subject: Starting Your Owner-builder Journey [print this page] It's a great challenge to build your own homeIt's a great challenge to build your own home. And with every challenges, there are unexpected events that will arise, making the whole process complicated. Starting your own owner-builder journey, you must plan and research your project carefully, from the blue prints through to the end phase.
The golden rule of being an owner-builder: Knowledge is power. You will have to deal with different people within the trade. Never ignore your instincts when these trades people make any statements. Question those statements if it doesn't feel right. More often than not, these trades people will rush you to hasty decisions that you will regret afterward. You have to question anything you can't understand.
There are other sources of information a novice owner-builder should check out. One of which are councils. Councils are wonderful resources as they are in business just to provide answers to your questions. You can speak to the Reception Desk Attendant first then if there is still questions that need to be answered, then you should inquire at the local council's Building Inspector on duty. They can answer your questions regarding construction requirements, bathroom surfaces, and more.
A lot of relevant questions could also be answered by carpenters, bathroom retailers, plumbers, electrician, hardware stores, kitchen manufacturers and the likes. They usually do help anybody with questions regarding do it yourself house building.
Books are also great sources of information. There are a lot of books which are very easy to follow, really aimed to anybody with zero knowledge of do it yourself home building. These books can be found at libraries, hardware stores, or online book shops.
By modern means, the internet also have a lot of information regarding do it yourself home building. It is complete from texts, audio tutorials, and even videos, showing step by step instructions on how to build your own home.
For the last and worst part "" Budget! Construction prices end up costing more than what you really estimated. There are ways to help you financially for your owner-builder process. There are auctions for building supplies usually advertised in the newspaper or yellow pages. You can really save a lot by attending those. Cash and carry shops can sell everything from food, clothes to even your building materials. Second hands shop could also sell you stuff for your house. Also remember, don't take the first quote. You can always haggle with them. You will be surprised that they would lower the prices.
