5 Ways to Go About Reconstructing and Rebuilding Your Home

There are many reasons a homeowner may need to reconstruct or rebuild their home. There could have been a fire or other disaster. Sometimes houses are too old or poorly constructed to be merely remodeled. Perhaps you love the land your house is on, but the house is too small or inconvenient for your lifestyle. If you are considering reconstructing or rebuilding your home, there are lots of things you will need to do as you proceed. Consult professionals to be sure you don't miss anything, but here are five things to do when reconstructing and rebuilding your home.

1. Hire an Architect

Designing a new house requires a professional. Architects know what people need to have a well functioning home. They can also help you find a good contractor and will work with regulatory agencies to ensure that your home is up to code and that you have all the permits you need to construct your home. If you are looking for a particular style of home, find an architect that specializes in that design style.

2. Prepare for Demolition

As you can imagine, rebuilding a home, for whatever reason, is a big undertaking. Removing the original building on your property takes a lot of equipment and heavy machinery. To get the machinery to your building site, make sure your contractor gets heavy equipment moving to make the process a smooth one. You'll need to be sure to have all the permits you need and contact the public utilities so they are aware you are going to doing building demolition and potentially digging around gas and electrical lines. Be a good neighbor and let your neighbors know that you are going to be doing this work.

3. Buy Everything Up Front

Reconstructing a home is a lot more involved and expensive than a simple remodel. One way to stay on budget is to buy everything you need up front, from floor tiles to doorknobs. That way you have what you need and won't get caught having to buy something last minute in a rush. When you need to do that, there's a tendency to overspend. It's similar to going to the supermarket when you are hungry and buying a bunch of food you normally wouldn't.

4. Go Green

There's no better time to make your house ecofriendly and efficient than when you are constructing it. Choose windows and doors that are designed to keep the outside air on the outside to lower energy waste. Choose a tankless water heater that will reduce the amount of energy needed to keep your water hot. If you have the budget for it, install solar panels and a battery storage system. Choose native plant landscaping that is designed for the ecosystem you live in. Installing green features will increase the value of your property while saving you money in the long run.

5. Hire an Interior Designer

After you've gone through the long process of designing and building a new, or almost new, house, do you really want to fill it up with old furnishings? There are pieces that are sentimental and you'll have for your whole life and others that you bought in college and don't need anymore. Hiring an interior designer will help you make the most of your new spaces and incorporate the furnishings and decorations you want to keep with new pieces that fit the style of your home. When they are done, you will have a beautiful and comfortable home that you'll enjoy for many years.

The home building process, whether you are starting from scratch or not, is time and energy-consuming. Entering the process prepared for the hard work and knowing what you need to do is the first step. Remember that there will be headaches and hiccups, but the end result of a new home will be worth it. Once you've moved in, the rest will be in the past.