Building your first home can be overwhelming, and in the excitement of your self build it’s very easy to forget the small details and things you may only remember when it’s too late.

If you’re building your dream home, presumably you’re hoping to stay in it for a good few years, if not for the rest of your life. So, before you start your build bear in mind these simple things:

Room Placement - Consider what is convenient for you, for example have a small bathroom near any main doors allows for short entrance to the loo from outside, perfect if you spend a lot of time in the garden, so you’re not bringing mud and dirt throughout the house. Also think about noise and place your bedroom as far away from the kitchen as possible - no one likes the sound of clanging dishes in the morning.

Energy Bills - Building your own home gives you the chance to reduce your energy bills. You can choose from a range of energy saving building ideas including insulation, solar panels or even Insulating Concrete Formwork. These can be costly to install after your home is built, so it’s definitely worthwhile considering these before building to reduce your ongoing and installation costs significantly

Storage - If you are going to be in the house for a long time, you should give yourself ample storage space. You could create a loft or a cellar, which will provide you with extra space outside of the communal areas. Think of the items you forget about such as suitcases, camping equipment or even coats by the front door - it’s cheaper to build in storage options than to add them later. Consider including a walk in wardrobe, which will give you plenty of space for clothes.

Plan for the future - Your family may grow and change over the years so allow room for children, grandchildren or even elderly parents. At the same time consider what you’ll use rooms for once your children leave home, for example if you expand a bathroom into a bedroom it’s cheaper to make sure there are plumbing facilities as part of your build. Also if you plan on being in the house into your old age you could consider a one level property to avoid stairs. Or you might want to think about car lifts to make life easier later on.

Changing view - Can the landscape change around you? If you’re building a one level property choose your plot wisely because if other people build around you, your view could be ruined. You can read our blog on how to pick the perfect plot here.

These are just a few things to bear in mind when you’re self building, but if you need further guidance or a reminder of things you may have forgotten, get in touch with Arc Design Services today!