Tips and tricks on saving money in construction

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Tips and tricks to save the most while building your dream house.

Are you planning to build yours dream house?If so, take a deep breath,grab a notepad and take down the tips and tricks given below to save money . As they say "Save mindlessly, Spend consciously",no one wants to pay more than necessary when building their house. And gone are those days where only the experts knew how to save money. we at www.materialtree.com are giving away free tips and tricks for our customers 

Here are a few tips that may help keep your building budget within reason , without compromising on the home you want .As building your own house is a primal urge, one of those universal genetic drives. 

• Visit many, many houses. you think you know what your dream house  would be like ? But do you really know? After scouring the home books, drive around and visit as many homes as possible. If you can find a newly developed area, they may have some model homes that can give you tons  of ideas.
• Take advantage of the  free shipping facilities  and discounts offered  by online stores. As you can get the same products for a cheaper  price. But beware to order from only trusted companies like www.materialtree.com which supply good quality materials.
• Buy a large lot with a friend or family member that can be split into two smaller lots. Some of the most appealing properties may be much larger than what you want or can afford, yet the seller may not be willing to break up a large parcel. So if you can share the cost with someone else (preferably someone you don't mind having as a neighbor), you may be able to pick up a great building site for a reasonable price.
• Consider a so-called problem lot — a hillside, narrow, or in-fill property. Generally, these types of lots are not as desirable as others, so they don't sell as quickly and often go for a much lower price. With the right plan and a capable contractor, however, a potentially difficult lot might be perfect for your new home.
• Buy low-maintenance building materials — vinyl siding and metal roofing, for example, Even if they are somewhat more expensive at installation, they will pay for themselves in the long run as you won't have to repair, replace or repaint.
• Collect salvaged materials from demolition sites. Old barnwood, used bricks and distinctive wooden doors add inexpensive character to a home without exorbitant cost. Many times you can have the materials at no cost, as long as you're willing to haul them away. Just be sure to check first with the owner of the building being demolished.
• Splurge only on those things you truly cannot live without. However, don't skimp on structural components or doors and windows — for the safety and security of your home, you'll want to purchase the best you can afford in these areas.
• Don't overbuild for the neighborhood. A home that is better and bigger than any other in its area will not command a fair price at resale. Instead, the assessment will be colored by the lower-priced homes around it.
• Monitor construction allowances as the home is being built to ensure you're getting what you asked for (and are paying for). This includes decorative details as well as structural elements. If you and your builder agreed, for instance, that a particular brand of insulation would be installed, don't accept a lesser brand — at least not without a cost adjustment.
• Use only a certified general contractor. The experience of a well-qualified contractor is invaluable to the home-building process. In addition, seasoned professionals have established relationships with suppliers and subcontractors — something you cannot possibly hope to get without years of experience in the business.
• Try to avoid site preparation charges — hauling in-fill dirt, grading, clearing trees, blasting rock. These processes are expensive and add time to the building schedule right off the bat. Choose the best site you can afford and then pick a plan that fits that site or can be modified to better suit the site.
• Find a good architect because everyone desires their dream home to be unique and special, something which no  home book can provide .
• Avoid change orders — the changes in materials or blueprints that invariably occur in the midst of the building process. Not only do change orders cost more money, they add considerable time and frustration to the building process. Decide exactly what you want before ground is broken — and then stick to it. Be flexible. You have an idea of what your new house should look like. You want it to be beautiful and warm and inviting but you also want to be able to afford it in general, make decisions quickly and adapt your visions of the room in question to whatever it is you find. If you  only have certain items and wont flex from that view, you will probably end up spending more money finding those exact things.
• Keep the depth of your home at 32 feet or less. Any more than that and roof trusses may need to be specially designed, which can add significant amount to the overall building cost. If you have sufficient land and want a larger house, consider adding width or additional stories.
• If you really want ceramic tile or hardwood flooring but feel you can't afford it right now, consider vinyl flooring. Vinyl makes a good underlayment, and the tile or wood can be installed right on top of it at a later date.
• Choose a stock plan over custom-drawn plans. The savings in total cost are great and you can probably customize the stock plan to get exactly what you want.