To build a house, you need to have a plan of action. We will have to settle issues of ownership of the land and prepare for construction. Expert advice will help optimize the process.
Budget planning
Where to start building a house? Decide what kind of house you want to build and plan your budget. Then design the building.
How much does it cost to build a house? The exact budget will depend on the characteristics of the house (area, number of floors, purpose, seasonal use).
The most expensive part of the house is the walls. Their cost is about ⅓ of all construction costs. We must strive to reduce the cost of walls, which can be achieved in several ways:
- Choose the simplest walls. Consider the durability and strength of structures and materials.
- Use attic space to accommodate part of the living rooms (attic).
- Choose the construction of a semi-detached residential building or an apartment building by a team of developers.
To avoid additional costs, draw up an estimate that reflects in detail all stages of construction. An experienced foreman will help in its preparation.
Design
One of the optimal solutions would be to purchase a standard project from professional architectural and construction companies or bureaus. It should contain:
- architectural section, which contains detailed information about the layout, external decoration of the building, as well as specifications of doors and windows;
- a structural section that details the foundation, roof, floors, walls, and connections;
- engineering section containing all the information about water supply and sewerage, heating and ventilation, power supply.
Some people take advantage of free, available design options from the Internet, but this often results in additional costs since most of them do not have an optimal layout.
Large houses with an area of 300–600 m² are very difficult to maintain on your own. It is recommended to design a building with an area of 100–140 m². Such a house will be more comfortable, and the garage, bathhouse, and outbuildings can be built separately.
Selection of materials
In the construction estimate, take into account all the materials that will be used. Give preference to certified construction and finishing materials. This will avoid disappointments associated with exterior decoration or roofing after several seasons of using the house. It is recommended to study the modern building materials market and read customer reviews.
During the construction of a house, sometimes there are delays or temporary suspensions of work, especially in winter. Therefore, most materials should be purchased in advance and stored properly to maintain quality. This is especially important for wooden structures, bricks, and dry mixes.
Foundation and earthworks
Read more: HOW TO POUR A FOUNDATION FOR A HOUSE WITH YOUR OWN HANDS
In what order should the house be built? Carry out excavation work and pour the foundation. Then build the walls, install the roof, windows, and doors, lay pipes, install wires, connect communications, and complete interior decoration.
The first step is to carry out excavation work and pour the foundation. It is necessary to determine the location of the sewerage outlet and the water supply inlet. To do this, trenches are dug, then pipes are laid and insulated. After this, the foundation is laid.
The following factors will help you choose the right foundation:
- soil category;
- location of groundwater;
- soil freezing level;
- terrain and seismic activity of the region;
- presence of a basement;
- types of loads (the number of floors, the weight of all furniture, plumbing, equipment, etc. are taken into account);
- presence of underground communications.
The monolithic type of foundation is considered the optimal and more cost-effective option for the construction of private houses.
Walls and roof
Read more: What is the best roofing material for a home?
External and internal walls must be erected simultaneously. The cost, thermal insulation properties, labor costs, and costs of external finishing will help you decide on the material for the walls. The walls can be made of ceramic and silicate bricks, ceramic blocks, cellular concrete, rounded logs, and laminated veneer lumber. One of the cheapest options is a frame house (frame made of wood and metal).
When the frame of the house is finally installed, the roof is installed. It can be made of ceramic tiles, euro slate, asbestos-cement slate, metal tiles, bitumen tiles, and concrete tiles. At the stage of roof construction, install the drainage system.
How to build a house made of wood? The method of constructing a wooden house is practically no different from a conventional one. It is necessary to design the building and select materials. Then install the foundation, build walls and floors, install door and window openings, install the roof, and perform interior and exterior work (finishing).
Building facade, wall, and floor insulation
Read more: Seven types of insulation for the home: which one to choose and why
This means installing windows and doors. The best option is metal-plastic windows and a metal entrance door. A budget option is wood.
Next, proceed to insulate the walls. Drywall and mineral wool are suitable for internal insulation. For external insulation, you can use facade tiles. Insulation of the ground floor and roof (attic) will be required.
After this, proceed to install the balcony and stairs, if they are included in the project. Take care of the building’s exterior.
Communications and internal works
Proceed to this stage when the façade and roof are completely completed. Draw up a diagram for the placement of plumbing and sewerage. When designing a drainage system, it is important to take into account the number of residents, the proposed sewerage treatment technology, and the layout of the external and internal drainage lines.
It is recommended to seek the help of specialists, otherwise, it will be difficult to build a high-quality sewerage and gas pipeline system. You will also need the help of a professional when drawing up wiring for the power supply. To connect communications, you should contact organizations that provide such services.
Before finishing work, install all partitions. Seal seams, level wall surfaces, finish window and door slopes. Screed the floor and begin installing the ceiling. Finally, wallpaper or paint the walls.
If you decide to order design work from a professional, then be sure to get the opinion of several specialists. You shouldn’t skimp on communications and convenience. It is quite possible to build a house with your own hands, but it is worth considering the advice and mistakes of those who have already been involved in construction.
