Building a new home is exciting, but knowing where to start isn't always easy.
Do you buy land first? Get plans drawn up? Talk to a builder? Work out your budget?
There's a fair bit to consider before anyone starts digging footings, and the order you do things in can make a difference.
If you're thinking about building a house in Tasmania, here's where we'd suggest starting.
1. Work Out What You Actually Want From Your Home
Before getting too caught up in floor plans and finishes, think about how you want to live in the house.
How many bedrooms do you need? Do you want an open living area? Is having a decent-sized shed important? What about storage, outdoor space or somewhere for the kids to play?
It's also worth thinking a few years ahead.
A home that suits you now might need to accommodate a growing family, working from home or changes in how you use your space.
You don't need to have all the answers, but having a good understanding of what matters most will help with the decisions that come later.
2. Get a Realistic Idea of Your Budget
It's easy to start looking at house designs before knowing what you can comfortably spend but your budget influences almost everything, from the size of the house to the materials you choose and the block you build on.
Remember, the cost of building isn't always just the house itself.
Depending on your property and project, you may also need to allow for:
Site preparation and earthworks
Connections to water, power and sewerage or onsite wastewater systems
Driveways, retaining walls and drainage
Design, engineering and approvals
Landscaping, fencing and other external work
A contingency for unexpected costs
If you're borrowing money, speaking with your lender or mortgage broker early can help you understand your borrowing position.
It's better to know your limits before spending money on a design that might not fit them.
3. Think Carefully About the Block
If you haven't purchased land yet, it's worth understanding what you're buying.
A block might look great, but its slope, soil conditions, access, orientation and available services can all affect what you can build and how much it costs.
For example, a steep block may need additional earthworks, retaining or a different foundation solution. A rural block may require its own wastewater system.
There may also be planning restrictions, easements or other conditions affecting the design.
Getting advice before committing to land can help you avoid surprises.
4. Talk to a Builder Early
You don't necessarily need completed house plans before speaking to a builder.
In fact, having that conversation early can help you work through whether your ideas are practical for the block and budget.
A builder can explain the construction considerations behind different choices, including layouts, materials, access and site conditions.
That doesn't replace the work of a building designer, architect, engineer or other relevant professional. It helps you bring the right people and information together at the right time.
5. Develop Your Design
Once you've got a clearer idea of your priorities, budget and site, you can start working towards a design.
This is where you'll consider how the rooms connect, where the sunlight comes from, how the house sits on the block and what materials suit the project.
It's worth taking your time here.
Moving a wall on a drawing is generally a lot easier than changing it once construction is underway.
6. Work Through Approvals and Construction Planning
Before building starts, the project needs to follow the relevant Tasmanian planning and building requirements.
Depending on the work and property, this may involve planning approval, building approval, engineering documentation and other assessments.
The approval pathway isn't the same for every property, so it's important to have the requirements checked for your particular project.
Once the design, approvals, contract and other arrangements are in place, construction can begin.
You Don't Need to Figure It All Out Yourself
Most people don't build a new home every day. There are plenty of decisions to make, and it's normal not to know what comes first.
At Premier Construction Tas, we work with people building new homes across Devonport, Ulverstone, Burnie and the surrounding North-West Coast.
Our Concept to Construction process gives you somewhere to start, even if you're still at the ideas stage.
If you're thinking about building, get in touch and tell us what you've got in mind.
