Building a house is just about as difficult as it sounds – there are no shortcuts, simplifications, or acceptable mistakes. Homes are complicated mounds and structures of steel, wood and stone – messing up isn’t an option.
As long as you keep a few common mistakes in mind and seek professional assistance, building a home is a lengthy, but concrete step-by-step process. You may encounter some hurdles, and some difficulties, but by and large it’ll be an adventure. And with Thai housing being in a boom according to Global Property Guide, getting yourself a home won’t be a bad investment. So let’s dive right in and get you on the path to having a home of your own.
Don't Try and Be a Contractor
First things first: when it comes to executing your floor plan, don’t try to be the general contractor. A general contractor oversees the subcontractors who work on the home – from the construction crew, to the electrician, the plumber, the lighting specialist and so on. They work with the architect to create the home you want – and for some, that may seem like a job they could tackle.
The truth is that subcontractors are extremely busy people – and in their line of work, repeat customers are those that get them the most money in the long-term. They’re more likely to put more effort into communicating and working on your house with a general contractor they know, than they are to simply work with you. You cannot replace a general contractor – or at least, you shouldn’t try to.
When Visiting Model Homes, Strip Them Bare
If you’re fond of visiting other homes to get an idea of what yours should look like, don’t be entranced by shiny amenities and interior detailing. Strip away the beautiful floors, nice furniture, carpeting, drapes and windows – just the walls and structure remain. Then imagine what you would do with the space, and if you could live in it.
See the house for what it is – an empty structure. All the added finishing is there to sell the place to you – and if you like the floor plan because of its finish and interior design, rather than the nitty gritty of the plan itself, you’re setting yourself up for a disappointment.
Be Efficient, Rather than Grandiose
It may be tempting to make large foyers and halls and cathedral-style high ceilings in your home – but all these things do is waste space and square footage, while driving up your heating or cooling costs as your home becomes larger and more expensive to regulate.
Cut out the unnecessary rooms and large halls, and instead focus on spacious dining areas, a large garden area and backyard, a beautiful terrace for eating under the sun or stars, and whatever else you could want that makes more sense space-wise.
Take a Few Lesson in Basic Floor Plan Structure
You don’t need an internship at an architecture company or a degree from school – a basic online crash course on architectural terms and the jargon of house layouts will help you understand exactly what it is you’re looking at when confronted with a house plan.
You’ll be better off for it – once you know how house plans are formulated and made, you’ll also have a basic idea of what’s a good idea and what’s a horrible mistake. For one, avoid building a “Garage Mahal” – that is, a large unsubtle home unsuitable to the family and neighborhood it’s situated in, and with a major focus placed on its garage – so much so that the garage takes over the front porch and invades the potential for curb appeal.
Don't Ignore Your Location
Remember where you’re building your home. Since you have control over your house plan, you can save yourself a lot of money and make a beautiful home by adjusting it to the location you’re building in. Where is east? Where is south? Where is west? Build a floor plan with most of the rooms you spend your mornings in – the bedroom, the kitchen – in the east, to catch the warmth of the morning sun as it rises. What do you do in the afternoons? Have these rooms – and their windows – in the west.
As Houzz points out with various examples of architectural ingenuity, the sun can be an important factor in home design. Having more windows in the south than in the northern portion of the home lets you catch more sun all year long, if that’s what you want. This way, you’ll have no need for lighting during the day, and you’ll easily get your share of sunlight, even if you get to frolic under the sun on rare occasions.
Keep It Simple
There’s no need to overcomplicate your home. A garage, a few bedrooms, an area for cooking and dining, easily accessible yet hidden bathrooms, and whatever else you can make use of – these are all essential rooms because they’re rooms you’ll use every day. If there’s a portion of your home plan that you don’t see using daily, then that’s space you don’t need, and could be used in a more efficient manner. In the end, all that’s left to do is bring your house plans to a professaional like Property Guru, and work out the details to building your dream home.
