Architecture
Building a House in Stages: Good Idea or Destined for Disaster?
Staging the construction of a new home over time can be useful, but there are some downsides you need to know about
More often than not, our dream home ideas don’t always line up with our budget. When this happens, we are faced with the choice of either compromising on the design, delaying the project, or staging the construction process, allowing for more time to gain finances for the project. While every project is different, let’s have a look at the reality of building a house in stages.
Requiring multiple contracts with many different scopes of work complicates matters. All contracts have to be insured and will have different timelines for practical completion; this is where staging can have the potential to get a bit more complicated and costly.
The practical completion date is often linked to the contractor’s release of security, operational guarantees and warranties, depending on what kind of contract is administered. This is all contingent on what you are staging though. Staging separate rooms/areas within a house will be approached differently to staging two townhouses, for example.
The practical completion date is often linked to the contractor’s release of security, operational guarantees and warranties, depending on what kind of contract is administered. This is all contingent on what you are staging though. Staging separate rooms/areas within a house will be approached differently to staging two townhouses, for example.
Living on site
Another thing to take into account is whether you and your family will need to rent/relocate multiple times if the renovation/build is staged over time. Of course, if this is the case it will be financially more viable to complete the works in one go. Then again, if you are able to stay in the house during the construction process, how much will the build disrupt your life and ability to relax after work? This is of course dependent on the extent of the project.
Whether to stay or go during your renovation
Another thing to take into account is whether you and your family will need to rent/relocate multiple times if the renovation/build is staged over time. Of course, if this is the case it will be financially more viable to complete the works in one go. Then again, if you are able to stay in the house during the construction process, how much will the build disrupt your life and ability to relax after work? This is of course dependent on the extent of the project.
Whether to stay or go during your renovation
Whether to live on site during the build is quite a personal choice – some people are more tolerant than others of living in an incomplete house, dealing with dust everywhere, and relying on lots of takeaway food. Sometimes living in the home during construction can also lengthen the time it takes to complete the build, adding cost to the project.
How will it work?
If you do decide to stay in the home during construction, will there be a clear distinction between the area where works are being completed and the area you and your family are living? Will there be separate access ways into the house to avoid family members and tradespeople running into each other?
If you do decide to stay in the home during construction, will there be a clear distinction between the area where works are being completed and the area you and your family are living? Will there be separate access ways into the house to avoid family members and tradespeople running into each other?
This can be particularly important if you have young children or pets. Remember, your home is now a building site with potentially dangerous tools and exposed walls and floors.
The financial upside
Staging construction can be a good option if you are unable to finance parts of a build that are distinctly separate. A great example would be renovating your existing house, allowing for a future studio/garage/pool house out the back or even an upstairs addition that has good access. These types of projects can be completed at a later stage and interfere less with your day-to-day life, making them a great way to achieve your dream design over a period of time.
View more garage and granny flat ideas
Staging construction can be a good option if you are unable to finance parts of a build that are distinctly separate. A great example would be renovating your existing house, allowing for a future studio/garage/pool house out the back or even an upstairs addition that has good access. These types of projects can be completed at a later stage and interfere less with your day-to-day life, making them a great way to achieve your dream design over a period of time.
View more garage and granny flat ideas
Staging the design can potentially allow your budget to increase as your ‘salary curve’ increases. Other financial gains could be taking out smaller loans rather than a larger initial one, though this is all very dependent on each individual’s financial position.
Do your sums … with help
You’ll need to weigh up with your builder and architect how long it will take to complete the house at once, and how long it will take if the build is completed in multiple portions, as well as the costs involved in each scenario. They will be able to provide the advice you need in relation to your particular project, and suggest the best course of action according to your goals and financial situation.
YOUR SAY
Have you built a house in stages? Share your experience in the Comments below.
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You’ll need to weigh up with your builder and architect how long it will take to complete the house at once, and how long it will take if the build is completed in multiple portions, as well as the costs involved in each scenario. They will be able to provide the advice you need in relation to your particular project, and suggest the best course of action according to your goals and financial situation.
YOUR SAY
Have you built a house in stages? Share your experience in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more home design ideas
It is often a more economical option to tackle the entire construction process in one go. If the builder is having to take over the site multiple times and employ tradespeople multiple times to complete the works rather than all at once, it will inevitably end up more costly. Builders may also be less willing to take on smaller builds – this all depends on how much work is around at the time.