The Tribune

Before first-time home builders lay the first block, Raymond Antonio advises on the essential elements they should consider

BUYING a home takes a dose of courage and a lot of confidence. Building a home takes twice the confidence and four times the courage.

Why? Because when you buy a home, you see what you are getting. It’s real. You can walk through it, touch it and view it repeatedly before the deal closes.

But when you build, you are trusting that what you see on paper, a rendering first and blueprint later, is what you will get when you move in. You are relying on a contractor who, in turn, is depending on his skilled and unskilled labour and on sub-contractors who will do the electrical, plumbing, tiling, masonry, air-conditioning and all the finishing touches that will transform a structure into the home you will call your own.

Considerations like those make some people hesitant, but armed with the right information to guide you, you can build exactly what you want and the reward will be great. Here are four tips to get you started and guide you along the way.

1. Choosing the land to build on is the single most important decision you will make, followed only by selection of architect and general contractor - or if you can afford it or the job is large enough, a project manager.

When looking at property, consider it in relation to your lifestyle, the amenities you want along with the distance to work, school, and other activities. Get to know the neighbourhood. Talk to neighbours about what they like and any issues they may have, whether flooding, poor utilities, inadequate lighting for security and comfort, unruly or thoughtless nearby residents.

You are buying into a lifestyle when you choose land so don’t make the mistake so many do, falling in love with one feature and letting that rule your decision-making – a giant tree, for instance, or a nearby pond. Take in the big picture. Make sure the lot you are looking at is not the lowest elevation in the area. Drive around during peak hours and at night. If the lots you are looking at are in a new development, decide ahead of time if you want a corner lot, the end of a cul de sac and which direction the lot faces relative to sun and prevailing breezes.

If the property you have your heart set on has been on the market for some time, find out why. Think of re-sale value. Once you have settled on the right lot and you’ve been assured of good title, you can begin designing your dream home.

1. Determine what size of house you need now and what you will need a decade from now. Getting the size of the home right is trickier than you think.

Separate the two main factors - how much house you want or need and how much house you can afford without sacrificing other important needs or obligations, education, insurance or even the ability to vacation. You want to own your home, not let your home own you. In determining size, start with the rooms you and your family use most – kitchen, bedrooms, baths, dining area, patio or deck.

Most contemporary homes have a comfortable family room for TV and family time rather than a formal living room – they are rarely used these days, often reserved for holidays. Overbuilding not only costs more to construct, which means higher mortgage payments and overall ownership price, but costs more to maintain.

Keep those two basic questions in mind: What do you need? What can you afford? Be realistic.

1. Choose practical over style. Practical can also be pretty and it will pay off in long-term impact on electricity costs, insurance, usable space and enjoyment.

Just because something trendy caught your eye on HGTV doesn’t mean it will work for you or in the Bahamian climate where a sun room, for instance, could be overkill when what you really need is shade and a more practical investment would be in solar installation to power a hot water heater. Open decks facing the sea may be beautiful in California where temperatures are lower but in the Bahamas, where the sun could boil an egg on an uncovered deck in August, a partially-covered deck by roof or by awning will allow for far greater use year-round.

1. What you decide to build – size, style, features, site plan, materials – is only going to be as good as who builds it. Because there is no HomeAdvisor.com or Angie’s List in the Bahamas and a Better Business Bureau is still in the formative stages, the best advice is to learn from the experiences of others.

Ask friends and colleagues who they recommend. Don’t be afraid to call people whose homes you admire. Everyone loves to share praise when it is deserved and most are willing to share bad news when warranted.

Ideally, in addition to the general contractor, you should appoint a professional project manager. But with or without a manager for the job, interview at least three builders once you have got recommendations. Show them the plans. Some will bid, others may not wish to. Do not accept the contractor’s version of a contract. Have your lawyer draw up the contract, ensuring that the contractor is responsible for showing that all subs were paid up to that point as a pre-requisite for getting the next draw (payment as given steps in the job are reached). Make sure the company you choose has all insurance in place and premium is current for the duration of your project.

Remember, building takes courage but it can be a smooth process with great rewards if you make the four right choices - right land, right size, right style and right builder. Rely on friends and colleagues who have taken the plunge before you, but insist on professionals every step of the way to avoid pitfalls and turn your building experience into one you are willing to share with the next person who is thinking about building for the first time.

Raymond Antonio is a Sales Agent and Appraisal Associate with Mario Carey Realty with 30 years experience of the banking and mortgage industry. He is a Fellow of the Bahamas Institute of Financial Services.

NEXT WEEK: more advice on building your own home - the five ‘Ps’ of hassle-free construction