Why pay someone else to do what you can do yourself? Most people don’t know how to build a new home from scratch, but there are DIY projects that can save money. For instance, Next Modular, will pour a foundation and set a modular home on it, leaving the rest of the details to you. Your sweat equity can reduce the overall cost of your new home significantly.
You Can Still Hire a Contractor
While you can technically take on any project yourself, most people don’t have the time, tools, or know-how to handle the things we list below. There are certain aspects of a home building project that are best handled by an expert.
1. Site Prep
The last thing you want is for your house to fall over, or sink, or leak water. Excavating, grading, and smoothing often require heavy equipment and experience. Apart from the home, other things, like septic installation also require site prep and permits. You can have your general contractor do the work or you can source a local company and shop for the best pricing.
2. Foundation/Framework
Most foundation work requires poured concrete. It’s a big project and must pass inspection, so we recommend hiring a professional. Again, foundation building and framework generally require more than one set of hands. Generally speaking, it is easier to call a professional or to at least recruit the help of some friends.
3. Equipment Jobs
To sum it up, any job requiring heavy or expensive equipment that you don’t have laying around the house, you should probably take it as a sign to enlist help. You might spend more money on the equipment than the labor!
DIY Projects that Can Help You Cut Down on Homebuilding Costs
So, what DIY projects can you save money on? We highly recommend that you cut down on homebuilding costs by researching the following projects and their accompanying how-tos. If you have any questions, we would be happy to talk to you and offer our recommendations.
- Appliance Installation
- Painting and Touchups
- Landscaping
- Septic System
- Basement Finishing
- Driveway
- Gutters
- Carport
- Patios
- Porches
- HVAC System
- Garage
- Well drilling
Don’t Forget to Budget!
Budgeting is the best way to save money, especially when you are working with DIY projects. Set aside a certain amount of money for each project, and make sure to add up costs before you begin making purchases. Spending freely usually results in high expenses, and since the whole purpose of working DIY is to save money, you definitely want to avoid putting yourself in the whole.
Additionally, it is important to note that if you decide to hire a contractor, you should hire one who is honest and reliable. Take the time to request referrals, recommendations, and anything else that will assure you of the contractor’s character. Ask plenty of questions, and don’t be afraid to request quotes and estimates.
If you’d like to know more about the benefits of modular homebuilding, do not hesitate to call us today. At Next Modular, we know that choosing a home is likely one of the most important financial decisions you will make. As an experienced modular home builder, we are committed to being your guiding light through this process.
