Building a House on a Budget: Tips from Builders in South London

Between building your dream home and purchasing a resale property, some people find the latter a more hassle-free affair. Well, as experienced builders in South London, we wouldn’t readily agree that buying a resale home is a more convenient option. We’ve had numerous clients who opted for this only to engage professional builders later to change the flooring, paint the entire house and convert the property into a green home. Considering the expenses involved, first for purchasing the property and then the post-purchase renovations, no doubt it’s a pricier affair. In contrast, the joy of building your own home is incomparable. It not only drives satisfaction but it’s cost-effective too, only if you know how to build a home on a budget.

Are you planning to build your own home but not sure if your budget can sufficiently cover all the expenses from start to finish? Then this blog is apt for you. We’ll discuss the most effective ways to stay on budget while building your home.

Guidelines for Building Your Home on a Budget

1.      Maintain a realistic budget: We know how excited you are to build your dream home but don’t let excitement carry you away! In all probability, you’ve worked hard enough to save and organize your finance systematically for this sole purpose. However, you have to be careful of the additional expenses involved in building a new home. This can be stamp duty, property registration, utility rates and if required, mortgage insurance. Remember to consider all these costs when determining your budget to avoid unwanted shocks and surprises later on.

Along with the budget, the thoughts must be realistic or rather realizable too. We all want to live in a big house, with enough rooms (or even extra) for each of our family members. But do you think constructing bedrooms for each of the 4 kids in your family is better or having 2 bedrooms for 4 kids? The latter option is more feasible as it can easily accommodate your budget without the need for overspending.

2.     Choose an expert builder after research: This is a crucial part of your home building venture. Whether your home building process will be a success or flop, it depends on the builder you’ve chosen. Select reputable builders in South London who have the necessary expertise and knowledge to understand your requirements and employ the best techniques for the desirable outcome.

Check if your chosen home builder has a license and the required qualification to undertake a home building project like yours. The builder must understand your needs and should also provide suitable suggestions, like which is the most affordable flooring option, the appropriate type of lighting fixture for the bedroom, how wide should be the doorway and so on. You can also check out their portfolio of works to get a better idea about their capabilities.

3.     Keep it simple: Want to save time and money? Then leave aside complex design and set your eyes on something sober and simple. When we say a ‘simple design’, it could be a rectangular or square shape, a design that comprises open-plan living. If you want more space at a lesser price, the traditional style with open floor plan should work best for you. While Victorian and Colonial Revival styles are the most expensive architectural designs, the foursquare and farmhouse are the lesser expensive type of house designs. To cut it short, avoid being extravagant. Consult your builder and select a house design suitable within your budget.

4.    Pick an affordable location: The location you’ve selected also determines if the budget is sufficient enough to support your home building venture. If the site requires less digging and scraping, building will be a quicker and cheaper process. Also, if you’ve chosen a lesser populated city in the UK like St.Davids, St.Asaph or Ripon, building a new home is a more affordable affair than in the busier cities. So, if you want to build a spacious house but your budget is limited, watch out for the lesser populated areas.

5.     It’s alright not to buy the best fittings and materials: If you’re on a tight budget, it’s not necessary to invest in top-quality fittings and materials right now. Remember your budget is limited. If your newly built house looks simple now, it doesn’t mean it’ll look like that way forever.

Modifications can be done slowly and steadily with time. Rather than choosing extravagant interior decors and fittings compulsively and going overboard, select more functional items that will meet your family’s immediate needs. Some of the most economical ideas to build your house on a budget are masonry furniture, concrete walls, cement flooring, wooden pallets on the walls and concrete blocks, among others.

6.    Consider laminate flooring: When it comes to selecting the best type of flooring within a limited budget, professional builders often recommend laminate for many reasons. Apart from being inexpensive, laminate flooring follows a simple maintenance procedure as it’s resistant to scratches and stains. From the aesthetic viewpoint, the unique texture of laminate flooring imparts the right amount of warmth while enhancing the interior beauty of homes that are built in a rustic style.

Wrapping up: Building a home on a budget is no easy feat. However, with careful planning and consideration, you can build the home of your dreams without costing a bomb. Evaluate all the costs involved and cut down the unnecessary expenses. Remember the above-mentioned points and most importantly, hire expert builders who can help you sail through the entire process smoothly. Looking for affordable builders in South London? Reach out to Clear & Direct Maintenance. We have carried out numerous new builds and renovations of existing structures using the best in class tools and materials. To speak to us, call 0203 984 9159