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The Top 5 Most Common Mistakes When Building a New Home

 

 

Preparing for a new home build? Whether you’re planning on knocking down an existing property or going with a luxury home builder in Brisbane, the property building process is full of ups and downs–and we want to help you avoid them.

From first time homebuyers to seasoned property investors alike, there are a number of decisions to keep in mind during a major build. If you’re new to the renovation process, or simply want a guide as to how to streamline the process to be as seamless as possible, read on to learn more about some of the most common mistakes we see made when clients start to build their new home.

From choosing the wrong building team to forgetting key features and design plans, these seemingly minor oversights can have a major effect on your experience and property outcome. Read on to learn what we consider to be the top 5 most common mistakes made during the home building process and how you can resolve or avoid them today.

 

Mistake #1: Signing Off on the Wrong Floor Plan

Whether you’ve opted for an entirely custom build or have selected a prepared floor plan, forgetting to review the plans with a fine tooth comb could be setting yourself up for disappointment. How so? Among the many commonly overlooked features that may have a major impact on your day-to-day, oversized kitchen benchtops, space limited bathrooms, and poorly designed bedrooms can affect how well you can easily move around (and furnish!) a room.

Further to that, some families prefer having added accessibility like wider doorways, limited stairs, and broad thoroughfares for easy walking. If this sounds like you, make sure you double and triple check the measures of your floor plan to ensure you’re not going to be stuck with a tiny bathroom after signing off.

 

Mistake #2: Foregoing High Quality Insulation

Thought that you would save a dollar by foregoing proper insulation? Don’t!

Whether you live in a warmer climate or have to manage all four seasons, being guarded against the hot and cold will increase the comfort factor of your home.

Further still, poor insulation can result in higher energy and utility bills. How so? If you live in a colder climate, single glazed windows might be letting cold air in and warm air out in the winter. Even worse, poorly insulated roofs and walls that meet the statutory minimum might mean that your house will pass its final inspection–but not keep a draft at bay.

Instead of leaking out money on extra heating and cooling or realising you’re not well equipped for the colder (or warmer) months ahead, speak with your building team about all possible insulation options to keep comfortable and help regulate utility bills.

 

Mistake #3: Forgetting to Design a Lighting Plan

Think a lightbulb is just a light? Think again! A well designed lighting plan can mean the difference between functional, highly used rooms and wasted space. Instead of simply throwing a light socket here or there, we recommend consulting a professional who can help design a lighting plan that ensures every space is used to its capacity.

Considering window placement, natural lighting, and the expected use of each space, a well thought out lighting plan can also help limit excessive electricity usage and ensure every member of your family can easily relax and unwind.

(Prefer to have natural light? No problem with us! Speak to your building team about optimal window placement and size to encourage and leverage your natural lighting opportunities. We can then map out an interior lighting plan to brighten up the dark spots.)

 

Mistake #4: Skipping Over Acoustic (Noise) Insulation

Not ready to listen to your neighbours noise? Beyond heating, cooling, and energy bill control, another type of (often overlooked) insulation includes proofing against unwanted sounds.

From noisy neighbours to street side traffic, investing in the additional insulation to guard against extra noise will add to your home’s comfort and your own peace of mind.

Among the considerations to look into if you expect your new home to be poorly positioned for unwanted noise, we recommend looking into:

  • Double or triple glazed windows
  • Strategic window placement
  • Added external wall proofing
  • Room placement–having a Master Suite at the front of the house to catch the natural morning light seems like a good idea, until you remember that your front windows are facing a busy street.

New to sound proofing? We cover the importance of considering the right windows for your new home in this blog article–including why some homeowners opt for double and triple glazed window panes. If you’re thinking about adding extra sound proofing to your home, we recommend speaking to your building team before signing off on the plans.

 

Mistake #5: Working with the Wrong Building Team (For You and Your Home)

Picked one building team out of a line up? While any one team could be highly experienced in getting the job done, the Brookhaven Homes team wants you to enjoy the process of building your new home.

Instead of leaving it up to chance, we recommend sourcing and interviewing a few building teams based on personal recommendation or word-of-mouth. If you know a homeowner who has had a great experience with one team, great! That’s a good lead.

Stuck for limited choice? We always recommend looking for a company who is local to your planned home area. With experience handling council permits, connections with local suppliers, and a good local construction team, you can rely on local builders to know the ins and outs of your neighbourhood to best get the job done.

Further to that, we always recommend having one or more interviews or discussion with your potential building team before jumping on board. Why? To make sure that your vision for your home, expected timeline, and budget expectations align. Wanting to set you and your home up for the best possible outcome before diving into the deep end, working with the right building team who want to collaborate with you is the best way to navigate the inevitable ups and downs of the residential building process. To support your decision, here are the top 5 reasons to work with a local builder.

 

Setting Yourself Up for Success When Building a New Home

Call us biased–but we believe that the opportunity to set yourself for a great home building experience starts well before you break ground. By making sure to double and triple check the smallest details, liveability, and functionality of your home plans before kicking off, you can save yourself time, money, and headaches down the track.

Worried about this major undertaking? Align yourself with the right building team. An experienced builder will be able to help you navigate the process and look out for your best interests from the start.

Looking for a great recommendation? Contact Brookhaven Homes expert luxury home builders in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, we’re a friendly team of professionals who can help you reliably get the job done.