The construction industry is rapidly evolving with the introduction of new technologies and processes. As a result, fleet management is becoming increasingly important for construction companies to stay competitive.
Buying an existing house is usually a good idea if you’re a homeowner. With that said, building your own home is an incredibly attractive concept. A newly built home can be designed for your needs, comes with few hidden problems, and won’t include hazardous materials like asbestos.
How to Build a Home as a Novice Homeowner
When building a new home from scratch, consider using sweat quality in the form of smaller projects. Not only can this save you money, but it can make the process less overwhelming.
Hire a Contractor (Unless You’re a Contractor)Should you build your home yourself or hire a contractor? Unless you’re a licensed general contractor or a journeyperson in one or many home-related fields, you shouldn’t build your own house. You also can’t build your house if the state forbids you to act as your own contractor.
But even if you are qualified enough to build a house, opting for another general contractor is in your best interest. Builders have their own network of subcontractors, personal experience with permitting offices, can cash in on wholesale discounts, and plan out the process step-by-step.
However, If you take control of the project, you can save 10% to 20% in build costs. Use this real estate affordability calculator if you want to assess the total cost of a new home build.
Preparing the Site and Laying the ConcreteStart the project by clearing the site of brush and other debris, even if the landscaping is well-maintained. You can make your garden sanctuary later. For now, you need a land surveyor, order dumpsters, portable toilets, temporary utilities, and an electrician for the work ahead.
The building site will start taking shape when it’s excavated and laid with wooden planks. These planks allow the contractors to build trenches and pour concrete inside. Footing drains are constructed to drain water, and water-proof vertical foundation walls will rest on footings.
Rough-In Services, Framing, and SidingBefore the concrete is poured, plumbers and electricians will do rough-in services so pipes and electrical wires are easy to access. Next, contractors will install foam board insulation, a gravel base, a plastic vapor barrier, and wire mesh to reinforce the concrete for the entire building site.
In the next step, you’ll work up a framing order for lumber, nails, house wrap, and adhesives to frame the house walls, ceiling, floor, and roof. The same carpentry crew will install windows, doors, and skylights. Finally, roofers will install a new roof via roof flashing and shingles.
Installing Electrical, Plumbing, and InsulationNow that the home is closed on all sides, you can start the interior work. Call back the plumber and electrician to run the remaining wires and pipes through the home. Hire an HVAC tech to install ductwork. If you have a chimney, you’ll need a mason to work with brick and/or stone.
Inspections are made before insulation is installed in the walls and attic. With all this prep work done, you can hire someone to hang drywall throughout the home. Next, the interior walls and ceilings are primed to be painted using spraying equipment. So are all trims and castings.
Paint Walls, Install Floors, and Finishing TouchesAt this point, you should have a home you could actually live in, but it’s still missing the finishing touches. Walls are painted or wallpapered before the kitchen, and bathroom countertops are installed. Then, kitchen and bathroom cabinets are added, and light fixtures are connected.
The very last thing you need to do is finish the flooring. You can choose between vinyl planks, hardwood, carpeting, ceramic tile, and engineered wood flooring. Once finished, clean up the site and throw everything in the dumpster. Paint the home’s exterior, and you’ll be done.
Final Home Building Matter to Take Care ofContractors can decide if they want to plant trees, shrubs, or grass, and build a patio or walkway before calling the project “done.” You could even finish the basement if you have money left over. Be sure to remove the dumpster by calling the disposal company you borrowed it from.
Before you can live in the home, you need to arrange a final inspection from the permitting agency, schedule a walkthrough with the contractor, and book an inspection with the lender.
The social media movement features several inventive, eco-friendly home improvements from wall insulation to rain barrels which are saving Britons a few precious pennies as well as the planet.
Dealing with stakeholders takes a lot of practice and strong negotiation skills in order to produce the best outcome for both you as the construction project manager, as well as your team. Often, stakeholders have a tunnel-vision of how they want a project to be ran, whether this is keeping costs down whilst asking for a lot of work doing in return or demanding a quick turnaround time on a lengthy project.
If you have real estate located abroad, it is important to take care of it in the same way that you would take care of property located in your home country. There are a few key things that you need to keep in mind when caring for foreign property: climate, cultural norms, and legal considerations. In this blog post, we will discuss each of these factors in detail and provide tips on how to best care for your real estate investment!
Plants are good for the planet – everyone knows that! But did you know that some are better than others? If not, your garden could be making more of a positive difference to the planet.
No one ever thinks about their roof until there’s a problem – and by then, it’s often too late. A good roof is something that most people take for granted until it starts to leak or develop other problems.
Garage doors are an integral part of the home. Not only that but they can also be an embodiment of the homeowner’s personality thanks to the multiple designs available in the market.
Your roof takes a beating every single day—from the harsh sun to fierce wind to damaging rain and hail. And while most roofing materials are designed to withstand Mother Earth’s wrath and are manufactured to last for decades, damages are inevitable.
Higher energy prices and the worry that thousands of people will struggle to heat their homes this winter has led to more people trying to find ways to heat their homes for less. One of the most effective solutions to the energy crisis is creating an energy efficient home, or retrofitting your existing property to retain heat more effectively. In fact, studies suggest that across England and Wales, over £10bn could be saved in energy costs just by upgrading leaky homes to a higher standard.
Gardens never go out of fashion – they’re a hardy perennial trend! – and they also constitute a valuable asset. According to recent reports, around 70% of home buyers would pay more for a property with private outdoor space. In fact, a well-presented garden can add up to 20% to the value of your house. Among new-build buyers, a garden is the second most sought-after feature, topped only by private parking.
It’s not always the first thing on everyone’s minds during the colder seasons, but getting started planning your garden during the winter gives you enough time to really pull something special together in time for summertime.
Are you considering remodelling your bathroom? If so, you’re in for a fun but sometimes stressful project. There are many things to consider when remodelling a bathroom, from the layout to the finishes. This blog post provides some tips for a successful bathroom remodel project.
Every building is designed to accommodate different features that enhance its functions. For instance, gutters and downspouts collect rainwater and dispose of it away from your home to prevent the element from interfering with the structure’s integrity. On the other hand, vents and windows supply your building with fresh air to prevent damp and musty air from accumulating inside.
Your home’s roof is a crucial component. It shields your home from the elements and keeps you and your loved ones secure and dry. So if you notice any problems with your roof, it’s important to address them as soon as possible. Many people put off roof repairs, thinking that they can wait until later. But this is a big mistake. Here are four reasons why you should never postpone roofing repairs!
Electrical testing is the process of evaluating an electrical system or component to determine its compliance with safety and performance standards. It’s typically carried out by qualified electricians trained to use specialised equipment to test various aspects of an electrical system.
Are you looking for ways to keep your windows in good condition and ensure they last longer? Windows are a crucial part of any building, and keeping them in good condition is essential. Windows allow natural light into the building, provide ventilation, and can add aesthetic appeal. If you’re looking for some tips on window maintenance, you’ve come to the right place!
Commercial design and build fit out company Thirdway have shared insights into the hottest workplace trends for 2023. The firm is passionate about redefining the workplace to support teams’ creativity, happiness, and wellbeing. Their goal is to throw out the outdated concept of the of**ce as a place to simply sit and work, and instead design workspaces that promote engagement, collaboration, cultural inclusivity, and productivity.
Discover four things to consider before moving into your new luxury home – such as setting up internet and utilities and determining how to use floor space.
Most homeowners spend a lot of time and resources to perfect their home’s interior design but don’t give enough attention to the exterior design. While it’s inappropriate to mismatch design styles when revamping your home, choosing the right design elements can enhance your curb appeal and improve your home’s value.
We have all heard about drawer runners and we all know what it exactly is. Drawer slides are used for opening and closing the drawers inside your cabinet, bedside table, a dresser or wardrobe. But if you want to have really good drawer guides and be sure that they will last you a long time and that you will be satisfied with them and their work, you should pay attention to their production materials and how much weight they can hold – it is important, because if you want it only for your drawers in the kitchen, you will not need heavy duty drawer runners. You can just buy the standard ones and everything will be fine. You will spend less money, too. But if you need drawer slides for really difficult tasks – heavy duty drawer runners will fulfil those expectations. They are strong, durable and solidly constructed, so that your drawers will not break down due to overload, or will not be damaged in any other way. They are great at doing what they have been made for.
Home designs constantly evolve to keep up with the latest consumer behaviours and priorities. Sometimes these priorities are questionable, but that’s not the case as the new year comes around. 2023 looks to be a year of significant positive evolution, as these trends could reshape residential construction for the foreseeable future.
As awareness of climate change has grown, so has talk of how to improve energy efficiency in the home. However, there is a big question mark over how to enhance the green credentials of period properties originally built in a much less eco-conscious era.
When it comes time to purchase a new heating system for your home, it can be difficult to decide which type is the best for you. With so many options on the market, how do you know which one will be most efficient and affordable in the long run? In this blog post, we will discuss six types of heating systems that are available for homeowners.
Decorating our homes for Christmas is one of the most exciting parts of the festivities. The studded tree, the twinkly lights, the snowmen and reindeer; on a cold, dark winter evening, nothing makes us feel cosier than curling up on the sofa with a blanket and admiring our décor.
Today’s competitive housing market and economic recession make people more cautious than ever when buying a new home. They want to ensure they’ve found the right place, starting with the type of unit that makes sense for them.
Construction managers dream of projects completed on time or ahead of schedule. However, they’re not always so fortunate. Delays can happen from the multiple parties involved with a build or outside forces like the weather can put a hold on everything.
Utility management is one of the business’s most important but often overlooked aspects. It’s the practice of monitoring and maintaining water, electricity, gas, and other essential services that a company uses to function and knowing how they impact your business.
Self-storage facilities are great for people who need to store their belongings temporarily or long-term. There are many reasons someone might need to use a self-storage unit, and it can be very beneficial for personal and business purposes.
Gone are the days when the garage of a home only serves solely as a car park. Now, if you see celebrity homes and other properties posted on social media and other platforms, you’ll see that there are actually a lot of great uses for garages. If you’re thinking of maximizing this space, it’s time to give your garage a makeover.
The change in your living space that you are looking for may be staring you in the face from the kitchen window. Outdoor spaces go chronically underused. They are a high-value area of any property, but we do not invest much of our time, our money, or ourselves in the space.
Electricity is an essential part of any industrial facility, but it can also be dangerous if not used correctly. This is why it’s important to make sure that any electrical cords in your construction site are in good condition and not showing signs of damage or wear. If you find cords that seem worn, frayed, or cracked, replace them immediately.
Hiring heavy equipment is costly and time consuming whether you are a construction company or an individual project. There is a process to be observed, and after securing the contract, it is essential that you get the most out of the equipment during the time it is with you. This post focuses on what you need to know about optimising your time with any heavy equipment hire so that you don’t lose out on essential outputs.
To the first time DIYer installing skirting boards may seem a daunting task laced with problems and inaccuracies to trip up on. But that needn’t be so! We’ve put together 5 tips to help smooth the process of finding angles, cutting and fixing your first skirting boards.
It is a common misconception that traditional carpentry and bespoke joinery are one in the same. However, there are actually a number of key differences between these two aforementioned crafts, the quality that the final product will provide to your refurbishment, as well as the skillset and experience required to execute the job at a professional level both vital factors in distinguishing one trade from the other.
As brownish leaves twirl down from the trees and the sun starts to descend in the early afternoon, your garden suddenly looks far less hospitable than it did in the warm summer months.
