3 years ago
Hello, this is a blog post that will cover all the basic things you need to know before deciding to build your own house in Zimbabwe. Don't worry if you don't live in Zimbabwe. The information might be useful somewhere else as well.
This is a bit obvious but important part of the whole process. Your budget will determine how your house will be built, who will build it, the type, the size, and everything.
Think about how much you can afford to spend and how much building the house will cost. If your budget is not right, it is best to wait until your financials are in order.
So how much does it cost?
Well, it depends. Prices may vary depending on the scale and type of the structure and sometimes depending on the location your house is being built. However, on average, it costs around $90 to $140 per square meter for just labour or the actual "construction". When it's supply and fix then the cost can range from $550 to $650 per square meter. But then again these figures can vary depending on the plan your architect drew for you.
Most people make a mistake of going for the cheap solution, which will end up costing more in the long run or end up with a house you don't like. Remember, this is a house you will likely live in for the rest of your life.
This is the part where you decide how big your house is going to be. The layout of the house, the number of rooms and other amenities and features. For features to keep in mind, checkout our post on 10 features to consider when building your house.
You will be working with an architect to draw your plans or chose stock plans. These are ready-made plans made for everyone. You can build as is, or you can customize it.
Usually, you should consult an architect to help you pick the best house plan depending on your preferences. For inspiration on the type house build checkout these home design trends you can't ignore if you plan to build your home soon.
Custom plans are great to get the house of your dreams, everything made to your specification. For this part, you will need to hire an architect to help you with drawing.
Your house will need a structural engineer to help you with engineering drawings, otherwise your contractors will not know what to put where. Typically, your architect has their own engineering team they can consult on demand, but if you have your own engineer they can always work with your architect for engineering drawings.
At this point, you should also consult a quantity surveyor to get a Bill of Quantities. This is a list of all the materials needed to complete your structure.
Now that you have everything you require, it is time to get quotations from contractors. Get at least 3 quotations from different contractors and compare their offering.
There is a delicate balance between picking a contractor who is affordable and one who does quality work using good materials, you usually get what you pay for, so chose wisely. It is a good idea to get references from people you know who were satisfied with their builder, then carefully interview at least three.
Checkout this guide on 7 things you need to know before hiring a design and build firm or the common mistakes people make when hiring a design build firm and how to avoid them
Lastly, you should now source the materials from the bill of quantities so that your contractors will start to work on site. Most people buy general material up front before consulting anyone, then continue to buy other things they get from the bill of quantities. I hope this was helpful, start to build your own home.