The process of constructing a home can be extensive and demanding. The best method to ensure that you have what you need on time and on budget is to plan thoroughly and diligently. Nowadays, your research options are basically endless and the whole process can feel a little overwhelming, causing you to have more questions than answers. Below, we have collected a list of the top resources to consult in order to help you plan your new home build right from the start.

Pinterest

Making a vision or mood board is a powerful method to visualise your design approach/style and to spark your imagination. On this platform, you will find inspiration for almost anything, and you can build “boards” under categories by room such as “living room”, “gardening” or the like, to organise your ideas.

Follow Instagram Hashtags

Trawling social media is a fantastic way to see what types of spaces excite you. Reading captions, collecting design inspiration, and following your favourite brands, builders and designers on Instagram will help you determine how a room makes you feel and what layouts work for you.

You should absolutely take advantage of Instagram’s ability to follow hashtags, which enables you to look at a multitude of posts connected with a particular style or trend. If you like the aesthetic of seaside homes, for instance, you might follow the hashtag #seasidehomes.

Visit Display Homes

One way to physically immerse yourself into a visualisation is to visit display homes. This can give you a wealth of design ideas and prove to be a true sensory delight for the whole family. These exhibition homes feature the work of professional builders and designers who have spent a great deal of time and energy designing attractive interiors that are also functional for modern life. Display homes are designed to showcase the best of the best from a range of builders, from the finest fixtures and fittings through to upgrades that everyday people are unlikely to use – when you visit a display home, ask the consultant how much it would cost to build the home exactly as it appears on display and the cost might make your eyes water.

When you visit one of our transient display homes you will be walked through a real home, built for real people with our standard finishes. This allows you to get a more realistic feel for what a Lofty home looks and feels like, without all the upgraded bells and whistles designed to simply impress you (we do of course allow you to upgrade as much or as little as you like, but bear in mind, our standard inclusions are what others consider upgrades). When visiting our transient display home, you can rest assured that the superior craftsmanship will be matched in your build.

We encourage you to visit the display homes from your shortlisted builders to get a feel for their quality, but don’t visit too many, choice paralysis is real and it might make your job of choosing a builder that much more difficult.

Consult the Professionals

Finding unique elements for your home should not be a solo endeavour. Once you’ve created a vision board, you should share it with design and construction specialists who can connect you with suppliers and craftsmen who can achieve your goal. More commonly, you would consult your friends and family to seek recommendations on builders that they might know of or have used personally, nothing beats word of mouth. You might choose to craft your home with the help of an architect or designer or go straight to a builder with these capabilities of their own, at the end of the day, the choice is yours.

Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Grants/Incentives

If you’re building your own home, you’ll be pleased to know that there are often numerous home-building grants available for individuals who plan on doing so. It is always worth checking your eligibility and you can do this through the housing section at sa.gov.au. Same goes for builders, some of your shortlist might offer different promotions or packages, so always ensure you compare to see what is available to you – but also beware the promotions trap and make sure you really will get bang for your buck!

Use a Loan Calculator

If you are financing your new home, it is important to understand the process of a loan and to know your estimated costs week to week or month to month. The big 4 banks all have home loan calculators on their website so you can choose and compare (Commbank, ANZ, NAB and Westpac). Understanding what you can afford plays a huge role before any negotiating with builders can commence.

Get Quotes Early and ‘Like for Like’

Receiving quotes can help you decide between offers and help you determine whether services or upgrades are in budget. Additional requests outside of your home builders capabilities can be requested by just entering a few details. You can request quotes on all types of things; furniture, garden, solar, insurance and many more If you’re getting quotes from multiple builders for comparisons sake, ensure you make them ‘like for like’ to enable you to adequately and accurately compare.

Getting quotes sooner rather than later helps you project your expenses and coordinate your budget through the full build process. It will also help your home builders and other tradesmen adjust to your needs accordingly. Thinking you might get an electric car down the track? Find out how much an EV charger costs to install and what you need to tell your electrician during the homebuilding process to ensure your garage is EV ready.

The process of building the home of your dreams may demand a great deal of patience and perseverance. When looking at the big picture, it’s helpful to break down the process into smaller processes so you don’t miss a beat. As a result of our innovative and streamlined construction methods, we at Lofty Building Group are able to construct beautiful custom houses at an affordable cost. A conversation is the first step. Contact us right away if you have any questions or concerns or if you’re ready to get started!