Important tips for building your own house
People who are in the market for a new house, there are several things that you need to do and obtain to start building your new house. Looking back on my personal experience, I certainly would have benefited from someone who can guide me. When we built our own home, I thought all we needed was a lot, a contractor, a working budget and permits… it was more complicated than that.
Upon purchasing a lot, we went to our association to get the construction guidelines. It was quite a long process detailing building the permits needed, a surveyor's plan, minimum setbacks (setbacks are the minimum distance between the structure and the property line), penalties for any contractor violations, association fees, and much more. Yes, it was complex indeed. Here's a simple guide that will make the process easier.
Construction guidelines
Obtain a copy of construction guidelines from your association. This will guide you on what the restrictions and requirements are for building. These guidelines range from allowable height of your roof to setbacks to worker's guidelines to corresponding dues and bonds you need to pay to delivery fees, etc. While not all associations may require a surveyor's plan, it is advisable that you do so to make sure the property line is properly defined and no mistakes are made as to the location of your lot.
Get an architect
You will need a licensed, registered architect who can help you plan your space and make full use of your lot. Aside from the rules of your association, there are also guidelines that the architect needs to follow from our Philippine National Building Code. This ensures that the design will comply with these rules and regulations.
The architect will also be responsible for other allied engineering works needed in your permit - link plumbing, electrical, and/or mechanical engineers who will accomplish the required plans. To make sure your architect is licensed, check with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). You can verify their license online.
How do you find the right architect for you? Check out referrals from colleagues and friends. You can also check online but make sure to verify and meet with your prospective architects first. Remember that this will be your dream home, so choose wisely. It should be someone you are comfortable working with, you can trust and who can interpret your requirements for you.
Hire an interior designer
If you want to maximize space flow, storage requirements, ergonomic and safety considerations, and of course, turning your house into a home, consider hiring a licensed interior designer as well. Interior designers are trained to look at every minute detail and will make your house not only visually appealing but also functional for you. The common mistake is bringing an interior designer once the house has been built. Actually, we work in tandem with your architect to ensure that your space works right for you.
For example, for your closet, we make sure to design proper storage not just for your clothes, but also for jewelry, accessories, watches, belts, etc. We also give you working drawings that specify all of these so that you have enough storage for each area. In the same way as you look for your architect, follow the same process when searching for your interior designer. Check out the license, get referrals, and most importantly, look for someone you trust can bring your vision into life. What if you have a different style from your spouse? A good interior designer can help you streamline your style. Look at their portfolio to gauge experience, design taste and execution.
Now that you have your team, what will they need from you?
Define your lifestyle and also each of your family members. The more details you provide, the better your team of professionals can help you achieve your goals. For each member of the family, narrate as to how you start your day from the time you wake up till the time you sleep. For each shared family activities inside the home, spaces can be allotted for these. Do you have collections? Books? Toys? For pets, where do they stay? What storage requirements are needed for each person? Do this for every area of your home. What is the area of your home you spend the most time in? What are your non-negotiable considerations for the design? These are a few questions that can serve as a guide for you.
These are the initial stages in building your home. Once you have secured your team, they can help you with all the details that go into each area.
And one last piece of advice: be flexible. When making your home things don't always go as planned. Have a mindset of flexibility as you work with your team. Not all plans should be etched in stone as changes do happen along the way. Making a house is an evolution, it's not paint by numbers. Have fun and do reach out to inquiries@jasanchetainteriors.com and if you have any questions, we are more than willing to help!
