When building your dream home, you don’t want any aspect ignored. From raw materials to fixtures to even the most minor detail, everything contributes to making your home what you’ve always wanted. However, you don’t have to blow your savings to get the perfect Mobile, Alabama home. Instead, follow these money-saving, cost-effective tips to build your dream home at a fraction of the cost.
Consider Energy-Efficient Products
There’s no better investment than one that pays for itself over time. That’s why you should consider purchasing energy-efficient products. This includes just about any aspect of your home including windows, appliances, light fixtures, and many HVAC components such as ductless mini-splits or a heat pump. These items may have a higher initial cost, but in the long haul you’ll reap enough of the benefits of monthly savings to justify the purchase.
Use the Basement Effectively
Plenty of homes have unfinished basements, but a finished basement will add value to your home and provide additional space for recreation or utility. Constructing a basement may be far cheaper than adding another story to your home. Given the square or rectangular dimensions, organizing a plan or design that works for your wants and needs can be easy. Basements also provide ample space to add utilities such as a furnace, water heater, or other HVAC component, as the basement naturally soundproofs these items from the rest of the home.
Build for Practicality
If cost were no obstacle, everyone would build a 5,000-square foot dream house. However, that’s just not realistic. Rather than build a large home for the sake of building a large home, considering building one that’s more practical. If your kids are already out of the house, you probably don’t need a four-bedroom home for two people. On the other hand, if you plan to start a family, a one or two-bedroom home may not have the space to adequately support a growing family. Think about your needs and build around that.
Find the Right Contractor
One of the best things you can do prior to finding a contractor is research the costs of each item in your dream home. Once you have an idea of what things cost, then you can get estimates from contractors. Having done the preliminary research, you’ll be prepared to make informed decisions when reviewing estimates from contractors.
In addition to researching costs, look at reviews about the companies that you intend to hire. If you need an HVAC contractor, make sure they have references, good reviews, and testimonials from reliable sources. When in doubt, ask friends or family who they use for new construction or repairs.
Pick the Perfect Materials
Building materials come in a number of grades that determine their durability and cost. Buildings-grade materials are the cheapest alternative for home builders. Though they may not last as long as quality-grade or custom-grade materials, they’re decent materials for the money. Unless you require more expensive raw materials, stick with the lowest grade for the most savings.
Salvaged materials are also an option for adding a unique appearance to your home without breaking the bank. Old bricks, reclaimed wood from dilapidated buildings, and other discarded items are superb accent pieces to increase curb appeal or improve the style of a kitchen, bedroom, or living room. You can find most salvaged materials at estate sales, auctions, or even the free section of online or printed classifieds.
Watch Out for Change Orders
During construction, you may find that you don’t like the way things look. The only way to fix this problem is through a change order. However, change orders during construction may add exorbitant cost to the construction of your dream home. Before shelling out extra money, make sure that you absolutely want the change. Anything you can change later on your own may cost less.
Building your dream home comes with a price, but it doesn’t need to be as expensive as you thought. If you’re searching for a reputable HVAC contractor to get the job done right with minimal cost, call our professionals at Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. today at 251-317-9745
