Month: December 2019

Low-Cost House Construction Techniques

The main reason why most people often opt to buy and not build homes is because of the assumption that home construction is expensive. However, that is not entirely true. With proper planning and the low-cost building materials available today, house construction is no longer a costly affair. The following are some of the main low-cost home construction techniques that can save you lots of money. 

Prefabricated Panels 

Prefabricated panels are among the most cost-effective building materials today used in many home construction projects. One of the benefits of thee panels is that they are quite flexible and can be customized to your specific needs. Besides, they will also save you on labor costs. Since the panels are fabricated before the start of the construction, they have less on-site waste and also eliminate the cost overruns that may occur due to delays in the delivery of construction materials. 

Stone Cladding 

Stone homes are usually very costly to build due to the high costs of building stones. In case you need a home with the looks of stone but, unable to afford building stones, stone cladding is a more cost-effective option. Stone cladding looks like a veneer, which is applied on the external surfaces to imitate stones. You can use them on the entire façade or selected parts of the building. Stone cladding offers unique finishes and profiles that mimic different kinds of stones. The materials are more affordable and, also less costly in terms of labor. 

Reclaimed Timber 

Reclaimed stone is among the cheap building materials but, provides trendy looks that can truly enhance the appeal of your house. Construction experts say that reclaimed timber is quite durable and, also used when dry. As a result, they hardly experience warping or splitting. Besides, they are also environmentally friendly. Reclaimed timber is cheap but, you must be keen to select the right pieces that will suit your house plan. 

Other low-cost house construction techniques that you should also consider when planning to build a home without spending more include concrete sheets, bamboo, corrugated metal sheets, traditional bricks, and plastic. 
Feel free to check out this site for details on construction techniques. Click here.

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Is it Okay to Pour Concrete Foundation during Winter?

There are lots of reservations that many homeowners usually have when it comes to pouring concrete foundations during winter. Some fear that the cold temperatures would damage the concrete. Others also claim that due to the cold, it would take very long for the concrete to cure, thereby dragging their projects several weeks behind schedule. 

Despite the above concerns, professional builders confirm that it is okay to pour concrete foundations during winter. However, some precautions must be taken to ensure that the construction goes on smoothly. 

Tips for Pouring Concrete Foundations in Cold Months 

One of the most important things that must be done before pouring concrete foundations in winter is securing the underground. If you plan to start the project in winter, you should cover the ground under the foundation with plastic sheets or hay to prevent snow, ice, and frost from penetrating the concrete. The ground should be covered before winter starts. 

The ground temperature is very important when pouring concrete foundations during winter. If the ground is frozen, it will impact expansion, thereby changing the soil’s load-bearing capacity. That is why the ground must be properly insulated before the cold months set in. 

It is also important that the builders prepare the concrete for cold weather conditions experienced in winter. The best way of doing that is by adding more cement to the mixture and increasing the temperatures of the water. A professional builder will be able to create the right concrete mixture for the temperatures on your site to avoid freezing. 

Generally, building during winter often comes with lots of benefits including, quicker construction and reduced costs since many people tend to shy away from taking up projects during the cold months. Instead of asking if it is okay to pour concrete foundations during winter, simply prepare a suitable budget and engage a trusted homebuilder to kick start the project. 

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5 Tips for Planning your New Construction or Renovation Project

“The sooner you start your home renovation or new construction project, the sooner you’ll be done.” You’ve probably heard that statement. Unfortunately, that’s not how thing work since you one has to do some essential planning upfront. Construction projects are expensive and it can be challenging to stay on schedule and within budget. 

Keep in mind that the process of building a new home or facility for your business starts long before the materials are supplied and foundation is poured. Proper planning will help you avoid costly mistakes during the construction process. Here are important tips to guide you when planning your renovation or new construction project. 

Plan your Budget

Resources are in limited supply which is why you must consider the budget from the moment you start thinking about renovating your home or building a new home. Be realistic and look at how much money you can afford to invest in the project. Budgeting helps you to strike a balance between what you can afford and what you want. Of course, you may need to consider a mortgage or construction loan. Don’t be in a hurry to sign a construction contract with a general contractor before taking as much time as possible to thoroughly research and plan your budget. 

Choose a Design Professional

An architect or professional designer can help you come up with a comprehensive plan of the scope of work and specifics of your project. You may have to combine this phase with the budgeting since the detailed plans and drawings from your architect or interior designer will help you know what’s required of you. You must communicate your budget clearly to the company you hire, though. 

Create a Plan

Whether you use stock plans from an online source or a printed catalogue, it’s important that you work with an architect, professional designer, or any other building professional so you can choose the stock plan that best suits your needs. You can hire a licensed architect to create a custom-designed home, as well. Your goal should be to have the best plan possible that will meet your needs for years. 

Interview Contractors

You now have a home design, building site, and project budget at hand. It’s time to find an experienced general contractor to coordinate all the aspects of your construction project. It’s best to bring a contractor into the process once you have the final schematic home design ready. With the information from the detailed plans and drawings, the contractors can provide you with preliminary estimates of cost. Once you’ve received bids and estimates from several contractors, consider visiting jobsites, calling references, checking reviews, and conducting additional research before selecting the right contractor who can realize your home ownership dream.

Negotiate a Contract

With the materials selections made, right contractor hired, and detailed plan submitted for permits, the next important thing to do is getting written, signed contractors for every professional and contractor involved in your project. The contract should describe the scope of the project with detailed specifications. Everything has to be clearly listed. Make sure the contract is amended in the event either of you makes changes to the construction project.

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