Self building can a most rewarding process. Equally it can be the most stressful and frustrating process that you have ever undertaken. The difference between the two lies in the planning of your project, the selection of your tradesmen, and your purchasing. Here are a number of tips that will help to keep you sane if you follow them.
Plan your Project
Speaking about planning to a self builder is generally like a red flag to a bull. However, there is another type of planning- and that's planning ahead. If you make the major choices on your project at the outset, and stick to them, you will not only save yourself money, you will cut down your headaches. Subbies hate changes- not only do they have to change their work, they have to sometimes completely revamp the entire thing. And so they will charge you nicely for doing it. Another issue that arises is realising after you have constructed part of the project that you have forgot something. While small omissions are common and easily fixed, bigger problems can be caused that can cost an arm and a leg to fix. A little bit of forethought saves all the hassle.
Select Your Tradesmen
In this economic climate, one thing seems to dictate self builders' minds- that is price. But remember sub-contractors are not just an off the shelf product, they are tradesmen. So don't go on price alone, or you will end up with an expensive project. You see, cheap can mean expensive when it comes to building- just anybody that has tried to come behind shoddy workmanship. Also, shoddy workmanship at the start can set the trend for the rest of the tradesmen. Why should they take extra care when it is obvious the guy before them was careless, and this attitude then pervades the whole project.
Buy Materials Carefully
Deflation is currently only a word dreamed up by a government that was wishing for it. It is not the reality on the ground, as prices are going up all the time. Source your materials from a limited number of people, it will give you more buying power, and let them know before you start that you are going to be building so that they can give you the best price possible. Then price them off against each other so that nobody becomes complacent.
Self Build Ireland is not easy- there are many pitfalls, but why not take the plunge? The end result is worth it, if you apply the rules above.
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