Building your new house with an experienced contractor is one of the smartest ways to save more. Installing energy efficiency equipment is another. If you want to cut down on home building expenses, knowing where to begin is a crucial first step. South Texas homes are still affordable and finding a local builder you can trust is no longer a wild dream. Building a home and building up your bank balance don’t exactly happen together. Homebuilding is a major project, often drying out your life’s savings, forcing you to acquire debts on the way.

But here are the top 3 cost-saving ways that most buyers don’t consider yet these can help you have a peaceful sleep:

#1. Hire a builder who has both experience and expertise

• Why experience matters

As real estate still looks promising in the RGV, you won’t have to look far for home builders. But how do you know who’s the one? When it comes to homebuilding, look past promises and look into results. When you begin short-listing builders, try to visit their existing projects. Get them to connect you with existing clients and find out how the building is holding. This is done so you don’t have to do a lot of repair and maintenance 6 months after you move in.

If you are just looking for lots, they have the finest ones. If you are thinking of customizing the layout, they have uncountable options. Even if you are just looking at home designs or you can’t decide whether you want to buy or just move in, try to find contractors who have been in the field for more than a decade. They are the top contenders because they have seen the markets change and are still around. Besides, they know the locality, the weather, and all the small details that matter. The least expensive bidder on your project is not always the best. But if you pay premium charges, you must demand premium services. And that can only be given by a premium builder.

• Why expertise is needed?

Construction companies that are in for the long haul avoid cutting corners. They are the best at what they do because they are sincere and have a goal for themselves and their clients. Expert builders work with a big network of like-minded people. There are subcontractors, suppliers, planners, architects, surveyors, and resources in high places.

One of the most attractive resources in their net is the lender. They will help you get approval sooner than if you tried to get it by yourself, notwithstanding your credit score. They will help you make financial decisions. For instance, if you still have some mortgage from buying your lot, your builder will help you decide whether it is better to wait on the home project. These and many more things help you cut construction costs.

#2. Know where to indulge

Features that are hard to alter

It is easy to get carried away with design and decor when you’re dreaming of a new home. You would stop at nothing but the best. Before you go all berserk and order the latest solid wood kitchen cabinet, take a moment. There are so many things to consider – the shape and size of the house, the number of floors, interior, paints, finishes, fixtures, roofing, knobs, shelves, cladding, built-in spaces, and whatnot. If you want to lower expenses, ditch the trends, pretty please. Homeowners often prioritize features that can’t be changed too often and invest more money in them. That way they can avoid expensive alterations later on. Or else, they are forced to live with rapidly-worsening materials.

Resale value

Some homeowners also save more by considering the resale value. The home needn’t be ‘finished’ in all aspects. Let’s take the example of the second, spare garage. If you are not immediately using it, you might think of giving it a basic finish and waiting. You never know when you will need to convert it into a community space like a media room. Things like that. Whatever you spend on now will have an impact on the house price a few years later. So cutting unwanted expenses now is the surest way to save.

Usable space

Also, when you are paying for the floor space, make sure you are paying for the space you actually use. If you see an area on the plan that is not going to be used by you, check it out with your builder. What is the total area of the house? How much of it is used up by the loft or the garage? Try to minimize empty square footage.

#3. Increase Energy efficiency to save more

Look for seals on doors and windows

No matter where you decide to build, it pays to keep the energy bills low. Modern home designs are more suitable for energy efficiency. While eco-friendly materials give your home a cleaner feel, money saving tricks lie in the details. While the insulation is getting ready, do check carefully about heat exchange through windows. If doors and windows are not sealed properly, your energy bills will go out of control sooner than you expect. Also, check how the vents and exhausts function in the house. If possible get your HVAC and related equipment rated. A high energy rating on your materials also helps you save more.

Get the proper insulation

Talk to your builder about installing greener and affordable fixtures like lights, switches, and air conditioning.

What kind of insulation would be best for RGV homes? Batting or foam?

Stay close to amenities

Don’t forget the cost of connecting the house to the municipal water supply. You will also need to stay on the power grid. Each of these needs money so opt for a location where these amenities are close by. You don’t want to pay more for the same amenity because you happen to choose a far-away plot.

Conclusion

The perfect builder will be able to construct a home that matches your budget and preferences. So find out a certified, recognized local builder near your and get on with your home owing dreams.

Why Choosing a Custom Home Builder Could be the Most Important Decision of Your Life

Building your dream home has been on your mind, ever since you feel the time is right. But do you know what entails the home construction, or how to approach a home builder?

The best way to get everything you ever dreamt of in a home is to hire a custom builder. Your dream home will no longer be a fantasy. You can actually live it with a bit of help from a custom home builder.

If you are still not sure, let us tell you why you need to engage a custom home builder. Here are the 10 Benefits to Hire a Custom Home Builder.

Expertise in Different Building Aspects

Usually, a home construction comprises planning, designing, construction, and finishing phases. Each phase requires an expert to ensure that your needs are met. That means hiring an architect, a design team, and several contractors.

Instead of hiring each expert separately, you can get their combined knowledge with a custom home builder.

They are equipped with years of experience, skills, and the much-needed degree of expertise to comprehend each element in every phase of the construction process.

Savings in Your Time and Effort

House construction demands your precious time and valuable thought-process to see the outcome that you deserve.

Sometimes, you may even need to take time away from your job, which not only affects your income but may also negatively impact your productivity.

The time-consuming construction process can be simplified with the help of competent custom home builders who can save your free time. Builders of custom homes provide you with high-quality services and monitor your project from start to finish.

You get a professionally-made house within your estimated timeline while enjoying a perfect balance between your work and personal life.

Possibility for an Energy-Efficient Home

Custom home builders are well-versed with the current trends in designs, layouts, products, and materials. Your local builders are also familiar with the changing requirements, codes, certifications, and stipulations recommended by governing authorities.

Likewise, they can give you various options in the most efficient lighting, insulation, and cooling systems.

With the use of more eco-friendly, renewable materials and building techniques, more and more builders today are inclined towards constructing green and sustainable homes.

Tailored Designs to Suit Your Style

Rather than compromising on a tried and tested template in floor plans and layouts, you can discuss your vision with your custom home builder.

Sit with the design team to explore ways to incorporate your ideas into the construction. Get a home that is suited to your specific lifestyle choices.

Some custom house builders also allow for changes to be made during the process of construction. If a new trend had caught your eye, you may have a chance to get it in your building structure.

More Value for Money Invested

The costs of hiring a custom home builder may vary, depending on their experience, use of premium materials and many more factors. Some home builders may be a bit on the higher segment of pricing, but in the end, it is worth your investment.

You get significant cost savings from custom-built homes.

Since your main dealing will be with the custom builder alone, you will be hassle-free of monitoring and managing a construction crew. Custom builders also get you the best subcontractors for good pricing.

Most of all, you get your hands on the most cost-effective products for your quality custom home as your house builder negotiates the best prices from their suppliers.

Streamlined Construction Process

In other types of constructions, improper coordination between the subcontractors or a slight mistake in scheduling can result in days of delay. This means that DIY building costs can shoot up or you may need to pay for additional, unnecessary costs.

These things may, in turn, affect your construction loan. But you can avoid unexpected interruptions in the construction project as the custom home builders ensure a streamlined process.

With many years of trial and error experience, your professional home builders have perfected their craft to ensure smooth-sailing. They have the required skills to ensure that things happen in the right sequence and that the finished work is error-free.

Connections with Reliable Subcontractors

It may get difficult to research good subcontractors and supervise your home building project.

Particularly if you are a first-time homeowner, you would not know where to start and the whole process will be overwhelming. Even if you find reliable subcontractors, most of them would prefer to work with experienced custom home builders with great reputations.

They have access to a network of experts and can offer the ones that are right for your job. So, why not hire a custom home builder instead, and become free of this daunting task?

Beyond Conventional Construction

A custom home builder goes over and beyond their job to ensure that their customers have a worry-free living experience in custom homes.

Offering their expertise in more than the conventional building process, they engineer your home according to your dreams and aspirations.

While an average builder sticks to the mechanical aspects of the build, a custom home builder thinks of the future and your growing demands. For example, choosing the correct ventilation systems is crucial, so that can be expanded with time, owing to growing demands.

More Buying Power in the Best Neighborhood

If you have already bought a home previously, you may know how hard it is to come by a home that suits your needs. Finding a good home in the right neighborhood is especially difficult.

Custom home building companies give you the option of choosing your lot on which you start your home construction.

This way, you get more value for your dollar, enjoy your desired neighborhood facilities, and convenient locations. Since you will be working with the local builders, they can get you huge discounts on products if you purchase products in large quantities from nearby suppliers.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

Hiring custom home builders gives you all the freedom to make interesting choices. You can give your input in the tiniest of details and designs, ranging from the kitchen countertops to bathroom fixtures, or even your choice of electrical outlets.

If you wish to add a game room, outdoor kitchen, or a home theater, just share your ideas with your custom home builder, and see them in reality.

Building your dream should not feel like a burden. You should also not compromise in what is being offered. Contact Hosanna Construction today and realize your vision of a perfect home!

Check our things to look for when buying a house in RGV checklist.

Building a custom house can be both challenging and exciting. It requires you to partner with a lot of people. The custom home builder is among them and have a crucial role in ensuring the success of your custom project. So make sure you choose the right builder.

The Importance of Hiring a Custom Builder

Most people who build a custom house aren’t familiar with building codes or ordinances. And they lack knowledge of construction. So unless you’ve got plenty of time to spare, you will need to partner with a custom builder. The builder plays several different roles to make your project a success. Here are some of the things they do.

Keep track of costs

They track costs and collect payments from your mortgage company or bank. They will also process lien requests on your behalf. In addition to these, the builder will act as liaison with local jurisdictions, building inspectors, and others for inspections, approvals etc.

Obtain certificates

They will obtain the certificate of occupancy for your home and order and install all building products. They will also review the home before the completion of the project and if they detect problems, they will get them repaired. The builder will also be able to offer maintenance tips and information on the operation.

Choose Materials

A good builder has a thorough understanding of the various aspects of construction. They can help you choose the right materials and make the right decisions.

Get Quotes

It makes sense to get quotes from 2-3 builders. Put together a wish list before getting a quote. You need to ensure that your home has every amenity you need. You also need to ensure that you are not being quoted for things you don’t need.

Finding the right home builder in McAllen

Finding a good builder is not all that difficult. You may have friends or relatives who got a custom home built. Ask them if they can recommend a good builder. The National Association of Home Builders maintains a list of custom builders across the country.

Make sure to check out our what to look for in a builder checklist. In short, look for some one who has experience with the style and size of the house you are building. Choose an experienced builder who has been in this business for over 5 years. The Better Business Bureau allows you to check whether there have been any customer complaints against this builder. You can also consider talking to past customers of this builder. See if you can set up an appointment with them to assess the craftsmanship and quality of their home. You should also check their license number, just in case you want to make sure they are a legit business. Hosanna Constuction’s license number is: GC4307637.

It takes 9-18 months to build a home. Therefore, it is important that you build a good rapport with the builder. If you suspect that you won’t be able to get on with a particular builder, it’s best to find another.

The right custom builder will make the construction process a whole lot easier and finding one isn’t all that difficult. Contact us today for a quote or visit our finance and mortgage calculator.

While buying a house, how do you pick the right builder among the multiple contractors falling over one another for your attention, throwing competitive prices and offers at you? Developing a good relationship with a builder is essential as this directly affects your end product – your dream house. Use the following parameters to ensure that you’ll make the right decision.

1) A good builder pays attention

All builders will initially display interest in your demands and ideas. It is important to find a builder who truly understands your ideas and needs, in order to translate them into a house.  Discuss your requirements with the builder to see if he is open to inputs, and to measure how much of a say you get to have once the work has started.

2) Experience matters

Find out for how long has the builder been in business. Conduct a background check on their previous assignments to see if they meet your requirements. Try and schedule a visit to any of their portfolio of houses they have built in the past. Ask your builder for references from their previous clients. However, when gauging experience, be warned that a highly experienced builder may also charge you exorbitant rates. Occasionally, you may run into a builder who might not have enough experience, but seems to truly understand your requirements.

3) Check all paper work

At all times, tread cautiously. Check if they have the necessary documentation and licenses required for the task at hand. Be sure to verify your builder’s credentials and accreditation as well as the insurance covers offered by the company. Find out where your builder sources the materials from so as to understand the quality that is being offered.

4) Clear cut costs

Ask your builder for a breakdown of the essential costs, instead of giving you one rounded figure. This helps you keep track of all expenses and helps deflect any sort of foul play.  Always clarify if the costs being presented to you are estimates or actual prices, because estimates can be easily, and often unfairly inflated. Minimize the risks wherever possible. If your builder refuses to give you a fixed price, citing uncertainties, then try and separate those costs from your final amount, in the form of a new work order.

5) Unconventional pricing

Stay away from contractors who demand large upfront payments. This is a far cry from the accepted practice of an initial deposit, followed by payments in part paid as the work progresses. This might also indicate that the builder company is not stable enough to handle your project as they are unable to meet the costs from their end. Also, be wary of low rates as this is often a sign of poor quality construction material and shoddy work.

6) Meet the workers

It would be helpful for you to meet and interact with the construction team as this is the group that will be doing the majority of the work. Ensure that the subcontractors your builder will work with are reliable and that your builder has a good working relationship with them. Find local contractors and home builders.

So, you are building a home and you want to keep your budget within reason without having to compromise on the quality of construction. We have got some great tips for you.

Now that you have selected the right builder for your home. If you want to save money, then you have to omit features and amenities that are not exactly necessary. Here are a few ways to save money when building a house.

Can’t afford your dream lot? Buy from a relative!

If it is a large lot, consider buying it with a family member or a friend. After the purchase, you can split it into smaller lots. This way you will be able to acquire a great site for a good price.

Consider buying a narrow, infill or hillside property

These are problem lots that don’t fetch a good price. But if you have got the right house plan and an efficient contractor, you can build a great home even on a difficult lot.

Buy waterfront properties

If you are interested in a waterfront site, buy a bay or a canal lot. It is less expensive, but it still has access to water. Also, these properties provide better protection against hostile weather.

Choose low maintenance materials

Buy building materials that require less maintenance, for example, metal roofing and vinyl siding. They may be costlier as far as installation is concerned, but they require less maintenance and you don’t have to replace, repair, or repaint them.

Use salvaged materials collected from demolition sites

You will most probably be able to have these materials for free. Of course, you will have to haul them away.

Resist the temptation to build a house that is too large for the neighborhood

If your home is bigger and better than other homes in the neighborhood, it might make you feel proud, but when it is time to sell, the property won’t fetch a fair price. The assessment will most probably be influenced by the less expensive homes around it. That said, do not skimp on important structural components. Buy the best doors and windows you can afford.

Hire an experienced general contractor

Their experience is invaluable. What’s more seasoned contractors have trade relationships with subcontractors and suppliers.

Omit features that are not exactly necessary

Do you need a fireplace? Your home will run without it. So omit it if you can and you will be able to save hundreds of dollars on labor cost and materials

Do you really have to build a well-furnished game room in the basement? Game rooms are a great way to make use of the basement space, but they don’t have to be fully furnished.

In some climates, the porch isn’t useful all year round. In this case, you can omit it. In any case you can add the porch later.

Many houses have full basements, but they are not a necessity. If you need a full basement, it will require more digging and deeper foundations.

Build a two-story house

If you plan to build all the rooms on a single floor, the cost of construction will be higher. Two-story houses require less excavation, less foundation walls and less roof.

If you are keen on cutting costs, choose simple architecture. Rectangular houses cost much less than those with an irregular shape.

If you live in an area where winters are particularly cold, you cannot omit insulation. But it is not all that important in other areas. So, use the kind of insulation you can afford.