Building your dream home is one of the most exciting journeys you’ll ever embark on. From sketching out your vision to seeing it come to life, the process is filled with anticipation and excitement. But let’s face it—there are plenty of potential pitfalls along the way. Over the years, we’ve heard countless stories from people just like you, each navigating their own unique home building process. Whether you’re grappling with budget constraints, decision fatigue, or the fear of making mistakes, you’re not alone. Let’s dive into the most common concerns we’ve encountered and share our top tips to help you avoid these headaches and build your dream home with confidence.
1. BUILDER BLUNDERS
We’ve all heard the horror stories—communication breakdowns, unexpected expenses, poor workmanship, confusing contracts, and those dreaded delays. These issues can turn your dream build into a financial nightmare.
Top Tip: Do your homework when choosing a builder. Don’t be swayed by flashy floor plans or low initial quotes. These aren’t always indicators of quality or reliability. Start your research early during the home building process and save yourself a lot of trouble down the road. Not sure where to start? We’ve got some great tips for picking the right builder.
2. BUDGET BLUES
No matter the budget, everyone wants to get the most bang for their buck. Here’s the secret: Plan for everything. Builders might not cover all the bases, so keep an eye out for things like window coverings, landscaping, and driveways.
Before signing any contracts, go through the builder’s inclusions with a fine-tooth comb. Avoid the disappointment of realizing that everything you want costs more than you budgeted. We’ve built over 20 homes and have learned the best ways to save—grab our latest FREEBIE for 30 time and money-saving secrets.
3. TIMELINE TROUBLES
Hold onto your hats, because timelines can be tricky. Make sure to account for holding costs like land and construction loans, as well as any rent you’re paying. Time delays can quickly escalate your expenses in your home building process. Ask your builder for a timeline process document or check their Customer Facebook Group to see how long other builds are taking.
4. MAKING MISTAKES
This is a biggie. Building a home is a huge investment, and it’s natural to want to avoid mistakes. The fear of making mistakes usually boils down to not wanting to be disappointed with something you’ve invested so much into.
Common Mistakes:
• Choosing trends that look great in photos but don’t work in real life.
• Selecting colours and materials without seeing how they look together.
• Not having a cohesive interior style.
There’s an art to mixing styles, and we can show you how in our new course, Selections Made Simple.
5. DECISION DOUBTS
Heading into your colour selection appointment unprepared? You’ll feel rushed, and decision doubts will set in afterward. You’ll be making hundreds of decisions, so prep work is crucial. Check out our tips for prepping your colour selection appointment.
Decision doubts during construction can lead to changes and variations, costing more time and money during the home building process.
6. FEAR OF FORGETTING
Building from plans rather than living in a space can lead to missed details. Forgetting a power point is one thing, but missing out on a shower niche or ledge is a much pricier fix in the home building process.
No one wants to move into their new home and realize they’ve missed something crucial. That’s why we’ve created a Wish List template in our new course, Selections Made Simple.
7. HANDOVER HEARTBREAK
No one wants handover day to be a letdown.
Common heartbreaks include:
• Choosing colours or materials that are hard to maintain.
• Defects—how your builder handles them can make or break your post-handover happiness.
• Colours and materials not meeting expectations.
Prevent these issues with thorough research before building. Our course, Selections Made Simple, will teach you how to choose the right colours and materials for your new home.
Building a new home is a monumental task, but with the right preparation and guidance, the home building process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By learning from the common challenges others have faced, you can navigate your own build more smoothly and avoid those dreaded pitfalls. Remember, every decision you make brings you one step closer to the home you’ve always dreamed of. Armed with our tips and insights, you can approach this exciting journey with confidence and clarity.
Ready to turn your dream into reality?
