#This is a collaborative post
Building your house on a budget? Here are some practical tips to help you keep your costs down throughout your project, without compromising on quality…
Design
Before you start applying for planning permission, you need to carefully design and budget for what you are going to build. It is critically important to keep your design as simple as possible in order to keep the costs down. If you start exploring unusual designs, not only will it increase your building costs, but it will also make the project take longer. Also, think small! The bigger the house, the more building materials will be required; all pushing your budget up.
Construction
Durability of your property and ground stability are both factors that will affect the overall cost of your house; so make sure you do your research into the land you are planning to build on. Skip this important stage and you will pay the price later! For example, a piece of land at the top of a hill may offer some fantastic views and easier drainage, but the groundworks required to avoid sinking foundations could take up most of your budget! Ideally, you want to build on a flat and serviced plot. The less groundwork your build requires, the more money you will have to spend on construction and materials.
DIY
DIY can be a great way of reducing building costs. Hiring professional labour can take up a huge amount of your budget, so try getting involved in the build as much as possible. The more of the project you can complete yourself, the more money you will save. Obviously, if you don’t have the required skills for a particular job then don’t be afraid to call in the experts. Doing a bad job could result in delays or bigger costs to get the issue fixed in the future.
