideal area of your house and garden, the number of bedrooms, the type of roof, the desired environment, and orientation. Determine the budget and your borrowing capacity: are you going to build with your resources or are you going to take out a mortgage loan? Find out how much you can contribute and how much you need to borrow to finance your project. Evaluate the ideal area of your house and garden, the number of bedrooms, the type of roof, the desired environment, and orientation. Determine the budget and your borrowing capacity: are you going to build with your resources or are you going to take out a mortgage loan? Find out how much you can contribute and how much you need to borrow to finance your project. Did you know that? In Austin, you can receive certain premiums or financial assistance for the construction of a new home. The conditions under which these are granted generally differ from region to region. You will find useful links per region on the official website of the United States services. These initial questions are crucial to determining the best possible schedule for your construction project. Did you know that? The professionals at Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes can help you with this first step. They will ask you the right questions to help you define the essential features of your construction project. They can also estimate the budget you need to set aside based on your criteria and requirements. TO BUY A BUILDING PLOT When looking for the ideal plot of land to build your future home on, make sure it meets your criteria and fits within your overall budget. What is the area like, is the area accessible by public transport, are there shops nearby? There are several things to check before taking the plunge, including the technical characteristics of this building plot and the applicable planning regulations. Here is an overview of the most important points that you should carefully analyze before purchasing your plot. Is the land suitable for building? Check whether the land is suitable for building and is not agricultural land, for example. The cadastral matrix of the plot gives you all the information about the applicable rules and regulations. If you do not want to build your house right away, you should also check that there is no obligation to build within a certain period. Which urban development regulations apply? All plots are subject to regional and local planning regulations, and even neighborhood or residential area regulations. Here too, the local government will tell you what you can and cannot do on your plot. The urban development regulations may relate to the type of roofing that is permitted or the color of your windows. So make sure you take this into account when drawing up your plans so that you are not faced with any unpleasant surprises when you apply for a building permit. What are the technical characteristics of the plot? The area of the plot: This usually determines the size of your house, depending on the size of the garden you want. Consult the local land registry to check the boundaries of the plot. If the plot is not demarcated, a surveyor will have to demarcate it, The slope of the plot: a flat plot makes earthworks easier. A sloping plot will therefore generally have an impact on the cost of the works, although a good architect can advise you on how to use a slope to your advantage, The orientation of the plot: this will influence the placement of your building, depending on how much sun you want. A good architect will be able to make intelligent use of orientation to optimize the energy consumption of your future home, The nature of the soil: a soil survey is essential to analyze the stability and quality of the soil. The load-bearing capacity, permeability, and moisture of the soil have a direct impact on the foundations of your future home and therefore on the budget. It is also important to check that the plot is connected to public utilities and internet and telephone lines. If a connection is required, it will be installed before any structural work is carried out. You have bought the plot of your dreams. Before you start building your house, several preparatory steps are essential to ensure the work runs smoothly. CHOOSE A PROFESSIONAL TO BUILD YOUR HOME You have three options: The architect The architect creates a tailor-made project and manages the entire construction site: he designs the plans, applies for building permits, coordinates the different trades, and supervises the work. The architect may suggest a contractor or several professionals, but you remain in control and are free to make your own choices. This option is usually the most expensive. Custom home builders & construction companies The construction company will take care of your project from A to Z. It manages and coordinates every phase of the work, as well as the technical and administrative aspects associated with the construction project. The construction company can put you in touch with an independent architect to prepare the preliminary design. In any case, you have complete freedom to choose your architect. Choosing a custom home builder in Austin construction company is generally a good option for the service provided. Did you know? The term “turnkey” does not refer to a construction method but to a service associated with construction. A turnkey project is a customized construction project where you receive support at every stage of the project. Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes is a luxury custom home builder in Austin construction company. Whether you are inspired by your preliminary project or by our extensive catalog, the construction of your home is guided by your budget and your preferences in style, layout, and materials. The project leader (not an architect) The project leader is usually a professional in the construction industry. Just like the architect, he guides you through every phase of your construction project, but the project manager's profession is not regulated. No diploma or title certifies the skills of the project leader, and he is not bound by a code of conduct. So be vigilant, because there is no protection for your contract. DRAW UP A PRELIMINARY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT Questions you should ask in advance The most important element that will influence the plans for your future home is of course the plot on which it will be built. The orientation, slope, composition, and the municipality where it is located will have a direct influence on your plans. Because building a house is often a long-term project, it is important to think about your current and future needs. What orientation do you have in mind for your living room? Have you thought about energy efficiency? How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you want? Regarding the internal layout of the rooms, also consider the effect of any nearby road or views on your neighbors. Drawing up the preliminary design Depending on the type of professional you choose for your construction project, the plans will be tailor-made based on your preferences or inspired by a catalog. A luxury custom home builder in Austin construction company will usually offer a wide range of models that you can personalize to some extent. Did you know? Even with inspiration from a catalog, every Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes construction is 100% custom, unique, and designed according to your criteria and needs. The architect will propose one or more preliminary designs for the construction that take into account your wishes and the applicable urban development regulations. You can submit suggestions for adjustments to him so that he can further refine his plans until the final choice of your preliminary design for construction. Make sure you maintain regular and direct contact with your architect so that he can best understand your needs and work efficiently on your preliminary construction design. GET A BUILDING PERMIT Obtaining a building permit is mandatory for any new construction. Your architect or custom home builder company will apply for a building permit to the municipality on your behalf. The timeframe for obtaining permits varies from region to region. Once your permit has been granted, construction of your house can begin! BUILDING YOUR HOUSE The construction of a house involves four major steps: the shell, the finish, the finishing touches, and the exterior design. If the plot is not connected to utilities, you must initially connect it to the public utility network. THE SHELL CONSTRUCTION The shell construction includes all work relating to the structure of the building. Staking: Staking is the physical delineation, performed by a surveyor, of the location of the future structure. Earthworks: This is about preparing the ground to receive the foundations. We dig out the ground and move the earth. The excavation work will be more or less complex depending on the slope of the terrain and the soil composition in particular. Pouring the foundations: the type of foundation will depend mainly on the nature of the soil, the type of construction, and the weight it has to support. Sanitary work: This concerns the installation of the system that allows the discharge of wastewater. Depending on the situation, either a connection to the municipal sewer system is provided, or the installation of an individual septic tank. Underlayment: This step involves placing the lower portion of the walls directly on the foundations. Its purpose is to support the overall structure and protect the structure from moisture absorption. Pressure layer: This is the step in which the intermediate floors are placed and the pressure layer is poured. Mixed masonry: This starts with the construction of the load-bearing walls and the construction of the other walls. THE FINISH The finish aims to make your home habitable and comfortable. Exterior carpentry: Installing frames and windows, as well as exterior doors. House and roof insulation: It is essential to ensure that your home is well insulated from the start to avoid unpleasant surprises and expensive renovation work in the future. Insulation can be applied to the outside, inside, or directly into the building materials. Plumbing: The plumbing work includes the installation of the pipe network and the drainage of water in the kitchen, bathroom, and toilet, as well as in other places where water drainage can be useful, such as the garage or outside the house. The plumbing, taps, radiators, and boiler are then installed. FINISHES The finishing touches include the interior design of your home and the decoration. This is essential to bring your home to life and make you feel at home. Floor coverings: The floor coverings can vary from tiles to parquet, including polished concrete or linoleum. Consider the use of the rooms, their maintenance, and of course your personal preferences when choosing the floor covering! Wall coverings and painting: The possibilities are endless, ranging from paint, tiles, and wallpaper to paneling. For example, washable paint is recommended for a kitchen, while a moisture-resistant coating is recommended for the bathroom. It is important to choose materials that are suitable for the specific function and environment of each room. Interior carpentry: This is followed by the installation of interior doors, the installation of stairs and skirting boards, etc. Lighting: The lighting sets the mood. Whether you prefer direct or indirect light, it will set the tone in your future home. Pay special attention to the lighting of strategic places, such as your dining table, the mirror in your bathroom, the bar, etc. The right lighting design can improve the ambiance and functionality of any room. Facade: In principle, the exterior of your facade is influenced by three factors: your preferences, the chosen insulation type, and the applicable modern development regulations. Also consider the maintenance that the chosen covering will need to withstand the elements, sunlight, and pollution. It is important to choose a facade material that is both aesthetically pleasing practical and durable for the specific environment in which your home is located. THE OUTDOOR FURNISHINGS The exterior design includes everything that has to do with the environment of your house: building a terrace, constructing paths and driveways, installing a gate, and installing outdoor lighting. This is the finishing touch! THE END OF THE WORKS AND THE DELIVERY OF YOUR 100% CUSTOM-BUILT HOME The time has come, the work has been completed, and your house has become a reality. The moment you've been eagerly awaiting has finally arrived: you can move! In Austin, the delivery of your new luxury home is done in two steps: provisional delivery and final delivery. THE PROVISIONAL DELIVERY The provisional acceptance marks the moment at which you can move into the home. When does provisional acceptance take place? Provisional acceptance takes place when all work as agreed in the contract has been completed. The home must be habitable, functional, and able to be used according to the intended purpose. The provisional acceptance procedure The provisional acceptance is attended by the client and his architect, the site manager, and a representative of Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes. The parties jointly carry out a detailed inspection of both the interior and exterior of the home. They check whether the construction is by the plans and whether the work has been carried out correctly. The preliminary acceptance report The provisional acceptance report lists any comments regarding minor repairs that need to be carried out or visible defects that need to be corrected. After provisional acceptance and before final acceptance, Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes will be responsible for carrying out the minor work as stated in the official report. The consequences of a provisional acceptance
THE FINAL DELIVERY The final delivery is the final phase in the construction of your house. When will the final delivery take place?
The consequences of the final reception
PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE Building a new home is usually a lifelong project. Although unforeseen circumstances may be unavoidable, good preparation and professional guidance are essential to ensure that the entire process runs smoothly. Listening to your needs, Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes's experts are your ideal partner to complete your project.
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AuthorZbranek & Holt Custom Homes has been building houses and apartments for more than 45 years. We do this according to a completely own recipe: a building system with traditional materials, optimized in an automated process. This construction method is unique. Categories |