Building a new home is an exciting but costly endeavor. The average cost of construction for a single-family home is upwards of Ksh500,000. If you are planning to build your dream home, you will need to be mindful of ways to save money and keep construction costs down.
In this blog post, we will explore some tips on how to save money when building your home. We will cover topics such as choosing a cost-effective home design, getting multiple bids from contractors, and more. By following these tips, you can minimize the cost of construction and stay within your budget. So, if you are ready to start building your dream home, let’s get started!
Tips to Save on Construction Cost When Building Your Home.
Here are a few tips to help you save on construction costs down when building your home:
Set a Budget
The first step is to determine how much you want to spend to build your house. The best way to get a budget is to speak to an architect, who will show you the various designs, and from that, you can choose your preferred design. When choosing a design, make sure you consider the long-term use of the house and opt for a design that will serve you now and in the future.
The architect will give you a design, and you can take that to a quantity surveyor for the bill of quantities (BQ). The BQ is an estimate of how much you will need to build your dream home. Work with the quantity surveyor to see where you can save on construction costs and where to splurge.
Hire an experienced team.
The team you hire to work on your project will determine its success. You want to make sure you hire a team of experienced contractors who will be able to get the job done right. Hire a contractor who knows their stuff and has plenty of experience to back it up. You will be able to make savings without compromising on quality. In addition, they’ll have contacts with suppliers who offer wholesale prices as well as subcontractors.
When hiring a contractor, get recommendations from friends or family who have built homes before. You’ll also want to research different contractors and read reviews to make sure you’re hiring a reputable team. Once you’ve found a few contractors you’re interested in, be sure to get bids from each of them so you can compare prices.
Minimizes changes to the plan during implementation.
Any changes made during construction will likely add both time and cost to the project. Therefore, it is important to have a well-thought-out plan before construction begins. This will help minimize changes and keep the project on track.
Reworking a design may mean compromising the structure and quality of your house. So, it’s important to plan and review your design before starting a project. That way, you won’t have any unpleasant surprises during construction, and you will save money and time.
Here are a few things you can do to help minimize changes during construction:
- Work with a reputable builder who has experience building the type of home you want.
- Be clear and concise in your plans and specifications.
- Make sure all decision-makers are on the same page.
- Have a realistic budget and timeline.
- Don’t make changes just for the sake of making changes.
By following these tips, you can help minimize changes during construction and keep your home-building project on track.
Avoid material waste.
Smart construction processes are eco-friendly and limit material waste. For instance, using fabricated building materials will reduce waste and improve project delivery time. Consider automating the building process. For example, automating plastering will save on manual labor and materials.
Avoid any material waste that could add unnecessary cost to the project. Here are a few tips to help you avoid material waste when building your home:
- Carefully plan the layout of your home before starting construction. This will help you avoid wasting materials in unused areas.
- Make use of construction scraps and leftover materials. These can often be repurposed or recycled instead of being thrown away.
- Work with a reputable builder who has experience minimizing material waste. They will be able to help you source materials efficiently and avoid any excess waste.
Consider material alternatives.
Building a home is a significant investment, and one way to reduce the cost is to carefully consider the materials you use. Consider using alternative materials that are more accessible or more effective. Some materials are more expensive than others, but they may also offer energy savings or other benefits that make them a better choice in the long run.
When working on a bill of quantities with QS, make sure to calculate the cost of alternative materials so you have an accurate estimate. Make use of recycled materials that won’t compromise your house. For instance, recycled steel is refined and structurally sound. It will last for decades.
For example, using insulated concrete forms (ICFs) instead of traditional wood framing can save you money on your energy bills. ICFs are made of concrete that is filled with insulation, so they are stronger and more energy-efficient than traditional wood-frame homes.
Other materials to consider include bamboo, straw bales, and recycled materials. Using these materials can help you save money and create a more sustainable home. If you’re building a new home, be sure to explore all your options and choose the materials that are best for your budget and your needs.
Buy materials wholesale.
When you purchase construction materials in bulk, you save money. For instance, bricks, cement, and sand make up most construction materials. Why not buy these materials in bulk to reduce transport costs and get trade discounts?
There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re buying in bulk, though. First, you’ll need a place to store all your materials. Second, you’ll need to make sure that you’re buying high-quality materials that will last. And finally, you’ll need to compare prices to make sure you’re getting a good deal.
Choose simple designs.
The more complex the shape of the house, the more expensive it is to build. Opt for a simpler floor plan or go for a rectangle or square shape. Avoid complicated roof designs, as that will make the cost of building skyrocket. There are a few things you should keep in mind if you want to ensure that your home is still well-designed and functional.
- Simplicity does not have to mean boring. A simple design can still be aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to live in.
- Don’t cut too many corners in your design. If you skimp too much on quality, you may end up with a home that is not as durable or efficient as you would like.
Overall, choosing simple designs for your home can be a great way to save money. Just be sure to keep a few key things in mind to ensure that your home is still enjoyable to live in.
Build vertically, not horizontally.
Building a 2000-square-foot house across your property will have a wider roof and foundation, which will cost more to build. Instead, build a 2-story house that measures 1000 square feet each. Houses with multiple stories have lower roofing and foundation costs as compared to houses of the same size spread out.
However, your house should not go beyond 32 feet as that will put pressure on the house, and you will require special trusses for the roof.
Use low-maintenance materials.
Materials such as metal roofing and vinyl don’t require regular maintenance, which reduces the overall cost. When purchasing materials, make sure.
- That the materials are not prone to destruction due to climate change.
- The materials are allowed in the area where you want to build.
- Order materials promptly as delay will increase labor and other costs.
Identify where to splurge and where to save.
There are two types of upgrades: those that will save you money and those that will add value to your home. For instance, investing in insulation is a material choice that can increase the value of your home and keep your energy costs down. An expensive kitchen cabinet, on the other hand, will beautify your home but add little in real value. It’s important to strike a balance between quality and budget, and that means knowing where to splurge and where to save.
In general, it’s a good idea to splurge on items that will add to the value of your home or that will be very expensive to replace later. This includes things like the roof, the foundation, and the windows. You should also splurge on finishes and fixtures that you love and that will last for many years, like countertops, cabinets, and flooring.
Automate your building process.
Automate your building process to reduce the cost of labor and cut down on time. While manual material movement will take time and money, an automated system will save you both. Research how to integrate an automated system into your project so that you can start saving money and time today.
Additionally consider using technology to automate site operations. Here are some examples of how you can use technology.
- Offsite assembly of materials or components using refabricating techniques saves you time and money.
- Architects can use virtual reality to see how projects will appear before commencement. This will avoid changes in design that are costly.
- Use of drones to survey sites beforehand
- Make use of cloud computing facilities to enable collaboration between the stakeholders involved in a project.
- Use of building information modeling to link people and the project to improve the outcome.
- Use of robotic automation for repetitive tasks such as painting.
- Contractors can identify potential issues early during the project lifecycle using artificial intelligence-driven analytics programs.
Consider going green.
Going green has a lot of benefits, including reducing your carbon footprint, saving money on utility bills, and helping the environment. If you’re considering going green with your home build, keep the following in mind.
- Consider the cost of green materials. While they may be more expensive upfront, they can often save you money in the long run.
- Research the potential resale value of your home. Green homes often sell for more than non-green homes, so it’s a good investment for the future.
Building your home doesn’t have to be expensive. There are several ways to save money, from choosing the right location to choosing more affordable materials. For up-to-date information on how you can save money, sign up for our weekly newsletter here.
