8 Steps to Survive Being an Owner-Builder: Part Two
In the second of our two-part guide, an architect shares his expert tips on how to navigate your way as an owner-builder
Dominic Bagnato
12 October 2018
Houzz Contributor
Choosing to be an owner-builder is not for the faint-hearted; expect to experience sleepless nights, months of worry and physical exhaustion. On the flip side, building and managing the construction of your own home is likely to fill you with a sense of pride and achievement… plus, of course, it can save you a bundle. In the second of this two-part series, an architect shares his top tips for smoothing the owner-builder experience.
You can read part one of this series here – 6 Steps to Survive Being an Owner-Builder: Part One
You can read part one of this series here – 6 Steps to Survive Being an Owner-Builder: Part One
1. Delay the start of the project for at least six weeks
Too often, there is a feeling of urgency to start the build because time is money. But it’s worth remembering that an ill-prepared build can end up costing you a lot more money.
The real key to saving money is to get multiple quotes for all the individual trades, suppliers and services that will be involved in your project.
Too often, there is a feeling of urgency to start the build because time is money. But it’s worth remembering that an ill-prepared build can end up costing you a lot more money.
The real key to saving money is to get multiple quotes for all the individual trades, suppliers and services that will be involved in your project.
Create a list with one column detailing all the costs prepared by your quantity surveyor and include several columns next to it. Send out your drawings and specifications and call in multiple quotes. Jot them down in the columns next to your quantity surveyor’s original quote. You can then compare costs to see if the quotes you’ve received meet your budget… or perhaps you can do even better.
If you can’t meet the budget estimate prepared by your quantity surveyor, you may need to juggle the allowances around, increasing your budget for some items and decreasing it for others. The aim is to create a cost estimate that meets your budget before you start to build.
If you can’t meet the budget estimate prepared by your quantity surveyor, you may need to juggle the allowances around, increasing your budget for some items and decreasing it for others. The aim is to create a cost estimate that meets your budget before you start to build.
2. Ask for references
The cheapest quote may not necessarily give you the best outcome. Once you’ve narrowed down your list of trades, ask for references, read reviews or inspect their previous work so you can be confident that you’re making the right choice.
See more stunning dining rooms
The cheapest quote may not necessarily give you the best outcome. Once you’ve narrowed down your list of trades, ask for references, read reviews or inspect their previous work so you can be confident that you’re making the right choice.
See more stunning dining rooms
3. Don’t pretend to be good at something you’re not
Now’s the time to think about whether you have any particular skills you can use during the build. Perhaps you’re good at painting or landscaping – any special skills you can turn your hand to will save you forking out for a professional.
Not good at a certain task? Then don’t hesitate to leave it to a skilled tradesperson. There is no use pretending to be good at something you are not. At best, you might learn to live with your amateur attempt at, say, building a kitchen; at worst it can devalue your house or it might need to be ripped out and re-done.
Now’s the time to think about whether you have any particular skills you can use during the build. Perhaps you’re good at painting or landscaping – any special skills you can turn your hand to will save you forking out for a professional.
Not good at a certain task? Then don’t hesitate to leave it to a skilled tradesperson. There is no use pretending to be good at something you are not. At best, you might learn to live with your amateur attempt at, say, building a kitchen; at worst it can devalue your house or it might need to be ripped out and re-done.
Build a team of the best tradespeople and suppliers you can find and they will become invaluable contributors to your project, guiding you through not only their task but those that precede them and those that are yet to come.
Find a kitchen designer near you
Find a kitchen designer near you
4. Get a mentor
Its okay to ask for guidance during a build. If you know a registered builder or have a friend with a lot of building experience, ask them to drop in once in a while. If they’re willing, they could become a great sounding board for your ideas.
Always bear in mind, though, that you will still be the registered owner-builder on-site, and will be responsible for ensuring all works meet regulations and local laws.
Its okay to ask for guidance during a build. If you know a registered builder or have a friend with a lot of building experience, ask them to drop in once in a while. If they’re willing, they could become a great sounding board for your ideas.
Always bear in mind, though, that you will still be the registered owner-builder on-site, and will be responsible for ensuring all works meet regulations and local laws.
5. Ask a million questions
Owner-builder clients are forever apologising for the multitude of questions they ask me as a designer throughout their build. But in truth, I get more nervous when they don’t ask me many questions. The fact is, the more questions you ask, the less likely you’ll be to make a mistake (worse still, a costly one). So ask away and get all the answers you need.
Owner-builder clients are forever apologising for the multitude of questions they ask me as a designer throughout their build. But in truth, I get more nervous when they don’t ask me many questions. The fact is, the more questions you ask, the less likely you’ll be to make a mistake (worse still, a costly one). So ask away and get all the answers you need.
And don’t just speak to the trusted consultants who prepared your documentation and drawings – suppliers often have plenty of knowledge as well (not to mention informative websites) and will happily pass on information.
You may find that your local lighting supplier, for example, is happy to provide you with a lighting layout, schedule and advice if you purchase from them. Your appliance and door-hardware suppliers might offer similar services. Many bathroom suppliers also have in-house design services to help with the building process.
You may find that your local lighting supplier, for example, is happy to provide you with a lighting layout, schedule and advice if you purchase from them. Your appliance and door-hardware suppliers might offer similar services. Many bathroom suppliers also have in-house design services to help with the building process.
6. Break down your project into several smaller stages
The beginning of a build can be incredibly daunting; standing back and looking at the scale of the project, you may wonder how you’ll ever complete it.
The key is to divide the project into smaller, more manageable parts. This can be done by breaking down individual trades or dissecting a build by room-by-room.
There is a method to every task and a sequence of events for how those tasks are completed. If, for example, you have never installed a decorative plaster ceiling or an open fireplace, then concentrate on this particular room and list all the items that need to go in. Strip it all back and list each trade that is required and when. Questions will soon arise – such as, ‘When does the gas line go in for the fireplace? Does the decorative ceiling need to be ordered or is it readily available off the shelf?’ – these will prompt you to address and organise every facet of each room.
Best of the Week: 25 Shiplap Walls to Inspire
The beginning of a build can be incredibly daunting; standing back and looking at the scale of the project, you may wonder how you’ll ever complete it.
The key is to divide the project into smaller, more manageable parts. This can be done by breaking down individual trades or dissecting a build by room-by-room.
There is a method to every task and a sequence of events for how those tasks are completed. If, for example, you have never installed a decorative plaster ceiling or an open fireplace, then concentrate on this particular room and list all the items that need to go in. Strip it all back and list each trade that is required and when. Questions will soon arise – such as, ‘When does the gas line go in for the fireplace? Does the decorative ceiling need to be ordered or is it readily available off the shelf?’ – these will prompt you to address and organise every facet of each room.
Best of the Week: 25 Shiplap Walls to Inspire
7. Everyone will have an opinion
Once you embark on your project, you’ll find that everyone is an expert – and more often than not, people will have very different opinions.
Sorting fact from fiction is the key to a successful build. You should never proceed with any task under pressure or under threat of making a costly mistake. Research each element thoroughly before you make any decisions.
Once you embark on your project, you’ll find that everyone is an expert – and more often than not, people will have very different opinions.
Sorting fact from fiction is the key to a successful build. You should never proceed with any task under pressure or under threat of making a costly mistake. Research each element thoroughly before you make any decisions.
8. Put in the time
As an owner-builder, how much money you save on your project directly relates to your time commitment. The more time you spend on preparation, controlling costs and paying attention to the little details during a build, the more money you can expect to save.
As an owner-builder, how much money you save on your project directly relates to your time commitment. The more time you spend on preparation, controlling costs and paying attention to the little details during a build, the more money you can expect to save.
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More
Don’t miss part one of this series, 6 Steps to Survive Being an Owner-Builder: Part One
Did you find this story useful? Tell us why in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to like or share this story and save the photos. Join the conversation.
More
Don’t miss part one of this series, 6 Steps to Survive Being an Owner-Builder: Part One
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This article is very useful for understanding the benefits of the designed home. when you looking forward to designing, renovating, and building your dream house. We build a home that suits your specific custom home design needs.
This guide and the previous are just brilliant. I also found all the comments invaluable as well.
Thank you..
Thankyou for your kind words Akshar & Nick. All the best in any endeavours you undertake.