Why do We end up paying more and more as we build a house?
Why do We end up paying more and more as we build a house?
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Written by Jimmy John   
Saturday, 06 September 2008
    There is a saying that as we build a house, we have to pay more and more for it. Why do we have to pay more? There are many reasons. Mainly, more construction is done than the agreement originally stipulates. Actual construction may differ from the contractor's original estimates, so the final product differs from the owner's original blueprints. Often this is the result of the homeowner overlooking many details that can make a large difference in the bottom line. Perhaps the homeowner has not specified certain details, such as front door, fence door, air conditioning, or lightning rod (very necessary for those who live in an open area that is at high risk of lightning strikes. A high performance one can cost more than $4550.) As a result, when the house is built, there are more expenses to pay than originally estimated.
    Further problems can occur if the homeowner has not personally seen or tested the materials and appliances that have been prepared by the architects of the house. Sometimes during construction, the homeowner wants specific models of appliances as opposed to the standard models included in the original plans. In general, problems occur when the homeowner does not have a sense of perspective of the whole house, or does not have a good idea of the dimensions of the rooms. So, when the house is built, the owner realizes that the appliances and materials are not as he or she wants. In the worst-case scenario, it ends up being demolished and rebuilt once the owner has a better sense of what he or she really wants.
    To avoid this case, the homeowner has to indicate specific model and brand of any appliances in detail, and the owner should see examples of all materials before making decisions. Even seemingly small details such as door hinges, handles, and dead bolts are important because these small accessories have varying models and costs. Detailed specification of these accessories and other materials can help the contractor estimate the overall cost and have a better understanding with the homeowner what is included and excluded in the construction. Of course, the architect should help the house owner select the materials and emphasize the costs and benefits of each option. For the dimension of the rooms, architect can help by showing a space which has same dimensions as the rooms to be built, so that the homeowner can know how comfortable it will be with certain appliances and accessories.
    Finally, the homeowner must maintain his or her needs to be suitable with limited expenses. The architect should make it clear with the homeowner that there are many grades of materials, and show the owner several examples, detailing strengths and weaknesses of each. If these steps are taken, the expenses will match the budget of the homeowner, and you will avoid paying more and more as you build your house.