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Moving into a brand new home sounds like nothing short of a dream come true. While it’s certainly amazing to start fresh and create a home that’s uniquely yours, there are advantages and disadvantages of building a house you should consider before you get started.
To help you, we put together this list of pros and cons of building a house so you can ensure you’re choosing the right path!
First, let’s run through some of the reasons why building your home is a good choice.
One of the pros of building a house is the gift of personalization. Whether it’s adjusting your floorplan using pre-designed plan options or selecting upgrades, each choice is entirely yours to make.
Some home builders will even have a selection studio full of options to browse through, which can help make the selection process a lot easier!
Purchasing an older home means you could be doing extensive repairs and replacements over the years. These costs can come as a surprise and end up being more than you’re prepared to spend.
Newly built homes are constructed to a higher building code standard, and are often made with up-to-date technology and new materials that make for a lot less maintenance over time.
Found the perfect home that’s just not in the right location? One of the main benefits of building a home is that you get more flexibility when it comes to choosing your lot.
If your desired community is in the right phase of construction there will be multiple lots available for you to look at.
Is there anything better than moving into a home that hasn’t been lived in by anyone else? You get to enjoy being the very first owner of your new home and won’t need to worry about any unwanted surprises or design updates.
New homes are more energy efficient, which can ultimately help you save on energy costs. Whether it’s water-saving toilets, LED light bulbs, a high efficiency direct vented furnace, an HRV system, or a high-efficiency gas hot water tank, there are plenty of options for saving energy in new build homes.
Major bonus: You help the environment while you’re at it!
New homes mean updated technology. A video doorbell, smart lighting, Wi-Fi enabled speakers, thermostats - smart features add to the value of your home and make it even more enjoyable to live in.
Be sure to read through our advice on what you should know about smart home features in new homes!
Warranty is a huge perk to building a new home as it offers protection if you run into any problems after you’ve moved in.
In fact, all new home builds in Alberta require new home warranty coverage with mandated 1, 2, 5, and 10 year coverage. All labour and materials are guaranteed to be covered for one year, delivery and distribution systems for two years, building envelope protection for five years, and major structural components for ten years.
At Morrison, you’ll be assigned a dedicated warranty coordinator who will help you through the process and address any of your concerns. That way your new home is guaranteed to be everything you’ve dreamed it would be!
Now that you know more about the advantages, it’s time to weigh them against the disadvantages of building a home.
The saying is true that good things take time! The entire home building process generally takes anywhere from 9-12 months, which means you won’t be able to move into your new home as quickly as you would a pre-owned home.
If you still want a new build home with a quicker move in date then you might consider spec homes that can be ready for quick or immediate possession.
While you can choose your builder based on how involved you want to be in the home building process, some of the decisions, whether it’s your budget, selecting a colour palette, or picking fixtures and finishings, will be up to you.
If you find decisions are too overwhelming, this could be a con for you. However, once you’ve chosen a great home builder they will likely have processes in place that can help make decisions a lot easier.
Building in a newer area likely means other homes are going to be built around yours. Dealing with construction noise, mud, and traffic can be frustrating, but the good news is it’s only temporary!
Land costs are something to consider before you build, though most home builders constructing homes in new communities will include land as a part of the overall cost.
Talk to your builder ahead of time to determine if their pricing includes land costs and be sure to make it a part of your budget if not.
Landscaping is something that’s likely to become your responsibility when building a new home, regardless of whether you have a green thumb or not. Keep this in mind as you create your budget.
Most new home builds are in newer communities. That means schools and amenities might not be easily accessible - at least not right away! It’s best to check the community development plan and take it into consideration before you decide to build.
If it’s your first time building a new home it’s important to know that not all builders are equal when it comes to their skill sets or available options. Be sure to read our article discussing questions to ask a home builder so you can have confidence in knowing you’ve made the right choice!
While weighing the pros and cons of buying land and building a house will be a different process for everyone, the pros are sure to outweigh the cons when you have the right builder on your side.
If you’re looking for a home builder who can answer each of your questions and provide you with the best home building experience possible, be sure to get in touch with Morrison!
